Saturday, June 28, 2014

Warriors Over The Wasatch

Hill Air Force Base had an open house air show today (Warriors Over The Wasatch).  David worked on a project for Big D on the base a few years ago, so he has been there quite a bit.  I however, have never actually been on the base and have always found it fascinating living right next to a community of people that I can not have access to.  So, as you can imagine, I was super excited to do this today.
 We left early so we would beat the crowds and I am so very glad that we did.  We were able to walk right up to the detectors to get in to the air show, after driving onto the base,  but as we were leaving the lines were ridiculously long.  We talked to a neighbor later who went in the afternoon and their family was not even able to drive onto the base because there was no where left to park, so they had to walk quite a distance.
 We got to walk right through this C-5, which was super cool.
 (Hyrum, David, Levi and Brigham in front of a F15 with TSGT Eddy ~Technical Sergeant~)
 There were airmen everywhere so we were able to ask all kinds of questions.
After looking at most of the displays of the aircrafts we sat down to watch the air show.  It was getting hot and the boys were hungry so this is when we started to really hear the whining.  It was so neat to watch the different stunts we were seeing but after a while, I knew it was best that we leave.  But living on the edge of HAFB makes it easy to do that and not feel like we were missing out on anything.  We drove off base, got lunch and took it to Rohmer Park in Washington Terrace and continued to watch the show.  It was from a little bit of a distance but it was still great and a little more relaxing actually without the crowds.  

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE where we live?????

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Exploding Bags

Peggy invited the boys and I over to try out an experiment for her blog.  I was more than willing to get the boys out of the house and playing outside.
(Mine, Peggy's and Virginia's kids)
 So first, we put cornstarch, vinegar, and food coloring in a plastic sandwich bag. 
Then we put some baking soda in the middle of piece of paper towel, wrapped it up and put it in the bag.  We quickly closed the bag up and then...
 BOOM!


 Everyone loved it!  It was nice to get out of the house, experiment, and then play with old and new friends.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Big D Construction Kids Fair 2014


Every summer Big D Construction puts on a Kids Fair for the children of its employees.  It's geared towards teaching the little ones how to safely deal with anything from tools to first aid.  It started off with a 5K run/walk.  Levi and Brigham started off running as fast as they could while David and I walked with Hyrum.  Before I knew it, Brigham came back wheezing.  I was MORE than happy to go back to the car with him to get his inhaler and just wait for the rest of our family at the finish line!  I walk on the treadmill almost every day but I don't care to run....at all!
Levi was the first in our family to cross the finish line.  He ran the 3 1/2 miles the whole way and I was so proud of him! 
David would have liked to have said the same thing but a certain little Bitty didn't care so much for the sport in this race.
(Brigham and Hyrum climbing the tower with Daddy watching over)
Even though there was a lot to teach the kids about safety, the boys flocked to all the fun stuff like this rock climbing tower...
 and building cars...
and painting them...
using their strength to get this ride to spin and...
miniature golfing.
While David, Levi, and Brigham got on a crane Hyrum and I kept ourselves busy with silly pictures.  Hyrum has a fear of heights and a love for silly faces just like his momma!

It was a great time, other than the heat, and I really appreciated Big D Constructions effort to do this every summer for the kids.


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Terrace Days

Washington Terrace had their "Terrace Days" on Saturday.  Which kind of makes me chuckle since it was really only one day.  In their defense, there was a movie in the park on Friday night that I guess could have technically stretched it to "days."
As you can see from the background of this picture, there were not very many people at the movie.  But that is Washington Terrace for you.  It is just a small community of a little over 9,000 people.  Back home, that is still a bigger town but for here that is super small.  We don't have a grocery store, fast food chain, or even a post office.  It  is pretty much just homes and I love it!

So the next day (Saturday) was when the activities actually started.  At Rohmer park in the evening they had bounce houses, venders, and prizes to be won.

One of the venders were raising money for reptiles that were rescued.  Brave Hyrum even pet an alligator.

 Later that night we were waiting for the fireworks to start when Daddy thought it would be fun to ride down the hill on a cardboard box.
As you can see, it was a hit!  Even other little kids who didn't know us came up and asked if they could ride down on our little makeshift ride.

