Way too Long!

Well, it's been too long. I told myself I wouldn't let it go this long. It's been such a fun filled past month though. Lots to tell. Let's see how many details I can remember. So the 4th of July celebration was so fun as always. Loris family stayed for a few weeks, which was great! Her kids have grown up so much! Our kids loved having them here. Baylor was excited about the fireworks until it got a little dark and up over our heads, then he was so scared! So I ended up sitting in Jamie's house, but that was ok with me because I will no longer have a baby next year, which makes me sad. I am so grateful for this wonderful country we live in, and the celebration we have every year with the Cook family. The kids have so much fun with cousins and we love to spend time with Spencers family. So the weeks following were filled with walking lambs, practicing judging, etc... The kids had their Lamb Show the day before Lamb Day and it went well. None of them placed, but they have improved so much this year and learned so much! It really surprised me. Their sale went better than expected the next day too. They should each end up with $500.00 in their pockets (savings) this year after costs are paid. Lb Day itself was great! Spencer, Wylie & I all ran in the 5K & Lamb scram that morning. We all beat our times, so that was good. We headed down to the parade start because Tracy put together the small sheep camps again. He pointed out that all of the grandchildren being together might not happen again for years to come because Clancy is hoping to be on a mission by next Lamb Day, so he had a lady come take pictures. It was neat to have them all there. They all rode in the parade, even Clancy and Baylor. We had lunch after in Tracy & Marian's building. My Mom & Dad Masters were here, which just made it funner. The kids played at some of the games at the park, we watched some of the softball games and then watched the fireworks, which was awesome because we were right under them. It was a fun, great Lamb Day again. I am so grateful for this great community I live in. So my Dad left Sunday, but my Mom stayed because Spencer & I went on Trek in Wyoming with the Ward for Youth Conference. What a surprisingly wonderful experience. The youth in our group were Catherine Lund, Aubry Madsen, Bailee Hansen, Alan Oldroyd, Wyatt Farnsworth, and Kaden Allred. What a great group of kids! Loved getting to know them! The Trek was so different than I imagined. There were missionaries at each spot, telling History and stories of the pioneers. There was even a spot we got to go see that they told us was Hallowed ground because The Savior himself had walked there. It was a grave site for 11 pioneers. There was fun line dancing. I loved getting to know the other leaders and adults that I didn't know so well in the ward. Diane and Kim Johnson were in charge of it all and she was not in good health and wasn't supposed to come, so I am so grateful for all they did to put it together. We had a special fast last Sunday for her health. We also got to see a slide show of a bunch of pictures. It was very fun to watch. So that was a busy couple of weeks. Let's see, since then, we started another round of swimming lessons. Wylie got a new motorbike(100). He has been to the farm a lot and riding and hiking for scouts and doing his family history calling. He was just called as the Deacons quorum President and had such a neat blessing from Bishop last week for