Andy and Nikki!

The whole family!!:) Wow..what a handsome family! Saturday my youngest brother got married in the Redlands temple! I totally love his new wife Nikki!! I couldn't imagine a more wonderful woman for him!! They seem really happy together and I'm excited to watch them begin their new journey together. Their wedding was beautiful in every way!! I love the temple ceremony. Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day.
We love you guys!

Honor Roll!!

This morning was the end of second semester awards assembly at Smith Elementary! As I dropped the boys off at school today Kyle's parting words were, "Mom, I can't wait for my assembly today!" We knew Tyler was getting a Honor Roll Award because his teacher told us, but we weren't sure about Kyle, we just knew he was getting an award. When his teacher read his name for Honor Roll we were so proud!! The boys were all smiles while Trey, Kory and I clapped out little hearts out for them. In order to get on Honor roll they each had to have all A's and P's in every subject, as well as all '+' marks under each character trait on their report card. Tyler and Kyle we are so proud of you!! Looks like we're taking a trip to Dairy Queen tonight! Keep up the great work!!

Good thing he's got a great memory!

Yesterday Trey impressed me! I had to use my phone to make a few phone calls just before putting Trey down for his nap. While Trey napped I did the usual...as much as I possibly could get done without having to lug him around. When he woke up he said, "Mom, a phone!" as he pointed to my bookcase. I took what he said with a grain of salt until I tried to find my phone about 10 minutes later. I searched and searched, but no luck. I couldn't find the dang thing anywhere, so as a final resort I went to Trey partially thinking I was waisting my time, but figuring it couldn't hurt. Anyway, I walked up to him and said, "Trey, do you know where my phone is?" His response, "Yeah mom!" To which I replied, "Will you get it for me." His Reply, "Sure!" He immediately stopped what he was doing walked into my room, opened my bookcase, reached into the back and pulled out my cell phone. I laughed and thanked him to which he responded with a simple, "You're welcome!" The entire incident cracked me up because he acted so big. He obviously put my phone there when I wasn't looking. I'm just glad he has a good enough memory to remember where he put it! I love you Trey. You're growing up so fast!!

Awesome Day!

This morning was an uplifting even. My mom and sister in law Marci and I went to a Women Conference in Riverside where two amazing women spoke. Wendy Watson Nelson and Sheri Dew. Sheri Dew is my favorite speaker of all time, so I was so excited. Each of the women gave an amazing talk. Sister Nelson is the wife of Russel M. Nelson. She spoke on the importance of becoming better and increasing our spirituality because "whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough" as times get more and more wicked. She encouraged us to support the Lords agenda...to support it in the way we dress, act, speak...etc. She spoke on personal revelation and our need to ask the Lord questions we want answered and then to go to the scriptures to allow him to answer them for us. Then she encouraged us to have specific things that we choose to never do again..."NOT EVEN ONCE". We can't slip and fall...we have to be strong and only do things that we would do if the Holy Ghost were right next to us.

Sheri Dew is full of insight! She began with reminding us that 'a lot of us make the mistake of forgetting that this life is not our true home. We aren't going to stay here. ' So often we make such a big deal about things that happen in this life forgetting the bigger picture. She spoke of Satan's desire to destroy us that his 'disruptive strategy'. If he can successfully 1) Confuse our identity 2) keep us from understanding the atonement and 3) prevent us from receiving personal revelation he can destroy us! So, of course if we are always working on 1) remembering who we are, which are the 'noble and great ones'. 2) Understand the atonement and allow it to work in our lives and 3) seek personal revelation we will succeed!! A particular insight into personal revelation that I liked was that she said we need to ask the Lord to teach us how to realize when we are receiving personal revelation. Being able to feel the spirit and receive personal revelation are two different things. I'd never thought of that. The Lord speaks a specific language and we have to 'learn that language' if you will. As we read the scriptures we'll come to understand our 'Fathers' language more and more.

I left the meeting with a greater desire to get closer to Heavenly Father through Personal Revelation. I think too often I just simply pray for the basic things and forget to really seek Personal Revelation or even know how to achieve that. I still don't, but I'm going to try to start learning through pondering, prayer and scripture study. I'm thankful for these women and their examples of strong faithful women of our Father in Heaven.

The Red Power Ranger

Kory loves to dress himself and for some reason he likes to dress himself in the same color! A few nights ago he had the best time with the birthday gift we got for Chase. He swore he was the real red power ranger and from the looks of things I couldn't disagree! Isn't it so fun being a kid!

Dad to the rescue

Upon looking at the picture you just might think, 'Trey sleeping, sweet!' Now let me give you the full story as to why I had to bring out my camera to get a picture of 'Trey sleeping'!! Last night about 8:00 we started the whole bed routine. I had Trey in the room and we picked out his PJ's together. He LOVES these hulk pj's. He puts them on and goes around flexing saying, "I the hunk. Muscles!!" Anyway, for that reason they are my favorite too. So, I changed his diaper and then grabbed both his hands and pulled him up. It was then that t he crying began. "Elbow!!" I didn't take it too seriously and just put his shirt on him. However, after a kiss and a hug the crying didn't stop...or more importantly the "I the hunk! Muscles!", didn't begin. It was then that I noticed he wasn't moving his arm. (I was suddenly reminded of a time when Tyler was about 2 and he stopped moving his arm after throwing a fit in the mall. We took him to a Doctor and they said he had a dislocated elbow and popped it back into place.) The only thing I could think of was to pray! When Monty got home he went to the Internet, watched a video on how to pop an elbow back into place and came back into the room. By this time Trey was sound asleep with his arm hanging, not moving a muscle. Monty took Trey by the arm...worked his magic and exclaimed, "I heard it pop back into place!" Shortly after, I watched Trey bring his arm up above his head--his preferred sleeping position. Tears came to my eyes as I realized he was better. Thanks dad for coming to the rescue! This morning Trey has no recollection of what happened, but I'll never forget the answer to my prayer that came from my husbands actions.

Chase's Birthday!

Saturday we celebrates Chase's 4th birthday. The boys were so excited about the party they asked for weeks if it was the day of the party! They got him a Power Rangers helmet. It looked like a pretty fun toy. Hopefully Chase likes it, but if not it will get played with everytime my boys are over.
My dad sent me a few pictures of the event! Thanks dad!!
Trey and Savannah!! Trey had about 5lbs of sugar from the pinata. He was in candy heaven. Savannah was ready to play some football!! This pictures is so funny because usually Trey is all over that football, but when candy is present...the football takes second place.
The dynamic duo again. Being that they are only three weeks apart they are so alike. It's almost like we had twins, but only have to take care of one!! I love watching them play!I got a chance to hold the beautiful Leilani for a while. She was good up until she got tired, then she wanted her parents. She's so soft and princess like. Boys are so heavy and rough...she was so...well sweet. Thanks for the moment!:)
Tyler and Kyle had fun with their gift bag toys.

I must mention Kory! Kory had such a great time at the party. Well, minus when he needed a band aid, but Grampop and Aunty Marci came to the rescue. Anyway, we left the party about 2:15 or so and he fell asleep on the way home. I carried him into his bed and he slept clear till 7:30--Sunday morning!! That almost 17 hours! That says it all!!
Thanks for the fun party Tio and Veronica. Happy birthday Chase! We love you guys.