I don't get a lot of comments on my blog so I am sure hardly anyone reads it, BUT, I am in need of some little advice.
I have 3 areas (sometimes more) in my home that are garbage collecting spots, or random collecting spots. Ya know, the area you just put something because you don't know what else to do with it, OR some days you are just to lazy to put it away in the right area SO you just set it there! These areas are driving this mama crazy. I have an area on my kitchen counter, sometimes on my washer (when I want it invisible), and an area in my room . . . Am I the only one with these areas? If you have any suggestions, leave me some comments, it's driving me crazy (to the point that I stare at these piles, ponder about these piles, and get overwhelmed by the idea of the piles that I do nothing else the rest of the day)!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
LegoLand
LegoLand California was PERFECT for my kids. It wasn't too big for them like I thought Disneyland would be, there were rides, shows, and things for the kids to do. There was a water park, water rides, and a SEA aquarium. It was GREAT FUN! The only downfall I saw was we spent too many days there, (I was done after day 2 but the kids weren't) and Rysa was too small for some rides. A lot of the rides kids had to be at least 34 inches but some rides, like the roller coaster ones, the kids had to be at least 42 inches and some even had an age limit of 4. With those with the age limit, we just told them Rysa was 4 if she met the height requirement.
This picture was taken as we were waiting in line for the roller coaster ride I think. Cayten had never been on a roller coaster and I didn't want him scared so I didn't say anything but "if you get scared or nervous, just scream as loud as you can". He was terrified but survived. He didn't want to go on that one again. (I guess another downfall would be if you wanted any pictures of you on the rides, you had to buy them because there weren't many places to capture the big rides. The price for ONE 6x8 was like $20!)
We were constantly taking turns on who would go with who. This ride was one of Rysa's favorite rides. The airplanes went up and down with a lever she could push. I think she went on this ride 3 times but a different airplane ride she could ride herself was her all time favorite.
Rysa is usually a SASS or a HAM! She would usually scowl or totally ham it up as you can see in the photos above. She LOVED Legoland for the most part and suprisingly enough only got tired the last day we went. She wanted to swim every day but one day it was cloudy and rainy. She loved every ride she could ride and took in everything. She is Rysa and loved being independent. I was REALLY worried about her running off but we never had any incidents (at Legoland that is, hotel is a different story). Her favorite area was the splash pad area or Duplo Land which was an area for the younger kids to climb, run, play, and get wet.
Cris HATES roller coasters and Cayten we now know isn't too fond of them either! There was NO line for this coaster and since there was NO line, I was able to catch a picture of the two of them. Cayten wouldn't go back on this coaster either. There was only one coaster (his favorite ride in the end) that he would go on. It was a dino coaster and you got to go twice without waiting in line is why it was his favorite he says! (again, had to pay for a picture for that one too)
One nice thing was that the kiddy rides Rysa could go on usually didn't have lines. While one of us waited in line for the longer lined rides, the other would take Rysa to a kiddy ride that she could go on. She loved them all. She is a fan of coasters and ALL rides and we decided that her and I will go to Disneyland by ourselves and leave Dad and Cayten home!
This airplane ride was Rysa's favorite. She got to ride it by herself and it was fast.
They had life size figures there (dressed up and Lego men). Rysa was TERRIFIED of the dressed up men and wouldn't go take a picture with them without me.
There was an area where you could take Lego's and build a car and then race it to see how fast it was. I enjoyed just resting in there while Cris showed Cayten what to do. Cayten loved building new things in all the areas they had legos. (Another nice thing (sorry posting as I remember) was with the rides that had REALLY long lines, they had lego areas where a parent and the kids could play while the other parent stood in line.)
Some of their favorite rides were the most simple rides like this slide. Again, there were usually no lines and so they could go multiple times. The areas with no lines were the rides we rode again and again. They may not have been the thrilling rides or most popular to adults, but the not having to wait in line really topped it off for the kids. Simple really is best sometimes!
There was an area where you could take Lego's and build a car and then race it to see how fast it was. I enjoyed just resting in there while Cris showed Cayten what to do. Cayten loved building new things in all the areas they had legos. (Another nice thing (sorry posting as I remember) was with the rides that had REALLY long lines, they had lego areas where a parent and the kids could play while the other parent stood in line.)
