Pre-school!!!

I had the pleasure of going to Haidyn's pre school with him today! What a loving little boy! He made sure I was included with every activity they were doing. He is turning 5 this month so he will be off to kindgarden and I know he will do fine he is so thoughtful and fun loving. I on the other hand am super nervous. I know it's inevitable he's growing up! the sad thing is he has all of our families "last firsts!" and with that the knowledge that time must move on. I must move on and continue to grow as well. I look back 5 years ago and it is almost unrecognizable so much has changed in the last few years. My children are all in school (most of the day). They need me less and less for those everyday things, things that used to be tiring. Now I almost miss those few uninterrupted moments of 2 a.m. feedings. (Not that I miss no sleep) just the simple quiet connections.
I know this new chapter is still full of firsts... I just am glad I can revel in the moments .. these ones just before the changes when I am still close to the past but, am excited for the future. I challenge you to look at the past 5 years?? whats new?? whats easier?? whats missed?? Thank you Haidyn for reminding me that courage comes in all sizes and for showing me unconditional love every-single day!!

Stuck in a Rut.........

The fraise "Stuck in a Rut" has new meaning to me. Have you ever been stuck in one?? I have repetedly. I guess im just a creature of habit. It occured to me that the "rut" really isn't the problem it's the forward or uphill movement that is or the effort that we know it will take. I don't know about you, but I've never been a fan about working out! I think the "rut" is the Lords way of saying "O.k., this isn't seving you anymore. Time to move on." but we get attached to Comfort even if that comfort is no longer good for us. It's like those old jeans that are comfy but the seat is a lilttle worn and saggy so they really aren't flattering anymore. We like the idea of change looking at diferent stores and styles of jeans, but then you see the price tag and its "I'm not paying that! were they that expensive last time??" but, you really do need new ones.... so you grab them and off to the dressing room, which I hate. Do they really have to use that bad lighting? you think they would sell more if they used one of those "skinny" carnaval mirrors! At any rate they look ok and after trying a few styles on and finding the right price range you decide. Thats the important part, deciding!

Be a filler upper not a dumper!!

Mckaydee came home from school the other day and said "Mom, do you know you have a bucket on your elbow?" puzzled I looked at her and said "I do?" of course looking down to see if i had anything stuck to my arm. Nothing there. "Yeah, everyone does." she said, " when someone does something to you that makes you feel bad. They dump out your bucket, but if someone does something nice for you, like... pick you up when you fall down or tells you sorry they fill your bucket back up! Its filled with rainbows! I'm a filler upper, not a dumper." I told her I was proud of her for always being so nice to her friends and gave her a hug as she bounced out of the room to be off on her next adventure. I sat there for a minute amazed at the unique ways the Lord comes up with to remind me and everyone else these simple precepts to live by. One simple concept can change the way we view things. Its something we all know but just need to be reminded. I am so proud of my kids for learning and understanding these lessons and striving to do the right things. So look around you, picture a little bucket attached to everyones arms around you, are they full?? is your own full?? what are you doing to fill them?? Imagine a world or even just your world with filled buckets! I imagine those rainbows shine quite brightly. Today be a filler upper, not a dumper!!

Icing on the cake!!

OK, so i haven't blogged for a bit and I had a funny thing happen to me. I have been trying to perfect a few of my recipes and as funny as it is lately I've been really playing with my icings. Thumbing through one of my recipe books (that I've owned for 11 years )land on a similar icing recipe to the one that I've been trying to perfect! It occured to me that this is a wonderful metaphor for my life, i have had the tools and the directions but, choose to go at it alone after changing this and that finding the right texture, taste and consistency.... there it is in simple step by step directions. I thought about this a little more, yes the guidance was there and I had a general know how but had I not played and changed it I wouldn't know that recipe by heart, I wouldn't understand it. So be it. Play with your own life add as much spice or sweetness as you want don't be afraid to try new things as sometimes the most unexpected things make the best flavors!! Be generous, share your recipes and knowledge with others let them make it their own! I don't know about you but, my dessert is always better when shared!! love ya

graditude.......................

