Thoughts:

Omission of expression is nearly the same thing as taking one for granted. Nobody dies with the regret of telling someone too often how much they cared, but people die everyday with their hearts still wounded from a love they never truly expressed.
~author unknown

A heart that hasn’t broken can’t grow. A heart that hasn’t loved grows cold. And a heart that lives in fear shrinks with time.
~author unknown

Never underestimate the importance of saying, “I love you.” With a deep breath and a leap of faith, close your eyes, whisper the words and you can be sure when you open them again your life will have changed for the better.
~author unknown

So how does it happen, great love? Nobody knows... but what I can tell you is that it happens in the blink of an eye. One moment you're enjoying your life, and the next you're wondering how you ever lived without them.
~Hitch movie

D&C 121: 41-46

D&C 121: 41-46 ( I really liked verse 43....)


41 No apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the bpriesthood, only by cpersuasion, by dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By akindness, and pure bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the csoul without dhypocrisy, and without eguile—

43 aReproving betimes with bsharpness, when cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of adeath.

45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of brighteousness and truth; and thy cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

The Script: I'm Yours

I love this song! The words and lyrics are just beautiful.

"I'm Yours"

~

You touch these tired eyes of mine

And map my face out line by line

And somehow growing old feels fine

I listen close for I'm not smart

You wrap you thoughts in works of art

And they're hanging on the walls of my heart

~

I may not have the softest touch

I may not say the words as such

And though I may not look like much I'm yours

And though my edges may be rough

And never feel I'm quite enough

It may not seem like very much

But I'm yours

~

You heeled these scars over time

Embraced my soul You loved my mind

You're the only angel in my life

The day news came my best friend died

My knees went week and you saw me cry

Say I'm still the soldier in your eyes

~

I may not have the softest touch

I may not say the words as such

And though I may not look like much I'm yours

And though my edges may be rough

And never feel I'm quite enough

It may not seem like very much

But I'm yours I may not have the softest touch

I may not say the words as such

I know I don't fit in that much

But I'm yours

Here's the link to listen: http://www.google.com/url?q=http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684676489482997&ei=UPvWS66oLIaw9QSHoIGbBw&sa=X&oi=music_play_track&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=2&ved=0CAcQ0wQoADAA&usg=AFQjCNHKGszjH1An-oQRvyd_Xvr0aXzRwQ

Thought:

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage them.

Baseball 2010

Jayden is playing ball again this year. You can tell he is so much better than last and he's really getting into it and seems more competative too. Jayden played first base, third base and short stop and most likely will get to pitch a little too. I've spent alot of time practicing with him and Mckelsie enjoys going to park to practice too. Jayden is so stinking cute but he sure has an attitude. I think he doesn't believe that a "girl" would know what the rules are! Ughhh..... At his last game he got a really good hit, but it went straight up above him and he thought it was going to be a fowl ball but landed right infront of home plate. He just stood and watched it. By the time he realized everyone was yelling for him to run, he took off running to first. He was running so fast that he tripped and fell. He was a bit embarrassed but took it all pretty good. I'm going to push him a little bit more this season because I'd like for him to learn that if you practice at something that you can get better at it. I remember as a kid being so shy and timid, perhaps if my parents would've pushed me a little more I would'nt have been so shy (hard to say though I know). We're all excited for this season! Now we just have to find some chores around the house so Mckelsie can earn money for the snack stand.

Spring Break / Break

Spring Break

So, I decided to take the week of Spring Break off with my kids. I though it would be a very useful break from work for me and nice to do some fun activities with the kids.

DAY 1: We started out our Spring Break by going to the Discovery Gateway. We should've gone somewhere else becuase I realized as I was watching my kids meander about, they are too old for most of the things in the joint. My kids were more facinated by the gift shop! I should've just went in there, bought something and most likely would have spent the same amount of money.

