Small Highlights...

Patrick is out of school for 3 whole weeks!  We are thrilled to have him home with us.

We spent the week staying up late and watching old movies {like Cheaper by the Dozen, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Leave it to Beaver, Jane Eyre, and Mansfield Park.}  And then we watched some new ones too {like City of Ember and Race to Witch Mountain.}

{{p.s. we love netflix!!}}

We slept in every day and woke up to little Easton wriggling his way into bed with us.

Patrick became quite the champion of Farm Frenzy while I spent hours upon toilsome hours updating our archived blogs.  (You see, I was once too lazy to upload our pictures and opted to simply upload a smilebox instead.  Then I had the impression a few weeks ago to make this special little blog a means of recording our own family's history...therefore, I knew I would need to print our blog into a book and abandon the smileboxes forever.  Hence, why I had to go back and edit every single post--erasing the smileboxes and uploading the pictures...a long process indeed.  I'm still not done, but I've definitely made a dent!)

We visited the park for our family home evening activity on Monday with frosties in one hand and Easton's new bubble storm in the other.  We even held a competition to see who could swirl that little helicopter the farthest.  {I am so glad I won! ;)}

We had a lovely downpour during Patrick's PT barbecue last night.  Thankfully, the sun came out and the barbecue was a success!

We visited the library twice to borrow huge stacks of books.  Then we brought them home and read and read and read.  And since it's become one of our most favorite past times, I decided to order a little umbrella stroller from Amazon for Tate so the boys and I can make many more quaint trips to the beautiful old library and stock up on books when Patrick has to return to school.  (I'll let you know how it goes...)

Patrick and I went running twice this week...well, actually I went once and then we both went together.  Running after a rainstorm is the most exhilarating experience.  Everything smells fresh and the sky is still clouded though hints of sunshine are striving to push through the gray.  Who would have thought that exercising could be a chance to look heavenward and examine all of Heavenly Father's creations?  It was much easier to run when I wasn't focusing on my pain as much as enjoying the great outside and thinking of Him.

This morning we washed our two gray cars and made them all white and sparkly again.

It was hot.

And while I was suffocating in the car cleaning the interior, I remembered why I've always been an indoor girl.

But after a few minutes of complaining, I had a change of perspective.  Really, we are so blessed.  Why am I complaining that we have to wash our cars?  We are indeed so blessed to have a car--and two at that.  This thought made me feel like I was blessing my cars which in turn helped my happiness meter.  {I only had a few relapses of complaint.  They quickly dissolved when I realized how fun it was to accidentally squirt Patrick with the hose}.

And just to prove that our cars were actually clean (since of course it rained tonight), here is the picture:

Last night, my sweetheart and I started reading The Hobbit together.  Since City of Ember and Fableheaven were all checked out of the library, it became our next choice.  Before I even finished the first page, I was hooked.  How grateful I am that I gave this classic a second chance. (You see, in 8th grade...or was it 9th...we read and listened to The Hobbit as a play.  It was probably one of the most boring tortures to which I've ever been subjected.  Maybe that's why it took me until I was married with Easton on the way before I ever consented to watch The Lord of the Rings.)  

Anyway, the actual book has surpassed the play in every way, shape, and form, and I am just thrilled for the next time we can scour its pages.

 A few days ago, we were privileged to head to Idaho Falls and attend the temple.  I look forward to these trips more than anything.  It seems that my life seems so much clearer after I go.  The Lord always answers my heartfelt prayers.  I was not disappointed in the least.

And last but not at all least, we enjoyed teaching the boys a lesson almost every day.  It's a new goal I've made, and it's slowly starting to unfold.  I made a commitment to teach the boys a lesson (one from the Children's Friend and one from Behold Your Little Ones every day.  Then I would finish with a small passage from the Book of Mormon.)  I wasn't sure how much of a difference this small habit would make, but I can say that I have witnessed great dividends in the small time we've been doing it.  Yes, I have missed some days (maybe more than we've gotten right), but I am trying.  And one day it truly will become a habit, and maybe a hallmark of our family.  On the days that it has happened, there has been sweeter spirit that has filled our home and somehow heaven seems just a little bit closer.

Recipe for Strawberry Heaven.

I love this recipe.  So much.

It's my mother's.

And every time I make it, I think of her and her splendid cooking abilities.

I don't think she'd mind if I shared it. 

{although it should be kept secret considering the delectableness  of it all}

Strawberry Heaven Cake

{aka Strawberry Layer Cake}

First, bake a white cake mix.

While it's baking, make the glaze and the cream:

Glaze

1 box Danish Dessert 

(prepare using the "pie filling" directions.  

