Scripture Reading

***This is a post that I posted on Babblings and More***

 

Every day I try my best to read my Scriptures, I'm not perfect by any means, but I try my best.  A few months ago, I accepted a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 40 days.  This meant that I had to read about 30 minutes everyday.  I did this challenge while my boys were in school.  So I decided that I would read after they left for the day (when it was quiet) which means that I have my two little girls with me that are ages 1 and 3.  If my one year old was awake, I would give her a bottle and hold her while I read.  

I started noticing that my 3 year old would sit on the other couch quietly and pick up the smallest Book of Mormon that she could find and start to "read".  She always would make sure that she had a baby on her lap as well.  

I started thinking about this and just had to smile because that is probably exactly what I look like to her: a quiet baby in my lap while I read from my scriptures.  

Isn't the influence of a Mother so important to children?  Our children are watching us every minute of everyday and they take what they see and it becomes a part of who they are.  What a tremendous responsibility!  It is a bit over whelming, scary, exciting and such an honor!  Wow!  Words can't even describe the role of a Mother!

I am inspired by so many wonderful women.  Whether I see you on the street, at school, shopping, in church, family, friends and even through blogging.  Whether you have little children, teenaged children, grown children, or no children at all.  You all have so many wonderful qualities and are truly examples to those you meet.  I wanted to thank you all for the examples that you have set.  You are truly inspiring!

Day Trip to Vinton, NM

Living in El Paso puts us right on the border of Texas and New Mexico and Juarez, Mexico.

We have had a lot of fun driving around and seeing new places.  Towards the end of February, we drove to Vinton, New Mexico (which isn't very far at all) and enjoyed driving around the town.  

Daisy jumping to Dad

There are so many old buildings and such character in that town.  We stopped and played in an old park.  It was kind of run down, but the kids loved it.  And right across the street was the cemetery, so we just had to walk around the cemetery.   

We also stopped at a family owned Nursery and bought a few plants.  We had such an enjoyable time, especially since Ben was able to spend the day with us, and that doesn't happen very often.  Being an OB/GYN resident really takes up time.  :)  

Devin

Lacey

Ashton

Cub Scout Cake Contest

This past February, Calvin and Ashton participated in the Cub Scout Cake Decorating Contest.  It was suppose to be a Father and Son contest, but with Ben working all the time, it was my turn to help out.

The theme was Native Americans.  Calvin and Ashton came up with the design and did it themselves.  I just supervised the baking and frosting making.  You can't go wrong with chocolate!  

They actually won an award!  They were pretty proud Scouts!

6th Grade Orchestra

Caleb and Carson have had an amazing time in Orchestra this past year.  They played music in 6th Grade that I didn't play until high school!  The Orchestra program here is unlike anything I have seen before.  And I don't say that very lightly!  They have competitions every 2 months, whether it is a jazz competition or a classical one.  And they get the highest scores every time!

This is one of the concerts that we attended in February.  This is only one of the 6th grade orchestras.  The boys have had fun and one of their cousins that live here, Alli, plays in the Orchestra with them.  She is on the piano in this picture, but she plays cello with Carson.

Here is Carson in the cello section.

And here is Caleb in the violin section.

A Day at the Park

Right now I am playing catch up. So this is a post about a day that we spent in the park back in February.  We walked to the park near our house and had a picnic and played.

Daisy enjoying the ride, while Lacey sleeps

Calvin and Ashton

Caleb

Carson

Daisy

Caleb and Lacey

Carson

Caleb

Carson

Devin and Lacey

Do I Have to Eat That?

Sometimes Daisy makes the funniest faces.  Caleb took a couple pictures back in February of Daisy being silly. 

 

Filling Dad's Shoes

Daisy's favorite time of day is when Dad comes home from work.  He takes his shoes off and Daisy is quick to put them on.  She loves to wear them, but is not to good at walking in them...

A Shining Star

Lacey spend most of her time doing this: singing and dancing!  Funny girl!

The Hatch Family Comes to Visit

In February, Kobie and Jared came to visit along with their three sweet girls.  We were so excited for them to come and see us!  They are the first of Ben's family to come and stay the weekend!  

The day they arrived was Kobie's birthday, so we decided to have a birthday party!  We invited Uncle Wade and Aunt Shelly's family over for dinner and cake and ice cream.  We all had lots of fun!

We had a whole lot of people in our little kitchen.  The more the merrier, right?

Devin

Jared and Wade

Alli and Carson

It wouldn't be a true family gathering without Kobie taking pictures!  She is a great photographer!

We wanted to thank the Hatch's for coming to visit.  Poor Kobie got really sick and spent most of the time in bed.  I felt so bad.  But Lacey especially love playing with he cousins!

We are excited for any more people to come and visit...

Happy Birthday Daisy

Daisy had her birthday in January and turned one year old!  I just love watching my children grow and develop their little personalities!  And Daisy is no different.  She is such a fun girl and just loves to walk around the house checking up on everyone.  I especially love her smile.  Her whole face lights up and her eyes almost disappear!

 

We decided to make cupcakes in ice cream cones.  I'm so glad that we did because it was so easy just to give Daisy a cone and she loved holding it and taking great big bites!

 

I know that I say this for everyone's birthday, but I mean it everytime.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone!  Daisy is such an important part of our family.  We all love her so much! She is so beautiful and fun!

 

Sleepy Daisy

 While the boys are at school during the day, it is just Daisy, Lacey and I at home.  Daisy follows Lacey around the house and Lacey follows me...so we just have a "train" of girls walking around and doing "stuff".  

A few weeks ago, I was working on some homework (I'm taking some classes at ASU) and the girls were watching Angelina Ballerina.  When I looked over, this is what I saw.  Daisy fell asleep on Lacey!  I don't know how long she was asleep, but Lacey never said a word.  She just let Daisy sleep.  So cute!

Happy Birthday Ben!

In January, we celebrated Ben's birthday!  We actually celebrated it a day late because he worked some crazy hours on his real birthday and we never saw him that day.  Needless to say, we were excited for him to open his presents because I had a special surprise for him!

He was not expecting a box from Blair's.  It's a company online that has some of the hottest sauces in the world!  He had a bottle of Death Sauce before we moved, but it got thrown away during the move and he was so sad.  So I ordered him a sampler pack.  It has four different sauces and I heard they were pretty hot!  There is no way I am going to find out though!  In the box were also some really hot potato chips that Ben and the boys scarfed down!

Now for the surprise he didn't know was coming:  an iPad2!  You should have seen his face!  It was a great investment and he uses it all the time.  You know...all those high tech medical apps!  :)  I had to surprise him good because he bought me a really nice sewing machine last year...

Can you tell how excited Caleb was?  It was everything the boys could muster to not tell Ben the surprise because they all knew.