it. You could feel the Spirit very strong. I am so grateful for Him. He is an excellent Young Man, in all the ways he should be. I am scared to send him to Middle School because I fear his innocence will not last, but I just pray that He will stand up for what he knows to be right, even when others won't. I couldn't ask for a better son. I feel that all my boys are so strong and will be such great leaders someday, I just need to get them in the right direction. I try so hard everyday to teach my children things that are right and what is most important in this life. It's been so nice because Kaylese has spent so much time with me at home this summer. She is such a great help and big sister. I have really enjoyed it!  Ryland has now taken over Wylie's other motorbike, and is enjoying it. He has helped me a lot at home this summer too. He has played with Tyrik a lot, which Tyrik has loved! It's been great. We got to have a one on one with him the other night. He chose to go bowling and watch the movie- Pixels. It was fun to spend that time with him :) The next night we took Kaylese. Her & I got pedicures first. Ya, she loved it. Then we took her to help us pick some bunnies out for Aynslee's birthday present. Ya, I know, weird. We finally gave into the idea of pets again. I hope I don't regret it soon. So we picked those out. We then went out to eat and even grocery shopped. Now we have two more to go before school starts. It was one of my goals, to do a one on one with each of the four going to school before they went. Oh, so Jeff & Anna had their baby boy Samuel in July. I can't wait to hold him. He looks adorable!! They also moved to Elko because Jeffrey got a new job as assistant District Attorney there. Colby just graduated from lineman school in Idaho. I hope he gets a job soon. Rianna was baptized last Saturday, that was great to go to. We also went to the Cook family reunion that day, which was a lot of fun. Devin graduated officially from Nursing School and got a job in an ICU, at a hospital in Murray. We have had some really big rainstorms, which have been a great blessing. Oh, Elder Packer died of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles. Only less than a month after Elder Perry. It was such a nice funeral (watched it on tv). Sad to see those two go. What amazing men!  Now to see who the next two apostles are. Elder Nelson was called now to the President of the the Twelve Apostles. I am just hoping to really enjoy this last week a half with my kids before school starts. :( I love summer and have loved spending time with them. We even got school shopping and going through all their clothes all done already, which is a huge job. I just wish they could stay my babies. Oh how I love them! Aynslee talks so well now. Baylor can pull himself up to anything now and even does a weird type of crawl. He is starting to get a little temper though...I hope it's just the age. He is still the cutest thing ever though :) I love my family more than anything! I have enjoyed time this summer with my husband, kids, and extended family so much! There is nothing better. I hope I didn't forget anything. Oh, one funny. So our Bishop was teaching sharing time in Primary and said " Jesus Loves Everyone of You". Tyrik stands up and says loudly, while pointing to his teacher-"Not Him, because He's Old!" Ya, he said they all laughed pretty hard. That kid, he is something else! Love him. :) Until next time, which is hopefully soon.

