Scripture Study

 We are not perfect about getting scriptures study in every day. I really wish we were. And I'll keep trying to be better. But whenever we do get it in together it makes me so happy. It is the best part of the day. Beside lounging on the couch at night and eating chocolate...But really, I love it so much. I love hearing sweet little Luke read the words. I love hearing all their questions. I don't super love it when they fight over who gets what scripture highlighter, but for the most part it is one of the few truly peaceful times in our home each day.

ABC Luke

 Brad comes up with all sorts of crazy nicknames for the kids. His latest one for Luke is “A.B.C. Luke.” It stands for Always Be Clownin’. And for real our mister Luke will do anything to get you to laugh. Tonight he had all sorts of funny faces to show us. He’s hilarious and I love his bright, happy, and fun personality! 

Our Weed Killer

 We had a good Sunday. We still have 9 am church after the ward split but we only had our sacrament meeting today because of all the changes. It was sad not to be with some of our people today but I felt peace as well. As Brad said last week, “It’s not about who we worship with but about who we’re there to worship.” The whole purpose is our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

When Brad made it home he mentioned seeing a lot of dandelion weeds in our front yard. Before we knew it Luke was gone. He had gone to the shed to get the weed killer and was spraying the weeds in the front yard. This became his responsibility last summer and I guess he still takes ownership for it! He wants the weeds to die! Haha.

Friends and Family

Luke had a birthday party this morning, Kade had two soccer games this afternoon, and in between those games I had a baptism to go to. It was a busy day! But it was filled with friends and family and talking and laughing and catching up so it was great. 

The party Luke went to was a nerf gun party and Luke had so much fun! He told me that he made a new friend there. He’s always making new friends.

Kade played forward today instead of keeper. He’s fast! I had fun watching him in the field.

And the baptism was so nice! They always are.

Food Bloggers

 I found a really yummy food blogger this week. I’ve tried three of her recipes and everyone has loved every single one of them! Even Luke who is our pickiest eater. It feels so good to make yummy food that my family is enjoying!

A Motorcycle

 Brad has his Grandpa’s old motorcycle. He’s had it for a while and it’s very well worn but every once in a while he gets it out and rides it around. I guess he felt like today was a nice enough day to do so. The kids and I came back from CrossFit and we saw him driving the motorcycle around. They were so excited to give it a try! The gears are hard to switch in and out of but both Kade and Tenley were able to ride it around by themselves! Ryder and Luke got rides with Brad. Everyone loved it! Thank heaven for such beautiful weather!

Warm and Sunny Days

I had lunch outside today while the kids played Gaga ball on the tramp. And then I heard this sweet statement from Ryder, “Guys, imagine if we didn’t have a tramp.” It really would be a sad life without a tramp. It’s their go to outdoor activity at home and they have so much fun together on it! 

I’ve been so grateful for these warm and sunny days. Everyone seems happier when the weather is so beautiful and there are only five weeks left of school!

NBA Playoffs

 Brad and I stayed up way too late watching the NBA playoffs last night. It reminds me of when we first met this same time of year 19 years ago. That is such a long time! He always teases me about never watching sports with him, but maybe someday he'll realize that I really do watch a lot of sports with him! There were two games last night and they were both close, exciting games. We loved watching the Lakers lose on a buzzer beater. We've never liked the Lakers for some reason.  

The warm sun was shining all day today! I got out for a walk this morning with a friend. I tried to encourage my kids to play outside, but they just really wanted to play hide n seek. Haha. Tenley helped Luke find a really great hiding spot for Luke on top of our storage shelves. It took Ryder a long time to find him. He was hiding behind rolls of toilet paper!

Bigger Houses

 I remember growing up and always listening to classic rock music with my Dad. Then one day he started to listen to country music because he liked the lyrics of the country songs. He is right. The lyrics to country music songs tell stories and are often more uplifting than current pop songs. My favorite song right now is called "Bigger Houses." I was just going to share my favorite lyrics, but I have to share the whole song! It's too good! And it's so true. Happiness isn't found in bigger houses or cooler cars or fancy vacations or keeping up with the Joneses. It's found in relationships. 

We've been wanting a bigger house for a long time now, but right now I'm so content. I'm so happy. Life is so good. I don't want anything to change. And it's because things are so good with our family. I thought we'd hate each other after spending so much time together homeschooling every day, but honestly, we are closer than we ever have been before. My days are full being with my favorite people. I'm the luckiest.

