Carly
Carly's creative reindeer.
Hunter's Star Gingergbread Christmas Tree
Fisher "I got frosting all over my hand".
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Christmas Tradition
Every year since Hunter was little, we have gone to Nana Nedra's house and decorated gingerbread houses.
Carly
Carly's creative reindeer.
Hunter's Star Gingergbread Christmas Tree
Fisher "I got frosting all over my hand".
Carly
Carly's creative reindeer.
Hunter's Star Gingergbread Christmas Tree
Fisher "I got frosting all over my hand".
Friday, September 7, 2012
Happy 5th Birthday Fisher!
I was so not on the ball this year when it came time for Fisher's Birthday. I literally texted a few people whose kids had not started the school year yet on the the morning of Friday, August 17th {6 days after his actual birthday} and said, "Do you want to meet at 12:00 today at the Splash Park for a late little birthday for Fisher?" And then I threw together this party. I had ordered these dinosaur masks a week or so earlier and they arrived just in time. Everything else I already had at my house. For a last minute shindig, I think it turned out awesome and the kids absolutely loved the masks!
Everyone got a little goodie bag to take home and I got some cute pictures. 
Here's Fisher the birthday boy!He and I were both a little disappointed when we realized I had forgotten the lighter and he had to pretend to blow out the candle instead. Obviously, this picture was before the disappointment, ha ha.
Everyone got a little goodie bag to take home and I got some cute pictures. 
Here's Fisher the birthday boy!He and I were both a little disappointed when we realized I had forgotten the lighter and he had to pretend to blow out the candle instead. Obviously, this picture was before the disappointment, ha ha.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
My Boys
While waiting for Carly to get done at the Birthday party she was at, the boys and I had an impromptu photo shoot. Turned out so cute!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
My Talk on "The Family, a proclamation to the world"
I was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting today on The Family Proclamation. I feel like it went really well and hearts were touched. Here it is:
The information in the Proclamation was not brand new doctrine to The Church. However, it took everything we know and believe about families and compiled it into one bold statement to the entire world concerning the sacred nature and importance of families.
The Proclamation states "We The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
Long before we came to earth, Heavenly Father had a plan and that plan was always centered around the family. We are all created in the image of God and are beloved spirit sons and daughters of him.
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, the First Commandment that God gave to them was to multiply and replenish the earth. He didn't say "Hey I want you go collect firewood so you can build a fire or Hey I want you to go fishing so you can eat. Of course those things are important, but he first wanted them to know how important it is to have a family and receive the blessings of being parents.
Last week Hunter had some music going and he and Fisher were laughing and dancing all over the kitchen just having a great time together. Dan was sitting on a chair watching them and smiling. Carly came in the room with a sad look on her face, climbed on his lap, wrapped her little arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. She was there for just a moment before she lifted her head up gave a big sigh and said "Dad, I really wish I had a sister" He turned to me and asked "Did you just hear what she said?" I put my hands on my heart and said "Oh, sweet" and I was a bit saddened because I knew she wouldn't be getting a sister from me." She then lifted her head again and said "Because then I would have someone to help torture Hunter and Fisher." I wasn't sad anymore.
In Psalms 127 it says "Children are an heritage of the Lord. Happy is the man (and woman) that hath his quiver full of them. My quiver is definitely full.
Motherhood has brought so many blessings into my life and has helped me grow in a capacity that I never would have believed possible. The Family Proclamation came out in September of 1995. I was 18, had just graduated from High School a few months earlier and had my whole life ahead of me. It gave me the guidance and direction that I needed at the time. I found it interesting that the Proclamation was not given in the General Session of Conference. It was given in a General Relief Society Meeting by President Gordon B. Hinckley. Now you have to wonder "Why did the First Presidency choose to announce the proclamation of the family in a general Relief Society meeting?" After President Hinckley read it, he provided an answer to that question. "You are the guardians of the hearth," he told the sisters. "You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."