Let cool and then and add 16 oz. pkg. frozen strawberries or sliced fresh strawberries)

Cream

8 oz. cream cheese softened (I like the reduced fat version)

2 c. powdered sugar

1 large cool whip (8 oz.)

Cream these together.

Once the cake is cool, spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake.

Then top with the glaze.

Why I Love {my} Tate.

Poke.

Today we drove to the store and purchased a birthday present for Easton.

Meet Poke.

And welcome to the family little fish...

P.S.
Easton named Poke himself.  :)

Happy Happy Birthday Easton Dear.

Dear Easton,

Today is your birthday and I have been reflecting on how blessed we truly are to have you as part of our family.  I can't imagine life without you.  You are just too intricately connected to my heartstrings.

I love you.

Two days ago we celebrated your birthday with a Car Party.

I think the day was just too wonderful to even begin expressing what's in my heart.

Every one of your grandparents was there, two great grandparents, four aunts, one brother, mom, and dad, as well as five of my cousins.

They must really really love you to drive such long distances to celebrate this special day with you.

Here is your cake darling.  It was my first ever fully decorated cake all by myself.  (I think it's leaning a little...but you loved it all the same...all you said you wanted was a blue Mater cake...and that's what I made for you.)

I wish I had a recording of the look on your sweet face when you saw your decorations this morning...it was priceless.  Your whole face lit up in a small glow and your smile beamed more than ever.

Here are the little favors I made for your guests.

You opened lots of presents:

{Tate knew all about Mac...he was with me when we bought it for you and he loved pushing Mac's hat all day.  He cried and cried when I put it away.}

He showed you how it worked:

We enjoyed a lovely picnic:

We played some extremely hilarious games: (only a few of the many pics are displayed here)

We went on a little scavenger hunt to find your blue Mater cake:

And then we sang to you.

By the way...I loved watching you blow out your candles all by yourself...for the very first time.

And then we just played and laughed with all of your loved ones.

Easton, I love every part of your three year old self.

Love always,

Mommy

Help from the Leadership of the Church.

I have been reading, and listening to, and studying the most recent Worldwide Leadership Training.

Elder Holland says it is for the entire adult population of the church because the theme is

"Building up a Righteous Posterity."

I think this is the deepest desire in all of our hearts if we would search them honestly.

Thus far, I have been lifted above my current standing and placed on a mountain where I can feel the inspiration of the Lord guiding me in my individual family.

I believe He will do this for all of us when we seek Him.

Today there was one passage that struck me and brought me such hope.

From President Boyd K. Packer:

"I don’t think it’s called for for members of the Church to live in fear, to see all that’s going on around us and say, 'How can we ever raise a family when all of this temptation and difficulty is about us?'

Well, you can, because you can be guided and you can teach your children to be guided. In all of that you can live a happy life and find in the consummation of all of this, in the next existence, that the family can be together."

Thank you, President Packer for dispelling my fear

and fueling my faith.

Let us go forward in faith and raise a righteous posterity.

Because in the eternal scheme of things,

that's all that really matters.

"Children Say the Splendidest Things" -Episode 1

A few days ago we were driving home and rounding corner by our little park.  There were two older gentlemen standing there in coveralls with straw sticking out of their mouths.  They were no doubt passing the breeze, reminiscing about days long gone.  Easton asked his proverbial question that surfaces no less than 500 times a day..."Why?"  Our conversation went as follows:

"Mommy, what are those guys doing?"
"I don't know Sweetie."
"Maybe they're fishing...in the grass."

Then today we were eating our lunch when Easton said he needed to use the bathroom.  I helped him out of his booster and off he went.  When he got to the bathroom door, I heard his little voice, "I love you!" {"I love you too!"}  "I'll miss you!"

I'll miss you too love...when you're all grown up and your witty, innocent remarks finally halt.

July 20th

I started reminiscing during the last post and didn't finish my day...

In a nutshell, we:

baked

and baked

drove cakes to the church

made dinner

drove to the park

 frolicked about

{Easton loved catching Tate on the slide}

{He really is the sweetest older brother}

{Look how cute he is here holding his arms all ready to catch him:}

and surprised Daddy with a "Just Because We Love You" party

Strawberries and Patrick just go together...kind of like Jamie and Patrick.

And then of course Tate couldn't help smearing cake all over himself.

It just must taste better this way...

We were fine until he decided to itch his eye...

Which soon turned into peek-a-boo...

And ended with a warm shower for both boys.

I love my life.  It's so close to perfect that I feel I brush up against it sometimes.

July 20th was one of these encounters.