Used to dream about buying that bigger house

Sitting on top of some hill

Losing sleep about filling my bank account

Wondering if I ever will

But the older I get, I just care less and less

'Bout keeping up with people named Jones

If you don't fill it up with somebody that you love

It ain't ever gonna feel like home

There's always gonna be a higher high

You could chase for the rest of your life

Greener grass in the yard next door

Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours

You're never gonna fill an empty cup

If what you got's still not enough

The thing about happiness I've found is

It don't live in bigger houses

I can hear the kids making little footsteps

Running down the hallway upstairs

I can see the dogs playing in the back yard

Through the kitchen window right there

Maybe life's kinda more 'bout us swinging on a porch

Holding her while the sun disappears

Why would I wanna be anywhere else in the world

When my whole world is sitting right here?

There's always gonna be a higher high

You could chase for the rest of your life

Greener grass in the yard next door

Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours

You're never gonna fill an empty cup

If what you got's still not enough

The thing about happiness I've found is

It don't live in bigger houses

No-no, no-no, no-no

There's always gonna be a higher high

You could chase for the rest of your life

Greener grass in the yard next door

Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours

You're never gonna fill an empty cup

If what you got's still not enough

Thing about happiness I've found is

It don't live in bigger houses

The thing about happiness I've found is

It don't live in bigger houses

Mm-hm

Soccer in the Sunshine

 Kade had two soccer games today. They were both in town which I was so grateful for because I also had a bridal shower to go to and the kids had church activities tonight. It was nice to be able to get it all in! The sun was shining all day so even though I still had a coat on, it felt so good to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the game. Lade played well and had some great saves! 

Kade also got to go to a church dance tonight. He said he danced with a different girl for every slow song which was more than a dozen songs! He’s such a ladies man! 😆 

The Carnival

 The carnival came to town this weekend. I’ve never been to a carnival but we had some friends going so we decided to join. The kids loved it! It was almost like a live show of America’s Got Talent. The boys loved the motorcyclist the most. They also loved riding a camel! It was a fun event!

No-Bake Cookies

 Tenley’s friend Sadie come over today. I’m glad they have each other as homeschool friends! We don’t live close at all but we still make sure they get together often. It was cold and snowy today so they played games inside and made Tenley’s favorite cookies. They were delicious!

Ryder’s Penmenship

 Ryder is our little rocket. He came into the world fast and he lives his life in the fast lane. He likes to rush through the boring stuff so he can play and have fun! I don’t blame him. But I was so impressed with him when he actually took time with his writing today. He had perfect penmanship because he took time to make it nice. I didn’t even ask him to! And the other day he took time to fold his clothes in his drawers to make them nice and organized. I like seeing him take pride in his things and make them nice and then run off to play!

Kitchen Help

 Luke was in charge of our family night tonight and instead of picking up dinner he chose to make dinner at home! He wanted chicken and rice with apple onion cilantro slaw. I can’t believe he likes it so much! The kids all helped me make it. And they helped make cookies for dessert as well! It was a yummy night.

Kade’s Shakes

 It felt like spring again today. It was gorgeous! The kids enjoyed being in the backyard after church today. We remembered to put sunscreen on them today after a few of them came away with sunburns from yesterday! My kids are so pale! Poor things.

Brad and I both had meetings today which meant it wasn’t as relaxing of a day as normal, but the kids and I still had time to watch a movie and Kade made us his delicious shakes!

Outdoor Picnics

 It was such a beautiful day today! The sunshine and warmer temperatures felt amazing. I did have to spend most of the day inside the church helping with a funeral though. It was a great service for a wonderful lady so it was worth it. Judy lived a full life. She was committed to her beliefs and loved her family. That’s a pretty good life right there!

When I got home I did take Keena for a walk and then the little boys and I had a picnic dinner in the backyard. I had plenty of time to enjoy the sun! 

Tenley was off babysitting all night and Brad and Kade were in Helena for a soccer game. Kade got sunburnt poor kid! Why do I have such a hard time remembering sunscreen?! Hopefully it fades soon.

Big Guns

 The weather was gorgeous today! I would have preferred to sit at a park all day but we had a lot of running around going on. Co op was fun this morning. I got to teach the kids about the five senses and we had fun experimenting with that. We did go to the park with co op friends for a little bit which was so nice to be outside enjoying the weather! Some of the kids brought nerf guns. Luke came up to me and said, “Look at my big guns Mom!”

