Ashley's Baptism!

Ashley got baptized last Saturday! It was such a wonderful, spiritual experience. I won't go into great detail, but thank you to everyone who came and especially to everyone who participated in the program and/or brought food to the lunch afterwards! Thank you so much for helping!

Here is the photo shoot we did for her announcement. Well, here are the best 3 pictures. I won't post all of the pictures I took.




Pictures from her special day!




This is a picture I took of Ashley a long time ago. I think she was 3 1/2 when I took it. I put it on the front of the program for Ashley's baptism. The very next day, our primary president called me up and asked if we would make a poster size of this picture with next years primary theme on it.

WE LOVE YOU ASHLEY AND ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

URGENT, STAT, ASAP!!!

Calling anyone who would please be so kind as to give me their opinion...




I've been working on a hair bowish kind of thing for Ashley's baptism. I'm almost done, but I can't decide which looks better. With or without the ribbon hanging down.

I think it's already got close to "way too much" stuff on it, but I like the way it looks. I think it would look pretty to have the ribbon hanging down with her hair. But I think the ribbon might push it over the edge of being way too busy.

Please give me your opinion. Anything... any suggestion on what looks better, or if I need to tear some stuff off of it.

HELP!

They're being too quiet...

I don't know why it is, but when kids are being too quiet, they're usually doing something they shouldn't.

When Ashley was young and she was being quiet, she was normally coloring on things like books or walls or herself. When Eden was being too quiet she was just pulling everything out, her clothes, toys, shoes... anything. When Amanda is being too quiet she could be doing just about anything!

So, the other day as I was cleaning (yeah right, I was probably blogging) I suddenly realized that it was too quiet. Eden and Amanda were having one of those days where they just can't get along, but for some reason insist on playing together. Instead of hearing the arguing or the "that's mine" coming from upstairs, I heard... nothing.

I went up to investigate what they were doing.

To my pleasant surprise...

They were both crammed onto Eden's bed along with about 20 stuffed animals, reading books! They were magically getting along! As you can see by that book, that's one that Ashley colored on when she was younger, probably during one of those "too quiet" moments.

I love my girls!

Organized

Maybe it's the beautiful spring weather. Or maybe it's because I'm sick of looking at messes all around my house. Either way, whatever the reason, I'm determined to get it all under control again.

As most of you know, for awhile there we were trying to sell our house so we could all be in Washington together. I kept this house spotless for almost 8 months. I spent almost every waking moment cleaning.

So when Paul lost his job and got another one here in Utah, I went on strike. I have refused to clean, well, almost, I still do laundry and the occasional toilet, but other then that the house has only had a few "straightening ups". Feel bad for my husband and kids, not me.

I'M SICK OF THE MESS!!!

So I've started cleaning and organizing again, knowing that I can do it because I've done it before.

I have several other things to post about getting myself organized, but this will be the first.

Some of you have heard me say I have a ton of necklaces, but I never wear them. Why? Because I can't ever find the one I want, or they're so crammed together I can't see them all.

Here's the before picture. I have necklaces that "hold" their shape and wouldn't allow my jewelry box door to close. All those little blue boxes are more jewelry I ordered from lia sophia. As you can see, I really needed some organization here.

So I did this! Thankfully we have a closet big enough to allow for this. I counted up my necklaces after getting rid of the ones I decided I didn't like and I have... 39 necklaces!!! Can you believe that! So, since I did this 2 weeks ago, I've worn a necklace almost everyday!
I have discovered I don't need anymore jewelery.

Now on to conquer more messes!

Eden Graduated!

A couple of Fridays ago, Eden graduated from preschool! We love this preschool. They make the coolest crafts, and have the awesomest way of teaching letters and sounds, and the teachers there a wonderful. They had both Ashley and Eden reading books at age 4! Amanda gets to go there next year!!!

But enough about that, sort of. The preschool did a super cool graduation presentation. The kids sang about 12 songs, each having individual parts in some of the songs.

Eden's 3 teachers, no I didn't make the fight over the clipboards.

Eden's teachers told me Eden knew all the words to all the songs, and boy did she! She was the loudest kid most of the time, and basically helped all the rest of the kids around her remember the words.

the kids performed a nursery rhyme rap song

At the end of the program, the teachers called the kids up one at a time so they could give them their "graduation certificate" and to say something special about each kid.

When it was Eden's turn, they said she was such a hard worker, they didn't have to ask her to ever finish things, she would work till it was done and as soon as the next project would come out she'd get right to work on that.

They also said Eden was the little princess of the class, how she loved to dress up, her graceful movements... so sweet! Is there a parent out there who doesn't love hearing great things about their kids!?!

Thanks for coming Mom!

It's kinda long, but I love that Eden holds the last note for so long!

So, come fall, I'll have about 2 hours to myself while Ashley goes to 3rd grade, Eden goes to kindergarten and Amanda goes to preschool! Oh what to do with myself! (Any suggestion?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!!

Today Ashley turned 8! I can't tell you how excited she is to be 8! Especially with her baptism coming up!


Ashley is a sweetheart! She is such a loving person, an amazing big sister and a huge blessing in our lives. She has her "drama queen" moments, but we love her to pieces!






Something I've learned from having Ashley for a daughter, is acceptance. Ashley is so loving and caring. I've mentioned before how all her teachers know they can put a new kid next to Ashley and she'll instantly be friends with them. She doesn't judge others on anything. I know that I'm too quick to find faults in others. Watching Ashley with others reminds me to have a more Christ-like attitude towards people.






She is such a help in our family. I'm so thankful she's not wanting to grow up too fast. That probably has a lot to do with not being the youngest. I don't know how much longer that'll last though.















Ashley will be getting baptized on the 20th!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

June 1st we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House!

I feel so blessed to live in an area that has so many temples around. 15 minutes to the Draper temple, 15 minutes to the Jordan River temple, 25 minutes to the Oquirrh Mountain temple, 40 minutes to either the Salt Lake Temple or the Timpanogas Temple... and many more that aren't too far out.

I'm not bragging, I promise. Being so close to so many temples is a daily reminder to me that I need to go more often.

We've been lucky this year to attend two open houses for temples. First the Draper Temple in February and now this temple.

The girls' favorite part was the golf cart ride from the parking lot to the temple!




This time Ashley will be 8 by the time they do the dedication, so she'll be able to attend!!!

We've been telling the girls just how lucky they are to be able to go through 2 temple open houses. The first temple I went through was the Bountiful Temple's open house. Paul's first was just this year at the Draper temple.

If you get the chance... GO!