The Man of My Dreams

I'm not much with words so this is going to fall sadly short on expressing what I really feel. However, I can't let this day pass by without trying to convey some of the love and appreciation I
have for the father of my children. Since I am much better at making lists than at constructing sentences that is the form this is going to take.

The top 50 reasons I love Daniel:

1. He loves me unconditionally
2. He plays with the kids
3. He is great at helping our children unfold the scriptures
4. He's forgiving
5. He's respectful
6. He never puts me down
7. He never complains
8. He is a wonderful father
9. He honors his priesthood
10. He gently encourages me to be a better person
11. He never pushes or pulls
12. He gets up with Michael EVERY night
13. He is a great provider
14. He loves reading to the kids
15. He's not afraid of hard work
16. He's so funny
17. He's helping me learn to enjoy life more
18. He is patient
19. He thinks more about me and our family then he ever does about himself
20. He's not afraid to try new things
21. He is continually working to improve himself
22. He's not afraid to recognize his short comings
23. He is an exceptional teacher
24. He loves to be near me, even when I can't stand to be near myself
25. He's supportive
26. He's hot stuff
27. Our priorities are the same
28. He's tender
29. He's the best dad in the world (and there is a difference between that and being a wonderful father)
30. He's in tune with the spirit
31. He loves to see me smile
32. He knows me inside and out
33. He never gives up
34. He is always willing to help others
35. He's honest
36. He is great with words
37. He's so darn smart
38. He never criticizes
39. He helped me learn to love reading
40. He doesn't like watching sports
41. He makes me laugh at least once every day
42. He's not afraid of getting his hands dirty
43. He's encouraging
44. He loves to cuddle
45. He lets me warm my cold feet and hands on his warm body
46. He's a deep thinker
47. He builds people up
48. He lets me sleep in
49. He never blames
50. We fit each other perfectly

He truly is the man of my dreams and so much more.

Happy Father's Day My Love!

She's Got a Good Eye

A week ago Kira decided to mess around with my camera. This is actually a favorite pass time for all of my kids. Usually they take pictures of each other making funny faces or doing funny poses. In Briona's case, she likes taking pictures of totally random things. The garbage can, the side of the couch, the floor, you get the idea.

What made Kira's photo shoot different is that she decided to go outside and take some nature photos. When she came back in to show me her results I was amazed! Most of her pictures were incredible. And just so you don't think that is because I am biased, here are my favorites.















Aren't they great! On Sunday we had a Talent Show for Activity Days and I suggested that Kira pick out her favorites and put them in a book to display. She was surprised by how much everyone liked them. She didn't even know that taking pictures was one of her talents. But as you can see, she does have talent!

Spaghetti Dinner

Don't you just love it when they start feeding themselves!

Birthday at the Beach

For Daniel's birthday we spend the night at Newport Beach. It was beautiful! It was also a much needed break. Daniel and I realized that it has been over 4 years, possibly even 6 years, since we have spend a night away without the kids. As you can see in the pictures, we weren't completely without kids this time either, but it was still amazing to have some close time together, even if we did have a tag along.

This was the view from our hotel window



Michael and I outside our hotel



Michael in the wind



Daniel and I thought this was the coolest log



Daniel and I on the beach

Do I really think I can do it all?

Things have been pretty crazy in our household these past few weeks. Thus, why I haven't posted for awhile. Since my last post we have had a school over night field trip, 2 birthdays, attended a navy retirement, Mother's day, a visit from Grandma Marilyn, Memorial day, the last week of school, our big father/daughter activity for Activity Days. Those are the bigger calendar events.

Of course I have to also mention some of the little "to do" items. For example: being without a furnace for a week (still don't have one yet), dentist appointments, teaching primary, getting paperwork for scout camps turned in and collecting paperwork for Activity Days Day Camp, running an average of 18 miles a week, figuring out our budget, retraining a baby to sleep through the night, planning a garden, conquering the weeds (yeah right), working on being a supportive daughter, research papers, etc, etc, etc.

Needless to say blogging has become lower on my priority list. And I'm sorry to say that my post will probably become even more infrequent, because starting Monday I am going to Real Estate School. That's right, I'm going for my real estate license. I have 150 hours of class time to complete and then I will take all the exams. After that I hope to start working for Re max.

Daniel and I both feel like me becoming an agent is the best option for our family right now. Please keep us in your prayers as we undertake this new adventure. I will try and post when I can.

I am a Warrior!

I did it!

I took the Hinckley Challenge and succeeded!

In memory of President Hinckley I read the Book of Mormon in 97 days (he was 97 when he died). It was so great to take part in this experience. Over 30,000 others took the challenge as well.

In order to complete the goal, I needed to read about 5 1/2 pages a day. I think I only missed reading three days total. There were many days that I read more pages because I was enjoying reading so much. Isn't that cool!

I have never had an experience like this before. I have always admired those people who say they love reading the scriptures and that they have a hard time putting them down. Honestly, there was a part of me that doubted them though. But now I know what they were talking about. It has been amazing.

I am really proud to have done something so worthwhile to honor President Hinckley. That is also something new for me. I have felt a great sense of purpose during this whole time. I am very grateful to the Brother who put this who program together. It has been fun seeing my progress and the progress of the group as a whole. Because of this challenge my view of scripture reading has changed. My life has been blessed because I took the time to feast upon the word.

Day of Firsts

Today Kira bore her testimony for the 1st time! And it was completely her idea! We haven't even talked about bearing our testimonies lately as a family. About half way through the meeting you could tell that she was being touched by the spirit because she started to get a little fidgety and then she moved to the end of the bench. She then asked Daniel what time testimony ended and she started eyeing the clock. A few minutes late she was at the pulpit. Her testimony was short and sweet. I am so proud of her! It was a big feet for her to over come her shyness and follow teh prompting of the spirit.

Another 1st is that Michael started crawling today! He has been close for weeks but today it is official (of course I missed when it first happened because I was asleep). He is up on all fours moving across the floor!

What a great day!