Often as the mother of young children you feel like your house is disaster like a bomb went off, the clothes are stinky in the washer because you forgot to change them out in time, someone is drinking from a mason jar because there are no clean cups, someone is crying, you want to cry and it’s just been one of those days.
When these things happen to you, I want you to know that Heavenly Father would love to put his arms around you and tell you “I love you. It’s okay.”
Nobody has taught me more patience, long suffering and unconditional love as a parent than my oldest son Hunter. Those of you who know Hunter now for the tall, polite, smart, witty, responsible, young man that he is, would be surprised to learn that he was born mad at the world. He was just mad all the time.
He was the cutest little guy ever, but I couldn't keep him happy. Even as an infant, he wanted things done a certain way on his own terms. As he got a bit older and started to talk, he was became very frustrated when he couldn’t communicate clearly as a toddler. If you looked at him, he would go agh! At you. One day, Hunter and I went to lunch with my mom and as we were walking out to the car, he slipped on some gravel in the parking lot and fell all sprawled out on the ground. He started to cry. My mom walked over behind him and lifted him to his feet. He took one look over his shoulder, saw it wasn’t me, and threw himself on back on the ground in the exact same position and started crying again so I could pick him up instead.
Although it was hard at the time, I am forever grateful that Hunter came first because he taught me some very important lessons I would not have otherwise learned. First and foremost, Hunter taught me to pick my battles. When faced with a difficult situation I would ask myself these 3 questions: #1 "Will this matter in a year?" Chances are, it won't. #2 "Will this matter in 10 years?" Generally not. And the most important question of all was "Is this going to affect his eternal progression?” If the answer was no, I didn't worry about it. I was talking to my friend Heather about this a few days ago and she said "You know, you taught me when my kids were little that if we went to McDonalds and my kids didn't sit down to eat and just wanted to go play that it wasn't a big deal. That it wasn't going to affect their eternal progression and was not a battle that I needed to pick.”
When Hunter was almost 4, I wrote him a letter and I felt impressed to share it with you today:
Saturday, August 5, 2005
Hunter, I sat down with you tonight on the couch with the intent of discussing how naughty you were at the baptism this afternoon. I decided I should point out what you had done good today before I dug into the negative. To my surprise, there was more good than bad and I realized I was focusing on the wrong thing. Thank you Hunter, for being a good boy today! For helping clean your room and make your bed, for vacuuming your floor and the kitchen floor. Thank you for getting yourself dressed and for getting Carly out of her bed when she was crying this morning and thank you for finding her a binky. Than you for making her French toast sticks and for happily sharing yours when she decided they tasted better than her own. Thank you for not retaliating when she pulled your hair and for holding her in the shopping cart at macy’s because there were not seat belts. Thanks for buckling yourself up in the car and for washing your hands when you used the restroom. Thank you for helping Grandma make jello and being good for her so Dad and I could go on a date to the movie. Thank you for cooperating with me tonight to take your picture at 10:55 pm. Thank you for choosing me as your mom and for helping refine me into the person I am becoming. Thanks for helping me learn which battles are worth picking and for teaching me to be persistent when it counts. You have a special quality about you, Hunter. You have a very wise old spirit in your little almost 5 year old body. You have a keen mind and memory. You teach me, you Surprise me, you AMAZE me. I love you! Love mom!
"Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for eachother and for their children." "They have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs." All I have to say, is thank goodness we are not in this alone! We have the support of our ward family, primary teachers, Relief Society sisters, various presidencies and Home Teachers. In addition I am thankful that I have the support and example of my extended family to help me in fulfilling this huge responsibility.
I have wonderful inlaws who love and support us unconditionally. Dan Sr. has always made me feel welcome in his family and taught me the importance of not only bearing my testimony, but taking the time to write it down for posterity. One year all he wanted for Father’s day was for all his kids to write him their testimony in a letter.
