It is Fooseball time again... as Hunter would say.

HUNTER IS #1...

It was that time again for some good ol football practice and game time for Hunter. The sky's where a little dark and we weren't sure if they were going to play. The coaches where just sure it was going to B L O W over...

Well most of the storm blew over, and over and over... the kids ended up playing in the rain and loved it. I tell you my friend Lauren and I are real dedicated CHEERLEADERS!

Hunter did awesome on one of his runs, he had 3 boys going after him, they almost pulled his pants down rather than the flag.
Our little dude is really enjoying the sport!


Gordon, DOWN< SET<.......
Our friend Adam is one of the coaches... he was helping Hunter out. CAN YOU SEE THE RAIN COMING DOWN!! LOL
Hunter and Gordon, playing around...
Get ready to RUN...... HUNTER!

I get to ride the school bus........field trip time!

Hunter was one EXCITED little boy when he found out he was going on a field trip.. and RIDE THE BUS!

I got to go with the class to Silver Springs in Ocala. It was so fun seeing the kids excitement.

They got to go on 3 boat rides one was a glass bottom boat so the kids got to spot turtles and fish.

The jeep safari was a bumpy blast for everyone. They saw a huge bear, a crazy monkey and some other odd animals. Hunter was in heaven when he say the mud puddles we were going threw.

To finish the day off we saw several shows. The reptile show was cool... they loved the HUGE snake.

Oh and lets not forget the enormous alligators!!! HUGE!!!

It was a fun day with the kiddos, I was so glad to be able to chaperon.

Petting zoo.....







This bear was so funny to watch... he was just chilling.

The three stooges... these kids are best buddies.

Dancing around in my house... love this song!!!

The simple reminders....

Do you ever have those moments when something happens and you are reminded of something or someone?

As Ashlea and I where blowing up balloons, one red balloon, just one, went into the sky. My next comment, before even thinking of what came out of my mouth was... oh we are letting Haley know she is invited to the party. We kinda smiled and thought for a minute but just kept blowing up balloons.

Oh how easy the thoughts just come to mind of our sweet Haley girl. Later that day, my sister Jordan asked me to write in her book the birthday's of each member in my family.

It was very funny, I had to do a double look as I started to write,, Steve, Alicia, Haley..., oh wait, Haley isn't here, Hunter and Henry. We then kinda joked at the thought, what if she sent back the balloon with a message for Henry wishing him a Happy Birthday... NOW THAT WOULD BE CRAZY... Like I said we kinda laughed and joked about the idea.

It wasn't a sad a moment, just an Awwww yes my sweet daughter, this is a family gathering and you are missed and thought about.

I'm thankful for small simple "GLANCES" that remind me I have an eternal family. As I PRESS FORWARD we one day we will be complete again.

"Glance backward, look heavenward, reach outward, press onward"

— Thomas S. Monson

It is like we where never apart...

I got the best text from my dear friend Heidi letting me know she is rolling into town... I then got a call from my sweet friend Gladys saying she was joining the fun... it was a great day! I could not wait until 2pm!!!

These two ladies, shine from the inside out. They are amazing, they are christ like, they are mothers that I look up to. It was so nice being able to visit with them for a little while. To laugh about how "normal" we are as mothers, wives and woman! Cry for a few minutes... just to get it out. You know any time woman get together they cry. :) They have to hit the "intense" part of the convo and then it all comes back to the laughter like we had never been apart. I miss them, I'm glad that Gladys lives close and I so treasure the times I get to visit with Heidi. Each one of them hold a special place in my heart.

Thanks ladies for thinking of me and always loving me so much.. love you!!!

Last night...

Last night I went in to check on my sweet boy and give him good night kisses. Seeing him sleep so peaceful my heart just melted and I picked him up.. yes he was sound asleep. :)

It was one of those moments where I just wanted to HOLD him.

I held him in my arms so close to my body.

I just rocked him and rocked him.

I loved hearing him breath, smell his sweet baby smell. Or should say big boy smell.

Henry turned 2 this week!

I just couldn't believe it. My baby is now a big boy toddler.

The time has gone by FAST I really mean fast.

I looked around the room at his big boy bed,

I see the fire truck that he say's vroom vroom to each time he see's it and his little lips vibrate as he makes the noise.

I see puzzles pieces... ALL OVER because no matter how many times mommy picks them up Henry loves to throw them around.

I feel his little legs wrapped around my waist, his arms tucked into my chest,

all snuggled up to me.

He is safe in my arms and I know he feels it. I can feel him breath and I can remember the day he took his first breath in the hospital.

I can honestly say that Henry is my sunshine..... I need to see him each and every morning.My day is not complete unless I get that good morning mommy smile from Henry. And yes like Sun shine it gives you a burn... ha ha ha..

As I was still rocking him and thinking about who he is at 2, I had to smile and smirk as his little "temper tantrums" that he is already pulling.

Henry is hitting the terrible 2's.. ha ha..

We have learned NOT to go to a restaurant until Henry is 5.. don't go shopping with him unless it will only take 5 mins... he has NO patients for shopping... and last but very very IMPORTANT... DON'T take your eyes off of him.. he is a little Houdini... boy is he quick.

So yes with sunshine there is always a little burn, without Henry we would not have a daily dose of the good stuff. LIGHT!!

Henry is the fastest little dude you will ever meet.

He is always running, always keeping us on your toes.

