Outstanding Kids!

OK, this is my brag book/blog so it's my prerogative (I even looked up how to spell it) to brag a bit about my amazing kids! All three from Superstition Mountain Elementary School (SMES) earned the Outstanding Student for their classes!
Joshua earned Scholar of Distinction (for 4 quarters of straight A's), a Reading award and Outstanding Student overall.
Brennen earned Scholar of Distinction, Reading, Computer Lab Reading and Math, PE for running 30 miles (special award from Coach Shepard), and Outstanding Student overall.
Brookly earned Leadership, Spelling, Reading, PE for meeting the national standard for mile run (she ran a mile in 7 minutes 49 seconds), and Outstanding Student overall.
Dallin is already posted for his hard fought Honor Roll and Jarom graduates tomorrow from Kindergarten. What amazing children I'm blessed with!

Dynamic Dallin!

Award for Honor Roll in Jr. High
Dallin First Chair Trumpet
Sidewider Band (9th Grade even though he's in 8th)
He played an awesome solo!
We are the proud parents!

Necklace with Meaning

My amazing Brennen is running his heart out! He runs whenever his coach is on the field, before school or at lunch, to earn the feet that hang from his necklace. He is at 29 feet right now and his goal is 30! If he has the most at the end of the year he will get a special award! Each foot means he ran a mile! We are grateful for the power of prayer that found this necklace yesterday! It had been gone for a few days and boy were we worried!

Josh's Invention Convention

Wow, Josh completely did this himself! From the idea of a Gold Rush Machine to help find and then dig out the gold. He didn't win any big award but in my book he came out on top! He is so creative and detailed - he even had a place for the left over dirt to go.

Mom and Me

This was the Mother's Day Tea at Jarom's Kindergarten class. He was very worried that I'd have to drink real tea. I explained that they always have water. It was so cute and he made me a recipe book and a flower from his handprint. Every mom in his class showed up and I'm so glad I went! My sweet Jar is growing too fast! What will all day first grade do with him at Brinton next year?!

Mother's Day 2008

My Sweet Jar Jar and Me

My Crazy Kids!!

My Brookly Girl

My Joshy Boy



My Sunny Brenny

My Dallin

My Baby (not so baby anymore) Ben

The Whole Crew - My biggest blessings!

What a crazy day Mother's Day is with 8am church! OK, I woke up and the alarm had not gone off so I dared to look out of our room and WHAAAAT?!!! the house was a pit! I had begged the kids all day Sat. to do their work because Wes is always working overtime. Now, the pit was I mean from dishes that weren't supposed to be mine ( are they really ever supposed to be), the table was covered (NOT with a clean cloth and flowers, let's just leave it at that), the floor was sticky, the clean clothes I folded were not put away, the piles seemed to loom over the counters and something smelled awful from the garbage. OK, now I had a choice and I realize I don't always make the best choices. I began to clean up and slam things around. This quickly got my family's attention and I did receive some help. (If you know me at all you know I am really obsessive about a clean house on the Sabbath and yes, even do it myself on the Sabbath if I haven't stayed up late the night before). Yes, this is definitely a weakness I need to work on. I do get protests from my kids to even clean their own toys or plates because "we shouldn't work on Sunday". Back to Mother's Day, I finally decided to shower and pull my lesson together. By now the kids were up and I bathed Ben while Wes attempted to pull some order quickly to the kitchen. I wanted the kids in my Sunday School class to feel the spirit and write something heartfelt to their mothers. (I knew I was not in the right spirit myself at the moment and admit I was hoping Dallin's teacher wouldn't show up so that I could take his class with mine again and have him write something heartfelt to me). I tried to correct my attitude and said a prayer. Amazing what prayer can do! My poor husband had bought me roses and was trying to make it nice but had worked on a letter for a sensitive issue in our family until 1:30am and didn't quite finish the house. I began to see the little things I love about my family again and remembered what season I'm in. I tried not to resent the corsage that I didn't get and remember my blessings. Wes does so much for me that isn't tangible and he had bought me a marriage seminar set that I desperately want for our upcoming Anniversary. I don't know why it's so hard sometimes to see the good FIRST! I did enjoy my special day when each child brought me their handmade gifts and cards. This was the best part. Julie even came and made Cherry Cheesecake for me! Now, preface this with my sweetheart did take me on a date Sat. night to one of my favorite restaurants, Macaroni Grill, and I should have looked at my blessings first! Sometimes I just need to vent and then it can be over! What a whirlwind every day is and from the pictures you'll notice that not everyone wanted a picture with Mom when I was ready. Let's just say that Josh and Brookly's were taken much later in the day! Sometimes we just have to look back and laugh! The crazy pose was my favorite!