Nedra truly is my second mom. What a wonderful example of following Christ Dan had growing up! Her love for the Savior and for her family is evident in her everyday life. She has this little game she plays with the grandkids that was passed down from her own mom. When they first walk in the room, it’s a race between her and them to say “I Love you the Mostest!” to eachother first. My kids definitely know they are loved!
My dad, Tex, is a wonderful grandpa, but he was a wonderful Dad to me first. When I was a kid, my dad taught me to love and accept people for who they are, something I still strive to do today. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but somehow he always managed to make sure there were horses in the backyard for his kids to ride and compete on. Nothing brought him more joy than to see his 4 girls ride and use his horses. That and the fact that when it came time for the deer hunt, his horses were in prime shape. My dad taught me to be a giver. He shows up to my door at least once a week to share things he got a hot deal on at NPS Market Square. After leaving my house, he then makes the rounds to my siblings houses to share with them as well.
My mom, Karen, is one of my best friends. She is a really good listener. One of the greatest thing she has taught me about life, is to be able to laugh about it. Your bad day doesn’t seem as bad, and your trials seem a bit easier to bear, if you can just laugh about it. She taught me to be a mom first, and to really be good friends with your kids. When I was in high school, my friends and I got together often. We’d make plans to meet for dinner and they would tell me “And bring your mom! We love her! She’s so funny!”
My husband Dan is a really good father. He is the hardest working man I have ever met. I am thankful to have such a wonderful spouse to walk hand in hand with through this life and to raise our children with. He always makes me laugh. Dan is a great example of service. Whenever my mom needs something fixed, she calls Dan. Thank you Dan for all that you do for our family!
The Family Proclamation states “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” One way to build a successful marriage and family is through wholesome recreational activities.
In my family, we have done a lot of camping, fishing, hunting, & horseback riding. I love spending time with my little family and strengthening our family unit.
I have learned that being married is a choice. You don't just get married and live happily ever after. There is always the Big Bad Wolf or the Wicked Witch of the West putting obstacles in your path.
My friend sent me this quote: “It’s not that life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as expected. I just choose to be Happy and Grateful no matter how it turns out.”
And when life gets hard, we have our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost who gives us personal revelation and our Living Prophets today that have provided us with the The Family Proclamation. This gives us Hope. This gives me hope. Hope that we can be together forever as a family if we are doing the best we can.
The information in the Proclamation was not brand new doctrine to The Church. However, it took everything we know and believe about families and compiled it into one bold statement to the entire world concerning the sacred nature and importance of families.
The Proclamation states "We The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
Long before we came to earth, Heavenly Father had a plan and that plan was always centered around the family. We are all created in the image of God and are beloved spirit sons and daughters of him.
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, the First Commandment that God gave to them was to multiply and replenish the earth. He didn't say "Hey I want you go collect firewood so you can build a fire or Hey I want you to go fishing so you can eat. Of course those things are important, but he first wanted them to know how important it is to have a family and receive the blessings of being parents.
Last week Hunter had some music going and he and Fisher were laughing and dancing all over the kitchen just having a great time together. Dan was sitting on a chair watching them and smiling. Carly came in the room with a sad look on her face, climbed on his lap, wrapped her little arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. She was there for just a moment before she lifted her head up gave a big sigh and said "Dad, I really wish I had a sister" He turned to me and asked "Did you just hear what she said?" I put my hands on my heart and said "Oh, sweet" and I was a bit saddened because I knew she wouldn't be getting a sister from me." She then lifted her head again and said "Because then I would have someone to help torture Hunter and Fisher." I wasn't sad anymore.
In Psalms 127 it says "Children are an heritage of the Lord. Happy is the man (and woman) that hath his quiver full of them. My quiver is definitely full.
Motherhood has brought so many blessings into my life and has helped me grow in a capacity that I never would have believed possible. The Family Proclamation came out in September of 1995. I was 18, had just graduated from High School a few months earlier and had my whole life ahead of me. It gave me the guidance and direction that I needed at the time. I found it interesting that the Proclamation was not given in the General Session of Conference. It was given in a General Relief Society Meeting by President Gordon B. Hinckley. Now you have to wonder "Why did the First Presidency choose to announce the proclamation of the family in a general Relief Society meeting?" After President Hinckley read it, he provided an answer to that question. "You are the guardians of the hearth," he told the sisters. "You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."