Cool things

So I just had to post a few neat things. Within the last two days, I have seen Ryland & Kaylese jump off a diving board and swim by themselves to the side. I have seen Aynslee learn how to balance on the little strider bike and Baylor is now straightening his legs to stand up on things and people. Also, Tyrik read two words to me out of a book for the first time tonight. Spencer was offered more hours and call at Sanpete Valley Hospital, and Kaylese has learned some new dance technique because we are practicing for her Lamb Day Talent show piece. It's so neat to see change when it is good change. These are little miracles to me. I am grateful for being able to witness  these little miracles. I am so grateful for my life. I am so blessed and know that my Heavenly Father is aware of me.

Fun Week in Nevada

Well, it's been a good two weeks. Wylie went to scout camp from Tuesday to Saturday. I think that's the longest I have gone without seeing him, and I really missed him by the weekend. He said he enjoyed it a lot though, so I was glad. Spencer went up Friday morning and spent time with Wylie, and then Winston took Ryland & Tyrik up with him that evening for the Father's and Sons campus and met up with Spencer. Kaylese & I deep cleaned her room. That was so nice to get done. We went and hung out with Jamie & Rianna that night and visited, which was fun. Saturday we worked in the yard, cleaned out the sandbox and mowed the lawn, all before the boys got home. There was an accident at the bottom of Fairview canyon, so the guys were stuck up there for longer than expected. It ended up being a good day. It was nice to have time with the girls. The next Monday, Wylie went for his 10 mile hike with the scouts and then as soon as he was home, we took of to Nevada. We stopped in Toquerville to see my Gr & Gr. Nanny & Papa Byington. My kids haven't been around them much, so I really wanted to visit with them. We followed them to a park, with a fountain in Hurricane. The kids loved the fountains! Even Baylor played in them! We had a good visit, and even Nanny's sister Aunt Pat came. We went to Dairy Queen after and ate with them. It was so fun to see them and see them enjoy the kids.
(My kids crack me up. I was just down telling Ryland & Tyrik to go to bed again & they were both showing me the cool things they built out of Legos. Then Tyrik said " Mom, right here is hard. Maybe my muscles came up from my leg and gave me more muscles on my arm." Oh the funny things kids say. Tyrik idolizes Ryland and because of that, he has learned to build Legos like him. He is actually getting pretty good. Ryland can build amazing things, all from his own imagination. It's awesome! Sorry, had to share, now back to my story.)
So I was grateful we stopped and saw them on the way. We got on the road again and made it to Logandale around 7:00. The kids were very excited! Almost immediately the kids had Grandma working. There was a wagon there, so Aynslee & Baylor had Grandma pull them across the street to the "park" or the school. There are a few playgrounds over there, so the kids loved that. Dad grilled some dinner late, he even made the kids some cookies before bed eaxh night. It was hot, but the kids were so excited! Tuesday morning the kids played with Bretts & Esthers kids and played the x-box. We went to my friend Heather Humes' that afternoon. It was so nice, she has an above ground pool that the kids played in for hours. We were able to visit, it was great! That evening, Grandpa & Grandma took the boys kayaking out on the reservoir. Kaylese got to ride Monroes pony, which she loved! Baylor loved following Summer (my parents' dog) around and giving her hugs. It was so cute. We ate a late dinner again, had some cookies again and went to bed late, it was a fun day! Wednesday, Jesse was off work, so he came and took Ryland & Wylie out to the reservoir again to Kayak. Kaylese wanted to stay and play with Monroe, so she did. My Mom & I took the Littles over to Kim Copes house to swim in her tiny blow up pool and play on the slip & slide. They had so much fun! We had a good visit with Kim. Mike came home a little early and gave the kids all sorts of sugar, so they loved him! That evening, my parents took all the kids expect the two littles out to the reservoir and went kayaking again. They said Tyrik & Kaylese did great & loved it! Baylor & Aynslee & I watched the Mormon Channel, then spent time playing outside until they got back. We read scriptures and prayed with My Mom & Dad, and Jesse and his new girlfriend (who isn't a member) just happened to walk in, so I thought that was neat that she could hear us read the scriptures. Thursday, as soon as we were ready, we drove into Las Vegas to MinaFae's house to visit for a few minutes, then we loaded up and followed her to my Grandpa Zobrist's(my Mom's Dad) Home. We were able to visit with him for a short time, but I was so grateful the kids got to see him and He, them. Then, we headed to my Uncle James' house and went swimming. The kids had a lot of fun! We had pizza and visited, it was great! I am so grateful I got to see them! I wish we could have visited longer, but Baylor was so onery most the day and had had it by then. So we drove home so he could nap and be happy. I miss that side of the family. I love them so much. They are great loving people. That evening, you guessed it, the kids went with Grandpa again! We had another good dinner and cookies :) It was a great time. I came home Friday morning, after stopping for some Father's Day gifts in St. George on the way. We got here around 4:30, so we made good time. The trip was so fun & too short I decided! I am so grateful we were able to go. I love visiting family, it so fullfilling. Especially doing with my kids because my relatives love seeing them so much. Father's Day was nice because Spencer had no meetings for the day, it was great! Marian made a great dinner and we enjoyed seeing the kids play with their cousins. Today Spencer took the kids out to the farm, after their swimming lessons. They will have those for the next couple weeks everyday. I hope they learn a lot. I really wish time didn't have to go by so quickly. There is nothing better than having babies, and little kids, and spending time with family. I love it so much. I am truly blessed and thankful for my full, happy life. God is good. Until next time. :)

