LOOK WHAT I CAME HOME TOO...

A PERSONAL TAXI DRIVER WHO REALLY KNOWS MY NAME:) YOU SHOULD HEAR HER SAY IT...

THIS LADY ALWAYS HAS ME LAUGHING AND SHE IS TRULY A WONDERFUL FRIEND!

MORGAN HAD HER FIRST CHOIR PERFORMANCE AND I GOT THERE JUST IN TIME.  MY EYES TEARED UP AS I SAW HER UP THERE.  SHE LOOKED AND SOUNDED SO BEAUTIFUL.  SHE HAD A SOLO PART THAT SHE HAD TO TRY OUT FOR.  SHE DID SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB.  I COULDN'T BE PROUDER...

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN TO COME HOME TO THIS!!!  EACH ONE OF THEM GAVE ME THE BEST HUGS AND KISSES.  MORGAN EVEN CRIED. SYDNEY WROTE ME AVERY SWEET LETTER.  IT IS ALWAYS NICE AS A MOMMY TO HAVE A BREATHER.  TIME FOR REFLECTION AND TO HAVE A MINUTE TO THINK.  I THOUGHT ABOUT MY SWEET KIDS AND HOW BLESSED I AM TO BE THEIR MOTHER.  I THOUGHT ABOUT MY SWEET HUSBAND WHO HAD HIS HANDS FULL WITH THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES AND ALSO GOING TO WORK.  I AM SO BLESSED.  I LOVE BEING A WIFE AND MOTHER.  EVEN ON THOSE DAYS WHEN IT SEEMS SO HARD.  

I STILL THINK I HAVE THE BEST JOB EVER!!!

It doesn't get better than being with the ones you love...

I was able to go and watch my two nephews in their Primary Program.  

What a treat that was!

Having fun with my Nieces and Nephew.  

They have all grown up.  I almost didn't recognize them.

Scotty turns 12 this next month so we had to cel-e-br-8!

I sure enjoyed a night out with my sister in laws and mom.  We didn't have much time because this trip was a quick one.  We did manage to go on a little shop and to get a yummy yogurt.  It doesn't get any better than being with the one's you love most!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

A Grandpa who is well deserving of this great blessing...

This is the most romantic couple you will ever meet.  This is my Niece Aspen and her husband Derek.  Just the way they look at one another makes your heart melt.  Two years ago they got married in my parents back yard.  It was a beautiful fall day and a gorgeous wedding. This weekend they were able to seal their marriage in the St. George Temple.  What a wonderful blessing as they now can be Together Forever. 

Happy Anniversary Aspen and Derek!

Our Trip to the Oklahoma Temple

It all began with a van full of monkeys and one crazy zoo keeper:)

Our sweet friend Rose came along and took our kids to Chuck E Cheese

while Shan and I went to a session.  She is not only my friend but truly like a sister. She is our little family blessing!  As you can tell our kids kinda like her:)

Then she went afterwards and joined our Branch for our Stake Fill the Temple Day.

There is not a better place to go on a date!  I love this man!!!

To Top off our day we stayed in a Hotel for the night.  The kids ate Panda Express.  This was so exciting because in Utah it was their favorite and they haven't been able to get it since there is not one close to where we live.   They swam in the indoor pool and then went back to the room and showered, ate junk food and watched TV.  Too much fun for one day!  I was pooped.  The next morning I snuck out of the room to be shuttled to the airport so that I could catch a flight to Utah for my Nieces sealing.  I will post that excitement tomorrow...

No Wonder They LOVE each other

A few weeks after moving to Oklahoma we were at our Branch for a Baptism and this is when I met Sherrie and her kids.  We sat at the same table eating refreshments.  We began visiting and an instant love and friendship developed.  She and her kids are learning about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Her oldest son and his wife are members and through them she has had a desire to learn more.  Last night we had her and her daughter Chelsea over for dinner.  As we were visiting we got on the subject about birthdays.  Well guess who share the same birthday?  Yes these two!  It brought tears to our eyes as we made that connection.  No wonder they share such a love for each other!