Often as the mother of young children you feel like your house is disaster like a bomb went off, the clothes are stinky in the washer because you forgot to change them out in time, someone is drinking from a mason jar because there are no clean cups, someone is crying, you want to cry and it’s just been one of those days.
When these things happen to you, I want you to know that Heavenly Father would love to put his arms around you and tell you “I love you. It’s okay.”
Nobody has taught me more patience, long suffering and unconditional love as a parent than my oldest son Hunter. Those of you who know Hunter now for the tall, polite, smart, witty, responsible, young man that he is, would be surprised to learn that he was born mad at the world. He was just mad all the time.
He was the cutest little guy ever, but I couldn't keep him happy. Even as an infant, he wanted things done a certain way on his own terms. As he got a bit older and started to talk, he was became very frustrated when he couldn’t communicate clearly as a toddler. If you looked at him, he would go agh! At you. One day, Hunter and I went to lunch with my mom and as we were walking out to the car, he slipped on some gravel in the parking lot and fell all sprawled out on the ground. He started to cry. My mom walked over behind him and lifted him to his feet. He took one look over his shoulder, saw it wasn’t me, and threw himself on back on the ground in the exact same position and started crying again so I could pick him up instead.
Although it was hard at the time, I am forever grateful that Hunter came first because he taught me some very important lessons I would not have otherwise learned. First and foremost, Hunter taught me to pick my battles. When faced with a difficult situation I would ask myself these 3 questions: #1 "Will this matter in a year?" Chances are, it won't. #2 "Will this matter in 10 years?" Generally not. And the most important question of all was "Is this going to affect his eternal progression?” If the answer was no, I didn't worry about it. I was talking to my friend Heather about this a few days ago and she said "You know, you taught me when my kids were little that if we went to McDonalds and my kids didn't sit down to eat and just wanted to go play that it wasn't a big deal. That it wasn't going to affect their eternal progression and was not a battle that I needed to pick.”
When Hunter was almost 4, I wrote him a letter and I felt impressed to share it with you today:
Saturday, August 5, 2005
Hunter, I sat down with you tonight on the couch with the intent of discussing how naughty you were at the baptism this afternoon. I decided I should point out what you had done good today before I dug into the negative. To my surprise, there was more good than bad and I realized I was focusing on the wrong thing. Thank you Hunter, for being a good boy today! For helping clean your room and make your bed, for vacuuming your floor and the kitchen floor. Thank you for getting yourself dressed and for getting Carly out of her bed when she was crying this morning and thank you for finding her a binky. Than you for making her French toast sticks and for happily sharing yours when she decided they tasted better than her own. Thank you for not retaliating when she pulled your hair and for holding her in the shopping cart at macy’s because there were not seat belts. Thanks for buckling yourself up in the car and for washing your hands when you used the restroom. Thank you for helping Grandma make jello and being good for her so Dad and I could go on a date to the movie. Thank you for cooperating with me tonight to take your picture at 10:55 pm. Thank you for choosing me as your mom and for helping refine me into the person I am becoming. Thanks for helping me learn which battles are worth picking and for teaching me to be persistent when it counts. You have a special quality about you, Hunter. You have a very wise old spirit in your little almost 5 year old body. You have a keen mind and memory. You teach me, you Surprise me, you AMAZE me. I love you! Love mom!
"Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for eachother and for their children." "They have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs." All I have to say, is thank goodness we are not in this alone! We have the support of our ward family, primary teachers, Relief Society sisters, various presidencies and Home Teachers. In addition I am thankful that I have the support and example of my extended family to help me in fulfilling this huge responsibility.
