Easter Break - Part I

To begin our Spring Break some of our FAVORITE people came to visit

from Arkansas - Burger and Gramma Smith

We are so glad they fit us into their busy travling schedule. They treat us like family and we try to do the same for them - since they were our family in Arkansas.

They came Friday night and Saturday morning we went to Livie's soccer game.

Then we headed over to Costco (have I mentioned they don't have one in AR -So SAD!)

After Costco, Colleen wanted to treat the girls to new outfits at Old Navy so off to the mall we went.

The girls in their new "threads".

McKenna

Livie

Maya

The girls did a fashion show for us so here's a little video of the event.

(This is one of those, only a gramma would care about this video's.)

(BTW, you have to know what is on their t-shirts to understand why they are doing what they are doing.)

Then they took us to an AWESOME Japanese Restaurant:

Colleen and Maya

Randy (aka Burger) and Olivia

McKenna (before the chef came out and made the big fire.)

After the fire.

The FOOD!

YUMMY!
On Monday, Colleen and Randy took the girls camping.  One of the girls FAVORITE things to do with them.  They got to stay in their camper.  Tim and I came for dinner but went home and left ALL 4 girls.
I came back in the morning to pick them up and then the Smith's went on their way home.

Tim being manly!  Who wear's flip flops camping?

Alexa being a teeny bopper!

We had to get a shot of the fake flowers around the tree at the camp site. 
Aren't they lovely?

Here we all are trying to roast marshmallow's on a fire that wasn't starting.
(I don't want to name any names, BUT someone didn't haven any fire starters.  I'm just sayin')

I LOVE this look on McKenna's face. 

(Notice the two people she has wrapped around her finger.)

Last but not least, here is our sad little fire that we tried and tried to make last. 

I should put a disclaimer, that ALL the wood around was soaked because of all the rain.

Thanks so much, Randy & Colleen.  We love to have you visit
and can't wait for the next time.

GO ANGELS!

This year, Livie decided she wanted to play soccer. Not only did she want to play soccer but her dad decided that he would coach. The sceptic that I am, I was a little concerned. First, Livie is my most timid child and I worried about her being afraid on the field. Second, if you know my husband, he is NOT timid and VERY competitive and I didn't know how that would mix with 8 and 9 year old girls. I am pleased to say that I was MOSTLY wrong. I wasn't wrong that Tim is not timid and VERY competitive (some things are just predictable.) Livie, however, has NOT been timid and has gotten in the game and even scored a goal. Tim is great with the girls and has really been taking time at practices to teach them. They all seem to be having a great time and the parents have enjoyed Coach Tim along with his asst. coach, Joe. One parent said that she was so glad that Tim yell's so loud in the game because all the parents know what he is saying and don't have to yell to their own daughters - he does it for them. Here are a few shots from one of the games.

Tim

Livie (notice the socks pulled up over her knees - it was COLD that morning.) You can't see Livie very well but she is the one in front of #8 going for the ball.

(I'm definitely not a photographer)
Tim
Looking Coach-like!

After the game! BIG WIN!

I hate to say this because the girls have one more game to go but they are undefeated so far.

They are a good little team with 2 good coaches that have taught them to work as a team.

GO ANGELS!

My Motivational Speaker!

I just shared this story with my mom and she told me I should write it down. I figured if I wrote it on a piece of paper I might lose it and why do that when I can blog it right here for all 3 of you to experience also.

I think I have mentioned before that my little, Maya is full of confidence. I don't know how she got it all except I think she was born with it and I'm glad that she's got it. As a child, I was as shy as they come and so this girl teaches me something new everyday. She loves to bear her testimony at church, loves to be called on at school (we have told her numerous times that she needs to let the other kids answer also.) She LOVED being in her school play and having a speaking part (more on that later.) She is so anxious to dance in her dance recital. She is my polar opposite.

Just a few minutes ago I was reminded of how we should feel about ourselves from this little wealth of knowledge. Livie was folding up a drawing that she didn't like and was going to throw it away. Maya pipes up and asks her why she's throwing it away. Livie responds with that she doesn't like it.
Maya: You shouldn't throw it away. Even if someone makes fun of it or something. You should keep it.
Now at this point I'm thinking, "great, another piece of paper to keep. Maya, don't encourage that, I'd much rather have it thrown away."
But I simply asked, "Maya, why do you say that?"
Maya: Because, you should be proud of what you draw because YOU did it.

What? What 7 year old has that kind of wisdom?