It got cold that night so we all cuddled under some blankets while watching the fireworks.

The fireworks were relaxing and I loved knowing that families on Hill Air Force Base would be able to watch them as well.  I LOVE WHERE WE LIVE!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Ogden Nature Center

Every Saturday this summer, the Ogden area has free activities through the RAMP program.  Last week David took Levi and Hyrum to the Roy Rec Center.  Today we enjoyed the Ogden Nature Center.  When I told Hyrum where we would be going today he exclaimed, "I LOVE THAT PLACE!"  I couldn't think of when he would have went since we haven't lived in this area for long and I have been to almost all the boy's field trips.  I guess the nature center brought some of their birds to the school, which he told us ALL about later while there today.

 As we walked up to the center there were tons of different handmade birdhouses made by children and adults from the community.  This was our favorite!

We went on a guided hike while we learned about the wild birds as well as their surroundings.

Along the hike, we were told to pick small amounts of vegetation so that we could make a bracelet later.
The older boys didn't want to do it.  I am so glad that Hyrum still likes to do stuff like this and that Daddy is more than willing to help.

Hyrum got super excited when he saw this Bald Eagle.  He told us that this was one of the birds that came to his school.  A Bald Eagle isn't supposed to be in captivity but one of the main goals of the center here is to either rehabilitate birds that have been hurt or give them a safe place for the remainder of their lives if rehabilitation is not an option.  The Bald Eagle here is of the latter.  One of his wings was permanently broken from a hunting accident.  

The whole trip was fun there but the best part was listening to Hyrum tell us all about the birds.  He's got quite the good memory! 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Cousin Time With Shane


Hannah and Shane came to Utah for a quick visit.  She flew in for a wedding and we reaped the benefits by getting to spend lots of alone time with Shane.
The boys enjoyed time at Victory Park.
While Shane enjoyed following around the cats the majority of the time.
And I enjoyed having a baby around the house once again.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Forever Friends

On Sunday, we said goodbye to some friends and on Tuesday I was able to say hello to a few that I hadn't seen in a while.

I was thinking about all the places my family and I have moved to that have led us to different people.  We truly have been blessed with so many good people to surround us in our journeys.  But these friends that I met with these last few days were ones that we will never lose contact with.  

(David pulled all the kids around on this blanket.  I love my playful husband!)
 
 We had a "goodbye" dinner with the Brennan family.  I went to college with Ben (Bin) and it seems that no matter how much each of our families move around, we end up following each other!  But sorry, we are not moving back to California guys.  Though, I love having a reason to go back and visit!

Then on Tuesday I met with Rose, Tricia and her mom at Costa Vida for dinner.  Rose was visiting from Oklahoma and since her birthday was just a few days ago, we celebrated with cake.  As you can see from Tricia's face, we were having a little too much fun!
(Back: Rose and Alisa  Front:  Tricia and Joy)
From there I went to the airport to pick up Hannah and Shane!
(I love the look on Shane's face, like "What a freak!")

You know, sometimes in-laws can be hard to deal with.  I sure have been blessed with wonderful ones though.  I love that Hannah.  She fit into our family quicker than any of the spouses.  She really did.  

So here it is Thursday and I miss all my friends.  But that just makes it all the sweeter when the time comes that I get to see them again.
 




Sunday, June 8, 2014

Sacrament Talk


Just wanted to document my talk from today, given in Sacrament meeting.  David spoke on Repentance as well.
 
 
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I was asked to give a talk on Repentance.  I will be referring a lot to a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott titled, “Finding Forgiveness.”

None of us wake up in the morning, lie in bed and think, “What sin can I commit today?”  I think I can safely say that everyone in this room who has made the effort to come to church today really wants to do what is right in life.  But we all get distracted.  We all make small choices that eventually lead to big mistakes.  

Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Sin will always, always, result in suffering.  It may come sooner, or it may come later, but it will come.”

There is a song that I would like to share with you by the group Casting Crowns called “Slow Fade.”  It speaks of “Little Eyes” and “Little Feet” but young and old can learn much from the lyrics.

