May Happenings

For mother's day I decided that I wanted to go for a hike so Justin took us up Owen's Canyon and we went on a short hike to find some Indian writings or pictographs. We didn't find them on the 7th but had a great time with great weather. We even stopped by the Indian Wells Valley Brewery and picked up some soda's. They were really good. On the 14th we decided to try again and this time we found the pictographs. They are actually hidden a little but very impressive. On this day the wind was really blowing, but it was warm so the hike wasn't too bad. The kids were even able to play by a stream for a little while which they really enjoyed. Our kids love water. We were just happy to get out of the house for a little while and even get a little exercise.

We made it to the pictographs - May 14
Indian pictographs up Owen's Canyon

This little guys loves to get dirty...

Me and the love of my life

Happy Mother's Day to me!

Easter

Well Easter is tomorrow but we always celebrate some on the Saturday before. This year we decided to attend the Easter Egg Hunt on base. It is more of an Easter Egg gather as Tyler calls it because you really don't hunt for eggs because they are all just thrown all over the field and the kids go and grab as many as they can. In some of the shells they get candy and in others a paper to go and redeem a prize. We got some of both. We then did a cake walk and scored a carrot cake. It was a fun little outing. We also did a little Easter Egg decorating in the afternoon. We tried the Tye Dye kit they made cute eggs but in the process we also decorated our hands. Silly me, we should have worn gloves. Tomorrow we will do baskets and get our new church clothes for Easter.

Happy Birthday Mackay!

Can you believe this guy is 10. Well it is hard to believe that he is for his parents. We are so proud of him - well most of the time. He is a fun, loving, helpful, makes friends easily, and loves to play. His favorite thing he got for his birthday was a DS. He has wanted one for a long time and we told him if he saved up 90% of the cost he could get it. He got enough money with what he saved and birthday money so we surprised him by getting him the DS and then having him pay us.

Mackay's Birthday

Mackay is finally 10 years old. He is always excited for birthday's and being one year older. He wishes he was already a teenager, but his mom isn't ready for that so we will wait for those fantastic years to come. For Mackay's Birthday he wanted be a Rock Star so we decided to let him invite 5 friends to come over to the house for a party. We decorated tee-shirts, styled and dyed their hair and then they played Lego Rock Band until every ones parents came to pick them up. We also had cake and ice cream. Mackay wanted a guitar cake so I put on my thinking cap and searched the net a little and found an idea for the cake. I used a large cake pan and even made the cake for scratch. We made a vanilla chocolate swirl cake and then cut the guitar shape out of it. I frosted it with butter cream frosting and then covered that in fondant which I was also adventurous and made for the first time. It turned out pretty cute, or I should say really cool.

California Science Museum

I had the opportunity to go on a field trip with Mackay's class to a Science museum down in Los Angeles. It was a long day with a long bus ride. We left the school after 6 am and returned at 6 pm. All I can say is buses are so uncomfortable, but I survived. We watched a 3D IMAX movie called bugs, not my favorite. We then were able to explore the museum. I wish we would have had more time to explore because there was so much to see. We ate lunch, visited the gift shop (the highlight for most of the kids) and we headed back home. All in all it was a fun day for the kids and I am glad they were able to go.

Scout's Blue and Gold Banquet

This years Blue and Gold Banquet was a western theme. They had fun activities for the boys and families and decorated the gym fantastically. It was a fun night. Mackay received his Bear on a paper cowpie and pinned a pin on me. Thankfully I didn't get poked by it. We had chili or soup, cornbread, salad, and cupcakes for dinner.

We are so grateful for the time, talents, and efforts of the great leaders who love my children and take such good care of them. I am grateful for this program that helps my kids to learn so many things. Mackay loves scouts and I am glad he has achieved so much over the last year.

Happiness is?

Happiness is fresh hot chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven...

Time is just truly flying by to me and I have to admit everyday has not been the best. For some reason we can not get in a grove this year. But we are surviving and healthy and just plugging along. I have been thinking a lot about happiness. Boy do I want to be happy every day. In fact, a fairy tale life would be just great by me, but since there is opposition in all things this is not always so. What makes me unhappy? Is it my attitude or is life in general just bogging me down. I really don't have the answer to that, but I sure would like one. So what do I do, I turn to my church leaders and the fantastic talks that they give. Lately I have read a lot because I feel I need inspiration from on high. These are a few I have found peace and inspiration through: Our Search for Happiness by James E. Faust and Gratitude: A Path to Happiness by Bonnie D. Parkin. Through this I know that I just need to be grateful for what I have, be obedient so that I can have the Lord's spirit and blessings in my life, and show love to those around me a whole lot more. If anything I need to find a balance between wife, mother, volunteer, housekeeper, and the list goes on. I know that the Lord loves me and I am trying to keep my chin up and persevere, but if I trip and fall just pick me up and tell me that I will be okay.

Things that do make me HAPPY - My Husband (but when he is down it is so hard for me to feel happy), my boys, my home, being able to be there for those who need me, family, the gospel (that is the only thing that gets me through sometimes), chocolate, anything green (especially beautiful plants and trees), nature, and much, much more. I feel so happy just thinking about these things.