Bird Feeders

Today we made bird feeders for all of the lovely birds that we hear chirping every morning. They boys LOVED it, Ethan chose the one at a time method for adding bird seed and Skyer did more of a rolling action. Now I have kids doing this all day waiting for the birds to come...And all I used for this little project was some ice cream cones, peanut butter, bird seed, and of course cheerios :)

Teacher

Skyler cracks me up. Tonight we were at my Mom and Dad's for dinner, and after dinner Skyler decides that he wants everyone to sit on the floor at his feet while he sits on the couch for the lesson. He then proceeds to go through a long list of things asking us if it is good behavior or bad behavior. He also insisted that if we had anything to say that we had to raise our hands and ask the teacher. After his inside lesson he took everyone outside for the activity.

At least we know he is getting something out of the Family Home Evening lessons we have.

Randomness

We did a spur of the moment snack craft today with the kids, which they loved as usual. Skyler has really gotten into this kind of thing lately, in fact he keeps asking to paint his toast again...They didn't turn out as cute as I would have liked, but they looked alrightEthan cracks me up every day! I seriously think he is the funniest kid around. I don't remember Skyler ever being quite so humorous. He came walking toward me today after he refused to wear pants, sporting Skylers winter boots and stomping as he came.He also has to participate in every prayer that we say. Skyler is pretty stubborn and won't pray on his own, but Ethan always puts in his 2 cents. Last night I was saying prayers with the boys before bed, and I said we are grateful for our family which lead to a brief intermission while Ethan pointed out each member of our family and made sure that we all knew who he was talking about.

Family Home Evening

We went swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool for family home evening tonight. Seriously Skyler about drove me nut today asking when we could go swimming. I am soo proud of my little fish though. Ethan was kicking and just holding onto our hands. Skyler is swimming well on his own with just water wings. I did get him to get his face wet just before we went home, and we only had mild tears for that one. Huge improvements!!!

Happy Monday

Jordan walked in the door today with these, and said Happy Monday. I think I like Mondays...

Skyler's Haircut

Thia is too funny, and I know some day he will hate me for this, but this is Skyler getting ready for a haircut. He hates getting hair in his eyes, so this was his solution. I laugh pretty hard when I cut his hair!

Mothers Day

I love Mother's Day and the chance to reflect on the miracle of the plan of Salvation, and the small part that I play here on earth as a Mother to my children, and the gratitude that I have for the eternal role I can play along side my maker. I love being a mom, and I love my boys, they can light up the day, and put a smile on my face.Ethan wants so badly to be like Skyler that he follows him around and copies what he is doing, and when Skyler chooses not to pay attention to Ethan, Ethan tackles him!Last Sunday my Father in Law brought out an automatic Nerf gun and the kids were the targets. Skyler was funny and kind of moved away from the dartsWe have spent lots of time outside taking advantage of the nice weather before it gets too hot, and I get too fat, and Ethan especially is loving it!I also want to give a shout out to my momShe is a pretty amazing woman, and there are many things that she has taught me. Now that I am a mother myself I more fully understand the sacrifices that she has made for us, and continues to make for her children. She is probably the most selfless person I have known in this earth life. I am grateful for her example of service and charity. All my life I have been told that I look just like her, and all my life I have grumbled, but when someone tells me that they can tell I am Kathy's daughter by the acts that I am able to do, I am soo proud. I love you Mom!

My Mother in Law is also a pretty amazing woman. She has not worked outside the home sinc having her first child when she and my father in law were poor students. Those first couple of years she took on various jobs that allowed her to still be a mother to her children,a nd in years since Rick graduated from school she has kept herself busy by fully engrossing herself in her children, their lives, her church callings, and doing those things that she knows will help her eternally. She is a great example of faith, and I am so grateful for her influence in my life, and the lives of my children.

Work for Jordan

So this post is more personal in nature, and more to record the feelings that we have had the last couple of weeks.

Jordan is finishing up his Masters, and I couldn't be prouder. He has submitted a draft to his professor of his Theses which will be critiqued and then he will make revisions before his final submission and oral defense. Those things are basically just a waiting game now. We have been looking for work for a couple of months, and the closer it go to the end of April the harder we looked because that was the end of the school semester, teaching and money.

The end of April has come and gone, when we thought we were through Jordan received ANOTHER scholarship, this one for being the best computer science TA. It seems a miracle, that when we think he is done, another is slipped our way to help make us financially secure. Great news, but still no job. I of course will talk to anyone who will listen and have spoken many times of the stress that it brings. On Sunday Jordan's whole family fasted for him to find employment, and Tuesday morning we got the phone call that he has been offered a job! He will make a little more money than we had expected, and they have full benefits, and he starts with 5 weeks holidays. Not twenty minutes later I check my e-mail and a dear friend and her husband we looking out for us too and had e-mailed another job that he likely would have been able to get.

I am soo grateful for the 'Angels Among Us' for those friends who made time to listen to my woes, and to try to help in any way they could. I am grateful that the Lord works in his own time (I am not grateful for the stress mind you) I am grateful for the lessons that I learned and for the growth that came from our small struggles.

I should also mention that the job Jordan did get he was able to get because a friend of mine thought enough of him to petition her sister, who trusted her sisters judgement enough to put herself out there and put him in contact with a few of her friends who were able to help Jordan find the right company to hire him.

I know that I talk a lot, and it is easy for me to get caught up in the moment, but I truly love my husband and I am so grateful for all that he does to care for me and our family. I am grateful that he is humble enough to look for work in retail when he has a Masters Degree, and that he lets me work beside him to help support our family!

I Love...

That they Love each other. I walked by their bedroom today and Skyler was reading a book to Ethan, and Ethan was sitting there with his arm around his big brother. So Precious!

Cinco de Maya

Jordan served his mission in southern California where the Mexican influence is pretty strong. He came home loving authentic Mexican food, and appreciating a few Mexican holidays. Tonight we had a little dinner party, and tried to keep the food as authentic as possible. I made Tamales for the first time ever (and there are TONS) they turned out pretty good. I made Carnitas Taco's, again I was pleased. Leishmans brought over some yummy fresh pico de gallo, and my sister in law and her husband brought some guacamole. It was a huge FEAST! We had some Tres Leche Cake for dessert, broke a Pinata and shared some good conversations. Yay for a reason to celebrate!

I totally forgot to take a picture of the food, but here are a few of the decorations
this is little Lincoln, but what a cute photo!

nursing cover giveaway

there are these super cute nursing covers over at peekaboob, and she is doing a giveaway, they look great!