Hope of America

Brooke was in a program at BYU called The Hope of America.  

The students sang patriotic songs and it was wonderful.  

We do live in a great country.

I love how they make a flag from their different colored T-shirts.  Very cool.

Some beautiful audience members...

Whatever Works

After 21 years of being a parent I am tired of talking to my kids about keeping their rooms clean.
 I felt like a recording that even I was tired of hearing.

So, they came home with this taped to their doors today:

You may notice a change in your room when you go in.  It “looks” clean, but it’s really not.

I needed to vacuum today, but couldn’t because of the mess on your floor, so I did you a favor and picked it up.  This time I put it on your bed for you so you could put it away.  Next time, I will consider D.I.’ing it.

Your dad and I work hard to help your lives be happy, comfortable, and worthwhile.  He works everyday to earn money for your lifestyle, so he can’t and shouldn’t have to clean your room.  I buy groceries, do laundry, fix meals, come to your activities, do carpool, and all the other little things I get to do being a mother, so I really don’t have time to clean your room either. 

You may wonder why it’s important to keep your things nice, clean, and organized.  Did you know that when your room is clean, it’s a nicer place to be, it saves time because you can find things, and it shows respect to your parents, yourself, and your Heavenly Father for what you've been given.

I have let it go for a long time because I don’t like to argue with you.  I realize you have to want it for yourself.  Please make a goal to keep your things nice.  It’s important.  We don’t want to live in a messy, yucky house and we need to show that we can handle having nice things, otherwise why should we have them?  If you can’t find a place to put the things that are arranged on your bed, feel free to get a bag and throw them away, or I would be happy to donate them to charity. 

I love you,

Mom

It worked... today.

Lacrosse

 Conner's team has been doing great at Lacrosse this season.  They're undefeated.  It is such a cool game and he's loving it.  Go Conner!!

He loves to do face-offs and practices in the yard all the time.

This is the shot he scored a goal.

VICTORY!!

Lehi 10- Lone Peak 5

Easter Fun

Kinsey and Kacey were home for the weekend.  It was great!

 Terrence's mom came for Easter Dinner.  We always love having her.  She is always so happy and gracious.

 Even the big kids got into it!!

Kinsey, Lane, Conner, Sam, Brooke, Me, Kacey

A Best Friend

Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

-Dinah Craik

I'm am thankful to have such a person in my life.  He is such a good friend to so many people, but to me he is  my best.

Canyonlands

This is Mesa Arch.  By the time I turned the corner, these two billy goats were were up on top of it.  It is a LONG way down and the view was spectacular.

If we did a back somersault the drop really is what you see  here.  It felt like we were on top of the world!

There were carved stone stairs along the path.

When you're there, it's like looking at another planet.  There's nothing else like it.

Dead Horse Point.  It was named so because a herd of wild horse ran over it's cliffs to their death.

This was the best ice cream EVER.  It wasn't even because we'd been eating trail mix and licorice all day, or because we'd been hiking and exploring for three days, or because we'd been in the sun for hours.  Ok.  Maybe it was.  But it was REALLY good.

I can't wait to go back.  There were so many  things to see and do that we didn't even get to all that we wanted to.  Same time, same place next year.

Arches National Park

Everywhere you look at this park is eye candy.  I went a little picture happy, but it was so beautiful!

Cairns marked our way

Balancing Rock

 The crew ALMOST to Delicate Arch.  We didn't follow the cairns on this part and ended up going the hard way.  It was slick and hundreds of feet down.  It made us all a little nervous, but there was no going back.

 It was absolutely amazing.  I'll never look at another Utah license plate the same again!

We had a kindness contest to see who could get caught doing the most acts of kindness on camera.  The winner got a night out with mom.  Conner definately went the extra mile.  I loved seeing the kind acts but was also flattered by their wanting to win a night out with me!  Everyone was awesome.

This is Sand Dune Arch.  The sand was really fine, just like a cool beach.  Not Terrence's favorite 'cause he hates the sand.  To me it felt like home.  Just needs the sounds of the crashing waves.

Broken Arch

The picture below gives perspective as to how high they are (if you look closely you can see them in the bottom left corner).  They had to climb up the back way and it was quite a hike.  This is the South Window of the Windows Arches.

Even the moon got into the act.  Arches was stunning.  We loved it!

Tomorrow:  Canyonlands