Swimming season begins!!!

This month we went swimming for the first time this year. I wasn't sure how my boys would do right away but they are loving it! I've decided playing in water is the only way to stay sane in this crazy heat. Here are a few pictures of the fun we've had so far!
Caleb with Uncle Stephen

Kyson and Aunt Katie

Anna's first time swimming

LOVING these pictures of Caleb jumping in. He's got the greatest looks on his face!


This morning I filled up our tiny pool with water and let the boys play for a while. They had so much fun sliding down the slide into the water and jumping in. They would always grab a few cars, watch them slide down and then follow after them.


Gotta love all the cars in Caleb's hands:)

Fathers and Sons

A couple weekends ago Jared took our boys to the fathers and sons campout for our ward. They had a great time together and I had a great time by myself:) I took some cute pictures of them before they headed out that I wanted to share.
I love how Caleb wants to be just like his Daddy here. I asked Jared to squat down so Caleb did too.


Off to have a great time as only boys can!

FHE in the Desert

Last Monday we went out to Lost Dutchman's State Park with Jared's grandparents and family. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was so beautiful out there! We cooked tin foil dinners and enjoyed visiting while our boys played in the dirt with their cousins. They were so dirty by the time we left but they had a great time! I think we all did:)



Kyson loves wearing sunglasses:)

A weekend in Thatcher

Right after High School I went to college at EAC in Thatcher. That was almost ten years ago! It's so hard to believe that!!! Anyway, I hadn't been back to Thatcher in at least 8 years so I was excited to go. My wonderful friend Karli's parents live there so when our husbands decided to go on a fishing trip together we decided to head to Thatcher together. It was a perfect place to go while our husbands were away. Our boys loved playing outside and going for walks and I loved driving around reminiscing about my young college days. I have some crazy fun memories of that place:)
Here we are getting ready to go for a walk to see some chickens and a cow.


Why walk when you can RUN!

Kyson was just not sure what to think of that cow.

Karli's cute boys


Kyson loves throwing frisbees and wanted to do it all day long!



While we were there the Gila temple was having their open house so we got to take our boys to see the inside of the temple. It was so beautiful!

A weekend to myself!

The last weekend in April I was VERY blessed to be able to attend BYU Women's Conference. It was such an amazing experience filled with a lot of laughter, spiritual upliftment, staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning, shopping, lots and lots of food, and just having a great time! I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Karli's Grandma since she lives right next to BYU. All of Karli's sisters were there along with some cousins and aunts so it was a house FULL of women:)
Ever since the Conference there have been quotes and stories running through my mind. There were so many good talks. Some that made you laugh, some that made you cry, and some that made you do both:) One of my favorite speakers was Jack R. Christensen. I could have listened to him for another hour! Anyway, I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes from the conference:

1. "When our priorities are out of order, we lose power!" Julie Beck
2. "A distraction does not have to be a evil to be a distraction!" Starr Anderson
3. "Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured." President Hinckley
4. "Our sorrows enlarge our souls capacity for joy." Erin Holmes

I think that last quote is one that I've thought about the most. I just find it so interesting how we can't truly appreciate and find joy in life without experiencing the good and the bad. It's ok to go through hard things because it teaches us to be more grateful for the good things in life. If we never feel sorrow, I don't think we can truly feel joy either.

Throughout the conference my sweet Kyson seemed to be on my mind so often. This year is not going to be an easy one as he will have a heart cath this summer and then surgery #3 around his 3rd birthday. I couldn't stop thinking about him and all we've been through and how much he has taught me. At the evening concert Dallyn Vail Bayles sang the song, "He Is My Son," and I loved it so much I wanted to include the lyrics here:

I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes

CHORUS:
Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there

CHORUS

Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him
He's my son

I am so grateful I was able to go to this conference. I want to give a huge thanks to my Mom for watching my kids, to Jared for allowing me to go, and to Karli and her family for letting me join them! It was a weekend I'll never forget!!!