Watering Eyes

A few Sundays ago, my 3 girls asked if they could watch The Testaments. Surprised, but mostly excited that they chose this movie, I put it in. I watch it to but for the first half I was doing dishes and trying to pick up a bit. I really sat down and focused on the movie about half way though. At one point during the crucifixion, Molly looked really worried and I wondered if this was too much for her. She said, "mom, this is really sad, why were these people so mean to Jesus?" We talked about how these people may not have known that Jesus was the Son of God. She again said, "that really makes me sad."

At the end of the movie a man that has lost his sight was brought to Jesus as He was appearing to the Nephites in the Americas. The man who had lost his sight was one of the main characters in the movie, the one who all along had such great faith in the Son of God. He knew that Jesus would die, be resurrected, and come to visit.

This man was brought to Christ and Christ healed him restoring his vision. The next scene is the once blind man looking into the eyes of Christ. Its a very powerful moment in the movie.

Molly looks up at me with tears streaming down her face. She said to me, "mom, my eyes are watering and they won't stop." She quite clearly is crying I scooped that little 5 year old girl up and let her cry on my shoulder. What a tender moment that was. I may have even shed a tear or two. It was one of the most tender moments in motherhood. I took the opportunity to teach Molly more about the Spirit  and how it works, that each of us feel it differently, but that she was most definitely feeling the Spirit. Heavenly Father wanted her to know that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, that He has been resurrected, and that He makes ALL things possible.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love teaching my kids about a loving Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and that we can know these things, without a doubt, by the Spirit. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to true happiness in this life. I hope and pray that I will have many more opportunities, that I can look and find them, to teach my kids the truthfulness of the gospel.

Halloween 2013

With Daddy being gone at training this Halloween, we didn't do our annual neighborhood/friend party. That was sad for me. I love Halloween and love getting together with friends. This year for sure…if Daddy has it off.

This last year we kept things simple. The kids, of course, had their parties at school and we even went to a local carnival a few days before. But on the actual night of Halloween, we went to a haunted house, (Molly's request) had some pizza with friends, and then trick or treated around the block. We had a good time, just low key and lots of candy!!!

Us at the haunted house 

My 3 princesses 

A Sprint Triathlon 2013

I can now say, 'I've done a triathlon'…a sprint one anyway.

I had a friend talk me into it. 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. The run…easy peasy! The bike ride…I could handle it. The swim…I'm gonna die!!! Those were my thought exactly and thats exactly how it went down. 

I had to work hard on my swimming. I'd never really swam before, except in the summer for fun. It's hard! The breathing, the form, the water. During training, my fastest time was 21:00. Race day I got 18:39. I was so freakin proud of myself!!!

The triathlon was a little different. We did the swim the night before the bike and the run. I kind of liked that. I was so nervous about the swim anyway, it was nice just to focus on just that. Then, the next morning, you started your bike ride when your swim time came up.

My friend Jill who's run every race with me except for one. I think she might be my race partner for life!!! And also, another friend Angie.

I do have to say that this was the funnest race I've done! I still love running but the change of pace with the triathlon was so fun!!! I defiantly want to do another one…maybe even a longer one! :)

A Flash Flood

As I try and catch up with all the pictures/events that I have neglected to blog about, I'm having a hard time picking out my most favorite. So many memories but I'm waiting to be caught up so bad.

We had a flash flood this past late summer. It was so fun and so sudden. The rain was coming down in sheets. It happened right as I put diner on the table. It was so loud and the girls were getting so distracted, and honestly…so was I. :)

So, what do we do...

WE PLAY IN IT!!!!!!

Everyone was outside in amazement at all the rain. And I think the kids were amazed that I actually let them play in the water, durning dinner, in their clothes. Why fight it? How often do we actually get beach front property?

4th of July 2013

I know, I know…this was like 7 months ago, but it was such a fun weekend I have to post something about it. I'm still trying to catch up and we had such a fun summer that I can't pass it by without a few posts.

4th of July we went down to Utah to visit Uncle Nate, Aunt Shelli, Jordan, Dallin, Sydney, and Emily. We had a blast and thankful now that they live closer to us so we can visit more often!

