A Child's Prayer

Derek said the sweetest thing today that I wanted to record it.  Let me give you a little background.  Yesterday Derek was coughing all day long.  We were gone all day.  We went to the church to scrapbook, then off to Kamryn's soccer game, then home for a minute before we headed back to the church for pack meeting.  We didn't get home until 8:00 and we hadn't eaten dinner yet.  Derek said his belly hurt and went to bed without any dinner.  I think he didn't feel very good (or maybe it was the the donut that he ate at pack  meeting on an empty stomach).  I felt bad for dragging him around all day if he didn't feel good.  Anyway this morning he was all excited and said, "Mom, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore.  Do you know why?  Last night before I went to bed I prayed that my stomach would stop hurting, and when I woke up it didn't hurt anymore."  How sweet is that.  I love this kid.  He was seriously so excited.  What a great thing when your kids can discover for themselves the power of prayer.  And how wonderful to see the Faith of a child.

Goodbye Preschool, Hello Summer

I'm very disappointed in my camera.  It took terrible pictures at Derek's preschool program.  It takes pretty good pictures outside during the day, but if it starts getting dark, or if you're inside where the lighting isn't great, it is terrible.  I guess it's time for a new camera.  I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I want something reliable.  If anyone has a camera they really like, let me know.  Anyway, I took a ton of pictures at Derek's end of year preschool program and this is the best I got.  How sad is that.  Derek is getting so big.  I can't believe he will be starting kindergarten next year.  He did so well in preschool this year.  He really learned a lot.  I think he is ready for school.  In his portfolio he had a paper titled "A little but about me"  I thought I would share what he wrote as his favorite things.

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Food:  Corn Dog

Favorite Animal:  Dragon

Favorite Place:  McDonald's

Favorite Book:  Camp Out Scooby Doo

Favorite Movie:  Power Rangers

My favorite thing to do:  Play the Wii

My favorite thing about preschool this year:  That there's all these kids I like

When I grow up, I want to..... be a Bishop.

I think these kind of papers are so fun.  It's funny what kids say.  He must really look up to his Dad.  I didn't think anyone wanted to be a bishop.  How cute is he.  

After the program the kids came home and jumped on the tramp.  They had a great time. Sadie threw a little fit because she wanted me to stop taking pictures and jump with her.  So that was the end of the pictures. It was a lot of fun.  I guess it is officially summer.

I

Third Grade in a Nutshell

Kamryn had his end of school program yesterday.  They sang a few songs, did a readers theatre, and shared some of their writings from the year.  They all did a great job. I can't believe he has finished 3rd grade.  He is getting so big.  He had a great year.

 He loved his teachers

 (Mrs.

 Foley and Mrs. Robbins), and the

 kids in his class.  He was especially glad that his buddy Austin 

was in his class.  Next year he will have his same teachers and Austin will still be in his class.  He is so excited.  4th grade, here we come.

Where's Derek?

I know I'm slow getting things posted, but I wanted to write about last Saturday.   We started off the day by riding our bikes to the annual firefighters breakfast.  The kids had a great time seeing their friends, looking at the big fire trucks, and sliding down the fire pole.  

(This picture is from last years breakfast)

I thought the best part was not having to cook breakfast.  Kamryn had a choir practice at 10:00 (He was singing in a primary choir during stake conference the next day).  We were running a little late and the ride to the church was up hill, so Wyatt and Kamryn were going to hurry and I was going to take it a little slower with Brynli and Derek.  I took the little kids and we got a head start.  When Wyatt and Kamryn passed us, Derek was keeping up pretty good with them and so he went ahead and rode with them.  At least that is what I thought.  When Brynli and I finally reached the church, Derek was not with Wyatt and Kamryn.  Wyatt didn't realize that he was right behind them, and they must have lost him somewhere along the ride.  I didn't panic too much because I figured that he was just across the street waiting for his soccer game.  I sent Wyatt to find him.  A few minutes later Wyatt came back with Derek.  He wasn't at the soccer game, he had gone home, and was on his way back to the soccer game.  I guess it's a good thing that he knows his way home, but pretty scary for a little five year old to be riding his bike by himself.  I'm sure all the cars that saw him were thinking "Where are your parents?  I can't believe they let you ride by yourself."  (That's what I would have been thinking).  I'm just glad that we found him and he was safe.  I think it scared him a little too.  Maybe next time he will stay with me.  Anyway, after we found Derek, and all was well we  rode over to the Jr. High for Derek's soccer game.  Kamryn played right after Derek and then we rode home to eat lunch quick before Kamryn's baseball game.  Wow, Saturdays are busy.  We rode our bikes to the ballpark.  The kids were real troupers with all of the bike riding.  We rode 7 miles total.  That's not a whole lot for you and me, but for Brynli and Derek, that's a pretty good ride, especially in the hot sun.  After the ball game we had a little time to relax before our dinner with Elder Jones and then the adult meeting of Stake Conference.  A pretty full day.  I'm just glad it was all good and I am very grateful that Derek's guardian angel was working Saturday.  