First weeks of summer

Well, it has only been two weeks of summer and it has been pretty busy. We celebrated Tyriks birthday. He loved every minute ofcourse. He is really into Legos now, so he got a set of those and some shoes and bubbles and stuff like that. Wylie and Ryland had a ball camp for three days that the highschool, so we went over to Mt. Pleasant and I let the little ones play at the park while they were in their camp. We went up to Millers flat as a family Monday of that week also. It turned out to be a beautiful day and the kids had a lot of fun on rides and hikinh around. We went up to Salt Lake Friday to see my Gr & Gr. Slade. It was so nice to see them and have the kids visit with them. I have the feeling my Grandpa won't be around much longer, so I am glad we went. This last week we had a Dr. Appt for Wylie for his scout physical and his middle school shots. We all went up because it was Spencer & I's anniversary, so we took him a drink and treat at work. Wednesday evening Marian came to stay with the kids so Spencer & I could go up to stay overnight at Brigham city. We try to go to a new temple every year. We went to dinner and a movie that night and then Thursday morning, we went to the Brigham city temple. It was a small, but beautiful temple. They had a new video for the session that we hasn't seen yet. Then we had lunch and went to the Ogden temple for a session. That was also nice, and so pretty inside. It was neat to feel the Spirit and learn so much all that day. It was so nice to get away just for a day. I am grateful for all Spencer does for me. I know he loves me and I felt spoiled by the time Thursday was over. He brought home roses and other gifts for me Tuesday too. I am grateful that after 14 years, we are growing together spiritually and for the relationship we have. I love him very much.
Friday we just  tried to get things done around the house and grocery shopped. I am excited for my raspberry plants, rose bushes and strawberry plants in the back, they are starting to do great. It has rained off and on still which is such a huge blessing. Saturday morning Spencer, Wylie & Ryland went to Colburns baptism while me & the others went to Kali's baptism in American Fork. It was hard that they ended up being on the same day, but I am glad we could support both. It was so nice to see Janell. She looked great and seemed happy.
I am sad I don't see her more, but I hope she is truly happy. The boys went on the mountain after the were done, so they were gone when we got home. We deep cleaned the girls room, which was so needed and even Kaylese was very glad when we were done. Church was pretty good today. We all fasted, which I am grateful that my children know that is what we do. It was a good fast & testimony meeting. The bishopric taught us about bringing sacrament meetings back to Christ. We are working on this as a family, and are hoping to make a few changes to make it more meaningful. It was great to hear the messages from the quorum of the 12.
The Apostle L.Tom Perry passed away at the age of 92. He was a great man. He has been in there since 1974, so all of my life. I was sad to see him go, but happy for him. He had lost a wife, a daughter, and two granddaughters. So I am sure their reunion was great.
I have to say, after going to the temple and finishing the Book of Mormon again, I just feel like The Plan of Salvation really is real. God does have a plan. Life isn't meant to be eas y, but we are promised numerous times in the temple, if we will but remain faithful to our covenants, we will be blessed.
Sometimes it is tempting to stop trying and to just pull away from trying to be righteous and good all the time, but I know that is just Satan, not wanting me to progress and grow and I know he is trying to discourage me from raising my children the way I should. I believe they are going to do great things and that they will be a huge part of sharing the gospel and bringing in the Second Coming. I just hope and pray, that I can stay diligent in all that is needed to be done. It is the day to day things sometimes that seem hard for me to keep up with. Especially when I feel like they need to be done, but that my children should be more important than any of it. I hope I can be the kind of Mom that teaches my children how to work, and to live right, but at the same time, that I love them more than anything and would help them with anything they needed or any problem they have. I love my lifem . It is so rich, so full of love, and God's great blessings. Tyrik was able to go and stay at My Mom and Dads for his birthday lastnight and to see how much my kids love my Dad and to hear his stories and his love for us, inspires me. I am so grateful for such a great Dad and such good family. I love them so much. God loves us more than we can see and understand, and will bless us. Until next time.

