Memorial Day at Crowley's Ridge, AR

For Memorial Day we went to Crowley's Ridge, about an hour away. A few families we know joined us at the small lake where they have a swimming area, fishing, paddle boats, camping and picnicking. We waited out a rain storm and then had a beautiful day picnicking and swimming. The highlight was watching the swimmers freak out when some snakes were discovered in the water. The rumors were flying around at first it was one poisonous cotton tail snake and then it was up to six. When the park ranger removed them she announced to every one that they were not poisonous, they were yellow bellied water snakes and there were only three. It was funny.

Thanks to the Rich and Davis families, we had a great time.

The Day After....

It is amazing to me how time has flown by. Yesturday was the anniversary of my brother Darin's death. So much has happened since that day. For a long time I felt my life was on hold, impossible to go on; but as time passed life forced me back into living as hard as it was, I had to continue on. He wasn't perfect, but he had a big heart. He was always willing to do things for anyone in need. He really loved his little boys and you could tell by the way he looked at them. He loved to play with them. He had a contagious smile that make me laugh when I think about him. Amazing things have happened since that day, things that have reminded me the he is not far. He is closer than we realized and is standing ready to fight for his kids from the other side. Joni, his widow, has lost not only him but the man she married after his passing. She has had to carry on, raise those boys and is once again feeling the weight of these two losses. I have so much respect for her. I am grateful that with all the loss she has suffered she has persevered and finished her schooling and has become a certified teacher. I wish I could be there for her and James, Darin Leon, and Nate. I love them very much. I miss my brother. He is a reminder to me of what the great gift of the Resurrection really means. We will be together again and I am so glad.

Here is a sample of the last 2 weeks. I made 140 of these paper purses which were filled with hershey kisses & hugs. They turned out cute but took me a long time to make....what was I ever thinking? Next time if it can't be cut on my cricut then I aint doin' it! A third was for our ward and the rest were for a local church and some folks at Jason's work. (I did stuff a few years ago and now they expect some creative gift each mothers day, creativity can be a curse:)

Ah Hahhhhhh!

Today I had a very crazy sacrament meeting. The kids were fighting, teasing and of course at the last minute asked to sing for mothers day. It was harried, I was dreading going to teach my youth sunday school class, but the Lord turned my day around. The lesson was great and I'm so glad I went. As we were discussing a particular scripture and applying it to your own lives one young man blurted out "That's so cool!" I asked what he thought was so cool and he said "so the scriptures really apply to our own lives!" Ah hahhhhh - the light bulb came on and after a year and a half something has sunk in:) It made my day. I'm sure that doesn't seem a big deal but when you go for a year without knowing what is going on in their heads it just made mine to see something connect!!!!! What a great day. Hope yours has been great too- Happy Mother's Day to all.

"MY ROOMS DISGUSTING"....
Luke came in to me and announced he was cleaning his room. In his words it was "disgusting" and he was going to clean it. Wow! It looks so good. What a big boy. But what did you do with all that stuff Luke?

What? Why is my room a big mess?

I guess the best solution to a clean room is to push it outside your bedroom door into moms room and walla you are done! Including the removal of the diaper box that was under the bed. And any books looking jumbled on the bookself. I guess I shouldn't expect more from a three year old, right?

Tagged:

Ok so I've been tagged by Joni:) I have seen several tagging's and have thought - ha I didn't get tagged so it caught up with me.

Tagged: Answer these 15 questions on your blog: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts. Then tag five people by posting their names on your blog. Then let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here I am:
-3 Joys:
*My Husband, really makes me smile. I love spending time with him.
*My kids, they crack me up all the time. It's never a dull moment.
*My Family, scattered everywhere, but I love being with them all. Especially love my parents serving as addiction recovery missionaries. I love hearing their neat experiences.

-3 Fears:
*I really don't want to list them but I will-losing my husband, especially after my brother died, I was scared every day when Jason would go off to work. It was months before that eased. I couldn't imagine being a parent by myself and especially being alone. I don't know how my sister in law does it. Joni amazes me.
*Bugs- not lady bugs, I'm talking those large flying, jumping, or stinging type.
*Heights- ok, I don't do high. As Jason will attest I feel frozen on a Farris wheel, clinging to the side or bar. It's not fun for me. My kids love it though.

3-goals:
*See my kids serve missions and be married in the Temple
*Finish a good book this year- with little ones rec. reading doesn't happen often. Mostly I'm preparing my youth Sunday school lesson. I'd like to just read something for fun:)
*Get Sarah's baby book started- embarrassed to say but she is almost two and I've done nothing in her book. I had no idea how busy having four kids is compared to three. It feels like there is no time. I am determined though to get that started before her 2nd birthday. Though my new cricut has become my inspiration so hopefully I'll actually get to it.

3 current obsessions/collections:
*Precious Moments- Jason has given me a precious moments figure at major events in our married life, and with Sarah's beautiful precious moments eyes I must say I love them even more now.
*Chocolate- I love it, especially if it contains almonds. Just can't give that one up:)
*My kids would say cleaning, it seems like it is all I do around here. They think they are so picked on because they have to do chores. With four kids it feels impossible to keep anything clean.

3 Random Surprising Facts:
*I used to like scary movies but now I don't enjoy them. I must be getting old.
*I am the shortest in my family of ten. Really stinks being everyone else's arm rest.
*I try to send birthday cards to all my family (immediate and their kids). From a family of ten that is hard to stay up on:)

The five people I am tagging are: Holly Miller, Cheryl Konarski, Trish, Camee Miller, Kimber
(you may have been tagged before but I just don't have enough blogging friends yet:)

Hope you are all well and enjoying spring!

Luke & Sarah enjoying a day in the sun...

Our mini Colton and Whitney, I say that because it feels like it did when they were little. Two little buddies playing and riding Luke's dumptruck. They are also trying out their new sunglasses! Just so you know, Luke has already broke his; most parents would probably not be surprised. Sarah's have survived probably because I hid hers so she could only use them when we go out. I'm sure it wont take long though.