Personal Progress P night

Throw Back Thursday - The Young Women's group in our church has a personal progress program. It is equivalent to an eagle scout, many will say. Now and then they have a "Personal Progress Night" to get the girls motivated. This year they were suppose to come dressed up in anything that had to do with the letter p. Can you tell which of my girls was most competitive? What fun leaders we had, making life fun and fulfilling for my girls. (This picture is from last fall)

Vegas, baby!!

My hubby swept me away for my birthday to Sin City. We got more than an eyeful, walked and walked, won 200 bucks (by listening to a time share pitch) and just plain loved some time away. The kids did wonderful with their grandparents. We couldn't have enjoyed our trip without them!

We had so much fun looking around all the crazy shops. Too fun!

Swatch!

My NON-Pansy in front of the Pansies...So wonderful to feel the warm sun!

 Lots of fun dinner dates. The drunks were quieter than our 5 girls at dinner!

We DID win big in Vegas! Hee hee....Too bad we aren't rich enough to buy the super fun timeshare!

Sunny Sunday

My daughter was asked to give a talk in primary this past Sunday. Wanting to just throw one together quickly, I jumped on pinterest. After reading one of the first few pins I clicked on, it just fell into place. Moments later I had my daughters' talk. I have to give the credit to THIS post. And I am so grateful for those that share their testimony. My little #3 gave her talk with gusto because she feels these things. She even made our home-teachers listen to it when they came that afternoon.

I am so thankful for the gospel in my life, for my faith and growing testimony, and now to see it in my children's life.

#3's talk:

I am a daughter.

I was born in the summer, about 9 years ago to a loving mother and father who have taken care of me since I left heaven. They say I add the fun to our family.

I am a sister.

I have 4 sisters, two older and two younger. I am right in the middle so I get to do grown-up things and little kid things and sometimes just in the middle things. I like to have so many sisters to do things with.

I am a granddaughter.

I have grandparents that love me. I love them very much and show them by writing letters, visiting them, and always behaving when they are around.

I am a cousin.

One of my best friends in the world is my cousin Trent. We always have a good time together and I am always happy to see him.

Someday I will be a wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. As I grow, my family will continue to grow. But for now I know that the most important thing is I am a daughter of God. He is my Father in Heaven and as long as I remember he loves me, and I am part of his family, I will be on the right path.

Throw Back Thursday

She doesn't even try to not hurt my feelings. #5 is all his....This is about a year ago - not much has changed...Good thing he has to go to work so I get some lovin in now and then.

 

I went in to use the hubby's computer a week or two ago. That is where the printer is so I only wonder in there now and then. While I was in there, I found this, our Christmas letter! I really have become pretty chill about things like this. It just wasn't worth a late night to get it out before the holidays and I lost my fizzle after the holidays. Anyway, I thought I would post it for fun. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear  People We Love,                                                               January 10, 2014

I decided to be a little more low-key and relaxed about the holidays. It worked. We had a lovely time, the kids had a low stressed, easy going mom, and I didn't get much done at all, including this letter! 

#1
Age 15 (by the end of the month)

First cross country season complete with improvements every race. Student council diva. Sang at Solo Night for her Choir and made her mama cry and is loving drivers ed!

#2:
Age: 13

She’s a TEEN! No leggins too wild for her legs. Magical fingers and master of the piano and flute. Marched in the town 4^th of July parade. Played a solo flute piece in sacrament and – yup – made her mama cry.

#3
Age 9

We are looking for the soccer scouts already. Just finished her second year and played so hard, she chipped a tooth. The team star. Loving Idaho History (quirky kid). Can’t wait to put on a different pair of earrings in the morning! Can be found outside, outside or outside.

#4
Age 5

Little sis nicknamed her Ewie (E-Weee) and we can’t stop saying it! Had ants in her pants to start kindergarten and loves it! Thinks everything should be pink or light pink.

#5
Age 2

Thinks she is one of the big girls. Loves to dance, sing and play with all her big sisters. Knocked off a good portion of her two front teeth in June and is taking it like a boss. Makes a lovely caboose to the bunch.

The Mr.
Working at MTI in Idaho Falls and coming up on 5 years there. They like him. Soccer Ref for sure. He even has the pants. Maggie’s favorite (and she is shameless about picking him over me.) Handles loud meals and lots of hair in the vacuum very well.

Emily

Loves to snag a little time here and there to paper craft between all the mommy jobs. Happy to be settled and watching the girls grow. So happy that things are not happening right now. (No moves, babies, my feet aren't growing anymore, etc)

We are so thankful for all the love from family and friends. Hope your holiday was filled with joy and your New Year is better than you hoped for! Much love and a few kisses from all of us here on “the Park Bench”

Relief Society

I have been wondering how to reach my "ladies" that I teach once a month for Relief Society...Then I went to lds.org and read THIS...Question answered. I will refresh my bloggin skills and post on here. There is such a short time to teach and so much to share that I just don't have time for. I hope this helps!

This Sunday the lesson is "Strengthening and Preserving the Family"...You can listen to it HERE

I would really like everyone to feel included, no matter what state of "family" you are in. Here are some things I hope to pull from for Sunday:


THIS Talk on Single Mothers by this wonderful man: Elder David S. Baxter

THIS Ensign article is also wonderful, focusing on singles in a family church. Is shows how we can all help each other and be more unified.

CHALLENGE #1 - Come prepared to share a unique thing about your family. A tradition that makes you stronger or a moment that you felt sweet family unity.

CHALLENGE #2 - Get your visiting teaching done THIS week. How easy can it be to show some love for Valentine's Day? Strengthen our Ward Family

See you SUNDAY!

#1 spilled so #2 says, "I think I'll pour my own." - que laughter...

Then #3 spilt even more. Que more laughter... Dinner is always fun...