Primary Program 2013

Today was our Ward Primary Program. To say the kids did good, would be an understatement...they did Fantastic! They all said their parts well and sang their little hearts out. It was hard to hold back tears at times.

Our family was asked to sing "Families Can Be Together Forever"...all by ourselves...I don't think Jeff was too happy about my accepting...but he was a good sport. We were all nervous, and I almost started crying at the beginning of the song. Luckily pulled it together. Our family has been through so much in the past 12 years, some hard times, scary times but so many amazing times. It made us singing this song extra special. I am so blessed to know that I will be with my awesome kids and amazing husband for forever!

Each of my kids had parts and each of them said them this year!! That is huge and exciting!!

Kahle

"I can follow His plan by coming to church."

 Delaney

"We all need repentance because we are not perfect."

 Coleman

"The priesthood blesses my life when my dad gives me special blessings before going back to school."

 Grant

"We cal all follow Heavenly Father's plan by being baptized and confirmed."

Haden

"Heavenly Father is always there for us. As we pray, we should think of Him as being close by."

We truly have an awesome Primary! Our Primary Presidency ROCKS! I feel so blessed to be able to work with them and the other teachers in the primary. A spiritual day, an amazing day...Loved all of it!

Thank you to my parents for coming and watching. The kids could hardly wait to see you in the audience...it means so much to all of us that you would come out for it!

Be humble...

Picture this...Jeff has to be to work and I have to be somewhere else around the same time...we are down to one car...so this causes a problem. I am not one that likes to ask for help, in fact it seriously eats me up inside. I love to be the one helping, but I have never been great about receiving the help. The past 2 weeks I have honestly tried to do some things on my own, but other times it is obvious that I am going to have to reach out and get help. It is humbling...with this accident another thing I have learned is humility in allowing others to help.

It's something I guess I will have to be taught over and over again, because it seems with most the trials in my life, this is something I am taught again and again. Maybe this time I will 'get' it and not have to be taught this again...I would like to say 100% that is the case...but I am human, I am one who tries to do it all myself (just ask Jeff) and I can't make that promise. I can say I am going to try!

I am so grateful for those who have stepped in and helped. Who have offered, given rides, been there for support and done whatever was needed to help our family. I am grateful for the patience of others when dealing with me. I know that people are put in our lives for a reason and I am so grateful for those that bless my life every day!

Go and let someone help you today!

Photo Dump....

Just 'dumping' my instagram pictures....

With the start of a new school year I had to fill out 4 back to school packets before the first day of school, and after Kahle started I had another one. Lots of papers!! I wish that we could do it online!

Jumping for joy...we made it through the first week of school!!

Yay for a fantastic rain storm!

Walking with canes, floating leaves, building dams and creating a beach with sticks and leaves...these kids know how to enjoy the rain!

Passed out...

Hanging out with my adorable side kick watching a movie in the van...while Jeff is at the court house here in Jean...learn from our mistake and make sure you change out your insurance card, in your cars, when you get a new one!

Melt my heart Haden planned to have Kahle and him match for school this week 

Double rainbow, gorgeous sunset and crazy kids playing in the sprinkling rain! Perfect ending to our day 

Is it weird that I enjoy homework time?!

Celebrated with his free meal and free sundae at Red Robin for lunch...

Walked to Haden's Open House for school...thanks to Lorey for picking us up after so we didn't have to walk in the rain!!

I went dark...big change...I love it!!!

Always a fun time when Papa comes over!

Straightened her hair after her shower...she was so excited...longest her hair has ever been!

Fun afternoon building a lego castle with Haden!

Love his scrunched nose face! He does this face all the time, usually it has a cute smile along with it...but I couldn't get him to do that!

Jeff taught Delaney to tie her shoes!! Smart got it after just a couple tries! 

And yes my husband is awesome for taking the time to work with her  

No more than 34!

I am married to the kindest, most thoughtful, patient, sweet and amazing person on this earth! I feel so lucky!! Today Jeff turns 34...34 years of pure awesomeness!

Jeff is my best friend, my rock, my everything! He is such an awesome husband, father, son, uncle and person! He stands beside me and never complains, always there to help and put up with everything I sign up for.

He is a rock for his kids. They trust him, feel safe with him and know that he will move mountains for them!

These kiddos adore their Dad! He is one of their best friends!

