A lesson from a 5 year old

Have you ever had a day when you were so busy, that getting the task at hand done was the only thing on your mind? Please tell me I am not the only one who puts off, and puts off my kids so I can get things done!!!???!

Well today was one of those days. . .The stake asked us to be a investigator family for a missionary activity they were having for the Young Men. At 11am we would be visited by two (perspective) missionaries who we would listen to their door approach then invite them in and hear the first decision. The second elders we would reject at the door and the third we would invite in for lunch and hear the first decision again. Our agenda for the morning was busy. . .we had baths, a sleepover from the night before to clean up, dishes to wash and as a topper it is Kami's 3rd birthday. I was trying to make a nice lunch as well as braid hair, hear the door approaches, wrap presents, bake a cake and vacuum up the popcorn crumbs from the night before.

During the confusion Conner trips and falls while playing outside and Marc tends to his needs but he wants me to "snuggle". I am in the middle of cutting veggies for a veggie tray, making punch and decorating the cake I am on a time crunch and don't have time for a "snuggle". After a few minutes he has stopped crying but asks again. I tell him that when I am at a place where I can stop I will come and sit down with him. He slowly walks away. The first elders approach and leave and I run back to the kitchen to finish up only to have Conner come behind me with his wallet and hand me all three of his pennies. He told me he would give them all to me if I would snuggle with him. I stopped everything. . .and we had a good, long "snuggle". It only takes a 5 year old to put things in perspective. They won't be little forever and I will "snuggle" whenever he wants because soon he won't want to anymore. . .

The First Day

They really DO love each other. . .SSHHH don't tell them!!

McKenna entering 5th grade.

Kylie entering 2nd grade.

Timpanogos Hike

The only thing Marc wanted to do this summer was hike up Timpanogos. I have dragged my feet all summer with the thought of taking my kids up the mountain. I have visions of crying, complaining, wanting to be carried etc the entire way but was pleasantly surprised when none of those things happened. Conner and Kelsey lead the way. . .

Once we got in the cave we all put on our sweatshirts and enjoyed the natural air conditioning.

The way down the mountain went smooth and the last 15-20 minutes Kamryn wanted to be carried and finally fell asleep while riding on Marc's shoulders. We were officially tired at the end of the day.

I Love my Calling

I absolutely love my calling!! I get to do the funnest things and all in the name of serving my Heavenly Father. How great can that be? I was called as the Young Woman's President about 6 months ago and it has been hard trying to get things to run smoothly and just figure out what I am doing but. . . through much prayer and work things are starting to run well. I have a great presidency and advisors as well as terrific YW who send me messages, scare me in the middle of the night with their pranks and they even help me early in the morning to get the activities pulled of. Now don't get me wrong it is very time consuming and stressful at times but I love it.

This week seemed really busy. . .well every week is really busy but this one was extremely with two birthday parties, the usual lessons, a holiday and our combined YW/YM activity. We took the youth up Provo canyon (yes, even with the fire at Bridal Veil Falls) and tubed down. It was a blast. I was a little skeptical at first but I put my game face on and I loaded in the van. Now for you "out of towners" this river comes straight off of ice and it was FREEZING!!! My feet were numb. I say this when the temperate outside was over 100 degrees today. We tubed about a mile down where we hung a rope off a bridge at Vivan Park. You had to grab the rope and hope the current didn't sweep you down with it. Luckily we only had 2 youth who went under the the bridge and needed extra assistant. While some of us were coming down the river the others were at the park playing football, eating the sack lunches (we got up at the crack of dawn to make for them), visiting, playing at the park and tanning. Luckily we came back with all the youth but we did lose 2 of the tubes in the process and I have one very nasty bruise on my leg to show for the day but we all had a blast.

Birthday Parties

Conner's and Kelsey's birthday parties went great this past week. They both had a great time and all their little friends were able to come. It was really fun to see them individually with their own party. I throw them together in so many things it was nice to give them their own day and their own party. Here are a few pictures of the parties.

Family Weekend

We spent the weekend with my aunt and cousins and their families and had so much fun. We went to seven peaks on Friday and took some family pictures Saturday. After the pictures my ward called and wondered if we were up for a little soft ball. We went to the game and played in the 100 degree weather. We left the game and enjoyed the air conditioner of the local movie theater and headed for home. They all left on Sunday and we were left again with a semi-quiet house and will wait for next year when we will all do it again.

I was so good. . .they let me watch all the kids!!

Conner was able to catch a ride with the bishop after the game.

Then they were "5"

Conner and Kelsey celebrated their 5th birthday!!! Conner wanted everything 'Cars' and Kelsey just wanted everything fancy, fancy, fancy. I didn't think there was anything 'Cars' that Conner didn't already own but I did happen to find a few things and with the help of both grandmas he got everything he wanted.
I made the little tutu Kelsey is wearing (with the help from a great friend). It was a lot of fun and I was wanting to make them for her birthday party but the fabric store ran out of the different color tulle. I have cute orange tulle to make one for Kamryn's birthday next month.

It is hard to believe they have already turned 5 but this has, by far, been the funnest birthday for them. They counted down the days and even had their first birthday party. Conner had one today and helped planned the games we played. Kelsey's is tomorrow and she is having a very fancy party with all the little girls coming in their favorite dress ups. It has been so fun celebrating with them.