Family Vacation (Days 1&2)
Cris and I have been blessed with GREAT family that have allowed us to take multiple trips with just the two of us. This year however, we REALLY wanted to have our FIRST real family vacation. We decided to go to San Diego. One, because the San Diego temple is my ALL TIME favorite temple in the ENTIRE world and Two, there are many different places and things to do. We hadn't really decided where to go until I happened upon some tickets for Legoland. We were able to FIVE days at Legoland for the price of ONE, plus, my kids were the perfect size for the rides, they weren't too scary or too big, etc.
We were a little nervous for the drive. We haven't driven more than 2 hours in the car with Rysa and even those 2 hours were a challenge. We were a bit apprehensive but the drive was a success with a couple battles here and there. We stopped in St. George for a few hours to cut up the drive, eat lunch, and visit Cris's sister who lives there. The house she lives in has a little ditch/stream in front and the kids had a blast playing in the water (we had just come from 30-40 degree weather to 70's, it was wonderful).
Cris's sister Allycin took us to "Dixie Rock". I am NOT scared of heights, I am not normally paranoid, but man, Allycin probably got a kick out of me. I will blame it on the pregnancy! I was a wreck, I was terrified the kids were going to fall, Cris wasn't watching them good enough, etc. I had a rock in my stomach and I really couldn't handle it. In the end I overcame and we got some fun pictures of the kids!
We then went to the St. George temple and toured the grounds. We were traveling on a Sunday to avoid traffic and it was about the only spiritual thing we did that day, it felt really good.
We then headed to Vegas to sleep and then we were off the next morning. The hotel we stayed in was HORRIBLE, but I couldn't complain since we paid a total of $18 for that night! I asked both kids what they remembered about the first day and all Rysa could say was "It is berry berry FAR"!
We got to San Diego in pretty good time and were able to go to the beach before sunset. I LOVE the beach and would LOVE to be able to live closer to a beach one day in my life. The kids had a fun time at first at the beach. Cayten constantly called it a lake and Rysa kept throwing sand into the ocean as "food" for the water.
AND THEN, the kids were standing on the sand when a smallish wave came up. I was video taping them and Cris was standing behind me. The kids got a little nervous when all the water came in and as they tried to run away, the water brought them DOWN. It was sad and hilarious at the same time.
We were a little nervous for the drive. We haven't driven more than 2 hours in the car with Rysa and even those 2 hours were a challenge. We were a bit apprehensive but the drive was a success with a couple battles here and there. We stopped in St. George for a few hours to cut up the drive, eat lunch, and visit Cris's sister who lives there. The house she lives in has a little ditch/stream in front and the kids had a blast playing in the water (we had just come from 30-40 degree weather to 70's, it was wonderful).
Cris's sister Allycin took us to "Dixie Rock". I am NOT scared of heights, I am not normally paranoid, but man, Allycin probably got a kick out of me. I will blame it on the pregnancy! I was a wreck, I was terrified the kids were going to fall, Cris wasn't watching them good enough, etc. I had a rock in my stomach and I really couldn't handle it. In the end I overcame and we got some fun pictures of the kids!
We then went to the St. George temple and toured the grounds. We were traveling on a Sunday to avoid traffic and it was about the only spiritual thing we did that day, it felt really good.
We then headed to Vegas to sleep and then we were off the next morning. The hotel we stayed in was HORRIBLE, but I couldn't complain since we paid a total of $18 for that night! I asked both kids what they remembered about the first day and all Rysa could say was "It is berry berry FAR"!
We got to San Diego in pretty good time and were able to go to the beach before sunset. I LOVE the beach and would LOVE to be able to live closer to a beach one day in my life. The kids had a fun time at first at the beach. Cayten constantly called it a lake and Rysa kept throwing sand into the ocean as "food" for the water.
The video isn't as good as it could have been! I got a little nervous for Rysa and dropped the camera to my side as I rescued her! Needless to say, they were drenched and covered in sand and the sun was going down. Rysa was freezing and we hadn't thought to bring extra clothes (they were at the hotel) because we weren't going to SWIM. Looking through my pictures now, I didn't even get good pictures of them after they were drenched. Here is what I got with my SUCKY camera!
