"We May Not Have It All Together But Together We Have It All"

Today Lucas who may I remind you is 2 years old got into something again!!

He got into the fridge, climbed to the adult eye level shelf, got the pro-biotic (which is in one of those foil push out tab things) out, took out the scissors from the drawer, cut to get a pill out, put the scissors back in the drawer and ate the pill!!! What am I going to do with this kid! He was suppose to be at the table doing crafts! I just ran upstairs to change out the laundry!

Miles: How many times do we have to die until we are really dead forever?
Mom: Just once, when we die the first time we are really dead.
Miles: When are we going to die?
Mom: Hopefully when we are really old.
Miles: But Dad is old.

The other day Evan came home from school with a new book from the library, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He was sing some song about farts and saying that the book says I hate you grandma in it. I sat down on the couch with it after dinner and Evan came and sat next to me. I asked him if the book was appropriate to read and he said with a sheepish look "No, but I thought you would just ignore it". I am in for some trouble. I do love his honesty which I know won't last long.

This mornings breakfast: Green pancakes & eggs. The first words out of Evan's mouth, "Yuck". Then he said, "You're right mom it does taste the same". How many times do we need to tell everyone! Mom is always right!! :)

Lucas new saying: "Wanna fight" while hitting someone with something

This is for my hubby! (pg 53)

On Saturday Ryan came home from youth basketball and stole us away from our chores to take us out into the sunshine. Dick's for lunch and then the Ballard Locks. We were grateful that we weren't stuck inside doing chores! The boys had a lot of fun running and rolling down the hills. Lucas even tried rolling down too but didn't get to far. We also went to Discovery park for a little more fun!

Last night was breakfast for dinner, my fav (but not so much Ryan's) Coffee cake and eggs. I turned on the oven to preheat it and after awhile started smelling something funky. I couldn't figure out what it was until I opened the oven and saw this.....I turned to the boys and said - who didn't eat their dinner last night, of course no response. Ryan figured out that it must have been Miles (I didn't eat with them that night since I was going out to dinner with some friends) so we called him over. We asked him why he put it in the oven. With a stomp of his foot (he always does that when he is mad or frustrated) he said; "because I didn't want to eat my dinner". He took one look and learned that 1)you should never hide your dinner plate of non eaten food in the oven because mom will still find it and 2)that Ikea plates are not oven proof!! When asked if he was ever going to do that again he shamefully put his head down and shook it no.

My life with boys...

Two year old:*Burp* Ha Ha Ha Fart

Mommy: No - burp

Two year old in a two year old demanding voice: No - Fart

I know I will miss these conversations one day!

playing games

Grandpa sleeping (he had been up for almost 24 hours due to work)
Evan rocking out

Sisters play nieces DS

Kids rocking out

The other night we went to exchange a shirt for Ryan at the Calvin Klein store. Miles being the 4 year old that he is pointed to the back wall and started laughing and saying really loud over and over again "be boos, be boos" while Evan was telling him to be quite because people could hear him. Evan apparently knew what he was talking about, it took Ryan and I a bit to figure it out. He was pointing to the bras and had gotten it a little backwards.

Took Apple Cider Vinegar for the first time this evening and almost threw up! I don't know how I am going to be able to do this twice a day!! Yuck, Kerianne! I even did it with honey and Cinnamon.

We have the Heacock kids tonight for a slumber party and while I was making smoothies Kerragyn announced "we are having smoothies with carrots and weeds!" No I wasn't feeding them weeds just spinach leaves! They said it was pretty good, strawberries, banana, pineapple sherbet, carrots, spinach, milk and a touch of sugar (I didn't have any because I don't like bananas I knew they weren't just trying to be nice and tell me it was good because my boys liked it to, although Eben couldn't finish his-we think he was a little grossed out by the spinach).

How well is potty training going with our 3 1/2 year old?

This morning he found that he ran out of pull ups so I got some underwear out for him. He cried and screamed for a half hour about how he didn't want to wear underwear and that he wanted his pull ups. Through tears he finally asked if we had anymore pull ups and not wanting to lie to him I said yes out in the garage but those are for when we leave the house. He continued to cry and scream, then all of a sudden he stopped turned around and went out to the garage bare bum and all (he is a little scared of the garage so I did think he would go out there). He came back a few minutes later with the Costco sized box of pull ups and started crying again because he couldn't open it. Then he stopped again and disappeared upstairs with the box. He came back downstairs for breakfast fully dressed with pull ups on. After breakfast I went in the office to check work email and there was the box of opened pull ups and scissors. The little stinker is pretty smart. How do I potty train this kid- it is such a fight!!

96.3 degrees in our playroom. Good thing we are out in the sprinkler!

