Happy 12th Birthday Ginny!!

My sweet beautiful Ginny is now in young women's. it seems like yesterday she made our duo a trio. I remember it vividly and it is a sweet memory to me. Ginny is such a big help and helps often without being asked. She us very intelligent and thinks if others. She is stunningly beautiful and a joy to be around. Ginny is a wonderful example to not only her siblings but her parents as well. She is a light when days are dark. It brings tears to my eyes to think that she can leave home in eight years.....she keeps me happy and sane many days. My daughter is also my friend. I love you Ginn!

Happy 35th to my Sweetheart!

Today, my best friend and eternal companion turns 35...to the rest of the world it's a normal day but to me it is special. Jake is a wonderful husband and father. He finds ways to make me, the children, and others feel loved. In the last two months, I have had four people whom I don't know well tell me that my husband inspires of motivates them after he speaks. He is an incredible man.  I am blessed beyond measure to have him in my life and more blessed to be his wife. He keeps me grounded and inspires me to be better.

Spring break

Spring break was quite adventurous for our family. After work Friday night, we loaded up and drive to Texas. Actually, we left about 6am, so jake could drive and I could sleep some. Student teaching and working nights is exhausting. The drive was going good and then about 85 mikes outside of Odessa, our tire blew. Luckily jake was driving and maintained control but it was a bad one. It bent the metal in a few places and the bumper almost completely off. Monday, we took the tire in for repair and spent the day looking at cars because Jakes parents suggested it. Although we were not sure if we'd purchase a new car yet, Tuesday the fender came off and we decided it probably wasn't safe to drive to San Antonio and then home in the van. That evening we purchased a 2014 Toyota Highlander. Thursday we left for San Antonio where Chris and Crystal and Karen met us to all go to Sea World Friday. It was a fun day. Jake went to a Spurs game with his dad that night and the rest headed back to the hotel but I stayed around with the kids till the park closed. Jenny, Jake sister, stayed with me. I enjoyed chatting with her some.

Bye bye 1st baby tooth.

Jacob William lost his first baby tooth yesterday (2/14/2014). He was so excited. Jake left for Utah today for the Bill and Linda Gates foundation but went a little early to ski. The kids and I came to jackson. Papa took the boys out to cut wood. They were proud of what they cut. 

Basketball season and student teaching

This year we signed Jake and Aubree up for basketball and they were lucky enough to have their daddy be the coach. It was so fun to watch them and I loved almost every minute of it.

I am in my fourth week of student teaching. Wahoo, (1/3) of the way there. Jake gave me a blessing the week I started and I really feel like it carries me through the week. I can tell on Friday night or in the early morning hours Saturday at work, I can feel my body "call it a week". Jake blessed me with the energy to get through the week. He has been very helpful and made sacrifices to help. He has been doing early morning tutoring instead if afternoon tutoring to help get the kids (one of my biggest concerns was Ginny to and from school but she rides with a lady from church from the elementary school and even a friend or Jane pick her up), no longer playing basketball on Wednesday so j can get a short nap, helps with dishes daily, and tries to ease my load in any way. It can be very challenging working nights and practically days too but I have faith in the blessing and I know that my little family remembers me in their daily prayers. Ginny is a great help in the mornings too. Overall, I have established a routine but am flexible too. I am a bit nervous to think in a few weeks I will be teaching and planning for all day lessons. 

Jacob William's first testimony

Today our son marched to the stand all on his own to bear his testimony. It was extremely sweet. Here's the exact testimony: "I know this church is true. I know Heavenly Father loves my family. And I hope Chris will be nice to my family. Jesus name. Amen."

How sweet is that...from the voices of children we have gentle reminders.  

Aubree's testimony

This past Sunday Aubree asked if she could share her testimony, here it is in her own words that she had written to share.

I would like to stand and bear my testimony that I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ and I know that I can return to live with Heavenly Father as an eternal family. I know we have a living prophet today, President Thomas S Monson.  I would also like to say that I know the gospel and have such a strong relationship with Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. I remember once I had gotten these beautiful diamond earrings, so I went outside to play but forgot to take them off, so when I got inside I noticed they were gone. So mom I told my mom and said a couple of prayers. And a a few minutes later I found the smallest piece then my mom found the earring part. And then a few minutes later I found the other small piece and a few minutes later we found the other big piece. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I am grateful for small yet big moments like that and continue to pray that our children know that Heavenly Father is there and that he does hear and answer our prayers.