Parties and ponies

 Abbey and Drew - Drew's 4th birthday and Barbara's 6th birthday party. We came last year except I didn't take Lea - she had a baseball game. I wasn't sure how this was going to go.......she spent a good portion before most everyone else arrived in the playhouse part of the swing set AWAY from the free roaming chickens, the occasional dog and the ponies.

 Lucas loved them! Carson was awesome as always and walked the kids around for rides

 Finally got Abbey out there by herself - she loved it again. After crying the first time......

 

 MIRACLE of all MIRACLES for this girl - Lea finally got on. After much coaxing and some tough love, Brother King (Stacy's dad) and Jeff got her on there. She didn't want her legs to touch the fur - kind of hard when your legs are as long as hers are. :) Doesn't she looked HAPPY!? :)  The pony was backing up away from the fence.

 Carson to the right, riding by himself - that kid is adorable, even if he's totally embarrassed to talk or even look at Lea. :)

 The look of 'please stop taking my picture - I did it alright?!'

 She tried to get up by herself - WOW!!

 Ammon and Lea for another ride. He didn't love it either even though he's not crying in the picture.

 One more solo ride for Lea and Jeff decided to trot wit her. We're so very proud of her!! She's very much my mini-me. We convince ourselves that we'd rather not do something because of fear, but in the end we try it and like it - but by that time we've wasted precious time not doing it and it's time to go. Oh well, we learn as we go and we'll take the victories as they come - way to go LEA!! Oh and Happy birthday to our Hoyt friends. :)

Families are Forever

March 17, this sweet family (Trevinos) were sealed together for time and all eternity. They joined the church just over a year ago and she was immediately put in as 2nd counselor in the Primary! She's amazing with the kids and has such a joy about her that I love being around her. I love getting to work with her now in the presidency. Her husband teaches the Valiant 10 class. They have a couple older children who did not join, but the oldest daughter in the front of this picture was in Lea's 1st grade class and they were good friends.

I was able to attend the session with them, then the sealing. It was standing room only and barely that - what a great outpouring of love and support for this family. I hope everyone who changes wards or is a new member can feel that love and joy the gospel brings. 

I will look back on this time with sweet feelings of joy and gratitude. The missionaries had been transferred to a new area and the temple is outside our area as well. I'm grateful they were ale to be there for this special occasion.

A note home

Dear Child(ren),

Please know that I'm not trying to ruin your life AND I do know what I'm talking about (most of the time).

If I give you advice, please don't ignore it just because it's coming from your mother.

I am trying my best to guide you and help you. I want you to be safe. I can't make your decisions for you and despite what you may think, you CANNOT choose your consequences. So learn from your mistakes and I will learn from mine. We can learn from each other.

I love you and want you to be happy.

Love, 

MOM

Easter Pageant 2012

 We wanted to go to the Easter Pageant again this year, but the days were so filled, the only night we could go was last Saturday they performed - the night before Easter. What a great way to spend the night before Easter than learning and feeling the spirit at the Easter Pageant. We went early to get good seats - 3 pm!

 Abbey, Ally and Ammon

 Lucas having a little camera fun - he thought it was fun to watch the guy on the light tower, how high he had to climb.

 SPOT IT! Miss Erin brings the funnest games - a tradition to go with Beckers - best tradition ever!

 More 'SPOT IT' - some tears, laughter and LOTS of excitement!!

The next day, Jeff and I were able to speak in church. And although my voice still shakes and I cry like a baby, Heavenly Father has helped me in my journey to become more comfortable speaking in public. I didn't say become a great speaker, but to become more comfortable. The nerves no longer make me sick days before and after I speak, but just minutes and I don't have a chance to dwell on it thanks to being in the Primary Presidency. This has helped me with my presentation and overcoming the fear of speaking to adults who I think must know more than I do. It was a beautiful day to be at church. I love to hear my children sing - Abbey is quite the singer! :) I love to hear my husband speak in church and share his testimony - we don't often volunteer to share our testimonies during fast/testimony meeting. 

Lucas saw Jeff preparing his talk Sunday morning and asked him what he was doing. Jeff told him: 'Preparing a talk for church.'

Lucas: 'But I don't speak Spanish'......

Jeff quite often speaks Spanish in our Stake and most often his talks are in Spanish - he rarely speaks in our ward - it's been 2 years since we last spoke in Sacrament meeting.

I love Easter. I'm grateful for our Savior - that He is Risen. He lives again and so can we!

Ah-ha moment

Today was one of those rare mornings at our house which inspired this 'ah-ha' moment for my kids. 

Picture this: all the kids around the craft table coloring, drawing and having a good time. I'm playing the piano and Jeff has already left for work. It's 8:20 (school doesn't start til 9). 

Lucas says 'it's great we have time to play!'

Lea in her ever-so-rapidly grown up phrase says: 'I know right? It's because we're all ready to go'.

(insert the Hallelujah chorus!!!)

Who would have thought that getting ready before we were walking out the door would give you more time to play........school ends in 6 weeks. Maybe next year we'll be a little quicker on the 'ah-ha'....one can always hope.

Spring Break!

We celebrated 100 years of Oreos and Pi day (3/14) with Oreo Pi(e), ice cream and oreos! Awesome dinner - kids were a little sick from eating all that sugar. :)

Perfect Cookie eating place. He fits inside the cupboard - closes the door and plays peek-a-boo.

Bye-bye curls!!

My little boys are all grown up!! There was a LOT of hair on the ground.

We went to the Dentist, the girls were playing while Lucas was chilling in the chair. Lea already had her turn.

Spent the afternoon with Jeff at a Spring Training game - Rockies vs Cubs. It was SOOOO HOT! We splurged and bought lemonade and snow cones. Ammon tried to lift some ice from the beverage carrier the seller put down to talk to someone. He then towards the end of the game, picked up a couple cups (of course there was some beer remaining....) and tried to drink it. Luckily I saw him and snagged it before we got reported.... ha! He was trying to clean up and honestly any cup left behind, MUST be for him.