The last few nights Evan has had a hard time falling asleep with the heat. Previous nights we just kept sending him to bed over and over and over and over again. Last night I got tired of putting him to bed! Around 10:00 he came in the office where I was working and just sat next to me moaning. At one point he asked why Dad and I weren't going to bed. I told him that once they (the boys) went to bed mom and dad work and get chores done. I ignored his moaning for about 20 mins (that was all I could take)and said; OK, if you are going to be up this late you have to do chores like mom and dad! So I sent him outside to the garage with dad who was cleaning up and getting camping stuff together. He didn't get to bed until 11:45 and I warned him that if he was grumpy the next day he was going straight to bed! Well this morning I found out that the chores idea backfired!! At breakfast he was bragging to his brother that he got to help with chores in the garage like moving the water bottles and vacuuming.... This afternoon I reminded him that he wasn't going to stay up late again to help with chores and he said, "but they help me fall asleep". I let him know we would be doing extra chores(the boy do three chores in the morning right after breakfast each day) starting at 7:00 tonight and getting into bed at 8:00! We'll see if that actually works (yeah right)!

I have been asked by a few to get them a copy of this talk, which I haven't since I am a little embarrassed because it is not that good, but here you are......

In an article by Sharon Shearer Bringing Up Young Boys To Become Responsible Husbands And Fathers she said…
I once heard it said that you will never really know how effective you were as a parent until your child grows up and has a family of their own. Teaching a young boy responsibility and good values make life not only easier for the parent, but for his wife and family later in life

This morning I have been asked to speak about how I would want my 3 young boys to grow up.

There are many important miles stones and attributes I would like my boys to achieve but there are 5 that I would like to talk about today.

Baptism
(2 Ne. 31:13) Nephi promised: “I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, … with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost”
(2 Ne. 31:20.) Nephi also made it clear that we must continue following the Savior after baptism: “Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, … Ye shall have eternal life.”

Scouting program
Last Sunday- Brent received his Eagle award. Even though my boys are young and sitting for another hour on Sunday is difficult for them I am grateful that Brent was a good example to them. If my boys lived their life by the Boy Scout Oath and Law I would be one of the happiest moms on earth

Scout Oath (or Promise)
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law
TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL
A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL
A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND
A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL
A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Be Prepared.
That's the motto of the Boy Scouts.
"Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,

"Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell.

The training you receive in your troop will help you live up to the Scout motto. When someone has an accident, you are prepared because of your first aid instruction. Because of lifesaving practice, you might be able to save a non swimmer who has fallen into deep water.

But Baden-Powell wasn't thinking just of being ready for emergencies. His idea was that all Scouts should prepare themselves to become productive citizens and to give happiness to other people. He wanted each Scout to be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead.

Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best. That's what the Scout motto means.

Duty to God
Message from the First Presidency,” Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God [Deacon], 4
You live in a day of great challenges and opportunities. You have been called to make a difference in the world. As a son of God, with the power of the Aaronic Priesthood, you can be a wonderful force for good.
You can provide service, giving of your time, talents, and energies without thought of reward. You can fulfill priesthood duties, such as passing the sacrament, gathering fast offerings, and helping others. You can lift others by your example. You can strengthen yourself, building faith and testimony, living the gospel while you learn it and share it.

The First Presidency also included the purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood
• Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings.
• Serve faithfully in priesthood callings, and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices.
• Give meaningful service.
• Prepare and live worthily to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances.
• Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission.
• Obtain as much education as possible.
• Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
• Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.

Priesthood Duties and Standards
1. Keep the commandments.
2. Live the standards in For the Strength of Youth.
3. Have daily personal prayer.
4. Read the scriptures.
5. Attend seminary, where available; otherwise, enroll in the appropriate seminary home-study course.
6. Attend sacrament meeting, priesthood meeting, and other Church meetings.
7. Keep the Word of Wisdom.
8. Pay a full tithe.
9. Bless the sacrament.
10. Serve as a home teacher as assigned by your priesthood leaders.
11. Perform other assigned priesthood duties.

1. I hope they call me on a mission
When I have grown a foot or two.
I hope by then I will be ready
To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.
2. I hope that I can share the gospel
With those who want to know the truth.
I want to be a missionary
And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth.

Mission- the 4 miles stone
In the Missionary Preparation manual it states:

Shortly before His Ascension, the Lord gave His Apostles the divine command to “teach all nations”(Matthew 28:19).

In Doctrine and Covenants 42:58, the Lord said, “And I give unto you a commandment that . . . ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindred’s, tongues
and people”.
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that the Lord’s commission to “teach all nations” is still in force today: “Near the end of his earthly ministry, the resurrected Jesus instructed his disciples with these words: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19–20). Elder Ballard continues, That instruction is in force today and is the mandate for General Authorities[and] missionaries . . . to travel to the four corners of the world teaching the gospel

Elder Richard G. Scott taught about a young man’s responsibility to serve a mission: “If you are
a physically able, emotionally stable young man, pray about the opportunity and responsibility you have to the Lord to prepare yourself to be a full time missionary. That includes understanding the scriptures, being obedient, keeping yourself clean, pure, and worthy to be endowed in the temple.

