I felt sorry for you guys

Today Keith and I had to speak in church.   I asked Wyatt if he saw us talking on the stand and he said, "Yeah, I felt sorry for you guys."  I asked him why and he said he didn't know.  Funny kid.

 

When they asked Keith and I to speak they said that both of our talks had to be 20 minutes long.  I told Keith to ask if Caitlyn and Jonah could speak too.  I was being selfish and just thinking about filling time, but I'm so glad they did.  Last Sunday both Caitlyn and Jonah pulled out their kindles and looked on the gospel library and wrote their own talks.  They both did amazing.  It was definitely a proud mommy moment.

These two are sure growing up quickly.  They are great kids, sometimes I worry when they make a mistake, but when I sit back and look at them, I realize that they are both wonderful kids.  They really have a desire to do the right thing.

Here is Jonah's talk:

I was asked to speak on family home evening.  The reason we have it is because we can learn about Jesus.  The lord has commanded parents to teach the gospel to their children.  The first presidency said, "We promise you great blessings if you will follow the Lord's counsel and hold regular family home evenings.  Families should study the scriptures.  As families read and ponder the scriptures they will want to become more like the Savior and will find greater happiness and peace in their lives." 

My favorite family home evening lesson is agency.  Agency means to make your own choices.  My dad taught us by drawing a whirlpool.  I hope you do family home evening at home.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Here is Caitlyn's talk:

I was asked to speak on family home evening and the importance of it.  The Lord wants and needs the parents to teach in the home.  Family home evening teaches us kids to grow closer to Heavenly Father.  The first presidency said, “we promise you great blessings if you follow the Lord’s counsel and hold family home evening regularly.  We pray that parents will accept their responsibility to teach the gospel principles and to teach their children about the gospel.”  Family home evening is for everyone.  Strive to make time for family home evening and I promise you will be blessed. I like family home evening because I am able to learn about the gospel and why I am here and the choices I have made and will make.  I know that if we didn't have family home evening it would be really hard for me because I love family home evening and it helps me know that my family loves me. I hope brothers and sisters that you will have family home evening every week.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
I was so proud of both of them.  They did amazing.

This week we took my dad out to lunch to celebrate his birthday.  The kids were thrilled that he picked Leatherby's. 

It was fun to spend some time with dad and just talk.  Well, talk between taking care of the kids and cleaning up Hallee's messes.  I'm sure grateful for my dad.  He is a wonderful example of hard work, love and obedience.  He was always a great provider for our family.  He was busy with work and church callings, but I don't ever remember him missing one of my soccer games.  He led our house with discipline and love.  I knew he loved me, but I also knew what he expected of me.   He has a great sense of humor and seems to be able to get away with saying things that other people couldn't!  Love ya dad!

Jonah started indoor soccer last week.  I'm glad Jonah likes sports because I love watching them.  He excels as an athlete, but what I am really excited about is how he is learning and exceling in sportsmanship and team work.  He tries to include everyone and he works so hard to help the team win.  I really like Jonah's coach.  He is giving them a lot of good instruction.  They haven't been playing positions so Jonah ends up running up and down the court the whole game.  He plays offense, but he always makes it back down to be there on defense as well.   Yesterday he was so tired, but he always found the energy to make it back down the court to help the goalie.

Wyatt has been wearing Jonah's Utah Jazz bandana everywhere.  He sure looks cute in it.  The other night just Wyatt and I went to Jonah's game because Keith was with the Young Men.  I love one-on-one time with Wyatt.  He is so happy and funny when he is alone with me.  After Jonah's game he looked at me and said, "Wow, Jonah sure played great today."

Hallee cracks me up.  She wants to be in her pajamas all of the time.  Whenever we are home, she wants her pajamas on.  The other night I was tucking all of the kids in bed and she was still up because she had a late nap.  She walked from room to room with me and told them all good night and gave them a hug while they were lying in bed.  It was so cute!

Friday night Amarie spent the night at our house.  Caitlyn was in heaven.  She gets so frustrated that none of her siblings want to play what she wants to play.  The girls had a great time playing and spent most of Saturday playing outside.  Jonah went and spent the night with EJ and Elijah.  He was so excited.  He loves to hang out with them, he feels so important.  He had a great time and was so excited to tell me that he and Elijah jogged to the store by themselves. 

On Saturday we took Wyatt and Hallee to Home Depot for a building project.  Wyatt loved it.  He had a great time.

Hallee hated it because of all of the noise.  She ended up crying and sitting down playing on our phone.  I should have known it would be too loud for her.

After a busy day yesterday we all stayed home and watched a movie last night.  The kids always get up and dance to the music at the end of the movies.  I love watching them.  They are so funny.  Wyatt asked me to video tape him dancing so he could show it to all of his friends.