Ben's Bubbles

Ben loves bubbles! Brookly was blowing these and he was fascinated!

Back to Reality

What a busy week to adjust back to! Brookly took 1st Place in the Math Bee for 2nd Grade Tuesday! She was so excited and did so well! This was crushing for Brennen who didn't make it to the final round for his grade. What is a mother to do? There were some tender feelings and love needed! Brookly is wearing a sports jersey because it was sports dress up day at school.

Josh had a choir concert and it was a lot of fun on Monday night! Cute pic of Dallin, Josh and Ben leaving the concert.

Wes is working overtime so I haven't seen him much yet since I've been home.

Today is a marathon! Already took kids to school 3 trips, went to library to pay lost book, went to Parks & Rec to pay for swimming lessons, went to Walmart (Ben was completely out of diapers), about to take Josh and Brennen to podiatrist, then take Brookly to danceat 4pm, Brennen to Scouts, (maybe he'll walk with Scott), Wes and Dallin have temple baptisms at 5pm and then I'll take the rest of the crew to Josh's Invention Convention at 6pm. Whew! Good to be home and needed! Some days an hour nap is good for Ben!

Looking forward to Brookly's baptism May 24th and seeing Ryan with Grammy and Grampy! My kids are just thrilled!!! Gotta run!

Sunday Morning

Bright and early I awoke at 7am for 9am church Sunday morning. (Again only 4 hours of sleep). I'm telling you, I just couldn't sleep after the sun came up! It was too exciting to be with my family! I was tired though, and maybe that's why I felt so bold in my comments in Gospel Doctrine class. Hey, I don't beat around the bush when you ask what the natural man wants! Fame, Fortune and Sex were natural answers! Bishop Dad wasn't in our class gratefully:) Anyway, I felt prompted to bear my testimony and wondered why after Dad gave quotes from Dallin Oaks talk on not giving a loveamony. Who knows? I think I just needed to share my experience of our prophet.
After church we had the traditional Mother's Day dinner at the Sheppard house. Enchiladas. Jules and I made green chili enchiladas and I made salsa. Dad made the traditional red with fried corn tortillas. Food is an important event in our family! Don't mess with the Otis cookies! Mom tried her new strawberry graham cheesecake. YUM! We had a little celebration and gave Mom her Mother's Day gifts. She treated us with Bath and Body Works and our Deseret Book goodies. Thanks for the book to help me with the kids! Then I had to pack and run to the airport - thanks Adrian for taking time out to take me!
What a whirlwind! I fell asleep for a minute on the plane and then dropped my pillow. I couldn't wait to get home! Wes and all the kids came to pick me up! They all jumped out of the car and ran to me! It was so rewarding! I feel renewed and refreshed and ready to take on life again! Good thing because the bickering started in the car on the way home-

Shop and Play

Then it was lighter, fun time for the girls! We shopped til we dropped, literally! We ate at Ruby Tuesday's and thank you Mom for the treats from Deseret Book!After shopping we came home for visiting and the famous Pictionary game! Granted this was the mildest version yet but the walking through paper demonstration and Kashif picking Mom and I before Adrian, for his team, were highlights sure to go down in history! We won't mention who won mercilessly! Great times and Camie, Jeff and I stayed up until 3am chatting about babies, deliveries, children, etc. Love getting to know Camie better - sure she didn't have any idea she'd know me so intimately after this trip:)

Jordan River Temple

First thing Saturday morning we went to do sealings at the Jordan River Temple. Mom was able to do this with Dad, Julie, Kashif and I. What a special moment to see Dad gaze into Mom's eyes with the eternal love they have. I knew he was seeing more than we can. Maybe back to the day they were married? Special day that only continued with the Emma movie for the girls.

