The Joys Of Life

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

More Fun!

We have been busy enjoying the summer! We have a HUGE cherry tree in our back yard. I spent about 7 hours one day picking the cherries and this is what I could reach with an 8 foot ladder. There were still a bunch more that we left for the birds that I couldn't reach!

We have also been helping Jacob do as much for scouts as possible while he his out of school for summer break. He has earned his Whittling Chip and is over half way to earning his Bear Badge. He has worked so hard! We had fun playing outdoor games for family fun. First we played Croquet:

Well Morgyn wanted to do dishes instead. "Chores before play" she said!

Then they wanted to play Horseshoes, allthough they had much more fun with Croquet!

Jared thought it was funnest to throw both of the horseshoes at the same time! WATCH OUT!

And I get to teach the lesson on the temple this week to my sweet little sunbeams. There are 6 in my class and I made each of them this cute picture frame to hang on their wall to remind them to strive to go there! I am going to make one for each of my kids as well. They are so excited!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Learning Fun!

We have had a busy week! Morgyn made it home from girls camp at the Heber Valley Camp. She had so much fun and said she wanted to stay longer. She made some more friends and is really happy here! Jacob also went to day camp at Camp Fife. He had a lot of fun as well. He got to ride a BMX course, go rock climbing, shoot bb guns, shoot bow and arrows, as well as a bunch of other fun stuff! The next week Jared spent a bunch of time with the boys teaching them about safety. Jacob got to shoot his own bb gun as well as learn how to whittle. Both him and John whittled a polar bear out of a bar of soap! They had so much fun and Jacob has now earned the Whittling Chip Card in cub scouts! Go Jacob!

Then they learned how to fix their bikes. Jared helped them patch their tires and taught them how to inspect their bikes for safety before riding it. He also took of John's training wheels and John got on the bike and took off without any help! Go John!

Then we had some Independence day fun! We walked to the parade. (I'm soooo happy we live close enough to walk!) The kids had so much fun. One of our old neighbors was there give flags to all the kids and he gave each of the kids one and then we were able to find a spot right on the curb that was not taken. In Kaysville people start reserving their spot at 12:00 am on the 3rd, so we really got lucky. The boys each got a ton of candy as well as a Frisbee, some balls, and a stuffed animal. The missionaries were in the parade and throwing out ties, but we weren't lucky enough to catch one of those! We did see some pretty awesome cars and stuff. The Davis High marching band started off the parade. Little Jared loved the tuba the best! He also loved the motorcycles and the firetrucks with the sirens!

Waiting for the parade to start.

They had all sorts of veterans, I think these were the oldest group!

Later in the day we watched A More Perfect Union. An excellent movie on the writing of the constitution. We grilled burgers out on the grill and the kids played with some cousins until it was time for the fireworks at Davis High. We are lucky enough to be able to see the fireworks right from our back yard! We could even hear the announcer and the music. It was almost a good as being there!

The fireworks were better than the pictures turned out. We sure had fun!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Music sooths the soul!

I love to listen to music, especially good uplifting music. One song that I believe has healing power is I Am A Child Of God. When Jacob was sick and in Primary Children's Medical Center he was so angry. In fact he was so angry that he didn't speak to anyone for 4 days. He was upset to be there, he was upset because they wouldn't let him eat anything, and he was upset because they wouldn't let him drink anything. He was in a lot of pain after his surgery and they kept making him get up and walk and he didn't like that at all! We would have to watch his heart rate and respiration rate for the pain meds because he wouldn't tell us he was in pain. He would just start to cry and refuse any pain meds so we would have to be sneaky about it. He was 4 1/2 when he had his surgery and he weighed 32lbs when he went into the hospital. 10 days later when he came out he weighed 28lbs. I think he went for 7 days without anything to eat or drink. I would have to hide my food and try to eat when he wasn't looking because I felt so guilty eating in front of him. I don't think he realized that I had eaten anything for about 5 or 6 days. I felt so blessed to be at Primary Children's because they will do a primary lesson with the kids and I hoped that would help him release some of his anger. Well it didn't work. He wouldn't even look at the 2 lovely ladies that came to teach him. They gave a good effort, then we decided it would be better if they just sang him some songs instead. They sang him 3 songs but I cannot remember what the first 2 were. The last song they same to him was I Am A Child Of God. This changed his whole demeanor! When they started singing this song, he turned his head toward them and listened to what they were singing. The feeling in the whole room changed. As soon as they left the room Jacob sat up and said, "Mommy can I color?" This made my heart rejoice! These were the first words he had spoken in several days. From this point on he did whatever it took to help himself get better. This song brought him comfort and reminded him of who he was and that he didn't have to go through this all alone! This song is still a favorite in our home and whenever I hear it I am reminded of this experience with Jacob. I sure love this kid and I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for sparing his life and letting him stay with us!

This was taken during his angry days.

This was taken after they sang I Am A Child Of God!
What a difference in attitude!

~Good music really does sooth the soul!!~

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Archery Lesson

Over the last several years Jared has been teaching the kids archery. They have all had a fun time doing it. They have not practiced in about a year so last night Jared built a new backstop and they had fun reviewing and shooting their bows!

Review of proper stance and safety rules.

Robin Hood!

They are a pretty good shot!

John getting a little extra help. He hasn't shot since getting his bifocals and I think it affected his shot a little.

Jacob

Arrow mid air!

Isaac's target was broken so he used a fan. He thought that was great!

So happy!

They had so much fun and the evening was a success! Hopefully the neighbors don't think we are to crazy! To bad Morgyn wasn't here to enjoy it with us! O well, there's always next time!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

My Lord, My Light

Here is a poem I wrote about Jesus Christ a few months ago.

Jesus Christ, my Lord, my light,

I'll trust in him both day and night.

He is the Savior of us all,

To save the world from the fall.

He came to save us from our sin,

So Heavenly Father can say, "Enter in."

We came to earth, that was the plan,

Now we must do the best we can.

We must teach the children to pray,

and all the commandments to obey.

The Savior suffered for you and me,

And His example is best you see.

He healed the sick, the deaf, the blind,
We must keep all this in mind.

We must help others as He taught,
or enter His kingdom, we will not.

In the Garden of Gethsemane,
He bled from every pore for me.

Know that me earths journey has begun,
I must persevere until it's done.

Jesus Christ will help you see,
He loves us all so perfectly!