Thankful

 This month was such a beautiful month.  Me and my kids went up to Idaho and I got to witness Emmit being sealed to my sister and her husband. It was a beautiful day. Feeling the spirit as I sat with my family in the Sealing Room made my heart so happy. I missed Sharla and Justins sealing, so it was WONDERFUL to share this day with them and be worthy to be in the Temple. I am grateful for temples and for the opportunity I will have to go with Brian in the next couple years.

The next day in Idaho after going to Maverik's baby blessing. I stayed at my moms with my kids and my brother Everett&Kailey and their cuties to hang out, while my mom and sister went to Relief Society. We were sitting and laughing in the living room when someone started pounding on the door and yelling at us all to get out and that there was a fire.  We got the kids out and they watched as the side of the house went up in flames. 

My heart still aches as I remember my mom running across from church to see her house on fire. Of course her first words were "Is everyone ok and safe?" After the fire was put out my dad had us all gather in Eli's house and he offered the most beautiful prayer uttered. One of thanks, gratitude, and love of our Savior and His Atonement.  He spoke of how worldly possessions were nothing to him and he had those things that were more precious than anything the world could buy...his family. I can't help but cry and feel that sweet spirit testify to me again of that truth. I am so grateful for the testimony my parents have helped me gain and for their continued faith and patience in all they face.

 After reading my sister Becca's Soap Box on after school snacks I decided to start it also. It has been a fun time for us to sit down and take 15 minutes to talk and laugh and then get going on Piano practice, homework, and reading. Now when I pick them up from school they guess the whole way home what the snack will be. :O)  I am excited to finally start it with Syd and Haylee since they'll be home Fridays after school instead of soccer and piano. I am so thankful to be reminded to SLOW down and BE with my kids.

Bethy made "The Temple without Moroni."

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR GODS BEAUTIFUL EARTH & CREATIONS!!!  Brian & I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our little Beth. We got to be with both his parents one for lunch and one for dinner. It was perfect!  With the other kids off having fun at their other parents we decided to take a drive up Scare Canyon where his dad owns some land and get fire wood.

 I told Beth on the way up to pray mommy could see some Moose because I LOVE MOOSE!  I think they are the most gorgeous, cute, and (from Brother Bear) funniest animal alive. :O)

 I felt so lucky to witness such a beautiful animal. Brian ran 100 yards out into a field to get this shot which he was only 100 yards from the Moose...NOT SO SMART! But totally worth it since he didn't get trampled.

I love November. I love reading Facebook and seeing how many people really try to focus on gratitude.  I am thankful for my Savior. I am thankful for the wonderful area I live in, for the opportunity to be a mom and wife. I can't express in words how grateful I am for my husband and the man he is and has become. I have such wonderful uplifting friends. Those who constantly help me stand and remember who I am. I am excited for December to focus on having a Christ-centered home and feeling His spirit more in our home! 

SO THANKFUL TO BE ME!!!!  ~Ali

FHE @ HORSE MAN CARNIVAL (or you could say Horace Mann, I guess)

Love catching a school carnival with my kiddos. 

Wish Syd and Hay could have made it, but they had plans with their mom.

Me and my cuties...I LOVE COTTON CANDY!

Joey shooting down the slide

Bethy FREAKING OUT downthe slide...but then she went again and again and again... "Mom, it's SO fast!"

Beth was SO excited to get "face paintings" cuz "she has always wanted face paintings."

Daddy spinning Beths helicopter spinner

Fun Family Night spent with fun friends!

I love where I live!

Brian's Tri...

Triathlon @  Pine View Dam. It was such a rainy morning driving up to the dam we dressed in winter clothes to keep warm.  And as we got there the clouds parted and the HOT sun came out. It was funny to see everyone rolling up their pants and shirts.

Bethy found the water. Man I love this girl...I need one more!!!! :O)

Beautiful way to start a Saturday!

Our little nook above everyone and caught the whole swim.

Well....I caught the swim. Beth enjoyed "How to train a Dragon."

Their Daddy running right by us. Beth had to give him a High-5 Every time her passed us.

Bri finished just as the rain decided to come back out. And grabbed Beth to run through the finish line. It was a sweet moment. 

One more glimpse of the Pine View Tri.

It was a beautiful day and a perfect way to spend our Saturday together.