So its just about that time again to give thanks. With it being November and all. This year has definatley been a roller coaster ride for me. Last year at this time I wasn't really thankful at all it seemed as though my life was falling apart all around me. I am so amazed at the tranformation I have gone through. First and formost i am greatful for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, I know now that they guide and watch over me regardless if I am being the best me. I know that by admitting that my life was unmanagable and by givivg up trying to do everything my way and by myself and asking Heavenly Father to take my burdens and to show me a better way almost immediately things were out of my hands. I humbly listend to and followed his direction and I got the most important thing back. My Testimony. I some how along the way lost sight of him and the most important things in my life. Now going through treatment was not easy. For those of you that don't know I was in a aclcohol treatment program for 30 days. It only took about eight months for alcohol to consume my life and almost take it. It was then that I completely surrenderd to my Savior. I had to leave my precious babies and my loving husband behind. It was the hardest thing I have had to do. I and my family have grown immensly through this trial. We know what we want for our lives, we now look at things in a more Eternal way. I have found beauty in the small things again. I have realized that complacency is the fastet destroyer. Dedicating everyday to his will and bearing whitness to what is true and making a concious effort to live his plan and not my own is what will ultimatley bring me peace and happiness. I know and really understand that everyday does matter it does make a difference. One small good deed will ripple through the waves of the world. I am so humbled to have regained my testimony from people who may not believe every principle I do, but they know what is important. The relationship you have with your Heavenly Father. I am so greatful that I had an open mind and a softend heart to hear the insightful teachings from people that I once prejudged. I know that everyone is walking their own road and the scenery may be different but the curves bumpes and inclines are all just as difficult to trudge ALONE. With prayer and helping hands we all can reach the top and look upon the glorious view that was so worth all the work. I am also blessed to have people in my life to listen to their Divine Guidence to offer me the help I needed. I have learned to be humble and speak my mind ask for help as well as forgivness quickly, so I do not bottle things in. I have learned that its o.k. for me not to beable to do everything on my own. I am not supposed to, I am supposed to trust in others to love me unconditionally and want to share there support for me. this was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn and to accept. I thought if i just did everything on my own and over did for everyone around me than I would be loved and though that might be true I didn't feel loved I felt used. It is nice to have enough confidence to say I can't do that. not that I don't want to but, that i need alittle assitance and have people understand. What a freeing concept. I am also greatful for my family. This experience has brought me and Tom so much closer. We respect each other so much more and appreciate the little things we both do that we took for granted. What a blessing for my children to have the opportunity to see tremndous struggles around them and to whitness the support and love that got us through. For them to not only hear of Heavenly Father and to learn of him but, to also really feel his love for each of them and the stength he gave their whole family. I am greatful for struggles and for burdens because only through them are we allowed to grow to fill our spiritual cups and they make the simple things in life so much more brilliant. (not that I enjoy walking through them!) Sometimes I wish Heavenly father didn't have quite so much faith in me!! lol. greatfully yours Keri

Wedded Bliss!!

Ok So Kami just got married! super crazy! I was in charge of the flowers, Pictures, decor Hair make-up and my friend made the cake!Some of my favorite memories were having fun with the girls the night before... singing "rise and shine...." to try and get Meagan and Dawn awake. They didn't think we were so funny! being apart of all of beggining to end! ( i was the first to Know Josh was purposing!) Seeing the lil girls faces light up when they recieved there gift from Kami. ( cute lil necklaces and earings!) the lil girls crying when I was doing their hair and then marveling in the mirrior at their new "princess do's". Kristy Driving us to the ceremony... we were a lil late... and anyone who knows Kristy knows the woman can get to places in a hurry!! Hearing Kami say... " I just want to take his breath away!" knowing that she did and hearing her say it was the wedding of her dreams. I felt so appreciated hearing her say that because I knew we had done it on a budget and put alot of sweat ,tears and yes a little blood into the whole affair! Taylor was so funny she kept on saying "this is my first wedding, that i get to be in and I am just so excited!" and as she was handing out refreshments to everyone saying "I just Love this job... I love working!!" and chuckling because I know that work isn't quite that enjoyable!! seeing Macen and Mckaydee pretend to be getting married!! Macen was so funny he told "Wait... we have to walk holdong hands!" oh how sweet it is to be young and No we will not be having any couisins marry each other our family is complicated enough! watching Kami trying to force the ring on Joshes finger which took me back to my wedding when the same thing happened to me with the same ring! ( They bought Tom's first ring off of me!) Watching the pure enjoyment of everyone getting together dancing chatting, seeing new and old friends..... But my favorite part the one that really got me choked up was the Daddy daughter dance. Taylor pulling her dad on the floor and watching the two of them twirling around knowing that one day all too soon we too will be giving our little girl away and watching her start the next chapter in her life.... (sigh).. at least I have a few years before that happens and my Kaydee bug is still determind to stay little forever! To all the people in my life that keep me grounded help me stay connected and truly bless my heart with the abundance of love and memories! thank you and I love you all!

Where has the summer gone??

So I haven't been on here for a bit... seems as though time runs faster these days!! we have been really busy! Kami gets married this weekend and I have been doing her flowers her pictures and creating some of the decor! phew... glad my girls won't be getting married anytime soon!! We have spent fun days by willard bay jumping on an inflatable tramp, going to the zoo , and getting ready for school! on top of everything else we just found out we are moving to Perry, Ut !! (in two weeks!!) eek!! So i guess I will have to throw on my super woman cape and tackle that too!! I'm am excited... its a little different than we have been used too. The home is a lil smaller but we will be debt free in 12 mo!! yay!! its a really quiet town and the home is surrounded by peach orchards!! what a fun way for my kids to spend the reat of the summer. We are excited that we will be moving close to Toms sister Brenda and her family. The kids are already signed up to be in the peach days parade!! So if any of you want to come up the 2nd weekend in september we will save you a seat!!!