Saturday - Emma

What a wonderful day for women! The girls got to go see Emma Smith - My Story and what a tear jerker that was! I love the book Emma and Joseph - Their Divine Mission by Gracia Jones and knew most of the facts in her life but to see them on the big screen and when she wrote each name of those sweet babies who died it was more than I could stand. The tarring and feathering of Joseph was too real and heartbreaking. She is definitely an elect lady and will forever have a place of honor in my heart.

May 3, 2008

Friday Night at Home

After conference we went home to Mom and Dad. We played Mormon Rook and enjoyed visiting late into the evening. We got to see the men and Ryan and Lily! Bec was worn out so they went home to rest up for our next big day! What fun to see my family! I couldn't believe how early I naturally woke up each morning ready for fun and how quickly I could get ready with no interruptions or little ones to get ready. :)

Conclusion to Women's Conference

I think the greatest thing I am coming home with is an increased testimony of our prophet, President Monson. When he entered the Marriot Center and everyone stood up and stood still, the spirit was so strong. Then someone began singing We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet and I couldn't contain my tears. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet today and that he speaks for the Lord. He loves us and has our eternal progress at heart. What a special witness I received. He also spoke of finding joy in the journey and not letting the important things pass you by. Never let the problem to be solved be more important than the person to be loved. This could be a special day! Mortal life was never meant to be easy or consistently pleasant. Each one experiences dark days. Shall I falter or shall I finish? He spoke of the threads of service, love and kindness. The good you do can never be fully measured. Don't feel inadequate. Boys don't become gentlemen overnight.
What an incredible conference! I needed this spiritual uplift and rededication to do what I can. I feel so blessed that my sisters were able to share this with me. We did miss Mom and Lynnette though. Next year...

Friday Women's Conference

Friday brought more fun as Camie and Becca joined us for the whole day! Sisters, sisters.....

Sister Julie Beck started us off with a great talk on simplifying our lives, fortifying our homes, teaching our children (there is no "they" to teach them, only YOU) and on doing our half of God's plan, the female half. Prioritize, we can't do everything at once. Put your strength in what you should do.

Then I traipsed back down to the lower campus to hear a class on the Power of Prayer. I thought I would go to uncluttering but at the last minute felt I needed the prayer class and I'm so glad I went. It was too full and we were sent to a classroom where we had only audio but it was very moving. Choose to pray. In life we have many choices and if prayer is a regular habit it will help narrow our choices. What gets in your way of prayer? We have no fear if we live the gospel and pray. Seek the Lord's will for you and follow it. Look at the Bible Dictionary under prayer. The next speaker in prayer class talked about our "Happys" and "Sads". She asked her children for 3 examples of each each night before bed. Great idea! Listen with your eyes Mom. The most important person in the world is who you are then with. Who cares about all of your happys and sads? When was your last connection with Him? Desire to connect with each other and with heaven.

4 exercises to help reach up, draw near and connect.

1. Go to Gratitude Well

2. Remember Relationships

3. Offer offering for others

4. Wait on His Will

These enable you to G.R.O.W. closer to Him.

Then I went to John Bytheway and his mother for the next class. Met my sisters there and we rolled yarn for service. What a great class on hymns form his mother and how they bless us. Brother Bytheway then gave a great talk on fear and how faith replaces fear.

Last Friday individual class was on teaching kids the value of work! Great ideas and fun presentation. The best was yet to come....

