God Sanctifies Your Most Difficult Days

"To mothers, especially young mothers, who often feel overwhelmed and underwater while striving to raise 'a sin-resistant generation,' never underestimate your central role in God's plan. In stressful moments-perhaps when you are chasing little ones and a charred smell from the kitchen informs you that your lovingly prepared dinner is now a burnt offering-know that God sanctifies your most difficult days."
 - Elder Brian K. Taylor

Patient Covenant Keeping

"Patiently keeping our covenants while we 'do what is necessary' to receive answers from the Lord is part of God's pattern for learning truth. Especially when things are hard, we may be required to 'submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.' Patient covenant keeping increases our humility, deepens our desire to know truth, and allows the Holy Ghost to 'guide us in wisdom's paths that we may be blessed, prospered, and preserved."
 - Thomas S. Monson

Moving Time

After almost a year of looking at houses we finally found one we both liked and thought would be suitable for the next 20 years. By the time our realtor drove home to submit the offer, the house was sold. This market is crazy cut throat! We were really disappointed, especially Lance, he was pretty upset. I reminded him that if the Lord wants us to be in that house then something will happen and the house will be available again. Deals fall through all the time. Two weeks later our realtor called us and said the house is going back on the market but the seller would not accept any offer contingent on a house being sold. So that night we put our house on the market.

In the next 18 hours we had three competing offers, all over the asking price. We accepted an offer on our house and as we were submitting our offer on the new house, they were getting more offers! Ugh! But they did accept ours this time so we'll be closing on both homes June 14. Unfortunately, the kids and I are leaving for summer vacation two days after closing so it'll be a really tight deadline.

We're happy about this home, its about 4-5 miles east of here nestled in the hills of a great neighborhood. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 3600 square feet. It does need a few repairs and updating throughout but it's totally livable. I think we'll shoot for remodeling it in 5 years.

The worst part is that we'll be in a different ward by only one street! We really love our ward and I've met so many great new people since the stake changed all of boundaries last year. But I also have faith that this is where we're supposed to be and the Lord made it all work out. I'm SO excited to have more space!!! But now the real work begins.

Kindermusik

Cora has loved her music class and it's proven to be worth it as extra "therapy." Julie's mom is her teacher and she's so wonderful with kids. This was her last day of class, the kids put on a little show for the parents. When they all walked in, Cora refused to come into the room. She wouldn't do it, she didn't like all the grown ups staring at her and the formality. So she hid in the corner so nobody could see her.

Eventually we convinced her to sit by Daddy, but she wouldn't participate in the group musical numbers at all.

Each child performed a solo of their choosing, Cora chose the Finger Family nursery song. I knew if there was to be any chance of her singing it she would need someone to be with her so Lance accompanied her on the ukulele and sang. But it was still too much for her, she stayed on the floor and covered her ears with her hands and rocked back and forth. Afterward each child received a set of maracas from Ms. Teresa and had little party. So fun!

Spring Time Fun

Little Maestro

Lance has started to teach Kimball informal piano lessons and Kimball loves it. He's picking up on it pretty quickly and Lance said he even has good pitch. Hopefully his love for music only deepens.

Potty Training Complete!

This girl has mastered potty training! I'm so proud of her, this is such a big milestone and I wasn't even sure if it was possible. But she's proving once again that she can do whatever she sets her mind to! This was her final prize that she picked out.

Ezra turned 1!

My sweet baby turned 1 year old, I can't believe it!!! He's still the wiggliest, squirmiest, on-the-go baby ever. He tries hard to keep up with Cora and Kimball. He's pretty stoic and makes you work for a smile but is a pretty happy baby and so playful. He's the light of Cora and Kimball's life, they want to be with him all the time and it's so sweet to watch the sibling relationships develop. We love you, little buddy!

Love My Cubs!

 

Spring Barbershop Show

This was Lance's spring barbershop show, they did a great job. He's singing here with his quartet the Blue Jeans. The director is taking a "long vacation" so Lance is now the official director of the chorus for at least 6 months. This past weekend they went to a district competition in Missoula, MT and had a great time. Their score was 59.1 (they were hoping for 59) and wanted to be the novice quartet which they were not named. But they had a great time and it was a good little vacation for him.

Thank you, Julie!

This family means the world to me. Julie is my best friend and without her friendship in Spokane, I'd be pretty lonely. She's my voice of reason and a great encourager. She's an excellent Mama to her tribe of 6 and I'm so thankful she's my friend!

Potty Training Week 3 & 4

Week 3 proved to be the pivotal week, Cora finally figured out how to use that little muscle and just let the pee out. She'll go when I ask her to and doesn't hold it any more. This is huge!!! Because she doesn't hold it, that also means she doesn't throw fits and going to the bathroom is not a dramatic 30-60 minute ordeal anymore ending with both of us in tears. What a relief!!! (Pun intended).

With this week being week 4, we're working on her going before running errands, playing outside, before leaving the house, etc. Occasionally she'll still hold in her poo so we're working on that this week as well. She has a lot more confidence and understanding and is much happier. That also means I'm much happier! 

She filled up her second potty chart and it seems to be a great motivator so I'm going to stick with it. I appreciate the support of Mom and Dad sending Cora rewards as well, Grandpa sent her a box of chocolates this week. She's so sweet she wanted to share with all of us, they were delicious. I'm so proud of Cora, this is such a big deal and a big feat for her!!

My Boys

For unknown reasons Kimball hasn't been sleeping well and this particular night he'd been out of bed several times crying. I finally just decided to snuggle him and that pint-sized 6 year old fell right asleep on my lap. I was so tired, it was almost midnight and I really wanted to go to bed. But I thought to myself, "Self, this may be the last time he falls asleep on your lap." So I quieted down my own concerns for sleep and just relished in the moment.

This little guy is all over the place and never holds still. Before I know it he'll be in Kindergarten and I'll wish he still got into everything.