Jameson's Accomplishment

A few months ago James got a package in the mail from Grandma Lowry. In it was a Book of Mormon and a daily reading chart. The challenge was to read it before future missionary camp in June. I really thought it would be a chore for me to get him to do it. When he started I encouraged him to do his reading before he had any screen time each day. He is very self motivated and it wasn't a chore at all. He is an early riser and every morning I found him on the couch reading before he did anything else. Occasionally he would tell me which part he was reading and we would talk about the stories. He said that there were times when he dreaded reading but he changed his attitude all on his own and kept reading. He really enjoyed it. I'm so amazed and grateful for his good example. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Mother's Day '17

There are so many moments that I compare how my relationship with my kids is like my Heavenly Father's relationship with me. For example, all the times when my kids don't listen to me and I think about all the times I may not be listening to the spirit or times when I put my own will before the will the Lord has for me. He must feel the same way I feel, Why aren't you listening to me!? :)
I also love to think of different analogies with daily events and the gospel. Like the other day I was thinking about all the maintenance for your car and upgrades to regular maintenance. You have standard oil changes but then you have premium oil changes with all sorts of exrtas. I compared that to daily spiritual maintenance. You can do the basic package which might include reading scriptures and saying prayers. Like a basic oil change, your car works and runs. I think about the days I take time to listen to conference talks, read RS lessons or Sunday school lessons, etc. Then I love thinking about what I've read and it really boosts my day. This would be like doing more for your car and having it run even better.
I'm grateful for Mother's Day and the love I felt from my kids and Marshall. James and Lynnlee were so excited to give me their presents they made at school. James misplaced them the day he brought them home and he came home crying. It was very touching that he would care so much about something not even for himself. Luckily he found it and I could see how much work went into it and why it meant a lot to him.

If Sundays weren't so crazy I would get a picture of my kids each week. Kudos to the moms out there that can do that. Luckily for us we at least manage a picture on most holidays. Thanks Marshall for the great pictures!

Japanese Room

The basement bedroom has been a work in progress. We were so happy to have Brooke stay with us and motivate us to get it all finished. It is a Japanese themed room. Marshall worked hard and did a great job! I helped in the end with hanging things on the walls and making the bed but he gets all the credit.

He found a bamboo window cover.

He designed the light, built it and hung it all himself.

The wall decorations are from his mission and our most recent trip.

He made the sliding closet doors. I love how it turned out. If you ever need a place to stay it's open. Not only is it a guest room but also exercise room, business office, and view of the pool (kiddie pool stored in the window well).

Walk-a-thon

Our school walk-a-thon was a few weeks ago. It was a cold day. Each grade walked 10-12 laps which took about a half hour. Then they got a water bottle and banana for participating.

Lynnlee didn't want to participate but after she was happy she did it. Kaden ran a few laps with her. The minis played on the playground most of the time.

Lynnlee and some of her class friends.

Pinewood Derby

James participated in his first pinewood derby. He used an idea from Discovery Gateway and made a Lego car. Marshall cut the car down and James sanded it. Then he glued a Lego base and built it up with Legos. His wasn't the fastest car but it was all his and he was happy with it.

Easter '17

Easter was such a happy and fun weekend. The Easter bunny visited Saturday morning. It was fun to see the minis get it a little more this year as they looked for Easter eggs.

James was happy despite how he looks in the picture.

We had a day full of soccer games. Lynnlee helped entertain the minis at Kaden's game.

This year for Easter we upgraded our swing set. We have had this old one since we moved in. It was a freebie on KSL classifieds. It has served us well.

We have spent a lot of time outside since. It is fun having something for big and little, old and young. My favorite is doing back flips off the swings with James and Lynnlee. Unfortunately I'm not good at the monkey bars though.

Saturday night we had an Easter party at my parent's house. It is fun hiding eggs with Kasey because he is an extremist. Taylor's special egg was strung up in the air between trees with fishing line. It's still there even now. James's and Drew's were in the eves above the front door. Katelyn's and Lucy's were stuck with duct tape to the side of the house near the roof. The kids loved it!

Easter Sunday we enjoyed having Marshall home all morning with us. After church we enjoyed dinner at Marshall's parent's house.

Special Box

I love teaching my primary class. They are turning eight this year and are excited to participate in each lesson. We had a lesson on the Holy Ghost a few weeks ago. When I was preparing I remembered a special box I received when I was in primary. It was a box that had items in it to remind you about the Holy Ghost. I decided to make some for the members of my class. I made little white blanket/comforters, hearts cut out of felt, ears cut out of felt, candle, compass and scriptures made from chocolate. I also had paper stop signs, I'm not sure why it didn't make it in this picture. Then I included a piece of paper that explained each object. I don't go all out every lesson but I really felt it was important for this lesson so I'm glad it all came together in time.

B-ball

I play basketball on Thursdays with awesome girls in my stake who have become great friends. There was not a regional tournament this year but we have still had fun playing.