Father Son Night

Last Friday night the Elementary School had their Father Son Night.  Sammy has been anxiously and, sometimes impatiently, awaiting this night.  So off headed Joel and Sammy to build a car at the school.  They made a dragster car and Sammy got to use markers to color it.  Then the boys got to play basketball.  Sammy loved having Joel with him for the night and was so cute telling me all about the fun they had together.  Joel enjoyed being at the school with Sammy and meeting some of Sammy's school friends.  Sammy has such a talent and gift of making friends. His personality is a magnet and others always want to be with him.  How grateful I am that he wants to include everyone.  In his mind, the more the merrier.  He is such an example of loving everyone and doing all you can to include everyone and make everyone feel accepted and loved.

Another Snow Day

We are having yet another snow day today.  Joel and Thomas headed out early this morning to clear the driveways of about 6 inches of snow that accumulated in the last 6 hours or so, and by the time they were done there was another inch that had fallen.  The wind is blowing hard and snow is going everywhere!  We are under a winter storm watch until 4 this afternoon.  Joel decided to work from home today so he didn't have to go out on the roads.  So, we are enjoying another day inside with everyone!  Sammy wanted to work with Dad so he got a workbook page and worked alongside Dad for a while.  Hopefully we won't have too many more of these storms or our kids will be going to school all summer!

Father Daughter Valentine Dance

The elementary school hosted a Father-Daughter Valentine Dance last night.  Spring planned what she was going to wear weeks in advance.  She wanted to wear her skirt she made with Sue Ann in sewing lessons.  Joel came down after getting ready for the dance wearing a purple tie to match Spring's skirt. He said he's  not a fan of a purple tie (he's never worn it before) but it was worth it for tonight.  Spring's eyes it up and she just smiled when she saw him.  The two had a fun night of dancing and Joel enjoyed meeting some of Spring's friends and their dads.

What was the best part of your day?

This is the question we ask each of the kids during dinner. We go around the table sharing our favorite or best part of our day. It is a fun way to hear about each person's day and often starts other conversations. The kids now know what Joel's response will be every night and they think it is fun to answer for him. His response (during the week) to his favorite part of the day is always, "Coming home from work!" How wonderful it is for the children to hear each day that their dad loves to come home from work so he can be with them. I hope they learn to truly appreciate the blessing their dad is in their life. Just for the record, I love it when he comes home too!

Normal Craziness in our Home

I just thought I would post some pictures of our little ones to highlight some of their craziness that happens each day in our home. They have so much energy and keep me going and I love the smiles we see from such simple pleasures. Yesterday the little ones were enjoying a few moments of "decent" weather so they headed outside to play. They put on their snow boots so they could stomp in the puddles. I think it is ironic that they have snowboots (that we were able to find at a second hand store) but they don't have coats on (even though it was only about 35 degrees outside) because they don't own coats. Sammy and Mary loved playing with the "Big Sticks" they found. There were lots of branches that had fallen from trees during the storm the night before.

Then, this evening Dad was spinning Joshie like a helicopter. Joshie was laughing and kept coming back saying, "Again. Again." I finally pulled the camera out towards the end so Joshie and Dad's arms were getting tired. After I turned off the camera, however, Joshie came back asking, "Again? Again?"

A Sunday Afternoon Nap

Joel is taking an unusual Sunday afternoon nap right now. It has been months since he has done this. The kids and I decided to have a little fun while he was sleeping. He is still asleep so we will see how long it takes for him to discover our "handy"work after he wakes up.

Making Cake

For scouts our ward has a cake auction fundraiser. All the scouts are asked to decorate a cake with the help of Dad to auction off that evening. Thomas decided he wanted to make a pool table cake this year. He and Joel planned it all out and had great fun working together on it. They even made homemade fondant for the cake. Thomas wasn't so sure he liked making the fondant because he got so sticky but he thought it was cool that they were able to make it. I am grateful that Joel enjoys doing these things with our children. I think they did a wonderful job on their cake.

Soccer Awards

Soccer season has come to an end. We enjoyed the season and Joel enjoyed coaching Spring. At the same time we are so excited for the end of the season so we can enjoy more time at home with the family and less time rushing off to practices and games. Saturday we had a little pizza party at the park for the team. After they ate lunch and played together at the park for a while Joel presented each of them with their trophy for the season. Spring was so excited to get her trophy.

Thomas' Baptism

Thomas was baptized this morning by his Dad. I am so grateful he decided to be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was such a wonderful service. It was very emotional for me as I saw our son dressed in white with a grin across his face and his eyes so bright with joy and excitement. I was also overwhelmed with gratitude for a husband that loves his family and honors the Priesthood with which he has been entrusted with. We were so blessed to have friends and family travel to attend his baptism...both sets of grandparents, Aunt Alanna, Aunt Tammy, and Joel & Katie Henderson came for his baptism. Katie was Thomas' primary teacher in Manteca about 2 years ago. During the baptism I found myself reflecting on the wonderful blessing Thomas is to our family. He has been blessed with such an obedient and kind nature. He has a tender and believing heart. He is an example to me of the kind of life I want to live. I know our Savior was so happy with Him as he decided to enter the waters of baptism and make those special covenants with Him.

Grandma Powell gave the talk on baptism. She did a wonderful job talking directly to Thomas about the importance of this step in his life. She read the account of Alma teaching the people and baptizing them in the waters of Mormon (Mosiah 18:8-11). She talked about how they "clapped their hands for joy." She compared this to the excitement Thomas had for being baptized. Thomas had been up every hour starting around 2 am because he was so excited to be baptized.

Grandma Biggs gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and brought some fun items that he would use in scouting and compared them to ways the Holy Ghost will help him spiritually. Thomas was the pianist for his baptism and did such a wonderful job. How many kids can say they were the pianist for their own baptism?!

It was such a special day for Thomas and for us, as his parents. We are blessed with such joy from his righteous decisions.

Outdoor Cooking

Thomas has been wanting to cook on the BBQ with Joel for about a week now so he can pass off one of his cub scout requirements. Yesterday he planned the menu and looked through the fridge, freezer, and cupboards so he could make a shopping list for the things we didn't have that he needed for his meal. So today he and I went shopping to get the couple things we needed. Then Joel helped him BBQ on the grill. Thomas was in heaven. They made hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Thomas was so proud of himself because Joel pretty much let him do it all by himself. While we were eating dinner Thomas kept saying, "Ohhh, this is delicious!" It was so cute. He is very gung ho about his scouting requirements. He wanted to earn a beltloop so he was looking through the different ones available and decided to earn the computers beltloop. He did all the requirements for that today and is now working to earn the computers pin. By doing the beltloop he also passed off a Faith in God requirement. It is so fun to see him take charge and ownership with cub scouts and Faith in God. I only hope I can keep up with him!

Naptime with Daddy

Joel enjoys having our new babies sleep on his chest. Before long, Daddy is as sound as the baby (if not more so!). Yesterday Daddy and Joshua were sleeping on the couch when Mary woke up from her nap. She decided she needed to lay down with Daddy too! I love watching him with our children. He is such a wonderful Dad!