Personal Revelation
I want to make a post about our trip to San Diego but before that, I need to post about some thoughts I have been having recently on prayer and personal revelation. I don't want the gospel to be a back burner part of my life on this blog any longer and hope to post more gospel related thoughts, ideas, and what nots.
While we were traveling to San Diego (2 day drive when you have 2 kiddos), I was able to get a book from the library that I have been wanting to read for a VERY long time but it was ALWAYS on hold or not on the shelf. Looking back I am grateful I insisted to Cris that we stop by the library to check out a few books for me and the drive, and that this book was on the shelf this time.
The book is The Undaunted by Gerald Lund. I am sure many have read it but I had never gotten the chance. It is about the families sent from Cedar City to form a settlement near the Four Corners area and be a buffer towards the Native American relations. It was a GREAT story and a GREAT read but what I found most wonderful of all was the underlying message of prayer and how important it is in our lives.
Cris and I have been working so hard on doing better at family prayer and scripture study but our personal prayer and scripture study has been slacking for quite some time. We are going through some stages in life right now that I am ashamed to admit we haven't asked our Father in Heaven for guidance or we have asked for guidance but when we don't get the answer we are looking for, we forget to continue in prayer until we have a need for guidance again.
As I read this book, I could really relate to the main character David and his not having such a good relationship with our Heavenly Father. I KNOW prayers are answered and I know my prayers are heard but I don't pray with full earnest of heart, and sometimes (too often) my prayers become too generic in format. I have been struggling with learning how to follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost and personal revelation and sometimes I feel as if I don't know how to heed the guidance given. Last night I was able to resolve to do better.
When we came home from our trip I was disappointed to see the Friend had come but not the April Ensign because I had been slow on renewing the subscription. Today my copy of the Ensign came and in it are a few articles on prayer. Amazing to me as this seemed to be such a quick answer to a prayer that was given to Heavenly Father JUST last night. I didn't think I would get the April Ensign and in it held a wonderful message on prayer!
I read two articles but the one that hit me the most was by Elder Brent H. Nielson, titled I Need Thee Every Hour. The heading is what brought me in saying "If the Savior of the world felt the need for constant prayer, how much greater is our need?" Isn't it so true? The whole article had a great message but the reason for this lengthy but much needed post is in a section labeled We pray to give thanks and to request temporal and spiritual blessings. I am simply going to type what is written because I cannot get over how astounded I was when I read this.
While we were traveling to San Diego (2 day drive when you have 2 kiddos), I was able to get a book from the library that I have been wanting to read for a VERY long time but it was ALWAYS on hold or not on the shelf. Looking back I am grateful I insisted to Cris that we stop by the library to check out a few books for me and the drive, and that this book was on the shelf this time.
The book is The Undaunted by Gerald Lund. I am sure many have read it but I had never gotten the chance. It is about the families sent from Cedar City to form a settlement near the Four Corners area and be a buffer towards the Native American relations. It was a GREAT story and a GREAT read but what I found most wonderful of all was the underlying message of prayer and how important it is in our lives.
Cris and I have been working so hard on doing better at family prayer and scripture study but our personal prayer and scripture study has been slacking for quite some time. We are going through some stages in life right now that I am ashamed to admit we haven't asked our Father in Heaven for guidance or we have asked for guidance but when we don't get the answer we are looking for, we forget to continue in prayer until we have a need for guidance again.
As I read this book, I could really relate to the main character David and his not having such a good relationship with our Heavenly Father. I KNOW prayers are answered and I know my prayers are heard but I don't pray with full earnest of heart, and sometimes (too often) my prayers become too generic in format. I have been struggling with learning how to follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost and personal revelation and sometimes I feel as if I don't know how to heed the guidance given. Last night I was able to resolve to do better.
When we came home from our trip I was disappointed to see the Friend had come but not the April Ensign because I had been slow on renewing the subscription. Today my copy of the Ensign came and in it are a few articles on prayer. Amazing to me as this seemed to be such a quick answer to a prayer that was given to Heavenly Father JUST last night. I didn't think I would get the April Ensign and in it held a wonderful message on prayer!