Great two weeks

It is amazing all that can happen in two weeks time. Especially in May. So, Tyrik has had more tball games and enjoyed those. Ryland has had baseball games and is struggling a little with it, but is improving a lot. I had my 34th...I cannot believe I am to that number. It just seems like a step up or something. Anyways, my 34th birthday. It was so nice because the night before, Spencer ran me a bath and had rose petals in it and put on a romantic comedy on his Ipad and let me relax and watch. I loved it! The next day, Marian came and watched the three littles, so I could go with Chavonne shopping up North. I bought a few shirts and some Jewelry with a gift card from Marian and some $$ from my Dad Slade. We had a nice lunch, oh and I bought some shoes. It was a great day! So that evening was the May Day dance at the elementary for all the kids. It was fun to watch. After, Spencer surprised with a bunch of chocolate apples and strawberries an ice cream cake(yep, he's the best). I was really surprised and grateful too because Janell sent me a dozen chocolate covered strawberries. Yum!!! My birthday was a great one. I am so grateful to feel so loved. So, we had Spencers work party up North the other night. The clinic changed their name to Revere health and gave all the employees tickets to watch the new Avengers 2. It was a good movie, in fact, Spencer took the kids to it Saturday and they loved it. We bought flowers for the yard on the way up there. Thursday I planted them all in the front and then planted some raspberries and rose bushes in the back by the strawberries yesterday. I usually plant on or closer to my birthday, but it has been raining almost everyday, so it just didn't happen sooner. So, Tuesday was Tyriks preschool graduation and Wylie's 6th grade graduation. I cannot believe they are already done. Especially Wylie, it makes me so sad. I don't want him to go to middle school. :( Tyrik was excited to go to kindergarten testing Monday and then Wednesday, the three littles and I followed the buses up to the zoo for the schools field trip. It was fun. We didn't see Kaylese at all while there, but we did get to be with Ryland and Wylie a lot. The kids loved the animals. That evening, we went to Jamie and Winstons after Tyriks game was canceled to Dylans birthday party. It was a busy week, as you can tell. Friday night, I helped throw a party for Wylie and his class and a few friends from Moroni. They had a lot of fun. We were hoping to go to visit my Uncles and Gr. & Gr. Slade at Palisade lastnight, but Aynslee locked the keys in the suburban, and we couldn't get them out until way late lastnight, so the kids and I took a walk instead. We bought Tyriks birthday stuff. Hopefully he will like it. Today was Memorial Day. We went up to the cemetery first thing  where Wylie & Ryland participated with some veterans in a flag ceremony. It started to pour rain just as they were raising the flag. It seemed so fitting. I was grateful our boys and ourselves could be there and be a part of it. I am so grateful for all those who are so willing to fight for our freedoms and for those who have lost their lives doing so, so I can enjoy my safety and liberty. We went up to Miller's Flat as a family today. We took Tracys new side by side and our 4 wheeler. It was cold when we got up there, but turned out to be a perfext , beautiful day. We played on the swings, roasted smores, and went for a fun ride. The kids loved it! :) It was such a perfect day up there. It is such a beautiful place. I am so grateful Gr. Morris worked hard to get it and left it for us to enjoy. I wanted to also talk about a neat thing I received from my Gr. Slade. She dropped a lot of things off on her way to Palisade, as she usually does and she left a history of her Mother with it. It is about 12 pages  long and includes pictures I have never seem before. I still can't believe this amazing woman and these amazing stories. I am so grateful my Grandma brought this. I feel like I have a treasure. The amazing things she did, the courage she had, the hardships she went through. Amazing. I am so blessed to come from such Great women in my family. I now have the desire to learn more about all my Grandparents. Oh how good God really is to us. He is aware of us,  He loves us. I am so grateful for my Savior. Goodnight.

