Traditional Family Photo Shoot

Happy Halloween!

The kids had so much fun at our ward Trunk or Treat!  This year Kennidy was a cowgirl, Makinley was a cheerleader, Adam was Zorro (no mask policy), and Ford was an Indian.  I went as a BYU fan and Brandon wore his cowboy hat but said he didn't dress up.  He doesn't normally wear his cowboy hat unless it's Halloween.

My Cowgirl

Here are just a few pictures of Makinley. I took her to an old Rodeo Arena near our house. I am kind of frustrated with my Photoshop. Well not really with Photoshop but with my pc. It's getting really slow and it takes me forever to edit photos. I am not super familiar with my mac so I don't really like using it too much. I can't figure out how to save my RAW images and make a copy of the ones I want to edit. Going back and forth is not fun.

Feeling Lazy

I have been feeling lazy for the past 2 weeks. I don't know what it is? I don't want to clean...do RS stuff...read... I have missed doing things with my hands so I taught myself how to crochet beanies for my girls, with a little help from the internet. I just love them! I think I will make more in all colors! Think Christmas!

I have been taking pictures, too. I took Makinley over the the Rodeo Arena yesterday and brought along her tutu. I really want to make a really FULL tutu. I think I might ask Michelle to help me. She's a great seamstress.

And last week on Thursday, I took some pictures of two adorably cute girls, Kirsten and Raquel. They were so fun. They would have rather been playing in the dirt so we made these quick. I love them. I took their family pictures a week before and they turned out really nice, too. Here are some favorites.

Kennidy has us busy with soccer games and practices. I enjoy it. Her team is undefeated. GO, REBELS! There has been much talk and discussion and I think Jenni and I have come to the conclusion that we are going to coach next fall. I think Laura should help us, too. And Bridgette! And Karl! We are looking into indoor soccer for after the outdoor season. But we'll see if she's really interested.

And last but definitely not least, Brandon and I are finishing up the the 3rd Season of Heroes! Then it's on to the 8th Season of Smallville. Does anyone have the 3rd Season of Bones?

Scheels

Ford and I had so much fun at Scheels! Ford loved the ferris wheel, the fish, and trying all kinds of helmets and sports gear. He's totally going to be a snowboarders. Shred it up, Dude!

Apples

We took our little preschoolers to gather apples in Yerington.  What fun!  Free Apples.  And what did we do with all our free apples?  We made apple pie filling and then canned it!  Yummy!  We also sliced them and dried them.  Ford and I couldn't get enough of those dried apples.  They were so tasty!  Paula, Jenni, and I took home 7-8 bags each!  Now that's a lot of apples.

We took our little preschool

Tender Mercies

I have experienced the tender mercies of the Lord this week.

Tuesday was Brandon's birthday and as I scrambled to get things ready for dinner, my phone rang. On the other line was a worried husband. Worried for his baby girl and loving wife. He was away on business and called to tell me that his wife and baby were at the hospital. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with his daughter but that they wanted to keep her overnight on an IV. She's been feverish and not eating or drinking for the last few days. He told me he didn't know how to ask but was wondering if I could bring his wife dinner cause she hadn't been able to leave their baby to grab a bite to eat. I assured him that I would take care of her and thanked him for letting me know.

Tender mercy #1 was the opportunity I have to be a VTer. I have to admit that I love when my VTer's call me for help. I, like many women in this world, want to feel that I am needed and that I can help make a difference. Giving service gives so many women the validation they are seeking. As women it is in our natures to nurture and care for others. And I love that I can be part of that. Giving of myself to help someone else in charitable acts is service. And by thus doing so I have the opportunity to grow and learn.

Tuesday night I came down with something bad. It was 'the 15 hour flu bug from hell'. It was awful. My sweet husband ended up staying home from work the next day to help me. Tender mercy #2 was my dear husband. Knowing that he loves me...and seeing it on a daily basis gives me the confidence and desire to be a better wife, mother, and friend. I care so much what he thinks and in small and quiet moments when he tells me that he loves me and jokes that I'm 'the best wife he's ever had' I feel like the luckiest woman on earth.

Tender mercy #3 was a priesthood blessing. As I asked Brandon for a blessing I was reminded of the promise given to those who seek priesthood blessings. If I had faith that I could be healed...I would be.

My VTers were suppose to come over Tuesday at 10:30. I asked Brandon to call Emily and let her know that I would have to cancel...they came anyway. Tender mercy #4 was 2 VTers who take their calling and stewardship seriously. Unbenounced to me, Shana and Emily came with dinner in their arms, asking about my health. Both with lots on their plate that day but took time to make sure that I was taken care of. Emily even offered to take Ford. And Shana, who's car was hit at the grocery store while purchasing my dinner, had a smile on her face as Brandon opened the door to receive their generousity. I love my vters because they, like so many others, are true friends. They are my sisters.

Thursday, as I worked hard to use the surviving strawberries on my counter for jam, I received another call informing me that the sisters mentioned at the beginning of my week was still in the hospital with her baby. Tender mercy #5 was a loving VTing companion who took the reins. As I called to let my VTing companion, Kendra, know of Leah's situation...she gladly took over. Saying it was her turn to do something. She made phone calls, left messages, and offered herself for meals and anything else that might be needed. Knowing of her desire to serve gave me the peace and comfort I needed to go about my day worry free. I knew that things would be in place if either of us were to get a call to help.

Thursday night as I prepared the kids to go to Kennidy's soccer practice, there was a knock at my door. Tender mercy #6 was a friend with dinner in her arms because she heard I was sick. I am not able to express the love I felt as this sweet sister handed me a cookie sheet with a complete meal on top of it. She had heard from my husband that I was really sick the day before and wanted to help. She expressed how she's been there...with a four year old little girls and twin 2 year old boys. She's felt helpless and 'how can I do what needs to be done today if I'm sick' as I did. I was reminded of my prayer to my Heavenly Father when we moved to Dayton. I pleaded with him to find me a friend. Just one. I just wanted one friend that I could be best friends with. I wouldn't ask for more than one because if I had just the one I could do the rest. Well, he has blessed me with many friends. Many sisters that have blessed my life phyically and spiritually. I love that quote...'Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the blessings of each day?' I did today.

At soccer practice came tender mercy #7. I was able to run and practice without being weary. My health was returned to me in full. It was amazing. Just the day before I was throwing up and couldn't barely get out of bed, except to run to the bathroom. I was drained. And yet here I was running and doing drills with these kids.

Saturday night was the General RS Broadcast. As I sat there listening to the General RS Presidency and to President Eyring, I felt overwhelmed with the responsibilities I have as a RS President in our ward. The list kept getting longer and longer. At the conclusion of the mtg. President Eyring gave me tender mercy #8. He said that if we magnify our callings as RS sisters...'angels would be our associates.' The peer knowledge of a Father in Heaven who wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle and that angels will be my associates...gives me the courage to continue to do his work. To help feed his sheep in our Dayton Ward. And those angels...are my sisters in my ward. Working together we can fulfill the purposes of the RS which are to Strengthen Home and Families, Build Testimonies of Christ, and to Come Unto Christ.

I have been so blessed this week. I can't wait to see what's instore for the next.