Thursday Night Concert

After a full day of Women's Conference we were excited to eat and get back for the concert of lots of our favorite artists. We stopped at Cafe Rio (maybe the reason we had problems the next few days) and then headed back to get good seats for the concert. Julie noticed as it was about to start that they were letting people in the floor section. Adrian ran down and sure enough they had 4 seats. (Yes, 4, by a miracle we got Becca a ticket) We were 3 rows back from the stage and were right by the performers as they came on to the stage. It was incredible! Oh, the fun in our little mosh pit! I'd never heard of Eclipse and after our gift from Mom of their new "Grateful Praise" CD, I'm hooked! We got to Camie and Jeff's pretty late and we stayed up even later telling crazy stories. After 4 1/2 hours sleep we were up and on our way again!

Women's Conference!

Wow! After a few hours of sleep, Dad dropped Julie and I off at Adrian's apartment to drive to Provo. Luckily Mom had read the paper and found us an awesome route around the traffic to get there. Notice the snow on the mountains on the way! It was beautiful! I was toasty in Julie's coat and even too toasty when I began the trek to my classes. We had an incredible opening with Sheri Dew and it was announced that our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, would be the closing speaker. I was edified and spiritually filled all day. I went to a class on Enjoying the Role of Young Motherhood and was reminded to find joy in the journey, read scriptures more often and invite the spirit into our home.

Then I ran to save a place for Julie and Adrian at Randy Bott's class. After it started and I still didn't see them I went out to look. They had bought our lunch and found seats in the front. Oh, the joys of not knowing why my text messaging doesn't immediately come up. We connected and I moved by them. I then was enraptured by Randy Bott, Wes's mission President. The first speaker in this class was interesting but a little long on the topic of her Doctorate dissertation. Then Brother Bott's message of humor mixed with the doctrine of grace taught as only he can (if you ever have the chance to hear him speak or take his Doctrine & Covenants institute class-Do it!) was a refreshing change. He taught that you don't have time NOT to be still. D & C 101:16. He gave insight to parts of the temple and I felt the spirit testify of eternal truths. I hope to get a copy of his talk.

I ate quickly and ran down the innumerable stairs to the Smith Fieldhouse. Then I went to one of my favorite authors, Emily Watts. Because I stopped to eat, imagine that, I was late finding a seat. Several girls form my ward were there and happened to have a seat by them. Thanks Emily, Randi and Michelle! It was a great class and fun to hear Sister Watts in person. I learned many things about adversity and getting through it. She recommended a talk by Carlfred Broderick called "The Uses of Adversity" and wouldn't you know it - my Dad had it and copied the talk for me. It was very interesting to see the whole background of the talk. I was inspired again to find joy in the journey.

After this full day I raced back up to the Marriot Center to hear Brother and Sister Bateman speak on temple worship. We should model our homes after the temple-1. Quiet voices. 2. Trained in responsibilies. 3. Begin every day with prayer and end with prayer. 4. Everyone should be treated with kindness. 5. Establish a house of order. What an incredible day!

Utah Spring!

April 30, 2008 I left for Utah for a weekend with my sisters at Women's Conference. I flew with Julie and we left 97 degree weather in Phoenix and arrived at 11:30pm to a blizzard in Salt Lake! I'm not kidding! I took pictures to prove it! My Dad thought I was hilarious to snap so many pictures, but hey, my kids had to know what I was up against. Since I don't own a coat, only light sweaters or jackets I was lucky that my sister's ski jacket was still in the closet at home. :) This was our first day in Utah!

Toothless!

What a cutie! Jarom's tooth coming out this time was a little more traumatic than the first bottom ones. Wes tried to pull it out and it hung in there a few more days. It finally fell out when eating a popsicle!

April 30, 2008

Jarom's Field Trip

The zoo van came and brought many fun desert animals. Jarom begged me to go and Noelle watched Ben so I could be there. It meant the world to him and we had fun!

April 29, 2008