The value of a classic.

Today has been a weird day. I have noticed in my life when life is hard I think about books I have read. There are reasons some are classics. It's because of the long lasting lessons you learn. For example, Little house on the Prairie. Not only educational about the life of early American pioneers. But watching how people can live so happily with just their family. NO phones, facebook, tvs or even people. They work together as a family. Their are only kind words spoken and love and respect. I perfect example of how we should be living our lives and how little we need for true happiness.
     A couple years ago I had my first miscarriage. It was a very emotional experience for me. However, I read most of the Anne of Green Gables series during this time. She taught me to cling on to hope. That happiness is possible even in the hardest of times. A good imagination can go a long way.
   Today I was dealing with people who are unhappy with our ward. Sad they have no friends. Blaming and being offended my people who are just doing what they have always done.  I am reminded that bosom friends are hard to find but you have to work for it sometimes. There are people who have prickles but time, kindness and hard work and a little honesty can sometimes wipe those prickles away to reveal a person in need of a friend.
    I know also reflect on advice I heard from my Mother when I was a little girl sad I had "no friends" She told me to be my own best friend. I always made a joke out of it. Now that I am grown I understand the wisdom. It is the same wisdom as you are only in charge of your own happiness.  I have learned no matter what you do at the end of the day you can not change other people to be what you want them to be. Because that is not who they are! You can not depend on your children, husband, Friends, or neighbors to make you happy. They can't. If you aren't happy in the first place nothing they do will be good enough.
      If you walk through the world being offended by everyone. Well the first thing you are doing is hurting those around you. I think be offended is being selfish. You are not taking responsibility for your own actions. You are thinking of yourself. As I observed today. The person was offended and in doing so hurt many other people. Also when you are hurt by those who are offended you build a wall from them. I know I see that behavior and I know that person is not one to be close to. It will only lead to hurt feelings one way or another.
      However when you have a friend like Anne or Diana. Or a family like the Wilders. You learn love sacrifice and trust. But to get that you have to make it for yourself. You can not wait for it to come to you. Anyway. That's what is on my mind tonight. I am grateful that I have a good husband and we have a good honest working relationship. I am grateful for my bosom friends. Yes Katie I'm talking to you. I love knowing I have someone I trust and who loves me as much as I love them. Even though we don't see each other but once a year, If we are so lucky or friendship is solid like a rock. I love my parents and the sacrifices and service they have done for me. They are so supportive and kind. I love my ward family. It is such a interesting ward I'm in. But in serving in this ward I have gotten to know different people. I have learned about strengths and talents people had I would have never known had I not served in my callings. easy or hard I have learned to love these people.
Anyway I love the classics, I think I'll go read North and South now.
ok that's in
The End

facebook

So I find checking my facebook and writing a line here and there an easy thing to do. I often post my pictures in albums there. So I wonder, if I post it here and there is it repetitive? I would love to become a better blogger. I would love for this to be a journal of our family. I want to better at taking more photos of the fun and good things we do. I guess I just need to organize myself and figure this out. Or my dear friend Katie and just come and document and blog for me and then I will be happy. SO I would have an updated blog and my KT!! great idea

Sunday

So we are in our house and this is what our Sunday's are like. Yep folks it is a no TV day. Not that it is hard since we don't really have tv. So we don't have sports blaring, cooking shows, nature shows, nothing. We did cheat last week and let the kids watch a book movie. But that is because they got ready for church early and we wanted them to stay clean while we got ready.
We have church at 2:30 so it is important to keep some flexibility about. After church we are staaarving! But today we managed to starve till DJ made baked penne, I had made some bruschetta and we had a salad and green beans. It is amazing how we had no complaining about dinner and how much the kids ate. I should starve them more often! Anyway we have some kinks to work out but it is sure nice to have a quite day once a week isn't it.

memorial day

So on Memorial Day The kids and I met up with Corey and Sue and there kids at Empire Ranch. Southeast of Tucson. It was a lovely morning. Although my battery was dead when I got there I was able to charge it enough to get some pictures. I saw some birds from where we were. A blue grosbeak and a tanager. Plus a bunch I didn't identify. Lucas did his best to follow Corey around and he and Jason threw lots of rocks and sticks in the creek. IT was nice to get out before the heat hit. As we were leaving we saw 5 pronghorn. Fun stuff!

Birthday

Happy Birthday Eden!!

She 6 years old now and lives in a very magical world of her own. For her birthday we started out with print outs from family.go.com This was a great resource and we were able to get the girls in one place and busy. My favorite part was the they had some shrink a dink charms. DJ and my Mom worked hard on getting them ready for the party. The girls made bracelets with the charms and some pretty pastel beads. Of course I didn't get a pictures of that but they were super cute.

After the art projects we played hit Flynn Rider with the frying pan. The kids loved it! My awesome Mom made the poster and I found a blog supermommoments.com I also loved craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com There blogs and party were beautiful, Mine was crazy!! but we had a great time. After the game the kids all ran outside and ran around while we got out the lunch. We had Eden's mac and cheese I make only for her birthday once a year. Fruit, veggies, and pig in a blanket.

After Lunch we ran the kids in for some Rapunzel cake. This is the most creative cake I have ever made. I should have waited for DJ to be my structural engineer but noooo I just had to finish it! We'll we made a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. I made the cake purple instead of red though, it was purty. The tower was made with rice crispy treats and everything was covered in fondant. However due to the heat in the house we did have some...ummm, technical difficulties. But it survived barely and at the end it was yummy.

Other things we did, were these cute flags with the sun on them, like in the movie. We hung them right before the dinning room. We also made these super cute pascal blowers, the boys liked them a lot. I made some paper lanterns for decoration and we had battery operated tea lights in them. The gift bags, I noticed we didn't get pictures of either, dang! I ordered little clear paint cans. We lined them with tissue paper and filled them with candy, princess stickers,flower lollipops, a pencil and an eraser.

We ended the day with presents and we played Tangled on the tv, but the kids all went back into the yard to play. All was fine with me. Eden was happy and we all had a nice time.

Here we go!

So on Saturday DJ and I are moving into our house. After which we will finish it take pictures and have a big revel. I'll take some pics and post my before and afters. It is amazing how much a little pint can brighten things up.
I love going over there now. It feels like home. Calm and bright, beautiful and comfortable. I love it. I love that the kids are excited to live there too. Maybe not Leila but she'll get used to not having Grandpa and Grandma all the time. I think I am going to have to beg my Dad to come over at nap time however. I'm not sure she knows how to take a nap without Grandpa lol.
We have been so blessed to have my parents love and suport at this transition in our lives. They are truely kind people and I am lucky they are my parents. ANyway wish us luck and come and visit anytime!!

Rodeo-eo-eo

So here in Tucson we have this wonderful thing called Rodeo. Yep folks we have a rodeo and that also means we get 2 days off of school.

On the Wednesday before break Lucas's school puts on a program they sing and dance and carry on. It is all very cute and fun.

Leila enjoying the show. Hi Lucas!!! They are going to do the Virginia Reel!

This little boy wants to marry Eden and I am okay with that cuz he is super cute and smart! his Dad is tall and that is a good sign.

Then we have break while the weather is fantastic and we soke it up! (Eden has worn her new boots everyday.

This year the kids went to their friend Tyler and Meagan's house. Friday we hit up the Library to see some horses and make paperbag puppets.

Saturday We celebrated my nephew Jason's 3rd birthday and Sunday we went to church and tried to recooperate. All in all it was a fantastic and relaxing time.