Camping with the Holy Ghost

We went camping Sunday night July 4th where the kids had monday off school.  Jim had to work so it was just the kids and I.  They had been wanting to go camping all summer and we had just been to busy.  So I took them for a quick one night camping trip.  We went up Yankee Meadow but with it being a holiday most people already being there through the weekend we had a hard time finding a spot.  We ended up camping just off the road and started to get camp set up before it got to dark.  I did not feel good about the location we were camping in because our tent was just off the road as you come around a corner. The whole time setting up the tent I keep thinking this really is not the best place.  If someone can't make that turn they will run right into us, but we really have no other options and the kids were so excited I pushed they aside and set up camp.

Once camp was set we went on a little hike where Zip (our dog) got into some water.  The look on the kids face when he ran by them and shook was priceless.

After out little hike it was time to start a fire, tell stories and enjoy some smores!!!!

 Trey was our professional Smore Maker!

Every time a vehicle would come down the road I would hold my breath and I still felt uneasy about our location.    I continued to keep my feelings to myself and did not want to upset the kids.  We were having such a great time.  We ended up going to bed about 1:00 AM and after we said our prayers and quieted down I could hear someone crying.  I rolled over and asked Aspyn what was wrong.  Through her tears she said "mom I really don't think we are sup-post to camp here."  I began to cry because I knew she was right.  I had ignored the feeling I was having the whole time, but it took the spirit of a child to make me listen.  We had been learning about the Holy Ghost in Primary that month and the boys (who had started crying also) said "Mom I think the holy ghost is telling us something here and we need to listen."  We quickly packed up camp and headed down the mountain back home.  We had a great time while we were there, but we also had a great learning experience about the Holy Ghost and how he can help us in all aspects of our lives.  We discussed how when we hear those promptings we need to obey.  Need less to say when we did get home they all wanted to sleep with Mom just to be safe, and of course mom didn't mind.  All in all it was a camping trip I will never forget and I don't think they will either.

I Love to Look for Rainbows

Well it rained yesterday and we had a beautiful double rainbow right over our house.  I love rainbows and like to think its a sign from my mom that she loves me.  The kids and I just sat and watched it for a long long time.  What a beautiful world we live in and I hope I can not be to caught up in life to not stop and enjoy the things that really matter.  Thanks for the reminder mom!

Relay -4-Life

Well it was time once again for Relay-4-Life.  Cedar's Relay-4-Life gets better every year.  We had a really good turnout and for once the weather was not freezing. 

My co-worker Cheryl was on the committee and does such a great job as our cancer support go to girl.

The first lap was walked by survivors and care givers together and it was such a joy to be among so many of my fellow patients and their families.  They have been and will continue to be such an inspiration to me.  They are so strong and full of hope it is a pleasure to serve them.    The following are just some random pictures from the event.

 

 My co-worker Mats cute kids

 Another crazy co-worker (Tiff) & (Matt)

 Brock & Easton

I was so busy taking pictures and running around I kinda just left Jim with kids. Thanks Jim for always being such a good sport and supporting me in all I do!!!!!!

Team Parowan always raises the most money.  Their goal was $5,000.00 but the last day they decided to raise it to $7,000.00.  Each year they have a cool theme and matching shirts for their team.   This year their theme was we are H.O.T.T.T. (Helping Others Through Though Times).  Great Job Team Parowan!!!!!!

They had several different types of entertainment going on.  Some of them were  bouncy houses for the kids, several dance groups, a live band, you could tie dye your t-shirt, etc.

 

















So in the end we will never give up the fight!!!!!!!!!!!

 

New Beginnings

Well Sunday the 21st was the New Beginnings program in Kanosh Ward and I was asked to come and be the motivation/guest speaker.  I was honored to come and talk to these wonderful young women and it was such a good experience for me.  I hope they got as much out of it as I did.  They had it decorated so cute and I love the new theme song for this year "Strong and Courageous".

Megan & Shantel (my cute cousins)

They had balloons tied to each value banner.

The girls singing "Strong and Courageous"

Operation Cover Up!!!

Thanks Natalie for posting this.  I had not seen it, but remember helping my Grandma Kesler on this service project.  It was in 1995 and was called "Operation Cover Up".  It is much more real when you actually get to see the joy in the childrens eyes. What a great tribute Brittany did for her dad.  We loved Marc and his family when they lived in Kanosh and we were sad to see them move.  Thanks for sharing!

How Does She Do It???

Well there have been many many times in my life I have said this phrase. I want to take some time and thank all the "she's" in my life. I look at each and every one of my "she's" and they have all impacted me in one way or another. This year I hope to be more like "she". More like the friend who never talks bad about her husband. More like the friend who never gives up when things get hard. More like the friend who is so in touch with the spirit there is no question in what she should do. More like the friend who cooks dinner and enjoys family conversation around the table. More like the friend who is so patient and understanding with her children. More like the friend who is adventurous and not afraid to try something new. More like the friend whos house is clean and uncluttered. More like the friend who knows whats going on in my life because they are not to busy to keep in touch. More like the friend who enjoys each day to its fullest. So my goal is to take a little away from all the "She's" in my life and be a little better "she" my self. Thanks for the great example you are to me!!!!!!!

Our Christmas Program

Well we had out Ward Christmas program on the 23rd of December and it went really well.  The boys were toys and the girls were dolls.  They were wondering why they were being given away, but throughout the program they learned that when the kids were giving them away to someone else on Christmas they were trying to be like Christ and serving others.  It was really cute and the kids did a great job.

The Dolls

Toys and Dolls

Nativity Scene

Scouts serving others by shoveling snow.

Monday Matters- Thanks-BRO!

Colby: I know you hate this kind of stuff so hopefully we will still be close after this post.

