I am so grateful for my calling in the Primary Presidency, and even for all of the many challenges that it presents. Our primary has 140 children, plus about 40 in Nursery. It is HUGE, and that does make things very difficult. There are so many fun things that we would love to do with them, but because of sheer numbers it is not a possibility. I am so grateful for the simple faith of Children, and for their courage and example. Month after month I feel the need to bear my testimony and always talk myself out of it. Today I couldn't sit any longer. The children in our primary were lining up to be an example to me, and to teach ME something. I love the women that I work with and feel blessed for the struggles, and lessons that I have learned.
this is all that we have room for in our tiny backyard after the shed, BBQ, slides, kids picnic table, gigantic riding tractor, with trailer that Skyler got for his birthday from my parents last year, bucket of toys... you get the point. My back yard belongs to my son, with a small portion designated to my grilling husband. This is my pride and joy for the past 2 years. I have a few small planters that line the edge of my patio, and I am grateful for them. They bring forth great fresh food for my family to enjoy, and I find such satisfaction in growing my own food. 
This one is growing my herbs. Cilantro which is one of Jordan's favorite herbs, and basil for all of my summer fresh bruschetta! I am grateful each spring for the new growth, and the opportunity that I have to watch things grow!
I am so grateful for lazy family time. Typically late in the evening (relatively speaking) We, as a family end up in the family room, or our bedroom, and Jordan and the boys wrestle, and work hard to get me involved. I feel so blessed to have the time to spend with my family enjoying the small things, and moments like this!
It is sometimes run every day, and if I host a dinner maybe a few times a day. I love having a dishwasher. My parents always told us that they had 5 dishwashers (referring to me and my 4 brothers) I too have a little dishwasher, but at this stage when he washes dishes, I spend 20 minutes cleaning up the mess he made before I wash the dishes...someday
I am grateful for my sister's, ok, so actually I do not have any sisters, but my husband has 3, and I am grateful for them. I think that dealing with your own family who you were raised, by and with is often struggle, and naturally a whole other family thrown into the mix when you get married is not always easy to deal with either. I think that I am very blessed to have in-laws who care so much, and are willing to help wherever possible, but today I am grateful for Sisters.
My Children.
Jordan and I both wanted to find some wooden bunk beds, and not a metal frame. We finally found these in the bargain finder, and started the task of painting out the furniture. I actually quite like them, they have a little book case head board, and are able to be set up as 2 single beds as well.
We set up the bunk beds, and Skyler had no problem getting up, but was having difficulty getting back down off the top bunk, so my wonderful husband thought it would be a great idea to make a slide to help him get down on his own. The idea was there, and there was no stopping him. He did extensive 20 minute research on the internet, and set off to home depot to buy the supplies that he would need. A week later we had a platform, and slide to move into the bedroom. Jordan built the rail to make it safer, and I am glad for it. Skyler will wake up and want to go down his slide right away, and he doesn't necessarily have the balance thing figured out in his half conscious state.
I made the Valence out of Scraps from the firetruck wrap on the bed, that by the way was also Jordan's idea. I of course did all of the work, but he had seen something on a bed in the bargain finder, and decided that Skyler just had to have it (note: Skyler is VERY SPOILED - by mom and dad, and both grandparents live only minutes away) I loved the rings, although really don't think they would do well if the fabric were very heavy.
We were able to put the frames so that they graduated down the wall following the line of the slide, which I think looks pretty neat. Unfortunately the pictures in the frames are not all complete. I heard council from a very wise woman a few years ago that all children should have a picture of the temple and of Christ in their bedrooms. As you can see, we have Christ, but no temple. I am having a terrible time finding a pencil drawing of the temple which is what I so badly want because I love the pencil drawings of Christ. The middle frame will get to hold a family picture, or a picture of my 2 boys when I get around to taking the picture.
We had a blank space on the wall, and was looking for something to fill it when I went to a vinyl lettering party. I love the letters on tiles, and wood, but I LOVE the letters on the wall. I hope that my boys do grow up with a hero like their dad!
We searched the internet extensively looking for some bedding that related to firetrucks, but found it very limited. I guess if you are not doing sports, flowers, or Disney you can't find anything for a bedroom. I was able to find a couple, but really did not want really light colors for this room, I wanted bright vibrant alive colors that would make you feel alive and excited, just like a little boy feels when he sees a firetruck with it's lights flashing. We decided on Heroes by Olive Kids, and then set about getting them bought, and brought into Canada (we were not lucky enough to carry them north of the Border. Thanks to my wonderful parent who were detained at the border because I did not send the receipt with them when they went to Montana to pick them up, the bedding was hand delivered by said parents yesterday. Thanks!
and just because a little boys room is not complete without the little boy, I added a munchkin into the mix, albeit the wrong munchkin, but he is cute too don't you think?
I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and the strength that I can draw from it. Sometimes you just have a day, or mine seems to be a week, where I have a hard time staying positive, a hard time looking at the good, and I spend too much time looking at the bad! I feel so blessed to have been raised in the home that I was, and to have been taught the things that I have been taught. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it is a strength to me as I work each day to raise my family, and as I strive to become a better wife, mother, and person.
Jordan and I started dating in high school. The truth is, I met him really, when I was dating his best friend, but who needs to know the details. We never really had any classes together. One that we can both agree we had together, and that was a social class. Jordan is very smart, and has always achieved well is school for as long as I can remember. He has also never enjoyed working on school assignments, but rather liked to learn new things (of his choosing) and implement them.
after nearly 2 years of dating, and a year of that being a long distance relationship while I was away at school, I sent Jordan on his mission. He hoped I would be here when I got home, and I hoped for the same thing, but also did not feel inclined to live like a hermit. He was only gone a few months when I dear Johned him. I did continue to write for the remainder of his mission, just more sporadically. He was after all my best friend.
as the story goes, he was home from his mission 6 weeks, and we were engaged to be married...
and married 6 weeks after that.