And then Brad and I got to head down to the temple this afternoon. It was a beautiful drive and it was so nice to feel the peace you only find in the temple.

Awards

 The kids got their piano awards today! Ryder was so excited! He worked hard for this for three years. And so did Kade and Tenley. I'm so proud of them. It’s hard to see in the picture because it’s clear but it actually has a base that lights it up. He put it by his bed for a night light tonight. 

A Backyard

 I always wanted a house where you could walk out to the backyard from the kitchen because my favorite thing when the weather is nice is to be making dinner while I can hear and see my kids playing in the backyard. I love it! They got the corn hole boards out and played with that and jumped on the trampoline. Luke came in for a drink and said, “We’re having so much fun!” I love to hear that! And I love this nice weather we’re having!

Also, Tenley made Rice Krispie treats for the fun of it tonight. I don’t think anyone complained about the yummy unplanned treat! They’re all hoping she does it more often!

My Little Ninjas

 It was fun to watch the kids in their ninja class today. They had a fun warm up all together swinging to catch rings. Kade and Tenley both completed it! Ryder and Luke had fun swinging! Haha

It was good to get back into a routine and have school with the kids. We have about six weeks left of formal school! But hopefully my little boys will keep reading with me all summer. That’s been one of my favorite things.

Conference Part 2

 I must be a home body because staying at home all day with my family today was heaven. We had our special conference breakfast of cinnamon rolls and omelette while we watched Music and the Spoken Word before conference started. And then we sat on the couch together and enjoyed all the wonderful messages. It was so uplifting. After dinner I made them all watch Miracles From Heaven with me which was a tear jerker! Just for me apparently… Luke kept asking me why I chose to watch such a sad movie. But my tears did get him to sit and cuddle with me during the whole time!

Conference Weekend

 It's one of my favorite weekends of the year! I love general conference weekend. It means family time, uplifting messages from church leaders, and good food. Kade had a soccer game this morning. It was freezing, but I had a great view of his game in the car while I listened to conference on my phone. It was perfect. He loves playing soccer! His second game this afternoon was canceled due to too much snow! Bummer. 

Brad also had to officiate at a funeral at noon. I ran over after Kade's morning game and barely caught his talk. He did such a great job speaking and it seemed like it was a nice funeral service. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent on the couch listening to conference. The boys pulled out conference bingo and had fun with that! 

My Mom

 Today was my mom’s birthday! We were lucky to be able to celebrate with her in person earlier this week. She is such a sweet person filled with grace and she always carries herself with poise. I’ve always looked up to her for those things. I’m grateful for her example!

We cleaned the house and Brad’s office today. The kids have certain jobs at the office and know exactly what to do when they get there. It’s cute to see!

Visitors

 My family all left today. The quiet house after guests leave is always hard. But luckily we had a few distractions today. Kade and Tenley had a CrossFit class. It was Tenley's first time going and she said she really enjoyed it. It looks like she already has blisters forming from all the rowing she did today! 

While they were exercising I took my little boys to the library. They found some new fun books and spend a lot of the afternoon reading. 

I think this past week really wore Luke out though. I made tacos for dinner and he doesn't really like tacos, but he'll usually still eat them. He was so tired tonight though that he refused to eat a taco and said he'd rather go to bed. So he went down to his room and when we were finished eating I went to check on him and he was in bed fast asleep! I guess we'll see if he wakes up in the middle of the night for food... Maybe his body just needed sleep tonight more than it needed food. 

It was so much fun to see the cousins play so well together. I'm so glad they all came up and we were able to have such a fun week together!

Exploring, Bike Rides, and Puzzles

 Kade found a new and fun bike trail not far from the house with Jason and Grandpa today. They rode up and down a lot of hills and got a good view of the country side. 

We all went to the river to explore and throw rocks which the kids always love. It was such a beautiful day, minus all the wind! We also spent some time at the mall although my nieces were pretty disappointed in it. Haha. It’s not like a Utah mall!

When everyone got here on Sunday we got out a brand new 1000 piece puzzle because my mom really loves puzzles. This one happened to be pretty difficult though! The border pieces hardly had a border to them! I think everyone helped with a least one piece but it was definitely my mom and Jihye that put the most work into it. They finally finished it today! Although it does happen to be missing a piece which is sad! But it still looks great!

The little kids played a lot on the trampoline again. They’ve all been having so much fun together! Ryder told me tonight that he doesn’t want them to leave. I’m so glad they made the long drive to visit!