We ALWAYS have great food when we get together!!! Fish Tacos, homemade tortilla chips, avocado cucumber salad and dips for our chips. It was heaven!!!

We also took a trip down to SLC. we went to Temple square and City Creek.

I lOVE the Temple! 

On the way home, we stopped to see Kerilynn and her family. We met up at a McDonalds to let the kids play. Then, we let Elley go back with Kerilynn for a little cousins trip. It wasn't planned and I was really nervous to let her go, but she did it!!! She had a hard time a few nights and didn't want to stay for as long as we had planned, but for her first time away from home without mom and dad, i'd sad she did great!!

The last two pictures were just a few days later. Elley was still in Utah and these were taken the night before Molly cracked her head open. The last pictures of her perfect forehead. Although, even though she's got a pretty crazy story and scar, I still think her forehead is perfect.

Seattle Summer Trip 2013 (part 2)

The next few days were spent in Leavenworth. It was fun and relaxing. (at least I think it was) We played lots of games, went into town, and even went to a petting zoo. 

Again, I just love these girls! 

The next two pictures are so funny to me. I was taking a bunch of pictures of Lincoln on this little tractor and Addison was just watching me. Next thing I know, Addison just walks right over and gets in the picture. What a little photo bomber…a cute one though!!! 

Her little head tilt too just cracks me up!!!

We also went to another farmers market. The girls rode on the train, jumped in the bounce house, and made a few art projects.

Playing in Grandma and Grandpa's creek

Down in Leavenworth

Grandma even babysat while the 4 of us snuck away for some bratwursts. 

What a fun trip! A must do EVERY year!!!

Seattle Summer Trip 2013

This past summer, late summer, we took a trip up to Washington. Usually when we go, we only make it as far as Leavenworth but this trip we were lucky enough to go all the way to the other side of the mountains. Also, we brought along some of our very best friends with us. It was a quick trip and we crammed a lot into the 4 days we were there. 2 days in Seattle and 2 days back in Leavenworth. It was such a fun trip- perfect weather, perfect friends, and lots of great food.

The 1st day we were on the Seattle side, we drove up to the outlet mall in Marysville. We didn't stay very long- just long enough for Kara to score a great deal on some shoes for her kids at the Vans outlet.

Next we headed to the beach!!! Mukilteo beach has been a part of my life since I can remember. The ferries, the ice cream, the seagulls, the seaweed, the rocky sand, the water...everything! It brought back so many memories that I was thankful I could share with my girls...well, 2 of them at least, we left Addison home with Grandma and Grandpa.   

 Elley, Molly, and Reese. I just love these 3 little girls. I have a feeling they are all going to be best friends as they grow up

We walked around the light house that's there at the beach

Watching ferries come in, waiting for our turn to ride

loading up

This view, I've see it so many times, but it still just seems so beautiful every time I see it.

After our ferry ride, we had ice cream and let the kids play on the beach. Oh, and by the way, that crab is dead. Yes, I let my kids play with dead sea creatures.

How in the world can I go to Seattle without stopping at Azteca? Nope, can't do it. Yum!! Tortilla soup, oh how I miss you!

After the beach, and a little lunch, we headed down to Seattle. We went to the Seattle Center which was fun. It was Bumpershoot weekend so there were a lot of people out. Perfect weather too, how could you not be outside?  

We took a ride on the Monorail to end the 1st day. The girls rode in the front and the driver even let them honk the horn. They thought they were pretty cool.

The next day we headed down to Pikes Place. This was also the day of the BSU-UW game. There was a lot of blue and orange down at Pikes Place this day. It was actually fun to see. But it didn't matter, we still won anyway. :)

Then we went to Gas Works Park. I had never been there. 25 years I had lived in Seattle and never once went to that park. It was beautiful.

Heres another place I'd never been to....the troll under the bridge. 

Grabbed a shake and some fries at Dicks, headed over the floating bridge, and stopped at the temple. Then, picked up some Alfy's and headed back to Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Such a beautiful city, so many great memories, not enough time.