Jeff has an amazing sense of humor. He is quiet when you first meet him, but he is hilarious! Laughter is constantly in our house, mostly because of him! He jokes, teases and loves to quote movies.

He is an amazing family man and puts up with all of us crazies!

He is not only patient with his own kids, but with other kids as well! He becomes a celebrity at school in our kids classes. They all get excited when Mr. Nicks comes in or they see him in the hall. I love it!

Happy 34th Birthday Jeff!

We love you so much and hope you have a Fantastic Day!!

2 weeks after...and 12 years later....

Today is 2 weeks since Jeff's accident. We are still waiting to hear from the insurance, and are getting used to being a one car family again (thanks to those who have stepped in and given rides when we needed them).  I know that with each experience in our lives, there are blessings and things we can learn from them. This car accident was full of blessings and things that we could learn from.

Some blessings were no one was seriously injured or killed. That Jeff is alive and okay. That the spirit let me know what was happening before I actually knew what was happening. That the highway patrol were kind enough to not ticket Jeff and make this worse than it was. We are blessed to be a family, together and happy. That people stepped in and helped where was needed and allowed me to do what I needed to, to help Jeff. 

I honestly know that prayers are answered! As I just knew that his sugar was low, and I knew that somewhere he was going to be in an accident, I prayed. I prayed in my heart, out loud and through tears. I feel that those prayers were heard and that this whole incident ended in the best way possible. I feel that the prayers of family and friends were heard and the outcome, to me is proof of that.

Things that we were able to take from this and learn, simple ones, like make sure and change out your insurance cards as you get new ones. Otherwise you might have to drive out to Jean to show proof of insurance to dismiss a ticket. Then there are bigger things like take more time for your family. Be sure that you let them know how much you love them. We were lucky to not have to experience what could have happened, but I am well aware of what could have happened. These past 2 weeks, I have taken a step back and tried to spend more time with my kids, with Jeff. I don't ever want to regret not doing so. This accident has helped me look at my life, how I am spending my time and what I am doing to better myself, my family and those around me. I am saying no a little more to be with my family, to keep my priorities straight.

Not only is it 2 weeks from the accident, it is 12 years from Jeff and I becoming engaged. In 12 years, and 5 kids later, we are stronger than ever in our family and our marriage. We have a new perspective on life and how we are living our lives. I am so grateful to have said yes 12 years ago, to have taken this journey with Jeff and to continue to see where it will take us from here! Life is great, we are truly blessed and loving every minute of every day!

Happy 12 year anniversary of becoming engaged Mr. Amazing! I love you!!

Keep on keeping on with the bucket list...

Even though summer break is over, we are still crossing off items on our bucket list!

Bleach T-Shirts

We did these at the Larsen Family Reunion, but I forgot to take pictures. So we decided to try them again!

The kids thought long and hard about what shape they wanted on their shirts.

Delaney chose Cinderella :)

They they helped by spraying the bleach and watching as the colors changed.

 

Kahle wanted just the bat of the batman symbol!

Some changed quicker than others. Cole's was the fastest at taking the bleach.

He picked the green lantern pattern.

They also got to pick the placement of the design, and where it all went on their shirt!

Star Wars for Grant!

This was such a fun project, one we will definitely be doing again!

Haden pick the biohazard sign for Hulk.

Seriously though, this was so fun, we loved how they turned out and can't wait to make more!

Science Experiment Day

A Great Magic Trick! - LINK

This was fun and the kids were so surprised!

Some changed colors quicker than others, but they all had a color.

They mixed and mixed quickly for theirs to foam up and spill onto the cookie sheet!

I think Cole liked it :)

They didn't waist anytime when it was their turn, they jumped right in!

In the end we had 5 different colors!

Light up Lifesavers - LINK

I don't have pictures of it actually happening. We tried but they just didn't turn out. The kids loved this one!

Then the kids made paper airplanes and Jeff helped make helicopters.

Each one created something different and fun!

Absorbing Science - LINK

It was fun to see the colors jump further down on the paper towels!

Grant Date Night

Grant picked to have Jeff take him on his date and they started with dinner at Red Robin!

It's always fun to get these kiddos one on one!

Then they headed over to Yogurtland for some dessert!

Grant had a blast and said it was 'so good!'