I have wonderful inlaws who love and support us unconditionally. Dan Sr. has always made me feel welcome in his family and taught me the importance of not only bearing my testimony, but taking the time to write it down for posterity. One year all he wanted for Father’s day was for all his kids to write him their testimony in a letter.
Nedra truly is my second mom. What a wonderful example of following Christ Dan had growing up! Her love for the Savior and for her family is evident in her everyday life. She has this little game she plays with the grandkids that was passed down from her own mom. When they first walk in the room, it’s a race between her and them to say “I Love you the Mostest!” to eachother first. My kids definitely know they are loved!
My dad, Tex, is a wonderful grandpa, but he was a wonderful Dad to me first. When I was a kid, my dad taught me to love and accept people for who they are, something I still strive to do today. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but somehow he always managed to make sure there were horses in the backyard for his kids to ride and compete on. Nothing brought him more joy than to see his 4 girls ride and use his horses. That and the fact that when it came time for the deer hunt, his horses were in prime shape. My dad taught me to be a giver. He shows up to my door at least once a week to share things he got a hot deal on at NPS Market Square. After leaving my house, he then makes the rounds to my siblings houses to share with them as well.
My mom, Karen, is one of my best friends. She is a really good listener. One of the greatest thing she has taught me about life, is to be able to laugh about it. Your bad day doesn’t seem as bad, and your trials seem a bit easier to bear, if you can just laugh about it. She taught me to be a mom first, and to really be good friends with your kids. When I was in high school, my friends and I got together often. We’d make plans to meet for dinner and they would tell me “And bring your mom! We love her! She’s so funny!”
My husband Dan is a really good father. He is the hardest working man I have ever met. I am thankful to have such a wonderful spouse to walk hand in hand with through this life and to raise our children with. He always makes me laugh. Dan is a great example of service. Whenever my mom needs something fixed, she calls Dan. Thank you Dan for all that you do for our family!
The Family Proclamation states “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” One way to build a successful marriage and family is through wholesome recreational activities.
In my family, we have done a lot of camping, fishing, hunting, & horseback riding. I love spending time with my little family and strengthening our family unit.
I have learned that being married is a choice. You don't just get married and live happily ever after. There is always the Big Bad Wolf or the Wicked Witch of the West putting obstacles in your path.
My friend sent me this quote: “It’s not that life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as expected. I just choose to be Happy and Grateful no matter how it turns out.”
And when life gets hard, we have our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost who gives us personal revelation and our Living Prophets today that have provided us with the The Family Proclamation. This gives us Hope. This gives me hope. Hope that we can be together forever as a family if we are doing the best we can.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Easter 2012
With the Lewis Family:
Grandpa Dan
Spencer & Fisher
Fisher
Carly
Grandpa Dan always has his camera in his hands!
Hunter getting an egg from up high
Dallin, Hunter, Spencer & Carly
Fisher
Carly
Spencer
Elijah, Carly, Fisher, Hunter, Dallin, Kinsley, Spencer
Fisher & Hunter. Best buds!
Fisher, Hunter & Carly
Hunter
Carly
Fisher
Carly put on Grandpa Dan's shoes to stomp on the marshmallow bags to try to pop it open. Those bags were strong and so full of air!
Uncle Morgan imitating Carly
Ew! Sour gum!!
Fisher just realized the gum is really sour on the inside. I chewed one and it brought tears to my eyes it was so sour!
Uncle Morgan chewed the sour gum too, see his watery eyes?
Uncle Nathan's eyes watered a little when he chewed the gum
See the deer? It was in the neighbors yard!
Grandpa Dan chewed the sour gum and said "What, am I supposed to have a reaction?" Ha ha, it was funny, he didn't even make a face!
With the Christiansens:
The Christiansen Clan minus Cashlyn
Brooke, Travis, Colt
Dawson
Weston
Kasey
Fisher
Weston
Makayla
Fisher
Makayla & Carly
Hunter & Jackson
Travis & Carly
Grandma Karen and her horse
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