I read two articles but the one that hit me the most was by Elder Brent H. Nielson, titled I Need Thee Every Hour. The heading is what brought me in saying "If the Savior of the world felt the need for constant prayer, how much greater is our need?" Isn't it so true? The whole article had a great message but the reason for this lengthy but much needed post is in a section labeled We pray to give thanks and to request temporal and spiritual blessings. I am simply going to type what is written because I cannot get over how astounded I was when I read this.
The Bible Dictionary offers this statement about prayer's purpose:Is it possible that the Lord has blessings in store for us that He is waiting for us to request?
"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to
secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant,
but that are made conditional on our asking for them."
This has hit me like a ton of bricks and I can't help but share. It is crazy to think but I know what this Elder said is true, that all I have to do is ASK and Heavenly Father has blessings waiting for me but for now, as I deny myself and my family the blessings of prayer, I am also denying them the blessings our Heavenly Father has waiting for us. I know not every prayer is answered the way we want, and I know we can't always receive the blessings we want but this hit me that some blessings, if we don't ask for them, although our Heavenly Father is willing to give them to us, we cannot receive them because we simply have not asked, seeked, or knocked.
"Whatsoever they ask the Father in the Son's name it shall be given unto them, that is expedient for them" (D&C 88:64)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
It's been a while again!
Facebook has KILLED my blogging. It is so much easier to post photos there and quick updates rather than a full post but I want to print my blog into a book one day as my journal so I better keep it up better!
A lot has happened since my last "REAL" post but at the same time, not so much! We are in the process of packing and getting ready for our FIRST family vacation. We are headed to San Diego soon and are SO EXCITED. We will be going to Legoland and a bunch of beaches as we get out of Sprinter (spring/winter) here in Cache Valley.
Rysa turned 3 on February 23, 2011. I can't believe how fast time flies, and I can't believe in about 10 weeks, we are going from completely independent children to adding a completely dependent child. It will definitely be a change!
I had a REALLY hard time deciding what to get Rysa for her B-day. Both Grandma's gave her a loot of stuff and all the toys for her age seemed so cheap and not fun. (I am 100% anti-barbie) so I had the idea of making her a princess/super hero cape. This was a sanity breaker for me because her and Cayten fought over his Superman cape CONSTANTLY! I LOVE how it turned out!
The weather has been CRAZY here lately. January held very little snow and February we got DUMPED on. Normally we get dumped on in January and everything thaws out for February. Mid February we were able to go to the park for ONE day and then we got slammed with another foot of snow that still hasn't melted! (hopefully by the time I get back from our Vaycay!
Here are a few photos of us digging out of the storm! (or maybe more than a few, they're just too cute, how do you narrow it down!)
Rysa made up a song to go with the next photos . . . it went something like this "When it's cold, you put the snow, in your gloves" and then she proceeded to eat the snow out of her gloves like ice cream!
And of course, you can't end a snow day without a snowball fight!
A lot has happened since my last "REAL" post but at the same time, not so much! We are in the process of packing and getting ready for our FIRST family vacation. We are headed to San Diego soon and are SO EXCITED. We will be going to Legoland and a bunch of beaches as we get out of Sprinter (spring/winter) here in Cache Valley.
Rysa turned 3 on February 23, 2011. I can't believe how fast time flies, and I can't believe in about 10 weeks, we are going from completely independent children to adding a completely dependent child. It will definitely be a change!
Rysa wanted pink cupcakes and this is what I came up with!
The weather has been CRAZY here lately. January held very little snow and February we got DUMPED on. Normally we get dumped on in January and everything thaws out for February. Mid February we were able to go to the park for ONE day and then we got slammed with another foot of snow that still hasn't melted! (hopefully by the time I get back from our Vaycay!
Here are a few photos of us digging out of the storm! (or maybe more than a few, they're just too cute, how do you narrow it down!)
This is called a Sun Dog . . . you learn something new every day! It was REALLY bright!
Rysa made up a song to go with the next photos . . . it went something like this "When it's cold, you put the snow, in your gloves" and then she proceeded to eat the snow out of her gloves like ice cream!
And of course, you can't end a snow day without a snowball fight!
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