What has kept me up at night

I'm not sure what it is, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. A couple of months ago I got called to be the Primary Chorister in our ward(my FAVORITE calling). I knew that the Primary was in charge of an evening for a Nativity, so immediately I started planning. I started out just putting the program together, and I think I really started to make the Primary President nervous, because I tend to go ALL OUT!:)

So for the last week this has been on my mind constantly, and for the last three nights, I have gotten 4 to 5 hours a night of sleep. I have been up making signs and a folder for myself, thinking and thinking again of whatever would help this go smoothly. It was set up as a medley, so there was really no stopping, we went from one song to another, and the kids had to be ready for their part.

Of course if anyone has heard Payton sing, I had to have him sing a solo. He sang the first verse of, "When Joseph went to Bethlehem", and the Shepherds sang the 2nd, and he sang the third. Well when it came to his part, he had to get to the microphone that was on the stage, and Joanne (our pianist) played the introduction, and then started playing the song, well I don't think she noticed Payton didn't start with her, but he jumped right in and sung, 'When Joseph' real fast to catch up. I was so proud, he has a beautiful voice, he counts really well, and really has a feel for music.

I had a cute 3(Breele), 5(Jara), and 6(Ethan) year old sing Silent Night, and everyone that had parts were so good, they knew exactly when to come in, and it was just perfect. The spirit was so strong, and I honestly can say I know good music is so important in our children's lives, and I KNOW that it will and can strengthen testimony, because my heart is burning tonight.

I am sick I didn't take picture of the stage, so if ANYONE took any kind of pictures I want some please, and I wish I had someone video it. We had an awesome manger that Cam (my brother-law) made, and a stable on the stage, and a big star above the manger. While the children sang, "Picture a Christmas", the angels, wise men, shepherds, Joseph and Mary all came out on stage as we sang about them.

Major CATCHUP

ok, this is going to be LoNNNg........... so be prepared! As many of you know, our lap top hit the dust, and I lost lots of pictures from it, I'm still hoping and praying my brother-in-law may be able to save it. So now I have decided that I am going to keep up on my blogs, because a lot of those pictures are on this blog. Here is a recap of our last month or so...........We had Thanksgiving at my mom and dad's and every year I decorate my mom's house for Christmas for her, cause I love to do it. This year, Michelle and I were at Roberts, and Michelle saw a cowboy Christmas tree, and we both loved it.(my mom is a total cowgirl) We called my mom up and asked her if she wanted to do a cowboy Christmas theme. She loved it, and couldn't believe we were letting her do it. Here is her finished Christmas tree, and yes there is my mom's cowboy boot in the tree.
and her banister

Thanksgiving was so nice, we spent it at my mom's and some of mom's brother's(Richard, Bob, Brian, Greg). Mom always loves to get the quartet stuff out and play, I'm glad my cello that I bought and used once got used by Bob this year. I stick to the violin, so much easier:)

Me, Brigham, and GRANDPA JOHNSON, what a handsome guy he is!

Payton played tackle football this year, and it was so much fun for him, but by the time November hit, I was so ready to be done. (his practices were Tues, Wed, and Thurs 5:30-7:30, and games on Saturday). I asked him on his last week, if he was ready for it to end, and he said, "No way, I love football!" He did really well. His team was really big, two more kids, and they would have split it, so he only played defense. He is a perfectionist, and always had his eye on the ball.

This is a picture at his last game, his team won the championship!!!

Here is his first trophy, he is so proud of it!

The night before Halloween, Payton did not have a costume, so guess what mom did til 2 in the morning! He just never could pick, and I guess I was kind of hoping maybe he'd choose to be a football player:) I told him that I would paint a skeleton on his black ninja clothes, and he liked it. I started to paint it, and like I said, "Payton is a perfectionist", he was critiquing me like crazy, "um, mom.... the skeleton's ribs are supposed to get smaller towards the bottom.....um, mom....do you know how many bones to paint.... um, mom...." I finally sent him to bed. In the morning, I got him up, and I looked him in the eye, and I said, "Payton, I was up til 2 am painting, and I don't care if you think this is the ugliest costume in the world, after you see it, the only words I want to hear are, 'I love it'. " He looked at it, gave me a hug, and said, "thanks mom, I love it." I think he enjoyed wearing it especially after getting his face painted!

