Grateful

So, I was thinking about posting about all of my woes, but then I realized in most of these woes, there is something to be grateful for. Why not focus on the positive? Here are my woes with the blessing that comes with each of them.

1. I think I am over committing myself with school stuff which is leading to a burn out. I need to cut back or simplify.
There is really nothing I can cut out right now. I have already simplified quite a bit. I really am grateful for all the things I am able to do with my children and know that all of these commitments are benefiting my children and others. I just need to give myself a "teacher in- service day" every once in a while!

2. Hunter is almost three and a half and seriously does not know his colors.
He knows his shapes, most of his letter sounds and even makes (and cleans up!) his own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with no help.

3. I have hit a plateau in my workout regimen and need to step it up.
I am physically healthy enough to workout and enjoy exercising.

4. Our computer needs some serious help so I haven't been able to do anything with pictures lately.
We have a laptop that works just fine! All I need to do is install the picture CD so I can start uploading our pictures to the laptop!

5. Ladd is working a lot and is busy with his MBA class. We don't see him much.
He has a job and this is his last class ever! He will be done with school soon.

6. Weeds have taken over our yard!
Um, I guess this gives me an opportunity to teach my kids the value of WORK.

7. All my kids want to do is run around the house playing Star Wars and shooting make believe bad guys.
At least they want to play with each other and they are always the good guys!

8. I can't keep bread in this house!
My kids have a good appetite and enjoy the whole wheat "cardboard"-as Ladd calls it!

9. Aside from the weeds, my house needs so much work! Broken garage door, carpets that need to be replaced, out of control garage where you trip over things becasue there is absolutely NO organization, etc.
We have a home that keeps us warm and safe!

Scientific Thinker

Here are a few questions posed to me in the car yesterday:

"If someone shaved off all of their hair, would they still be a mammal?"
"What if someone was allergic to their mother's milk, would they still be a mammal?"
"What if someone shaved off all their hair and they were allergic to their mother's milk, would they still be a mammal?"

This is just a little insight to what a lot of our car rides are like!

Valentine's Party

Last Wednesday, we spent the afternoon at the park celebrating Valentine's Day with our school friends. We learned the history behind Hershey's chocolate, did a math experiment involving conversation hearts, and learned about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Of course we also decorated cookies and passed out Valentine's. It was a fun way to celebrate this special day!

We hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Trip

Ladd and I spent last weekend in Salt Lake City at a Conference for the J. Rueben Clark Law Society. I thought the conference might be a little on the dull side, but Ladd assured me I would like it, and I did. He explained it as "EFY for Attorneys." And that is pretty much what it was. There was only one time where I had to lean over and say "I have no clue what this guy is talking about." The rest of the conference was very uplifting and motivational, even for a stay at home mom with no legal training. It was fun to get away with Ladd for four whole days and have him all to myself. We did not know anyone else at the conference, so it really was Ladd and I on our own!

The conference fed us SO WELL the whole weekend, but the highlight was the dinner reception at the Conference Center after we heard from Steven R. Covey in the Tabernacle. There were tables set up with food from around the world. Here is a picture of the USA table, including such dishes as "green jello salad" and "Thomas S. Monson's favorite meatballs". I think they should have called it the Utah table instead of the USA table!
Then, there was this huge dessert table with very tempting choices. I gave in and lost my "no sweets" point for Healthy Habits that day. It was so worth it! I ate way more than I should have, but I figured if I was going to lose a point, I might has well make the most of it! It was a very nice evening.

This cute girl (Brielle) and the rest of her adorable family (Lawni, Scott, and Bryce) let us crash in their basement while we were there. It was fun to see them. We also get to spend a little time with Jenn and Andrew, Kimball and Brooke, and Kristen and Cory. I only wish we had a little more time with everyone!

Spelunkers!

We have been journeying into caves as we finished reading Journey to the Center of the Earth. All the school kids came over for a little lesson on caves and then they became experts on a certain aspect of caves and shared their expertise with the other kids. Tanner chose to learn more about stalagmites and stalactites which put him in the group with the older girls. It seemed liked he did his share of the work even though he was the youngest by far!


Even Hunter shared his report on cave paintings! He was very proud of his colorful cave painting...

The next day Ladd, Tanner, and I trekked (and it was a trek-2.5 hour drive one way!) to Mitchell Caverns somewhere between here and Arizona. Hunter got to stay with Grandma for the day (Thanks, Mom!). It was a long car ride, but worth the drive. Who knew this little gem existed in the middle of no-where!

The background here show the "Eyes of the Mountain" and is the entrance to the caves.

The pictures don't even compare to what it looked like in real life.


We saw two mama cows feeding their babies right on the side of the road. We were a little surprised to see cows in the middle of the desert. We later found out there is a ranch nearby.

A fun trip where we met a fun family from Scotland. They were taking three months off from life to travel to National Parks around the world- must be nice. Listening to a very talkative three old with a Scottish accent is just about the cutest thing ever. Tanner is very proud that he now has a friend from Scotland! Too bad I didn't get any pictures of them...

If you are ever driving to Arizona from California I highly suggest you plan a few hours out of your trip to visit Mitchell Caverns. It is a pretty neat place! Here is their website: http://www.mitchell-caverns.com/ just in case you ever want to go!