I need to tell someone thank you that is long over due. That is my brother Colby. He is the best brother I could have asked for and I have not told him enough how much I appreciate him and all he has done for me in my life. Long ago when I was small I fell off my bike and Colby came running to wipe away my tears and make sure I was ok. We here it is almost 30 years since then but when I called Colby crying he was right their wiping my tears making sure I was ok (everythings fine just had a bad day). Thank you Randi for being supportive and willing to share him. With all that Colby and I have been through we have a special bond. We are very close and always have been no matter how many miles apart we lived. And now that I am back in the Cedar area it is and honor to be known as Colbys little sister. I am proud of you and the person you have become. I love you Colby and think the world of you. Thanks for being the only stable thing in my life. You are my ROCK. The one I have looked up to, and turned to for direction & support. You are the best brother anyone could have asked for and I am glad I was lucky enough to have you as mine because without you I would have never made it!!!!!!!!!

My brother with two good friends (Spencer,Morgan,& Colby)

My Brother is an Eagle Scout!

His favorite horse "Little Joe"



Clowns at the 24th July parade (Travis, Colby and Brandy)

We spent many hours riding the 3 wheeler.

I was born with brown hair and you were born with blonde and then we switched.

Halloween!

Thanks for Everything!

MY ROCK!

Great To Be Eight!

Well this year we (the primary presidency) decided to hold a "Its Great to be Eight" party for all those kids who have just turned eight (and not been baptized) or are going to turn eight so we introduce them to all the fun programs they get to be involved in and give them an introduction to baptism. I handmade the invitations so they would be a little more personalized and we had a lot of fun.


We decorated in the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. Sister Edwards did a great job with these cookie vase center pieces (idea off www.sugardoodle.net)

that each child got to take home with them. Then bishop gave a demonstration of his interview with them and the questions he will ask. We also had the achievement day leader and the scout leader come and talk about the fun things they do. Then 1st counselor talked about the gospel in action program, and we had someone talk on baptism and someone demonstrate the proper hand hold and bending your knees to be baptized. At the end we played a fun game. I made a 12x12 scrapbook page for each of the kids with their pictures on it and 8 facts about them.

We had some balloons with a number attached to it and they would each get a balloon and we would ask them a question and then they would have to answer which one of the kids that question related to than sit on the balloon to see if they were right. It was a fun way to end a great night. We finished up with some cupcakes (I got finished just in time thanks to some help from Tiff but I must say they turned out great)and ice cream.


The kids also got to keep a little bag with a picture of Jesus surrounded by the children to help remind them how much Jesus love us. I think the night was a great success and the kids and their families seemed to really enjoy it.

NOTHING TO DO WITH GREAT TO BE 8 BUT IT WAS A TAG ABOUT THINGS OF 8 SO I POSTED WITH THIS
Lisa Woodland tagged me awhile ago and since it went along with the 8 theme I stuck it in here.

8 things to look forward to:
1. Eternal life and seeing those who have passed on again.
2. Being a mom -I love both the joys and hardships that come along with it.
3. Being a wife. I love my husband and look forward to each new day with him.
5. Taking classes to continue to learn and grow.
6. Spending time with my family and friends.
7. A Good Book - I recommend "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins(Believe it or not I am hooked on reading now if I can just get the running bug I will be set)
8. Camping with the family. What can I say we love the outdoor and camping.
(What no scrapbook??? I have got to get my priorities in order!!!!

8 things I did this Weekend
1. Coached a soccer game
2. Went to church
3. Worked on Invitations for Its Great to be 8 Program
4. Watched a movie with the family
5. Cleaned up the house
6. Went out to eat
7. Visited a neighbor in Summit
8. Made Treys pinewood derby car

8 things I wish I could do.
1. Be more organized
2. Manage my time better
3. Keep a cleaner house
4. Take better pictures
5. Play the guitar
6. Enjoy running
7. Understand the scriptures better
8. Scrapbook more

8 TV shows I watch:
1. Grey's and a few Jazz games if I catch one on.

8 places I would travel
1.Italy
2.Alaska
3.Germany
4.Ireland
5.Africa
6.Rome
7.Japan
8.France

8 people I tag:
1. Mindi Frost
2. Wendy Higgs
3. Amy Carter
4. Tami Cole
5. Tiffani Schmidt
6. Jen Coy
7. Lisa Teeples
8. Anyone that wants to be tagged

Monday Matters - The List

Well I bought a book called "Every Monday Matters 52 Ways to make a difference" and since we already have FHE on Monday I though it would be a great idea to bring this in with it as well. So today is my first day of Monday Matters they want you to make a list of the things that matter most. Is that where you're spending most of your time?????? Time is a non-renewable resource. Once its gone its gone.
It just gets you thinking about what really matters and where your priorities should be. I swear it is so easy to get caught up in this fast paced world just going with the flow sometimes we need to just step back and say wait a minute what am I doing.

Here is my list of what matters most to me.
What Matters MOST!!!

* Family
* Faith
* Friends
* Health
* Career

Primary Party

We had our Summit Primary Party and thank goodness for visitors! I think we ended up with 21 kids there. Which is a great turn out for our super small primary. We had a good time and the kids had a lot of fun. A big thanks to all who helped.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple and Aquarium

We (Our family, Travis's family, Colby's family, and Spencer's family) headed up north to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. I love to go to the temples. It is always so beautiful and peaceful. I had promised the kids if they were good we could get a treat after wards. Well we had barely exited the temple doors when Easton yelled "Lets go get a pepsi". Leave it to Easton to tell it like it is. After the temple we headed to the Aquarium in Sandy the kids really enjoyed the exhibits there and loved the touch pool with the sting rays.
Oquirrh Mountain Temple

EEL

Sting Ray touch pool

Jelly Fish