Marcus wanted to be spiderman, I just couldn't get myself to buy a spiderman costume when Bryson had one he could wear, but with no mask, so I asked him if I could paint his face, and he loved it. I decided to dress up at the last minute, because Marcus said he really wanted to see dad and mom dress up, I'll have to work on John next year:)

Brigham was a puppy in the morning, and a dinosaur at night, he hated the puppy ears!

Brig's 1st birthday pics I never got up, or did I? Actually I think I did steal this pic off of Michelle's blog and post it......oh well, he's so darn cute no one will mind.

Some of his cousins, he was really unsure the whole night

Payton gave me the idea for his cake.

LAKE POWELL .....one month late

So these pictures may be old, but I want this trip documented, because it was so much fun! It was a little frustrating at first, because it was a hard time for John and I. John was coaching the freshman football team, and was not going to miss a game! We were going all the way to bullfrog (5 1/2 hours away verses 2 hours to Lone Rock for us). So, I did not want to wait for John to get done with his Thursday night game, and only be there for two days. I wanted to go for the whole week. Well it worked out. Maryann and I went with our kids on Tuesday. I was able to arrange for Brigham to be babysat in the day, and have John bring him with him on Thursday. It was just wonderful to have Wednesday and Thursday to just relax without having to take care of a baby. I didn't realize how wonderful it was until John, Clayton(Maryann's husband), and Brigham came late Thursday night(actually early Friday morning). This is our campsite. It was very private, and so peaceful~~~

Nobody mentioned the little scare mom gave us. My mom is so healthy and strong, so when she got sick on Saturday night, it made us all so nervous and scared. She was playing with the kids on the back of the houseboat, dipping them in and out of the water, when she sat down, she felt shortness of breath. She thought to herself, she was too young to have a heart attack.....We were so lucky to have a doctor on board, Travis tended to her, and after an hour or so, she was starting to feel better, but insisted she go to the nearest clinic and have blood work done. Everything turned out to be ok, but it sure made me realize how much I love my mom!

I don't know if you can see Marcus' smile, but this smile was on him all week!

So Brigham was at a hard age, he was not comfortable walking, so he crawled all over, got so dirty, and put everything in his mouth!

He was trying to hard to hit the ball with the racket!

here is Ken, I mean Greg(Nice hair)!

NICE CHRIS!

The kids, and this is not all of them, there is 6 missing!

Lydia and Trey

Payton got up on the wakeboard, but would never stand up, I remember when I first got up on skis( I was eight), I never stood up either, I skied the whole loop in a squat.

Chris and Laurie catching some rays

Surfing was a fun thing to try. This is Payton and John.

These are my favorite pictures of the kids going off of the slide.

and Cam

Brigham really hated wearing the life jacket and didn't care to be on the boat much.

The air chair........John tried so hard to do it, he was up for a couple of seconds, it looked very difficult, but this is Travis showing off his back flip. That's all folks, sorry so late!

So, until I get my computer working.......

I can't get my pictures from Lake Powell, and Brigham's birthday up, so until then you can look at Michelle's blog, (thanks Michelle)she put some cute one's up. Brigham is now getting his first tooth, and I think he's getting them all at the same time, because he has been really miserable for a week. Of course you can look at Laur, Maryann, Laurie's and Michelle's blog for almost all the Lake Powell pictures, but I still have some I want to put up, so until I can I'll show you the family picture we are printing, Lannie (thanks)did it in a really cool tint for me, and I love them!

Our family PICTURES!

Life has been CRAZY, Lake Powell was a blast, hopefully I can get the pictures up. I can not believe I did not post on Brigham's birthday! I lost my phone, lost my camera, found my phone, found my camera, and our laptop broke, so I have to use our old computer which is slow, and is in Brigham's room. When Brig is sleeping, I can't blog (which is the time I would blog).

But, good news.... one of my best friends from High School came down to visit, and she took our family pictures. It was very stressful, and the place we chose to take it was an old barn I drive by every day(John could NOT see the vision.:)). There was never a time in the evening(because of us) that we could do it, so we did it at 10 AM, and there was only one side that was shaded, it was muddy because of the rain the night before, and trying to get four kids to cooperate it so challenging!!! But the results are awesome! Lydia's picture is my FAVORITE! I have never gotten a real good one of her, because she scrunches her nose and squints her eyes when she smiles, so THANKS Lannie for capturing a perfect one of her. Lannie and her husband shoot amazing photos, and they are up in Salt Lake. I HIGHLY recommend them. It was amazing what they captured in only a very short time (about one hour). Thank you Lannie. click here to see our pictures. You'll have to scroll down until you see Kemp family.

