Spring Break

We took a family road trip for Spring Break. I needed a get away and was dieing to go skiing. Off we went to Utah. This was the weather the first couple of days.

Winter wonderland!

Cousins hanging out and getting to know each other again. Alec was the "Big Brother" to all his little cousins. They loved hanging with him.
Friends...together in Utah! We brought Jenna along with us for some fun and relaxation.

Sledding in my parent's backyard on Saturday night.

Playing a little "Just Dance" on the Wii

Brighton

Ski day
It had been over 20 years since I had been on a

pair of skis.

So much fun!!

The "old " lady still has it!!
Kenzie getting the feel of it.

It was the first time for Kenzie, Jenna, Jensen and Alec.

They all did so good!
Speedy Gonzales...Jenna

Jensen figuring it all out!

Alec working the slopes.

And this was the weather at the end of our trip.

Sunshine, warm temps, flowers, cousins and

Friends.

There were a few more highlights of the trip...

- Scott was sick with a sinus infection

- Spent a day at BYU getting questions answered for Kenzie

- BYU creamery...the BEST ice cream

- Training Table for lunch...Yumm

- Temple Square and the Lion House

- New cell phones for Kenzie and I

- Eating lots of Cinnamon Rolls

- Shopping at the "Holy Cow" Boutique (only in Pleasant Grove)

- Scott and Alec playing Basketball at the church (benefits of having your mom be Stake Relief Society President)

- Playing Just Dance on the wii

- and the long drive....oh, ya...Scott getting a speeding ticket on the way home just outside of Page. Big Bummer!

It was a great Spring Break and a much needed getaway. Now it is back to reality.

What are you doing?

Well, here we are with Spring Break upon us. I thought I would take a moment and list some great ideas for Spring Break. The possibilities are endless.

• Declutter the house....kids closet's and clothes, pantry, garage, anywhere that is a dumping ground. If you don't need it, use it or want it; just TOSS IT! Make piles to donate, garage sale, garbage, etc... Maybe you take one area each day to work on. Your house will look amazing at the end of the week.

• Organize...I personally LOVE this. Perhaps the pantry shelves need some work, kitchen cupboards, drawers, kids toys, rooms. Find a system that works for you. For example; I line up my can goods in rows in the pantry. They are easy to see and find. Toys are kept in plastic tubs, red bins or cubbies depending on which room they are in. Each dresser drawer is for one clothing type; pants, shorts, Tshirts, and underwear and socks go together. Easier for my kids to get things back in their proper places.

• Yard Work...beautify the yard. Plant flowers, a garden, get rid of the enormous amount of weeds. This is great to do as a family.

• Road Trip...great family bonding if you decide to hit the road. Perhaps you are seeing family, taking a short jaunt to California, seeing a new area or just checking out Arizona. So much fun to be had with the family on the road. I LOVE road trips with the family!

• Local Fun...Perhaps you are staying home and taking in the fantastic weather that Arizona will be having. You could see a movie, go to the Grand Canyon, go skiing, Ice Skating, Basketball, chilly swim in your pool, Barbeque, backyard movie and smores, hiking, Kartchner Caverns, golfing, bike rides or a fun game night.

• Deep Cleaning...Think of all those endless areas in the house that don't always get a little TLC. Blinds, cleaning the carpets, baseboards, light fixtures, ceiling fans, scrub the walls, light switches, dusty niches, windows (in and out). I am tired thinking about it, but if the kids help you and you do a little each day, your house will SPARKLE!

• Home Improvement Project...paint a room or two, paint the cupboards, redecorate a room, rearrange a room, redo the tile, new baseboards, new faucet, new light fixture, new door knobs, hang some shelving for more storage or work on your landscaping.

Spring is in the air! Whatever your plans are, I hope you have a FABULOUS Spring Break. Enjoy your kids and the week of no schedules, no homework and unlimited bonding time. I know I will! :)

~shoes~

One shoe can change your life.....

"Cinderella"

A friend has this quote in her house and I just love it!

How true it is on so many levels.

"I am sorry"

Yesterday I sat in my sweats, watching sad movies, feeling the weight of my trial and eating cookie dough. I was not able to function. This trial was taking everything out of me and the weight was becoming unbearable. I had said countless prayers and was waiting for my answer in how to proceed forward.

I started reflecting. I wonder if the Savior felt like this at times, although I am sure his pain was much greater than mine. The Savior endured so much for each of us. I can not imagine all that he burdened. I am so grateful for all he did on my behalf.

As I sat pondering these thoughts it came! The spirit spoke to me loud and clear. It was not a whisper. It was a strong, loud, clear voice... ASK FOR FORGIVENESS.

It was going to take get strength on my part. I was going to need help. This would be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I did know that with the Savior by my side I would be able to accomplish this.

In life we look for the right and the wrong, but there is not always a right and a wrong. So then what do we do?

It is inevitable that through our life we may offend someone and we most likely do not mean to offend and we may not even be aware that it has occurred. In YW's we talked about being a peacemaker. If you truly intend to be a peacemaker, you must be willing to take the high road, apologize and ask for forgiveness. That is not always easy.

I never meant to offend. It seems that somewhere along the way I did. So, I mustered up all my courage and strength. I baked some beautiful loaves of homemade bread (a little comfort food.) And off I went.

I will not sugar coat this...saying "I am sorry" and asking for forgiveness is not always an easy task. There were some that I needed to make amends with. With the Savior by my side I knew I would be able to do this. I was so nervous and sick inside.

I felt so much better once I had asked for forgiveness and apologized. The weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was lighter and free. It is such a great feeling. I know that I have done my part. It is up to the others to forgive and forget.

What did I learn....communication is so very important, there is not always a right or a wrong, we should not try to lay blame on someone and saying "I am sorry" is so freeing. Prayer guided me step by step. I am so grateful for the power of prayer and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

This just proves that my word for the year...."I Can Do" is so fitting. I Can Do!! I endured, learned, leaned on great friends, had wise counsel and connected with my Heavenly Father.

influence

Influence is all around us...good or bad. It is up to us to filter and decide what is right or wrong. It is always easier when you surround yourself with good influences.


I am so grateful for the good influences in my life. I have such an incredible group of women that are my good influences. They are amazing examples to me, pillars of strength, strong in the gospel and grounded in life.


Satan works so hard on each of us. Trials, discouragement, disappointment, etc... When you feel these, it is Satan hard at work.


My life has been full of these lately. It has taken me quite some time to put my thoughts down. Satan is working very hard on me right now. Along with the above mentioned, he has also brought anger, frustration, contention, self-doubt and countless tears.


Through it all, I have one constant....."PRAYER." I have found myself in prayer a lot lately. That is where I find peace, comfort, strength and assurance. Prayer is simply amazing!


I know I am here to learn, be tried and endure. I am profoundly grateful for the communication that I can have with my Heavenly Father. He knows me better than anyone and therefore can uplift me when life gets extremely difficult.

We only get one shot at this life. What you put into it is what you will get out of it. Life is too short and precious to have negative influences surrounding you. At some point the negativity seeps in to your life and others around you. It is a poison that slowly erodes away at everything.

As I endure this trial I know that I am not alone. Prayer will comfort me and bring peace, my numerous good influences will continue to buoy me up and I will make it through this difficult time. There are lessons to be learned and blessings to receive.