Full Heart

I have this picture of my sweet kids as my wallpaper on my laptop, so I see it often.  But a couple days ago I opened up my laptop and just felt an overwhelming love for each of them and I found myself just studying each of their faces and thinking of each of their personalities.  It is amazing that they are mine!  They are very sweet and kind and funny and all around lovable.  As I felt this, the thought came to my mind of Heavenly Father....His love is way larger than I could ever comprehend - it was amazing to have a glimpse of that feeling - , it made me feel safe and not alone in the world.  He is in us and makes us better and happy and lovable when we allow Him in.  SO amazing.  .

The Priesthood

Burke and I wanted to go to Homestead in Midway for our 14th Anniversary Monday.  We were debating whether we should leave Sunday afternoon after church and stay over and then do the fun stuff there Monday - OR - go Monday and stay until Tuesday.  We asked the kids and they insisted we leave Sunday afternoon so we could be home after school Monday to help with homework.  We said OK and we were off!  THEN we get a call an hour after the kids went to bed that Katelin had been puking and had a fever...what?!  We just left?!  We told my mom what to do and she laid with the girls to help them fall asleep.  My mom texted me later and told me that while they were laying there Katelin told her this: (here's what the text said): "the lesson they had at church was about the Priesthood.  She said they learned that girls have a tiny bit too so that when they pray for someone it works a little like the Priesthood does.  She said 'Omi, when you prayed it made my tears go away.'"  I was so glad my mom told me this.  Katelin has so much faith, I'm grateful for her testimony, it is so so sweet!  I love her. 

Scout trip

The scouts here in the 19th ward in Taylorsville decided to go on a cross country ski/winter camp out last month.  It has been a mild winter, but it did snow this day and would the second day as well, which they were hapy about so that the skiing would be better.  We purchased some warm clothing for him so I wouldn't have to worry about him freezing to death and got him all packed up.
Burke was gone to Arizona for Grandma McMahon's funeral.  We were sad we couldn't go with him, but grateful he could go be with his siblings and parents and other family members that could attend.
So we got Kaleb all ready, then I called one of his scout leaders and was informed that they would be cross country skiing that night, they weren't leaving the church until 4:30, it takes an hour to get there....and then 7 miles skiing to the camp site, which they thought might take 3 hours.....I was so scared!  They said they'd use their headlights, still didn't help! I cried, Kaleb reassured me it was fine, but then he got a bit worried before we left.  When we got to the church he was fine again and all of the scout leaders were totally fine with it all. I hung around for a while and then when I realized my presence was not needed any longer, Kaleb gave me a hug and smiled at me while he said "Well, mom, see ya in the spirit world..."  hahaha, what?!!!  It was so not what I expected to hear from him and being all joking about this situation, but just what I needed.  I needed him to joke and let me know it was ok.  He was prepared.  He came home the next day and told me it actually took 5 hours for them to get to the camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So they let them stay in the cabin since it was like midnight, they were tired.  Kaleb had so much fun and carried his own pack the whole time.  He even counted that he fell 27 times, hahaha!  His attitude was such a good example to me.  I love his outlook and fun personality.  What a great boy we have.

This was one of his favorite pics from our photo shoot last month.  hahaha

And jumping over the girls, of course.

FHE: prayer

A couple Monday's ago I read a story out of the Friend to the kids for FHE, well told them about it and then read one part.  Its about two girls whose houses were really close, they could talk to each other off of their balconies.  One day one of the friends had to go out of town to a funeral.  The other friend was was that evening as she wanted to go out and talk to her and tell her about her day.  A thought came to her mind to Pray.  She had already said her night time prayer, but the thought came again to pray and talk to Heavenly Father like she would her friend.  So she did and loved how she felt.  She continued to talk to Him like this and her friend.  It had some questions to make you think about what to talk to Him about in your prayers like:

• Is something worrying you?
• Did anything make you really happy today?
• Did you do something you’re disappointed about?
• Did you see something you’re thankful for?
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• After we talked about this and I showed the kids the questions they could talk to Him about Kaiya said:  "Wait, so we can talk to Him about ANYTHING?!!"  It was so sweet.  It made me feel excited that she had this realization, but also felt bad I hadn't help her understand this already.  I thought about how we usually talk and teach about how we Thank Him and then ask Him for things we are in need of help with.  Not always just talk to Him about life.  I'm grateful we got to have this talk together as a family, I really felt the spirit and was excited for the outcome and to think of the conversations they can now have with Him.  I hope the always remember.
  

  

  

  
  
  
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