Second, we went and saw the movie, "How to Train a Dragon". It was the cutest movie I've seen in a really long time for kids. Lots of really good humor, a good story and intriguing charachters.

DAY 2: We started by going to see the movie "Alice in Wonderland". It was really good! I would recommend it to anyone, just a really great show. I'll be buying it when it comes out on DVD. After that, we went rollerskating at the Hollywood Connection. I had more fun watching the kids skate than myself skating, but I did get out there and skate a little bit. I invited Sam and his kids as well and I was glad they came. It makes it much more fun with other people. The real big kicker was that it only cost me $4 for the three of us! $2 Tuesday with $1 off if you have your own skates. Mckelsie and Jayden were sweating up a storm too! Watching Mckelsie dance to music while skating was priceless.

DAY 3: We played outside, went to the park, went to lunch at Cafe Rio (one of our favorites).

DAY 4 & 5: I went out to lunch with my good friend Janalynn, which we don't do very often. I absolutely love her and am so grateful for our friendship. I'm not sure how she does it, but she never judges, listens and genuninely cares.... I love her! I also hit the nail salon with Kayanne. Another good friend that I don't get to hang out with often enough. She even rolled out a late night with me and got away from her kids so that we could watch "This is it" (Michael Jackson movie). So old school but so good for my soul! The rest of the time we just hung out around home and relaxed. I did a little yard work and laundry. It was just nice to really relax!

Now, I'm so so so so so glad that they are back in school! YEAH! (I'm not so glad to be going back to work.... I'd had liked to take one more week off by my self!)

Mckelsie, Jayden, Rebecca

Mckelsie, Gabe (on the floor...I think he's trying to get up.), Jayden & Rachael.

Rebecca & Sam

I was so proud of Gabe! He never quit although he was constantly

(and I mean CONSTANTLY) falling down. But, he would get right back up and start again.

I don't think that I saw him cry once!

Mckelsie was in heaven! She loved rollerskating so much! She was so sweaty by the time we left! I could've just sat and watched her happiness all night long! I love my girl.

Jayden (he's a little off to the left hand side right in the front)

My girl, right in the middle.

Mckelsie was trying out her "mad" drawing skills at the Discovery Gateway.

Jayden & Mckelsie at the Discovery Gateway.

Mckelsie and Jayden attempting to play some music.

Who doesn't like to play with balls, especially when they get sucked up into something and you can watch where it goes. Mckelsie didn't last too long here.....

Happy Easter

EASTER

The day was beautiful weather wise. We were invited over to my parents home for dinner. It's always so much fun to see the kids all together. There are so many of them! The girls (Kara, Mckelsie & Mikale) played soccer for a bit and just hung out. I cannot put into words how excited Mckelsie was to just hang out with her cousins that were her "own age". Dinner was really good and the company was better. I love being with my family. After my parents get-to-gether we went to Sam's family's. I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures while we were there! I had decided to leave Mckelsie at Grandma & Grandpa's to play with her girl cousins and was headed for the door when I noticed that Adam was just sobbing. He was so sad that Jayden was leaving and that he didn't get to play with him anymore. So....I decided that Adam should just come with us to Sam's family extraganza. It was odd to not have Mckelsie there but it worked out great....Adam had fun, Jayden had fun and they both were really good the whole time.

Kali & Rebecca

Ali

MOM.... I sure love my mom.

Gabe & Ali checking out there easter egg "bags" that they had to use to collect their easter eggs during the easter egg hunt.

Boy, what it takes to get this family to smile!!!!

Mikale, Chris, Janet, Kali

SEE WHAT I MEAN!?!?

Mckelsie

Jayden

(Top) Rachael, Kali, Nate, Mikale, Ben, Mckelsie, Teghan, Alison, Jayden

Gabe, Kara, Adam

Trampoline Fun

I love Spring because it means summer is on it's way with warmer weather, camping, playing outside, planting flowers...... mmmmmm.......I love it!