One year ago......

This beautiful baby boy (Wyatt Lewis Larsen) was born to a wonderful family who loves him soooo much. He was on this earth for 5 months and 3 weeks, and returned back to heaven after heart complications. This sweet boy has made a huge impact on my life. His life on this earth was long enough to make me strive to be better, to strive to draw nearer to my Savior, to strive to be a better Daughter of God. Wyatt, I know your family misses you dearly, you are so loved and I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday.
Saturday was the day before Wyatt's Birthday. Lots of friends, neighbors and family showed up to the Larsen's home to release balloons and honor Wyatt.

Derek and Andrea are an amazing couple. Their example of faith and strength have and will help so many.

I didn't think that Lydia really understood what was going on, but today in church, as we were leaving our first meeting, many were giving Andrea a hug, I wanted to also, but because there were others, I decided to wait, and talk/hug her a little later. As I was passing Andrea, Lydia tugged on my arm, and said, "Mom, give her a hug!"

What a beautiful, spiritual sight to see these balloons released. Wyatt was loved by so many.

Andrea and her husband Derek are really a couple to look up too. They grief, and the yearn to be with their Wyatt, but they have been such an example to me, Andrea has a blog that I love to read. If you would like to read her story, (I know I have referred to her blog often, and I hope she doesn't drop me as a friend.:) ) click on her name, leave her a comment, or just gain strength like I have, she has an amazing testimony.

Oh, their sweet little girl!

I had their oldest boy in my Weebelos (scouts) den, and he is just amazing. Such a good kid, and so smart. He never showed a whole lot of excitement at Den meetings, (he's a very much get things done kind of kid) but I remember the Wednesday before Andrea was going to be induced, he was like a boy the day before Christmas. I know he loves his brother so much, and this is not what he had imagined, but he is a strong boy. Also in this picture is their eldest daughter, she is too cute for words, such a sweet, and beautiful girl

Andrea, we love you so much!!! This is the best neighborhood ever, I absolutely love the pure love that is shown by everyone!

Thank you Andrea for your friendship, and Happy Birthday to Wyatt, this day will always be a special day, I know that I will never forget what this day means to me.

Peace of Heart

click here

Here comes the phone calls!

So last night I got a phone call from Payton and Marcus' bus driver. She is a substitute for 6 weeks, and said that Payton and Marcus were not listening. I remember last year when Marcus' teacher pulled me aside, and said that Marcus was being difficult. Well I did a lot of crying that day, wondering where I went wrong! I have grown up a little, and didn't cry, but took it as a chance to help the boys understand the importance of respecting adults.
I actually was really glad for the phone call, because, it has more of an affect on Marcus. He will push limits until he knows there is a line. So last night after a lot of talking, crying, and talking again, I think he understood that there was a line, and he had definitely crossed it. Payton struggles with Marcus, because he tries to control him and his actions, and if you know Marcus, that is not possible. Marcus works with enforced rules, and he will do things to just drive Payton CRAZY! Payton gets really frustrated, anyway, this was our night last night.
translation: Dear Bus Driver, I am so sorry, I will be more helpful I am so sorry I should be more respectful Love Marcus


Marcus was really proud, and finished saying ,"that was really sweet huh Mom?" I said, "yes, doesn't that feel good to help someone and do something nice?" They are really good kids, I love them so much, and I love all they are teaching me. I have been praying a lot to have the guidance to know how to handle each of their oh so different personalities, and the other day, I saw a Popsicle on my coffee table MELTING!!! My first reaction was to grab Marcus' arm ( I was pretty sure it was him) and bring him in and show him WHAT HE DID WRONG! I felt a very strong "NO, just clean up the mess, and when he does something GOOD THEN pull him in and show him what he did good!" I did just clean up the mess, and I am trying to focus on seeing the good things all my kids do.(which unfortunately do not have the same impact as something they did wrong!)