Bryns QUEEN BEE party...

I am posting this a little late. Better late than never right? Brynlee's birthday was at Dairy Queen because

this little QUEEN BEE loves loves loves ice cream. She is just like her daddy. They can't go to bed at night without their scoop of ice cream.  We also thought it was the perfect place because the name fit the theme of her party.  She has some very sweet friends and they seemed to enjoy hanging out together. Bryn was so happy to FINALLY be 8...

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE SISTERS...

Twenty women gathered on Thursday, March 17, 1842 in the second-story meeting room over the Smith's Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, IL. Today we are approximately 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories. The Relief Society is often referred to by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and others as "one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world." I am so thankful to be apart of this sisterhood of Relief Society.  As many of you know we have moved around quite often in our married life. I do not regret any of our decisions because Shannon and I have always prayed together and relied on Father in Heaven and one another in all the important things that pertain to our home and our family. It isn't  easy to just get comfortable and then have another change. But through this experience one thing is the same. I ALWAYS HAVE SISTERS!  Last night a group of my "SISTERS" from church got together and shared our thoughts and feelings in our PJ's and talked about P-rayer and J-ournals. We then celebrated Sister Duffs 90th birthday. Sister Bishop is her Vistiting Teacher. (Sisters are assigned to go and visit other sisters in our Relief Society once a month and share a message, see if there is anything they need, and be their friend.)  Sister Bishop is a sweet young mother of 3 and you would wonder what would be her purpose in visiting this 90 year old granny:) Listening to Sister Bishop it brought tears to my eyes to see the love that was there. It doesn't matter our age. We still need one another and can learn so much from one another. We finished the night watching a clip from Marjorie Hinckley. She has passed away yet leaves such a legacy. She was such a delight and so down to earth. It was a good reminder last night to me that I can strive to be a better me and yet be happy where I am right now. I am "a work in progress" and always will but I know with the help of my SISTERS I will always feel encouraged, stregnthened and loved! I am so thankful that I was created female. I love being a wife and a mother. I love my husband and my children. How thankful I am that my daughters can be apart of this SISTERHOOD of Relief Society. 

A must have game...

We played this game with the kids on Sunday after church and we were having so much fun. It is called Headbandz. Brynlee got it for her birthday and we were cracking up. You can only ask yes or no questions and you try to guess the word on your forhead. We had a little cheater that would go over and look in a picture frame, see her reflection and then would ask one question and then guess it. We thought she was so smart until we caught on to her strategy and then we just cracked up as she tried to deny it. I love my family so much and I love to watch them all playing games and actually getting along for once:)

A Special Day for a Special Girl...

Bryn's Baptism was so special. She was so nervous about going under the water. She didn't want to have to do it twice:) On the way there she said a sweet prayer in the car. I love when this girl prays. She is always so humble and thankful. She is a good example to me.  She looked so beautiful all in white. I always love the photos of daddies with their children all in white. How thankful I am for Shannon and his great example to his daughters and son. It is a little tradition of his to leave a little note in the bathroom for the kids to get when they discover it. Well, Bryn did not see it hanging on the bathroom mirror until she was changing her wet clothes. She was all smiles as she read her note from daddy. After she was able to get warm from the COLD water in the font she said. "It is so amazing but I do feel really good mom."  Grandma and Papa spoke on Baptism and the Holy Ghost. Then April Moore sang one of my favorite songs about a little girl and her three white dresses. Blessing, baptism, and then Temple dress. It was a tear jerker and Bryn just started to cry. Then Morgan began to cry and then I was a mess. I love my daughters and I hope and pray that they will remember the covenants they are making and live their lives close to the Holy Ghost so that they can receive all the wonderful blessings that their Father in Heaven has in store for them. The closing song was so special as Brother Heath played the piano and my adopted daughter Chelsea played the flute while we sang "I am a child of God." We missed all of you who could not be there,  but we know they were there in spirit. Thank you to all who sent gifts. Bryn loved all the fun surprises in the mail. It was a very sweet day... for a very sweet girl... 

We love you Brynlee!

Preston stole a rose from Bryns Bouquet and got down on one knee...

His "girlfriend" Ashee was not sure what to think of this...

She just ran to the arms of her mother:) Then she could smile...

We celebrated at La Casita and enjoyed some good Mexican food. Our kids don't get to go out much and Gram and Papa were so patient with our five little monkeys.

I hate good byes. They are so hard. We ate a nice breakfast before having to say good bye to Grandma Joy and Papa. It is never easy. In fact during church Morgan whispered in my ear. "I miss Grandma and Papa." It was short and sweet and we had to make the most of our time with them. 

Thank you for the memories!!!