The only down side to spring is that you get teased on quite a few occasions with the nice weather and then before you know it you have several days of rain and very possibly snow. You never really know whether to send the kids with jackets as by the time its 10:00, you don't need it anymore.

This time I invited over Sam and his kids for dinner at my house. We all did ALOT of jumping on the trampoline! Two full grown adults for crying out loud.....but it was really fun! I have to do that more often.

Rebecca, Mckelsie, Rachael

Rebecca, Mckelsie, Rachael, Jayden, Gabe.

Sam & Rachael

Guitar Hero

ROCKIN OUT WITH GUITAR HERO.....

Sam called and asked us to come over to dinner and play rock band guitar hero (not even sure that's the right name). It was so funny to hear the kids try to tell the others what song they were going pick next. That right there is where the drama started. It was REALLY fun to see Mckelsie and Rachael sing. They are so fun to watch, and we'll leave it at that. I didn't end up singing making Sam a bit disappointed as he said he was looking forward to hearing me sing. It was a really good evening of fun for all of us. Thanks Sam for having us over!

Rachael singing her little heart away.

Gabe, looking so natural!

Mckelsie, trying to figure out the drums.
They were the hardest instrument to play.

Jayden did really well at the guitar and was sure trying too!
It was fun too to watch him sing!! He is too cute and funny and cute!

The best SURPRISE ever!

Today I got off of work and went to pick up the kids from my parents house. As I opened the door I found several arrows drawn on pieces of paper directing me into the kitchen. Layed out on the table was a bouquet of flowers, bouquet of balloons, cookies, a coke (my FAVORITE), a bottle of "Simply Apple Juice" (my second FAVORITE!) and a couple of bowls of chips. The last note below accompanied the array of treats. This was a SURPRISE PARTY for me. My kids wanted to tell me how great of a mom I am and how much they appreciate what I do for them. This surprise was completely unexpected! It was one of the greatest and nicest things anyone has done for me. I love my kids! (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for helping carry out the plan.) I CRIED.....it was so cute!

This is a note that Jayden wrote for Mckelsie because he was going to get to Grandma and Grandpa's before Mckelsie and didn't want her to be upset.

How can you not LOVE THIS!!!????!!!!

Thought:

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.

Jason & Joanna

Uncle Jason's and (officially...) "Aunt" Joanna, were married in March. Uncle Jason asked Jayden and Zakk to be the ring bearers. Jayden was so proud and did a good job. They had a nice little ceremony where the stake president spoke the ceremony in spanish as well so that Joanna's mom would be able to understand the whole thing...it was really cool. I love Joanna! She is so good for Jason and I think that they are a great pair. Jason deserves all the good! Congradulations!

Uncle Jason

Grandma Ruth and Dub

Sarah

Aunt Megan (Sorry Meg...not a great picture but that should teach you to smile for me when I have my camera!)

Joanna, Gradma Vickie, Grandma Mary

All the Grandmas! Vickie, Mary & Ruth

Grandma Vicie & Bella

Alyssa is just like her mother......Silly all the time! She looks like cousin "It". hehehe

Aunt Annette & Bella

The Hansome Ring Bearers.... Zakk & Jayden

A few random pics...

Snow for Spring.... what kid doesn't try to catch a snowflake on their tongue?

Hurley was laying so funny I had to take the picture. I can't believe how much I love that doggy! It's ridiculous!

Gabe and Jayden eating my specialty... pizza from Little Ceasars! It's kinda sad, when I call to order I just have to say Chapman and they already know what I want... Good though, I've made a good little friend over there!

Shishkobobs! Mmmmm......

We made Shishkobobs one night for dinner and it was tons of fun (Sam's idea, and we all know that because I hate to cook and wouldn't think up something like that!). The kids loved making their own shishkobob and then eating away. I wished I would've got more pictures.....

Possible Profession???

During a visit with Sam and his kids I happened to walk by the bathroom to see

Jayden trying to "do" Rachael's hair. It was so funny!