Soda Springs Extravaganza

 I love having my sisters all to myself!  Ove Labor Day weekend Becca invited us to spend it with her family and it was AWESOME.  Yummy Food, good company, and recording music.

 My sisters Garden could be in a magazine. I started to take pictures and got distracted by the kids playing imagination and making me laugh.

I don't like tomatos...but don't these look divine. 

Soda Springs Geyser... the kids were so excited to get on the swim suits and run through the smelly water! :O)

 best buds

The texture on the rocks is SO COOL!

 My kids favorite part of going to Soda Springs is going to the park and making soda.  They always taste it plain and hate it and then drink a gallon of the pop we make.

 Grandma Patsy&Grandpa joined us Sunday for Trumans Priesthood ordination for turning 12.

 cute girls

My favorite part of Soda Springs, is this park. I played on these same teeter-tators when I was there age.  They use to have to COOLEST swing also, but it is no longer there.

It was a nice little vacation. I love getting away with just our crazy family. 

We have less drama & more REAL time together. It's my favorite!

Beauty & Blessings

 I feel so lucky to live by SO many beautiful places!

 I hadn't taken the kids to the Botanical Gardens all summer and I knew the flowers were in full bloom so we went for a perfect little walk.

 Can't help but snap a shot of 2 of my cuties! Wish it would have been 5 cute girls in this picture.

 My Baby walking with her backpack! :O)

Isn't she SO stinkin' CUTE!!!!

 Joey and I made bracelets from willow bark and added flowers, and then we raced them in the river. I love watching the kids get SO excited as they cheered their "floaters" on. :O)

 (Look at that clean face...who is this guy?)

Poor daddy's allergies almost killed him with all those flowers.

I love being with my kids.  When I look at this picture I am reminded of how blessed I am for Brian working so hard not only to provide for me but for his girls at their moms.  He really is a wonderful example to me of diligence and hard work. Regardless of the constant stress it must bring upon him, he doesn't complain he just tries to follow The Proclamation to the Family.  And he is quick to remind me of that when I find myself complaining.

I know the Lord blesses us and our home for his righteous acts as a Father.

It's nice to stop and see my blessing rather than focusing my energy on the unimportant. :O)

What matters most.....

     I have a testimony. A testimony that is shaped and shifted constanly, and that grows daily in my struggle to be better. The past 6 months have been so hard and a test which I failed so many times. But I am grateful to have been awakened to my weakness and ask the Lord for His forgiveness and strength to start fresh again.  Today as I listened to Elder Uchtdorfs talk "Of things that Matter Most." I was reminded of what I know and what I believe as he challenged to "...evaluate our OWN lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from a more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be reopened & we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life."  I lose sight daily of what I know I should do by allowing influences/thoughts that are not from God into my life.  I focus on what someone else thinks, or what someone else is doing, and how they are wrong!  

       As I listened to his talk I heard someone shouted in my ear "OUR OWN LIVES."  Oh, my life! Well, why didn't you say so?  I do get so busy in being busy and comparing, judging and feeling not enough.  I am enough! I am strong! I am brave! I will fight. I will be humble and ask for forgiveness. I will love and be kind! I want a huge picture of  Christ writing in the sand speaking to the women taken in adultery, with the word "Go they way and sin no more."
 
      We all fall short, we all need His mercy and grace.  Utchdorf goes on to say "We would do well to slow down a little - focus on the significant - lift up our yes and truly see what matters most. ...diligently doing things that matter most will lead us to the Savior."

    It is my testimony that we have a kind and loving Savior. One who forgives again and again and again! I am grateful for that knowledge. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Julys Happiness (phone picts addition)

 We found a new water spot!

 4th of July with the Lundell Family

 The Zoo with my sweet friend Kendra!

 

Science Day with the Neighbors. SO much fun!!!

 Bowling with my stinkers! :O)

 Brian first Triathalon this year! He beat his times! So proud of my hubby!

 Feeding 10 baby puppies in Idaho with cousins! :O)

 Sleeping baby on Brother, so sweet! :O) I love my Babies!

 Idaho Falls Temple with Sharla & Mom...then LUNCH! yum!

 Mini Golf- date night with Beth.

 HOTT man on a bike- yes please!!!  We ended the month with going up to the damn on Gailens bike and cuddling on the beach till sunset. It was a perfect way to end our busy crazy full month!