Glorious Sping

We had a few hot days so we went down to one of our favorite swimming holes. I love that I have country kids. They'd rather swim in a freezing cold river with tadpoles and all kinds of creatures, than go to the regular pool. How did this happen? I am such a sissy and I don't like getting dirty either. I really notice it when we have friends with us from the city and their kids don't even want to step on the dirt in their barefeet and my hick kids are digging and rolling and relishing it.

 We went to the Birds of Prey Centre and it was worth the drive! We had so much fun learning about the birds and seeing them so close up. It was beautiful weather and I love having an entire Saturday free to just spend together as a family. 

  Feeding the ducks is always a highlight for the kids.

 After the Birds of Prey Centre, we went to Broxburn Farm. I love to walk around green houses and see all the colors and smell all the herbs and flowers. Charlie bought me a basil plant with his own money. It's my favorite thing to smell.

This was a candy corn plant. Can you see the candy corn flower?

Crafty Crafty

I've tatted 3 of these bracelets thus far. They take forever to make. I was really proud of these because it took me a long time to get the hang of tatting. It just did not come naturally to me, so I had to really work at it. My elderly teacher has been so patient and we've become good friends in the process. She is a perfect teacher for me. After I mastered the tatting, we moved on to knitting (which is WAY easier than tatting). I am knitting these cute little baby Uggs now. 

I found the pattern on etsy for $4.50. 

Lungs Are Spongy

We've had a few lessons about different parts of the body. This lesson was about lungs. We looked at pictures of healthy lungs versus smoker lungs, partly for education but mostly as scare tactics.  After making lapbooks, the kids clothes pinned their noses and I had them jog to the seminary to see dad, breathing only through a straw. 

Cubby

Scarlet went to stay with Grammy for a few days and as she was leaving Jacobs said, "Mom I blew a white dandelion and do you know what I wished for? I wished that Scarlet will have fun at Grammy's house."

I love picturing him outside alone having a nice little dandelion wish for his little sis. Before Scarlet left she told me that she likes hamsters on her hamburgers now. She meant to say MUSTARD! She also told me that pigs say "wink, wink". I always thought they went "oink oink" which makes me think of Jared doing his obnoxious rendition of the oink oink.

The Sunrise

Speaking of the sunrise, I have a little story. Tim was away for work for a few days and I decided to get Jacob up early so that we could watch the sunrise together. I googled it and it said the sunrise in Cardston was at 5:59 that day. I got up just before and tiptoed into his room and took him outside all wrapped up in his blanky. As I was carrying him out, half asleep he asked, "Did you bring me out here to pray?" Where did that come from?! We sat on the hill across the street from our house and what a sight to behold. Sure enough a big orange peach suddenly appeared and gradually floated up into the sky. I just can't believe that happens everyday without us all stopping to marvel and thank Heavenly Father for remembering to wake the sun up for us. Jacob figured He uses a giant sling shot to get the sun up into the sky- such a 5 year old little boy idea ;) I recommend waking up early especially for the sunrise, it's worth it, and that's coming from a true night owl. It made me sad to think of how many sunrises I've already missed. The only thing is that the next day Jacob came upstairs to my room to get me up to see it again. Amazingly, he was right on schedule with only 15 minutes to spare. I couldn't say no, so this time we got Charlie too. It was a totally different experience with Charlie. He was so lively. Seeing the sun peeking up made him almost giddy. He was laughing and squeezing us and so lovable. I liked having those two all to myself- just me and Charlie and Jacob and the morning sunshine. Jacob was certain that was what we were going to do from now on so the next day I had to break the news that he needed to stay in bed because we can't watch it every day. I want to sneak out there with Timmy one of these days soon.

My Momma Again

This is weird to be pasting my mom's posts but they are so cute that I need them on my blog too ;)

A person would have to get awfully early to beat Jared to the worm...he is ridiculously diligent with important days such as Mother's and Father's day, birthdays, and the like. He thinks big (creatively) too...there are no 'socks' or 'chocolates' from this thoughtful son. He is the purest person I know...I love him so much. I am so lucky that I get to see Jared every day, and that we do fun things together, like learning, road trips, eating out, and cooking cauliflower soup, starting a business, talking politics, and planning our football game for the season. Now we are trying to get in to a Dennis Miller/Bill O'Reilly show while we are in South Carolina in September. I have such a great life.