Friends on my FingerTips

I just wanted to take a quick minute- because unfortunately that is all I have today, and express how thankful I am for Friends. Growing up I was the only girl.  Many days I felt picked on because I didn't have a sister. My wise mother, who also was the only girl in her family, promised me that throughout my life I would have sisters.  She told me that I would be able to hand pick them.  She told me that I would be able to count them on my hands as I grew up.  I express my thanks to my wise Mother who is first on those finger tips. My heart is full today because of  all those friends who have touched my life and are counted on my fingers.  You are my Sisters and I say Thank you for lifting me when I am down, laughing until I can't breathe, listening and giving such great advice and for just being YOU...  I hope you know who you are and that your counted- and if you don't... ask:)   

Wonderful Wednesday

A few weeks ago I was feeling a little down.  It has been an adjustment for me since living here. There are no other mommies in the neighborhood or in the branch that live close by who also stay at home.  Because of this it leaves me and Sofie together all the time.  I really enjoy her but as you have read from previous posts she can be a handful.  I also think she gets pretty tired of me also:)  So as I was driving the other day and saying a little prayer asking for some patience and the thought came into my head to call Lisa Beck.  She is in our Branch and lives about 20 miles outside of Grove.  She runs a daycare from her home and is so good at what she does!  So I asked her if she had room for our little Sofie on Wednesdays and she said "sure do"!  That is all it took.  This last wednesday Sofie went to "school".  She was so excited!  She packed her backpack and we couldn't get there fast enough.  We dropped off her brother and sisters to their school first and they were so cute with her.  Giving kisses and telling her to have fun.  She felt so BIG.  When I dropped her off she said "see ya later mom", and when I picked her up she wouldn't even run up and kiss me.  I guess it's going to be a WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY for her and I.

Until we meet again...

We had to say a very hard goodbye to Elder Brooks.  This missionary is from my home town and we shared a little piece of home together.  He was part of our family.  It was like we knew him before.  I think that our Heavenly Father is so mindful of His children and everything that happens in our lives is for a reason.  I like to call these "Tender Mercies".  Elder Brooks- We wish you well.  You were such a blessing to our family.  You taught our children things that they will always remember and your influence was appreciated.  You can tell that your parents have taught you well.  I also think it is because your a "Southern Utah Boy":)  Until we meet again may you continue to touch the lives of others as you have touched ours!

MY LITTLE "MINNIE ME"

This little girl is such a little Tricia.  She will flirt with everyone and is not afraid of anyone, she throws a fit by kicking her feet and fake crying, she loves to play with babies.  In this photo above she "insisted" on taking all 4 babies and they had to all be buckled and as soon as we drove off She cried to hold her babies.  Not 1 baby but all 4!  Within minutes I look back to check on her and this is what I saw.  So, So stinking cute.  She reminds me everyday of what my mom has told me I was like.  She also let's me know I get what I deserve. So I guess...

I can't cry over SPILLED MILK!

Positive Praise

Today was a very fun afternoon. This last week we started a positive praise bucket to go along with our consequence bucket.  We decided that we needed to focus on the good things that our kids are doing so this is a way for us to recognize when they are being, kind, helpful, and the big one...be willing to obey when it is asked the first time:) The kids have been so excited about this that they keep doing good things expecting to get the P-P Bucket (as we call it).  I have told them that I will only be looking for kids that are doing something and not expecting anything from it. So Bryn got to pick from the P-P bucket and was so excited when she read "go to lunch with mom".  I explained that she would have to be surprised and that I would choose a day that worked best for my schedule.  Well this morning she was the first one up and she was extra happy.  She reminded me what time she went to lunch and I told her I didn't know if I could do it today and she reassured me that she knew that and she wanted it to be a surprise. The funny thing was that I found this note taped to my mirror 

 so I think she was really hoping today was the day. What do you think?  So I knew I better do it. I was so glad I did when her teacher explained that she was asking her to call me and see if I was going to come take her to lunch. I am sure driving the teacher nuts:) She was so excited when she saw me come to her classroom door.  Her face was priceless and I realize that I should do this more often for all my kids!  Thanks for the fun date Bryn.  I love you!

Early morning birthday surprise...

This last Saturday we Surprised the girls piano teacher with decorating his yard with piano notes with letters spelling out Happy Birthday Mr. Heath (with the candy bar) and a bag of double stuffed Oreo cookies.  It was so fun for the kids.  They were trying to be very quiet and not get caught.  We were so happy when we drove off without being caught, until we got home and the phone rang and it was Brother Heath thanking us for the fun Birthday Surprise.  We tried really hard to deny it but he said that the Oreo's were a dead give away because our kids always eat his cookies when they go to practice:)  

Mom on the run...

 Preston is playing Flag Football.  It is so funny to watch.  He was so excited because he pulled 3 flags.  Little did he know that it was boys who didn't have the ball:)  These coaches are so patient and dedicated.  They practice during the week and then play every Thursday.  Morgan and Sydney are on a traveling all girls soccer team.  It too requires practice twice a week and games on Saturday.  We have been to Oologah (Yes there is such a place) and Mayes county.  It is getting us familiar with OK-LA-HOMA that is for sure.  They have enjoyed it.  Morgan is learning to be aggressive and Syd is learning to hustle!  It is fun to see them develop confidence in themselves and to develop friendships along the way.  There are many nights I     feel like mom on the run, but I know that it is only
for a couple months and then what will we do?