Questions Jeff asked Grant:
1. What is your favorite color?

Black

2. What are you most excited about for the school year?

Earning fake money and buying someone else's desk.

3. What's your favorite movie?

Star Wars Return of the Jedi

4. What's your favorite school subject?

Art

5. What was your favorite thing you did this summer?

The Adventuredome

Cole Date Night
Bless this little boy! He really wanted Jeff to take him on his date, and I can't blame him, he gets to see me all the time and doesn't get to see his Dad as much as he would like. But he was crying and just didn't want to hurt my feelings by taking his Dad. I reassured him that he could definitely take his Dad and I would be okay with it! Love him and his tender heart!

Cole also chose Red Robin (I think it's their favorite place)

Cole LOVES ketchup...I think he gets it from my Grandpa Larsen :)

After dinner they went to Thrifty Ice Cream...

Where they enjoyed some yummy cones!

Some questions Jeff asked Cole...

1. What are you most excited about for the next school year?

Mostly lunch and recess.

2. What's your favorite movie?

Star Wars Empire Strikes Back

3. What did you like most about the summer?

Today's date.

Camp Out in the Living Room

The other night we had to stay up late to pick up Jeff from work. So we decided to have a campout in the living room. I love these kiddos!

After getting home they crashed quickly! Slept great and woke up and had a blast!

Try a New Restaurant

We were running errands and doing some school shopping. We decided to find a place to try as our new restaurant. We drove past this place and decided to go back and eat there.

The kids were excited to try something new!

Entertaining themselves by coloring!

Cheeburger Cheeburger....YUM!

She loves her Daddy!

Cole and I...sweet boy!

Jeff and I got these for our cups :)

Jeff did the Pounder Challenge...

And finished it!

Haden did the 1/2 pounder, kid challenge....

And finished his!

This place is yummy and we were glad we stopped!

Funnel Cakes

Making funnel cakes for the first, and definitely NOT the last time!

They were yummy and the kids really liked them!

Needless to say they were a hit!

And will definitely be made in the future!

Discovery Museum

My parents bought a season pass and were so kind to take us there today!  We spent 3 hours playing, pretending and creating...it was a lot of fun!!

Playing in the water!

Brings out the kid in all of us :)

Delaney insisted on the raincoat, so Grammy helped her put it on. I think she got wet the most, because it would roll off the raincoat and down her pants!

Who doesn't love to play in water?!!

Sending the balls up the shooting water, to get wet!

Notice her pants :)

This is how the kiddos semi dried off!

Haden showing us the part of his ear that is 95% missing...his ear drum!

Making parachutes and planes to send up in the wind.

There they go!

The wind tunnel....Delaney's hair looked straight while she was in there!

This was a lot of fun!

Working on cars was a lot of fun!

Each one finding a place to work.

Haden spent some time in the construction area!

Grant worked at Jamba Juice and served many meals to Papa and Grammy!

Cole found the mechanics clothes!

She was in heaven in the Smiths Store, working the cashier!

Gotta have the gear to go with the job!

She also worked at the bakery and gave the shoppers the kind of bread they wanted.

Haden and Kahle playing in the store!

 

Oh Kahle you make me smile!

Lots of dressing up!

And being Captains of the ship!

Funny note for the day was that in between visiting all the different rooms, Grammy asked the kids who needed to go to the restroom. Some of the kids volunteered, with Kahle being one of them. When Jeff took Kahle in the restroom, Kahle freaked out because he didn't want to go to the bathroom, he wanted to go to the restroom. He thought it was some fun room he was going to (since I don't know if we've ever referred to the bathroom as the restroom).  Way too funny!!

McKee Ranch/Visit Sparty (aka Wilbur)

It's Sparty (aka Wilbur)!!!!  We were so excited to see him! It felt like he remembered us, and we had fun seeing him!

 

Haden reaching in to pet him!

We love horses!!!

This goat didn't get up, and didn't want to eat, just hung out there :)

Cole had a blast feeding the animals!

This sheep was laying down when we got there.  Didn't move while the kids petted it, but as soon as we started to leave it followed us like a puppy :)

Feeding the mini horses.

The kids had fun feeding the chickens too!

Our kids are animal lovers!

And we all had a blast!

Visiting Sparty before we left! Definitely will be going back to visit him again!

We had a blast at McKee Ranch!