Also In the Missionary Preparation manual President Hinckley states
The standards of worthiness and testimony a Prospective missionary must live?

• Have faith in and a testimony of Heavenly Father,
His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
• Have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ and His role as the Savior.
• Have a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
and the Restoration of the gospel.
• Sustain the Church authorities.
• Keep the law of chastity. This includes avoiding
pornography in any form.
• Keep the covenants made at baptism and
elsewhere.
• Attend all their Church meetings.
• Be honest in their dealings with others.
• Pay a full tithing.
• Keep the Word of Wisdom.
• Repent and confess their sins.

Temple ordinances and marriage
Prior to a temple marriage I hope my boys learn to give proper respect to women, girls, and children.
Lesson 30 Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3 talks about how honor each woman and young woman you associate with
It includes the following:
1. Keep language respectful always.
2. Be good company. Help her obey the commandments.
3. Accompany her to respectable places and to good entertainment.
4. Respect her virtue by avoiding physical intimacies.
5. Respect parents’ wishes and be reasonable in behavior and hours.
6. Travel safely, and do not show off. Ride with friends who drive safely.
7. Treat her as an equal.
8. Be a friend, and enjoy her companionship.
9. Take her to church, and learn of her spiritual depth.
10. Show proper manners and respect.

By Sharon Shearer Bringing Up Young Boys To Become Responsible Husbands And Fathers

Teaching a son that no one else is responsible for his upkeep makes life easier on both a Mother and a future Daughter-in-law. You know the old "House Rule", if you make the mess, clean it up! It begins early with Toys, clothes and snacks. Good habits formed early will follow them through their adult life.

Teach a young boy that chores are not just for women. Something as simple as carrying out the trash helps a child learn that he has a contribution to making life easier for his parent, and eventually his wife.

In small subtle ways teach a boy that it's not a "Woman Thing" to be thoughtful. Encourage him by suggesting, "It's so-and-so's birthday. Let's make them a card - or buy them a small present." Plant the seed and watch it grow.

It scares me to death that I am the mother of these young boys, but with the guidance of my Heavenly Father I hope to guide them through these important miles stones in their lives.

This last weekend we had a busy but fun weekend. First we went to the Mill Creek Festival to see the Corvette Car Show. Then we met up with the Young's to do a little fishing at the Olsen Mansion. This was the boys first fishing experience, they caught them, watched them being cleaned out and ate them! Ryan and Enoch had to BBQ them up for the kids to eat. We also spend some time at the beach, it was such a beautiful and hot day. The sand (the little bit that we found) burnt our feet so Ryan brought water up to cool it off.

Family was coming over to our house yesterday to play and our house was a mess(No really, we have been painting rooms for the last two weekends and everything else was on hold). Well I found the secret to getting the energy I need to get it all looking semi presentable! Voltage! Mountain Dew with Ginseng that is! If you have two hours and you drink one of those you are set to go, go, go (I didn't crash to hard that evening :)).

In May we went to Disneyland and had a ton of fun!! The boys are still talking about it. We surprised the boys the morning we left. We woke them up at 4:30 in the morning and asked if they wanted to go on an airplane ride (their first), then we gave them Mickey tee shirts and told them we were going to Mickey's house! They really didn't understand what it all entailed but they were excited to go on our very first family vacation (other then camping).

Here are our pics- there are a lot of them, enjoy!

The boys are almost through their first week of swim classes and they are loving it! One of Evan's instructors said- "he just loves the water". Evan can not keep his head out of it. He can't just stay still and wait for instruction he has to be flipping, floating, swimming or gliding while waiting. He still has to learn how to not swallow so much water. At one time during a lesson we all heard a really loud belch, looking around to see who it was I found my little Evan smiling with embarrassment.

Miles had a hard time at first, watching and participating from the comfort of the first step. Then slowly to the next step and finally he is now all of the way in the water with the other kids having fun.

Lucas is a struggle since he wants to be in the water too, but we are having fun watching the boys getting comfortable in the water and having fun.

We have changed! Now Ry doesn't look 12 years old :) Love ya babe
This picture is of our private cedar spa right outside our slider doors at Suncadia, now Ry wants one :)

Sorry ladies he's mine!
I don't find my hubby gaming very often anymore which I am grateful for but I think it's because his live account has expired.

At the Weeks house the Easter Bunny brings fun things to help us learn about Jesus and/or books to better ourselves. This year the boys got fun things to keep them quite during Sacrament and the Easter Bunny believes mom and dad need to become better parents.

Grandma Hale had her 90th birthday Feb 16th but we had a wonderful family celebration at the end of March. It was a lot of fun to see family that we haven't seen for a long time. We love you family! We love you Grandma!