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade


Just like this song says, we have been taught in church and general conferences that Satan rarely tempts us with the big things.  He starts slowly with the little things.  It is a slow fade, like this song says.  Sometimes we forget that and in so we end up justifying small sins.  Years ago I was in a Sunday school class with my husband where types of sin were being brought up.  A certain comment made, indicated that it really only matters how severe the sin is.  David turned to me and said, “Sin is sin.  It doesn’t matter what the severity of the sin is because any sin will keep you from the presence of God.”  Think about that for a moment.

Moses 6:25

We can have 2 reactions to that.
 We can believe that all hope is lost because if something as minor as thinking bad thoughts will keep us from the presence of God just as much as if we actually did what we thought, well, there is no hope for any of us.  Or…
We can marvel at the magnitude of the importance Christ’s sacrifice just really was and is. 
Elder Scott said, “Only the life, teachings, and particularly the atonement of Jesus Christ can release us from this otherwise impossible predicament.  Each of us has made mistakes, large or small, which if unresolved will keep us from the presence of God.  For this reason, the atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most significant event that ever has or ever will occur.  This selfless act of infinite consequence, performed by a single glorified personage, has eternal impact in the life of every son and daughter of our Father in Heaven – without exception.  It shatters the bonds of death.  It justifies our finally being judged by the Master.  It can prevent an eternity under the control of the devil.”

We have been taught many times the process of repentance.  We need to have sorrow for the sin, we need to let go of the sin, we need to confess the sin, we need to make the sin right if at all possible and we need to commit to never do it again.  These are all pretty self-explanatory, especially since we have been taught this many times.  

I personally think that he hardest part of the repentance process, and what usually is what keeps us from repenting, is the part where we commit never to do the sin again.  It’s not that we don’t want to give this sin up because at this point, when we are ready to begin the repentance process, we feel guilt and want it gone.  So it’s not that we don’t want to give the sin up, it is just that in all reality, we are more than likely going to commit the same exact sin.  That very sin that you truly believed, while during the repentance process, that you would never do again.  Whether it be having negative thoughts about a person or the desire to start back up an addiction, no matter how small or large the sin, life has a way of putting us in daily situations where we will be tempted to do those very sins that we committed NEVER to do again.  

So, is all lost?  Can we never be truly forgiven because we keep messing up?  No!  This is where I feel we convince ourselves to stay in the sin.  We have asked for forgiveness so many times, well, there has to be a limit, right?  Eventually God is going to not believe us anymore when we say we won’t commit a certain sin again because eventually we fall right back in the process of committing that sin, right?  

Let me ask you something.  If you were sitting in front of a dear friend right now and that friend was confessing to you an addiction or sin that he or she seems to keep committing, would you not encourage him or her to keep trying?  Would you not build him or her up with all the things they have done right in their effort to not sin again?  Of course you would love that friend and give encouragement.  YET, when it is ourselves who are in the same exact position, we beat ourselves up in the most unforgiving manner.  As if the rules somehow change just because we are now the ones in that cycle of sin.  The Lord loves us.  Plain and simple.  And He always wants us to return to Him.  His arms are always open.  We just have to be willing to take that step forward, into His arms.  He will do the rest.  He will encircle His arms around you and do the rest that is needed to make sure you can be in Heavenly Father’s presence again.  

I would like to end with Elder Scott’s testimony of repentance.  He said,
“…with all the tenderness and sincerity of heart I invite each one of you to thoughtfully review your life.  Have you deviated from the standards that you know will bring happiness?  Is there a dark corner that needs to be cleaned out?  Are you now doing things that you know are wrong?  Do you fill your mind with unclean thoughts?  When it is quiet and you can think clearly, does your conscience tell you to repent?  

For your peace now and for everlasting happiness, please repent.  Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to help you.  You will earn the blessing of forgiveness, peace, and the knowledge you have been purified and made whole.  Find courage to ask the Lord for strength to repent, now.”


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

1st Week Off!

Last week was the first week off of school for the boys.  We...
 swam in a friend's pool (and hot tub) and...
 played in a sprinkler with a friend and...
washed some cars with the neighbors.