Spring Break

Spring Break is always a juggling act. Trying to keep the kids entertained and happy with out exhausting all my energy and resources. Our family dynamic is shifting we are out of the naptimes, and diapers phase. Occasionally I mourn losing that phase it passed so fast! But mostly I really enjoy where we are at. My kids are my friends (most days haha especially days I don't make them practice the piano) and we go on adventures together, baking, hiking, and now with my two oldest we get to go to the temple and that's REALLY one of my favorites. This week for spring break was full of friend time, paddle boarding, temple trip and the Faler Family Reunion at the cabin. It was a fantastic week. 

Paddle boarding with April was interesting. She was terrified of falling in and all day long told me she didn't want to go. I talked her into it and promised she would not fall in. She hung out on my paddleboard and sat still so as not to rock the board. Thankfully I was able to keep my promise and she didn't fall in. I was impressed with how well all the kids did. Paddling can be a little tricky, it's a little taxing, involves balancing, and coordination with steering your board. Thankfully it was a BEAUTIFUL day and not very breezy (it's easier to steer with out the wind working against you). The water was freezing but for us girls we were perfectly comfortable just hanging out on our boards. The boys however didn't seem to mind the freezing lake water and enjoying wrestling and throwing a football around with one another in and out of the lake. 

One of the days I let both boys pick a friend to join us on bike riding/rollerblading and scooters at Tempe Town Lake. I rented a couple scooters for Mason and his friend Emerson we had a blast. (Callie was at a friends house while we did this)

Mason has made some really good friends at school. They go to the temple Saturday mornings at 5:30am. I picked a carful of kids up and went to the temple. Afterwards I brought them home for breakfast and shuttled them all home. I loved getting to know each of these kids a little better and I'm so grateful Mason has good friends.

Faler Family Reunion was so nice and relaxing. My kids were in heaven playing with cousins, building forts and playing cards. I got to go for a jog with my little bro (that is always a highlight for me), late night card games and movies for the adults and we even got some snow on our last day there! It was very nice. Too bad the whole family couldn't make it. It's difficult to coordinate family schedules when you're dealing with a dozen different school or work schedules and activities.

Noah's school projects

This kid. I'm so proud of the smile in this picture. He picked out and designed this Minion valentine box himself (with the help of Pinterest). His famous person report impressed me a lot too. Full disclosure: I'm a bad mom. I NEVER help Noah with hardly anything. Not school work. Not piano. Not his chores. and Definitely not with his math... I don't have to. He is self motivated and has always been so successful at his endeavors. he chose George Washington and completed the entire assignment himself including the oral presentation. That said, I did help A LOT with the actual costume. I was so proud of how confident and excited he was to present his knowledge on one of our founding fathers.

April was Star Student this week

April has the BEST Preschool teachers/class ever. We are so lucky. My really good friend Lindsey is an angel  (and an answer to prayers) and picks April up every Thursday from daycare to take her to preschool with her since I'm working every Thursday. April LOVES preschool and asks everyday if it's a preschool day. She got to be STAR student this week and talked about it nonstop. I'm so grateful for the good in my life and April's preschool "Wiggle Worm Preschool" is a large part of that good. April is learning so much and just loves it. I'm so thankful for Ms. Brown and Ms. Lindsey and all they do.

 Her Christmas Program

Ms. Lindsey and Ms. Brown 

This hilarious picture was taken on one particular Thursday where April fell asleep in the car on the way to school with Lindsey... haha. Oh April

April loves to draw. She tells me she wants to be an artist when she grows up. 

 April has recently discovered the movie Lilo and Stitch and she LOVES it. This is her drawing of Stitch. 

Callie speaking at a baptism

Callie's friend Maddi Pear asked her to speak at her baptism this weekend. Maddi's mom told me that when she was asked who she wanted to speak at her baptism with out hesitation and after suggesting "grandma or grandpa, aunt or uncle, or a friend" Maddi responded almost without hesitation "Callie. I want Callie to talk" I was also pleasantly surprised that Callie willingly agreed. She did a fantastic job and I was really proud of her.

Her talk:

Maddi and Tusi do you guys like getting presents? Well President Wilford Woodruff (one of our prophets) has said: “the gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man.”

How do we use this awesome gift?

Let’s do a demonstration. Can Maddi and Tusi come up here?

I borrowed my brothers walkie talkies. I think having walkie talkies is like having the Holy Ghost with us. Maddi and Tusi stay right here. I’m going to walk out of the room and tell you something really important… (Callie walks out of the room with one of the walkie talkies and says...)…

“Come follow me and walk out of the room to find me” (Her friends walk out and Callie gives them each a giant candy bar. They walk back in and Callie continued with her talk.)

When we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we are blessed. 

The Holy Ghost is always there for us. We can always have this walkie talkie with us. But we need to make sure it’s tuned into the right channel so we can hear Him. How do we tune our walkie talkies? Things like reading our scriptures, being kind, having faith in the Savior, saying our prayers. These are all things that help us tune our channel so we can hear. 

The Holy Ghost can help protect us and keep us safe. 

In John 14:26 it says  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” 

He also helps us when we need guidance. 

**(Toucan story - this is a story Callie shared about losing her favorite stuffed animal and praying about it. then she found it)

Maddie and Tusi you are about to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

I’m excited for you and I know that the Holy Ghost can and will help you just like he does for me. If you make sure you’re tuned into the right channel and if we do like the Primary song says “Listen, Listen. The Holy Ghost will whisper. Listen, Listen to the still small voice.” then we will be blessed. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

Best. Birthday. Ever!

Ron surprised me with a 24 hour getaway to Sedona, AZ. Our good friends Jeff and Lindsey were celebrating their 15 anniversary too! We stayed at the Arroyo Pinion Hotel with a hot tub right in the bedroom. It was the perfect combination of fun, laughing, alone time, outdoors, and yummy GF food!!! As long as I’ve lived here in AZ I can’t believe I’ve never made it to Sedona. It’s definitely one of my favs now.  Such beautiful scenery and of course the best company.

I was so impressed with Ron. He planned ahead and got me the sweetest and way too expensive present. He gave me an apple watch. I've wanted one for a while to help track my running. It has some really fun features on it and i'm so happy with his generous thoughtful present.

My little Buddy

These past couple weeks have been a little rough on April. Stomach flu to virus to earache. This first pic at the doctors office she gave a hug and said "Let's hug for a while" She tugs at my heart strings. Today I almost cried registering her for kindergarten She's my side kick, my little buddy, my companion at all appointments, my entertainment, my dance partner and is the perfect little caboose to our crazy family. She's so excited for school but I'm going to be a wreck in the fall. Thank goodness for half day kindergarten.