He loves balls, balloons, bubbles, oh how he loves his big brother Hunter.

Throwing!!! Oh, anything that he can throw,

it probably hit you in the head already... LOL...

Our lives would not be the same without this little man,

his smile is contagious.

His little hugs are so sweet!

As I'm holding him and rocking him tonight.. just like I did 2 years ago the day we brought him home,

I would have never imagined that one little baby could bring so much joy.

My mind and heart are filled with gratitude

to our Heavenly Father for blessing us with this amazing little boy.

I love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Henry!!

Good night!

Attempt at a cake...

This was my attempt at a baseball cap cake... not bad for my first time. :) The bowl I baked it in was not as big as I thought. I will have to for sure try this one again.... ha ha ha

I had a happy 5 yr old and that was all that mattered. He got to take it to his school cake walk. :)

Splish SPLASH... I was taking a bath....

Henry has so much fun the bath!

Parenting

My mind has been consumed with so many thoughts about how to raise, love and PROTECT my boys.

Over the past month or so Steve and I have sure been tested on this scripture (D&C 93:40). It isn't anything we are doing wrong per say it is how we handle the influences and situations of the world that our sons are presented with. We know we can't be at our sons side each and every day... so we have to do our best to try to figure it out, and pray.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught that the home is the most important place to counter Satan’s influence:

“In 1833 the Lord warned through his prophet, ‘And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.’ (D&C 93:39.)

“And then he offered the solution,

‘But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.’ (D&C 93:40.)

“The spirit of the times is worldliness. Hoodlumism is common. Supposedly good youth from recognized good families express their revolt in destructive acts. Many defy and resist the law-enforcing officers. Respect for authority, secular, religious, and political, seems to be at a low ebb. Immorality, drug addiction, and general moral and spiritual deterioration seem to be increasing, and the world is in turmoil. But in our time the Lord has offered his ageless program in new dress and it gives promise to return the world to sane living, to true family life, family interdependence. It is to return the father to his rightful place at the head of the family, to bring mother home from social life and employment, the children away from unlimited fun and frolic. The home teaching program with its crowning activity, the family home evening, will neutralize the ill effects only if people will apply the remedy.” (“Home: The Place to Save Society,” Ensign, Jan. 1975, pp. 3–4.)

We have to realize that we really DO have a great responsible to teach our children AT HOME.. and pray that what we are teaching them will help them resist temptation.. help them to know who they are... Help them to be leaders and good examples for there friends. There is so many outside influences that could lead us other ways. We sure have prayed for knowledge and I have felt the lords love for me, love for Steve and I see our sons growth.

This quote could not have come at a better time for our family.

"If we are to put civility back into civilization, the process must begin in the home with parents, while children are very young. It will not happen otherwise. - Gordon B. Hinckley

To realize the promise of peace in the heart and happiness int he home we must do all we can to live the gospel, to be people of honest and integrity, "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8). Those who are untruthful, who steal, cheat, and lie, are living a duplicitous life well below their celestial potential and eternal purposes. For some, mendacity is a habit that must be broken, an addition that must be stopped with sincere repentance and humility . Honesty, integrity, and civility change families and nations - but it all begins at home, with parents who love their children enough to do the hard work of righteous parenting. Parents are charged with the divine commission to bring up their children in light and truth (D&C 93:40); they are held accountable for how they live and teach truth.

That last part (They are help accountable) wow! That scares me to death, but then I also totally take on the challenge. I KNOW that without my Heavenly Father as a partner in raising my boys we won't succeed. Steve and I as parents have to team up against the adversary and walk strong. I have felt like our family has been under attack almost and we are seeing the "world's temptations at our door step". I'm grateful for quotes, scriptures and church leaders that always have the "right" things to say that guide our family.

Joseph B. WIthlin put it perfectly....

"The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him"

Easter Eggstravaganza

I was able to go help out with the surprise Easter party that the teacher wanted to do for the kids. As you can see Hunter was all over eating CUPCAKES... the kids had fun finding eggs, checking out there goodie bags and eating lots of treats.


Ou Hunter boy really wanted to have a Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ... So mommy and Hunter planned what we were going to do and it turned out great!! We spent the evening enjoying each other's company. The kids enjoyed loving on the puppies, jumping on the trampoline and playing. We had a good spread of yummy food that filled everyones tummy... and lastly we finished the fun night off with an Easter Egg Hunt and some (left over fireworks) "Hunter's party" was a hit....Happy Easter!

Family Fun... we headed down south to visit Steve's side of the family. We had a delicious feast of homemade food, a fun egg hunt and the kids colored eggs with there granny.

We had a blessed Easter surrounded by friends and family.....













Easter Morning with the kiddos.... Hunter was so excited to get the Tangled movie and book. Of course we can't forget the huge pen and rooster that lays gum balls. Awww to be a kid and the fun things they get. Henry loved the bubbles, balloons and GOLDFISH.. this boy loves goldfish!

My first Edible Flower Arrangement

SO I got a wild hair and tried to make my first "Edible Flower Arrangement". I dipped some in chocolate to go with the chocolate Easter bunny. I think it turned out pretty good, the only thing I need to make better for next time is that the apples and some of the other fruit stated to turn brown. I cut everything in the morning and then traveled 2 hours. Maybe next time I should cover it, it would be great for a event happening "close" to home. :)

Overall I was pretty proud of myself, lots of work...but a total success!