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!)

IT WORKED

I have been trying forever, to get videos on, because I really want to put the kids really cute hip hop. Thanks Laurie, for your help, I changed the properties, and it still didn't work, but it worked when I downloaded them again from my camera. I was downloading the hip hop video again, and then it stopped and said I didn't have any more space, so that will come soon. This is a video of Brig's first step, ON my BIRTHDAY!

Sorry, no time

But read my Sunday thoughts on my new blog

From the mouth of Lydia, "Flies, get off of my strawberry, go outside and eat your own strawberry!"

SIMPLIFY

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. - Confucius
I really need this! (click on the red word:))and this

What a WEEKEND!!!!

I know that the boys started school August 12th, but I never posted this pic because it was on John's phone, so here it is. They were so excited to start school, and both are doing well.The morning Lydia started school, I was on the phone trying to fix a mistake I made on a bill, and then when I got off, I realized we had like 10 minutes to get ready! So she is eating her breakfast on her way to her school.
I'm really excited that we started this little preschool, because IT'S FREE!!!! There are five ladies in the neighborhood, we switch off, so I will teach once every five weeks!

So the weekend started with this cute performance, Brielle and Lydia got to perform at the High School half time. That was a lot more work than needed, but Lydia LOVED it. She was so cute, not shy, and fun to watch perform. I thought I was recording the whole thing, but I guess I pushed the wrong button.

I have to say though, Lydia has been a little sassy(nice word) lately. She just has such a bossy attitude, she loves to boss the boys around, and at first it was cute, but it's starting to not be so cute. Anyway, at half time, they told us to take our girls to the gate. They wouldn't let us go on the track with them, and it was just caotic with 100+ little girls. Well, my friend's little girl was in there when I went up with Lydia, and my friend was worried that her little girl would get scared again(there was an instance during one of the rehearsals when she got left by a cheerleader). I told Lydia to go find her and help her find her spot. Lydia ran in, found her, put her arm around her, and took her over to her spot. Oh, it made me proud. What a sweetie!

Lydia and her cousin Brielle, this is probably the only decent picture of the whole night.
Saturday morning I got up at 5am to run a 20 mile race. Thanks Michelle for taking these pictures. I am so grateful I had Sara to run with, she kept up the perfect pace, and I just kept talking trying to forget I was running 20 miles! I felt great, we got a decent time(3:06), and as soon as the race was over, I could barely walk(because of a blister I started to get at mile 18), and my head cold was back. I came home slept for 3 or 4 hours, and it took everything for me to get up and go to Payton's first football game!

This is a picture of Sara, me, and Shannon. Shannon is training for the marathon, and she is running her 20 miles on Saturday, ew, ew, I do NOT envy her!

We started the race about 3 or 4 minutes after the gun went off because they only had 2 port a potties, and we were in line, so we spent the whole race trying to catch up to Cam. He ran in about 9 minutes ahead of us.
Where's my picture of Payton's game? Well, it's not here, I'm a horrible mom. It was at 4:20, and it was blistering hot. I had my camera, but I only took video.

These are third graders, and it is intense. We were a little frustrated, because Payton stood on the sidelines the whole first half. Both the coaches have boys on the team, and there are about 5 that are good friends with them.(They're all good players too) John has really stayed out of the way as a parent, because he is a coach, and he knows how parents can get.
It was really hard for me to not think in my head the whole time of what I would do when I would call the coach, email him and say, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Ok, so I probably wouldn't, but it was so very hard.
After the half time Payton got to play, he did play quite a bit the second half, but it was always on defense. He did a good job, he was so nervous before the game. After the game, we hugged him, told him GREAT JOB, and then asked how he liked it. He told us that he didn't think it would be that much fun. He didn't say anything about not playing very much, or not playing offense, and he still loves it.
There was a time in the game where he was the safety and he ran from clear across the field to try to tackle a player running in for a touchdown. He didn't get him, and they got a touchdown. I was really watching Payton's reaction and he pounded on his helmet and kicked his foot a little. After the game, I asked him why he got so mad, and he said,"I am the safety, I should've gotten him, and our coach said that if we won and they were zero, he would buy us all a big texas doughnut!"