The Joys of being a Bishop's Wife

Being a bishops wife can have its challenges.  My husband is gone a lot, so I have to do many things by myself.  He sometimes doesn't tell me anything.  There are so many things that he can't tell me, he forgets to tell me the ones he can.  And I have gotten some pretty strange late night phone calls.  Along with the challenges there are some great opportunities that I probably wouldn't get if Wyatt wasn't the bishop.  This last week I was able to experience some of the joys of being a bishop's wife.  On Thursday we were invited to go to the temple with the Pierce family.  Andrew was taking out his endowments in preparation for his upcoming mission.  It was a great experience.  Then on Friday we got to join the Pierce's at the temple again as we witnessed Nelson and Anne's wedding.  There is always such a special feeling about a temple wedding.  I really love being invited to the weddings.  Saturday we had Stake Conference and Elder Jones from the quorum of the seventy was visiting.  Before the Saturday evening session the bishops and their wives were invited to a dinner with Elder Jones and his wife.  It was a neat experience.  Then we got to enjoy conference together.   It was a great week!  I had three dates with my husband, all because he is a bishop.  It was a little hard to find babysitters, but I really enjoyed the time with my husband.  I also feel really good after all those spiritual experiences.   Now I'm ready to go another month or so.  It's not always easy being the bishop's wife, but I would have to say that the blessings out weigh the challenges.  I really feel like the Lord watches out for us and our family.  

Happy Mother's Day!

Since it is Mother’s Day I would like to wish Mothers everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day and thank a few of the mothers in my life.  First of all I would  like to thank my own mother.

My mom is the greatest and I love her so much.  She has always been such a great example to me.  I remember when I was younger and at my friend Melissa’s house.  Her mom was yelling at her kids for something, and she turned to me and said “I bet Kathy never yells?”  I don’t think I said anything because I didn’t want to make Barbara feel bad (she was like a second mom to me), but I thought to myself  “no, she really doesn’t”.  What a great attribute.  I wish my kids could say that about me.  My mom has always been one of my best friends.  Even when I was in high school I was friends with my mom.  I love to talk to my mom and we can talk for hours.  Even on her mission she calls about once a week.  My mom is also a terrific grandma.   My kids love to go visit grandma Kathy and they love when she comes to visit us.  She has come to take care of me after I have had each baby.  She forms a special bond with each baby and gives each kid some special one on one time.  I am so grateful to have such a wonderful, loving mother.  Thanks mom for all you do for me.  You are the best!

I would also like to say thanks to my mother-in-law.  I don’t know what I ever did to be blessed with the two best moms in the world, but I have and I am so grateful for that.  

There are so many people who don’t get along with their mother-in-laws.  That has never been me.  Alys and I have had a great relationship from the beginning.  She has always made me feel like a part of the family.  Alys is an O.B. nurse at the hospital.  When I had my first baby I didn’t even think twice about having her be my nurse.  She is an awesome nurse, and I of course wanted the best care in the hospital, but I also did not want her to miss out on that special moment.  It is great that she has been able to be there when I have had all of my kids.  She even got to deliver Brynli.  Alys is a great example to me also.  She is such a strong woman, and a wonderful mom and grandma.  I am so grateful for all she does for me, my children, and for raising such a wonderful son.  You are awesome, and I love you Alys. 

I also want to thank all of those who help me raise my children.  It is said “it takes a village to raise a child”.  That is so true!  I want to thank all those in my “village”.  My children have many aunts that are such a great influence in their lives.  Wyatt and I always say how we have the two best families in the world.  Not only do we get along great with all of them, but they get along with each other.  It is awesome that our families can be friends.  So thanks to all of our family members, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We also have great friends and neighbors.  Thanks for your influence in our children’s lives.  It is so nice to not have to worry about your kids when they are playing at their friends house.  My kids have great friends with great families.  Also to any teachers or leaders that my children have had, thank you and Happy Mother’s Day.  I also need to thank my husband.  He is the best!  I couldn’t be the mother I am without his love and support.  So again Happy Mother’s Day to all.  Remember, Mother’s day is about showing gratitude to those mothers who have influenced our lives and not about recognizing our own flaws of motherhood.  Have a wonderful day.

Park Play

I love going to the park in the spring.  I love watching the kids play, enjoying the finally warm weather, and just being outside, away from home where you can't see all the other things that you should be doing. Totally carefree.  Usually I try to go about once  a week if the weather is nice, but for some reason this year I hadn't even taken my kids to the park until last Saturday.  We all rode our bikes to the soccer games on Saturday, and on the way home we decided to stop at the park and play.  The kids had a great time.  Our friends, the Hardings, had the same idea and they were at the park too.  That was great because now all the kids had a friend to play with.  Sadie didn't know if she liked the slide, or swings at first. She was a little cautious about everything, but before long she was sliding by herself and having a great time.  Brynli learned how to do the monkey bars all by herself.  She thought she was pretty big.  Derek had fun chasing after his girlfriend Abbie, and Kamryn and Austin pretty much mastered the swings.  We had so much fun that we have been back to the park two more times this week.  Monday night for family home evening we rode our bikes and had a picnic and lesson at the park.  The kids all thought that was great.  Then on Wednesday our ward had a play group that met at the park so we took advantage of that.  Now that we remember how fun the park is, we will have to go more often.  Is anyone up for a day at the park?