Now it may not seem like much to some but as I listened I realized that this girl is here to teach me. It's definitely not they way I think or look at things and I'm so glad I have her around to remind me of how important even a simple drawing is. No wonder she enjoys life so much.

Do you know where your tea party's at?

April 15, 2010

-Winston Salem, NC-

Wake Forest Univ.

5:30pm

See you there!

The Chosen Land! (This is for you, Jean)

Many of us have been watching how the politicians have been failing us this year. Last night was one of those moments. I waited all day wondering if I wanted to post anything - my emotions have gone from FRUSTRATION, to OUTRAGE, to FEAR, to HOPELESSNESS. When I talked to my mom she said that she was sent this quote that was uplifting to her. I thought it was just what we need to hear at a time like this.

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail. I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."


Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World, pp. 350-351

Don't you love that? All of us that have been fighting this battle - going to Tea Party's, writing and calling our representatives, staying informed, and educating ourselves truly believe that "this is the greatest country in all the world." Knowing this brings comfort to me but blessings like this don't come without hard work. We still need to do our part to help KEEP this the greatest country in the world!

Food Storage

I'm sure with this title you are probably thinking you don't really want to read this post. Who wants to hear about food storage? Well, I do. I was introduced to a new way of storing my food. Well organized and yummy things to eat. Go HERE to see this blog. You can also find segments of her presentation on You Tube! Well worth the watch. I don't have everything I need yet for my food storage but I have it all organized and know EXACTLY what I need to have a full year's supply. Not to mention I don't feel like it's weighing me down worried about if I have enough or what I'm going to make with all that wheat or the worst, ROTATING.

Anyway the point of all this is that one of the ideas she has is to have a solar oven in case of an emergency. You can bake jar cakes in the oven. Put the lid on and they will seal and they can sit on your shelf and stay fresh for a LONG LONG LONG time. That way on a day that the sun is not out and you can't cook with your oven you have cakes already made from when the sun WAS shining. Well, I don't have my solar oven yet but we decided to try out the jar cakes in the regular oven. The girls thought it was great, of course. Who wouldn't want cake?

First we made the batter (just a box mix.)

Second you have to coat the jar with crisco to keep the cake from sticking.

Third: You fill the jars about 1/2 way and bake it. After they come out of the oven put the lid on and in a few minutes they seal. Easy Peasy.

The verdict: The girls ate it all!

I'm a big girl!

McKenna thinks because she has 3 older sisters that she can do whatever they can do. She LOVES having her nails painted. The other night we were working outside. I was fertilizing the lawn, the girls were playing in the yard, and Tim was cleaning out the cars (after a long cold winter). McKenna was "helping" him. While he was vaccuuming, McKenna found a bottle of nail polish in the car and decided she wanted to paint her own nails. Here's her art work:

After taking a closer look (nervous that there would be nailpolish EVERYWHERE) we found that she did her toes also. Amazingly, she only got 2 little tiny spots on the seats of the car - thank goodness for leather.

I had to add this picture because after an experience like that, I want to remember that she is such a sweet little girl, especially when she's sleeping.

Alexa Piano Festival #2

So, for some reason there is an error on the other song and I can't upload it. I'll have to record her playing it another time. While we were waiting for Alexa's turn we decided to take some pics.

Alexa and Lisa (her piano teacher)

Alexa, Daddy and Livie
Alexa and Daddy

Alexa expressing how she was feeling before she went in to play.

The Babe!

National Federation Junior Festivals

Alexa was able to perform in a festival again this year. She plays in front of a judge only (no one else is in the room.) They score them on their pieces. They play one required piece and one song of their own choosing. Before she had to go in, we went to a practice room and recorded her playing. She was pretty nervous but held it together so well. I think she actually performed it better in front of the judge than in these clips (we listened through the door.) She recived a rating of Superior for the second year in a row. We are so proud of her. Not as much for the Superior as we are for the effort she put into practicing. Great job, girl!

Elegy in E

For some reason the other song won't load. I guess I'll have to try it later.

Watch out American Idol

McKenna loves to sing. Here she is singing for me. Notice the "microphone" - enjoy the lyrics - it's a catchy tune. (Again, sorry about the sideways shot.)

A few days after her rock star performance we decided to do her hair to match.

Her sisters came up with the idea to put the pick in her hair.

Nice Touch!

All done up. She loved it and really loved the attention she got at church. Except the next day when it still had some curl in it and I just pulled back the top, she looked in the mirror and said, "I don't lika my hair, mommy. I don't lika it.)

Maybe she really DOES think she's a rock star and is trying to have a Rock star attitude.