WHAT AM I THINKING???

Honestly, 20 miles, am I nuts!!!! I am planning on running a 20 mile race tomorrow, signed up 3 days ago am I ready? We'll see Will I make it? We'll see, doesn't help to have a cold sinus headache!!!!!!!!! If you read this tonight, maybe say a little prayer for me :)

I'M AWAKE!!!!

I remember listening to Sheri Dew speak, and I will always remember one thing she said, and it has stuck with me ever since. She said that when we wake up in the morning, Satan should say, "oh great, she's awake!" Yesterday I had an experience that made me realize that I am going to fight, fight for my family. On Sunday, our Sunday school teacher said something that stuck with me too. Our lesson was on addictions, and he told of an experience he had with a young man when he was in the bishopric. The young man came into his office hurt and frustrated, and very remorseful because of an internet sight he came across that was phonographic. Our teacher couldn't help but think about the what if's, What if his parents took the necessary precautions that would have stopped him from even seeing this sight? I sat there realizing that I could do better. I tend to live my life understanding that the world around us is full of evil and corruption, but I take a stand on the sidelines, and watch our children get exposed to it each and every day, thinking that there is not much I can do to change the way the world is. I know there are things that we will not be able to keep them from, but do our kids have the armor on that they will need, and yes we can take a stand and change some of the things that are happening in our own community! Anyway, I spent most of the morning filled with such a burning desire to do something more! My side ached because I was so filled with fire to step up and fight. I know that this is so important right now, and I wasn't sure what to do right at that moment, but I knew something had to change, so I decided to set up a blog that is designated to my fight for my kids, and my family, and so I can keep this blog for all the fun pictures and fun outings, but my new blog www.standfortruthandright.blogspot.com is where I will daily post things that I know that I need to be doing. that's it for now, no more preaching on this blog, but you're welcome to come and visit me, and leave your comments.

THREE POSTS IN ONE DAY!!!!

Well, Laur had her baby on 19th, and we all didn't want to wait until our powell trip to see him(Crew Charles Reber), so Michelle and Cam headed down Friday, and Maryann and I went down Sunday morning. It was a quick trip, but so worth it! Maryann and Jayni drove down with me , Brigham, Payton, and Marcus. I left Lydia home with John. I loved the drive to Flagstaff, it was beautiful, and while we were driving, I told Maryann to take a picture of the beautiful mountains, and this is the picture she took, you can tell in the picture that she thought she was being so funny!!! Ok, Mares, you are a beautiful creation!
We got to Flagstaff, and were able to eat dinner with Cam and Michelle, and then say goodbye to them, it was perfect though, because we just have way too many KIDS!

Maryann did Laur's hair while we were there, I helped a little:)

We wanted to get a picture of the three of us, so we had Marcus take it, it was very challenging getting a decent one. Jayni thought she'd help.

Good job Marcus pretty decent picture, dang if only we thought of getting one when Michelle was there.

The weather in Flagstaff is beautiful, it was so nice to get a little rainstorm in the afternoon. Marcus was in heaven because he is so active, and there was always so much to do! The kids played in the rain until there was thunder that sounded like a gun shot!

Maryann and I went on a bike ride that Laur and Travis went on all the time before Laur got pregnant. No wonder she got so skinny, it was a KILLER, but very beautiful, and we both forgot our cameras. This is a picture of Brig in the baby seat, I asked Payton to watch him while I ran and got my camera, and this is what I found when I got back.

Lar, Mares, and Michelle chillin', and Sadie in her cute sunglasses!

So, now everyone in my family has one girl, and Every one of those girls are so dog gone cute! This is Sadie(Laur's girl), and Jayni(Maryann's girl).

Payton was so excited Saturday night to see Caden, he came in to my room Sunday morning at 3;00 AM, and told me he couldn't sleep. He was a little under the weather all weekend, but loved every second of being in Flagstaff. Marcus had this smile on all weekend!