Though, speaking of early birds....Mark has installed Dad's Father's day gift already in the garage...Dad will see his gift tonight. I wonder if Mark is going to give me Dad's gift for Mother's day?? Haha. I also had the perfect opportunity to share an afternoon with Mark this week. It happened spontaneously, the best way, though after a heart felt prayer for him that very morning, and we had the best, best day...really connecting. Mark carry's his own load - not letting on even if it's getting heavy. Do you know what I was truly thankful for? That I was here to be in the right place at the right time to listen. If I had a job outside I just wouldn't have been here. How often does this happen, that I find I am thankful that I was home? Nearly every. single. day. I would miss so many moments, even though my kids are grown; my daughter-in-law coming over to sew, making persian food with Mark's girlfriend Mariah, having Sarra call with good news or a question about something, running an errand for Eli, learning fun things with my grandkids, going to the pool with my little grand daughter Isabelle, and being here when my big, beautiful, sweet sons need an ear or a hand. I owe this amazing privilege to my husband, who has made it possible. I should celebrate him on Mother's Day, because he has made that role possible for me. What an amazing guy - he has always been happy to know that I am home to take care of whatever comes. He's been there for me every single step of the way. Did I say I have a great life? 

I really, really do.

She's My Mom

I found this beauty of a post on my mom's blog.  


"The least strained and most natural ways of the soul are the most beautiful; the best occupations are the least forced."  Michel Montaigne

This means do what you love! It applies perfectly to home schooling, but also to the rest of us; life is too short to be trying to undertake pursuits that we don't really love. Follow your heart, learn anything and everything...be open, but if you find you're not into it, let it go, and move on to something else you do love. You may find that you enjoy learning a little about everything...I am most like this I think, falling short of being a full on expert in anything.

On a different note...this morning was home school day with my grandchildren...I love this time with them. In fact, once we turn on Skype or iChat and the picture begins to open, the anticipation of  seeing them all there smiling and happy is wonderful! All of a sudden there they all are! We always clap happily! It's almost as good as when I hear them coming through the back door, but not quite! Today we only had 30 min. which was just enough time to get started on our new topic of American History. There are so many areas to cover; event's, people etc. Because we had such a short day we decided to write to President Obama, so they got their envelopes addressed and stamped...and this week the assignment is to talk to their Dad and get some idea's about a question, concern or suggestion they might have for the President, and write their letter. We;ll read them next week, and then mail them and hope for a response. They are always excited to do whatever I plan - they are so pleasant and eager to learn anything - we always have fun, and I love it! This fits in very well with 'do what you love'!

Chocomole

5 ripe avocados
1.5 cups dates, soaked in water for 1 hour
2 cups raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon vanilla
Raw organic honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Mash avocados until creamy.

2. Add chopped dates and vanilla. Mix well to bring everything together.

3. Add half a cup of cacao powder, mix well, taste, then add another half cup of cacao powder, and repeat until the pudding is chocolate-y enough for you. Be sure to take it in steps like this, as adding too much cacao can make the pudding somewhat bitter.

4. If the dates don't sweeten the pudding to your satisfaction, add a little raw organic honey, and give the pudding another good mix.

For extra texture and flavor, sprinkle a few raw organic cashews on top. Yum!

Enjoy this healthy and delicious chocolate pudding, courtesy of Jason Mraz.

**I just dump all the ingredients in the Vitamix and blend. Done.**

Park Landscaping

My brother Eli is a landscape design genius! 

Click here to see his portfolio

“It sometimes seems that we live as if we wonder when life is going to begin. It isn’t always clear just what we are waiting for, but some of us sometimes persist in waiting so long that life slips by—finding us still waiting for something that has been going on all the time. … This is the life in which the work of this life is to be done. Today is as much a part of eternity as any day a thousand years ago or as will be any day a thousand years hence. This is it, whether we are thrilled or disappointed, busy or bored! This is life, and it is passing.”

Elder Richard L. Evans

Julia Our Little Friend

 Amy and Julia came to play with us last weekend. We had a lovely time. Julie is a healthy, happy girl! It did't take her long to join in the action. She's going to be a good big sister soon.

 Spring puddle jumping. It was too fun for even me to resist. 

Ezra's first time on the swings. He loved it.

Feathers and Beetles

We've been finding all kinds of nature treasures so we decided to display our collection. Charlie found the  peacock feather at a pumpkin farm, and Jane found the nest and blue feather. They all found the beehive pieces and the beetle is from our next door neighbors yard.

5 Little Biscuits Swinging From a Tree...

Who can guess how fun it is trying to keep all these babies quiet in church...