Mother's Day

Well, today is Mother's Day. It was a great day. My Mom & Dad Masters came for the weekend, which was nice. I had to speak, which was not so nice, but I think overall the Spirit was there and it was a great sacrament meeting. The other speakers were Tony Wood and Cindy Lund. Yes, all the bishopric's wives. Spencer only had bishopric meeting this morning and no other meetings, so that was nice. We had yummy salmon for dinner and oatmeal cake for dessert. Yum. Yesterday was Kaylese's dance recital. She had fun and danced cute. Friday, Spencer was off, so he worked on the yard most of the day. It is looking so green and nice now, after all his hard work. I worked on my talk and laundry. I think I finally have a pretty good routine down now, so I don't have to do it everyday...only 3 days a week. I am going to try and get back to a routine of exercise and reading my scriptures. I read most days, but want to get more out of it, so I am going to try harder to understand them. Thursday night Spencer surprised me with some beautiful flowers and two chairs and a table for the deck. I was excited! It was an early Mother's Day gift. Oh, & on Saturday morning, we were able to go to the temple and do initiatory, which was so nice. So I did go to Nevada for the funeral. It was a quick trip, but I am glad I went because It wasn't very well attended. Her poor cute kids. They are 15, 12, 11, & 8. I can't imagine what Spencer would do and how the kids would fair. I just hope they can and will be strengthened by those around them. Korindi and I went together. It was nice to see her. I brought the three little with me. They were pretty good traveling because they slept a lot, but Tyrik was very bored so he had a hard time. We haven't traveled with him as much as the others, so he isn't used to it. The kids really enjoyed being at Mom & Dad Masters though. They loved the dog and playing outside. I am grateful they are able to see them often enough, that they have a good relationship with them. I am so blessed. Abundantly blessed. We have been blessed with rain almost everyday this last week. It had been so nice. Because of weather and being gone, Tyrik hasn't played a tball game yet, but he will tomorrow. I am so grateful for my families health and strength. I am grateful to be a mother and wife. I love my life and my children. Until next time.

Way too long

Well, I told myself I would do this more often, but here we are. Well, the first thing I wanted to mention is what a great big sister Kaylese is. I went to check on them last week before bed and I heard her whispering to Aynslee "Ok, it's time to say our prayers" Then I listened as she told her what to say. I was very touched and grateful. What a great girl she is. Aynslee and I are both lucky to have her.
So, we ran our half marathon in St. George last weekend. I was actually sad when it was over because we trained and looked forward to it for months. Spencer did well and met his goal time. I did well and felt great until mile 9. That's when my knee started to hurt and it slowed me way down. I was frustrated because I felt like I could have easily ran more than 13 miles breathing wise, but my knee wouldn't let me. It added 19 minutes onto my goal time. I was hobbling by the end and frustrated but, it still felt great to do it and great to finish! I am grateful we did it together. The kids had a fun time and got to go swimming while we were there and my Mom & Dad Masters took care of them during the race and spent time with us after, so for that I was grateful also. It really is amazing to me, that if you simply set a goal and believe in yourself, you can do anything you want.
Tuesday morning Spencer & I took the kids and met Marian & Tracy up to the Payson temple open house. What a beautiful temple. I am so excited for it to be dedicated and I am so grateful my children got to see it.
Friday, Jeffrey, Anna & their kids came to visit. It was so nice to have them come. They were able to go to the temple Saturday and then headed up to Salt Lake that afternoon. Out kids played and had a lot of fun with each other. Aynslee & Jenna were best little buddies, and Jenna loved being babied and carried by Kaylese. I always love having family come.
Today was a pretty good day. My kids were hard in sacrament, but even then, it was one of the best testimony meetings we've had. Many children bore their testimonies and others who don't normally get up. Even Wylie & Ryland got up and shared theirs. It was neat to see. I am headed to Nevada tomorrow. I know, random right? A friend of mine from High School was killed in a car accident. She left a husband and 4 little ones. Breaks my heart for them. Her name was Kelsy Shmutz Carson. I am only staying until the funeral is over Tuesday and then headed back because of the busy week we have ahead. May is already booked, it's crazy.
Well, I am so grateful for such a wonderful family. I am so blessed. I love my parents, siblings, husband and my kids more than they know. I will write again when I am home from Nevada. I know my Heavenly Father loves me.