Tonight Brandt informed us that he's no longer "in love with" a girl who's a few years older than him but that he's now in love with a spunky little redhead who is in his class-again. :)  Then he told us that she hasn't kissed him again, yet, though.  He then went on to explain that "before winter came, we sometimes would kiss on the bus, but don't worry mom, none of the other kids saw us because we covered up so we could keep it private. Sometimes we kissed like how long you kiss if you are going to get married.  One time she kissed me all the way until her bus stop! Then she did this to me (as he shows us how she made a heart shape out of her hands) so I went like this back (giving the I Love You sign with his fingers and the puppy love brown eyes look that he's so good at)."   Buddy was so animated as he was telling us every detail he could think of about it and demonstrating as he was able, and Bryce and I were dying from trying to not laugh out loud too obviously. We tried to be at least a little responsible and explain that kissing (or other "private" things) really aren't appropriate or allowed on the bus or at school.  When he talks more about what it means to be in love he says it means to be best friends and to be nice to each other.  He is always talking about growing up and getting married to someone who is beautiful, smart, and kind and goes to church so they can get married in the temple and have lots of children.  Recently when I asked him what they would do with lots of children he rolled his eyes and said, "well, raise them!"  Like, what else would you do with children?  He also plans to have a turtle farm and teach his kids how to take care of the turtles.  Of course, he also wants to be a paleontologist and a zoologist, so I guess they'll have to work that all into the turtle farming business somehow.  It seems like he has pretty good ideas about what he wants out of life, but hopefully he'll wait a little longer for the whole marriage and kids thing-almost 7 is a bit too young if you ask me...

My son is a monkey.  He's been climbing nearly since he was born. One of his favorite things to climb is our wide doorways.  I keep thinking he's going to fall flat on his face one of these times when he's stretched out face down between the sides of the doorway, but so far that hasn't happened.

Easter Sunday 2014-I Stand All Amazed

Easter dawned bright and beautiful at our house.  Our morning went better than usual even with the excitement of getting up to see what was in Easter baskets and searching for the jelly bean filled eggs that the Easter Bunny hid throughout the living room for the kids.  As we started our day that is meant to celebrate the miracle of the Atonement and the Resurrection of Christ, the kids and I had our own little miracle when we were EARLY for church-not late, not even on time-EARLY!!  And while it has been a long day, if my memory serves me well at this point, we made it through all of Sacrament meeting without having any problems. I repeat-MIRACLE!! I did hear a funny little rumor that Kylie and 3 of her little Sunbeam cohorts in crime escaped from their classroom and ran wild around the halls until they were rounded up again-not the first time for this mischievous little group and I'm sure it won't be the last.  

This afternoon we had the yummiest ham dinner at my mom and dad's.  The weather was warm and perfect for our Easter egg hunt and everyone had a great time.  Brandt, Kylie, and Amanda Jean had fun finding their eggs, but I think my brother had even more fun hiding them and then watching the kids look for them-and then try to figure out how to get to the hard ones. As usual, the kids loved opening their eggs to find candy, coins, and homemade items from grandma. Amanda's 6th birthday is also this week so we celebrated while she was here. Jana was sure that they would be having their baby before they got to this point even though she isn't due for another couple of months, so it is also a miracle that she is still pregnant and holding her own.  She was even able to go outside and enjoy the sun with the rest of us. The only thing missing was Kelli and her family.

The highlight of the day for me was when my kids requested to watch a video that is set to the song, "I Stand All Amazed."  I showed it in primary last week and my children have watched it over and over.  How thankful I am that they love their Savior and are eager to learn more of Him.  I love Him as well and I know that He died for me and that He lives again!  Because of Him I can strive each day to be a better person and repent when I fall short.  Because of Him I can have peace and comfort through trying times.  Because of Him my family can be eternal.  Because of Him I love being me-not so much because of who I am now but because of who I have the potential to become.  Because of Him I, too, Stand All Amazed.

The Power of Music

   Tonight I had the privilege of taking my children to the Interfaith Easter Cantata that was performed at the Paris Tabernacle.  I had been hoping to take them to it anyway, but then Shaun told Brandt that he was singing in it, so buddy was pretty set on going to watch him.  The music and narratives were moving and struck a chord deep in my heart.  My children sat through the entire production and afterward buddy said he loved it and that it felt good to have the spirit in his heart.  He told Kylie and me on the way home that when he gets older he's going to write songs about how much he loves the Holy Ghost and that he's going to have a rock band.  He plans to have 2 guitar players-him and someone else-as well as someone to play drums and someone to play the xylophone.  He wants to start out by giving concerts at The Oregon Trail Center and then go all around the world from there.  He will have "all the children come up and dance on stage for the first song of every show just like Andy Hackbarth let us do one time."
    I've always loved music, but I haven't always appreciated exactly how much power it has to influence us.  Before Bryce and I had children I wasn't nearly as selective about what we listened to in our home as I am now.  Brandt is especially effected by different beats and types of music and his mood and behaviors visibly and drastically change depending on what we listen to.  At night one of the only ways I can calm my children is to sing primary songs to them.  It's amazing how many of the principles of the church I understand and remember because of the songs I learned as a child and the feelings of peace, hope, and joy that come back to me as I teach them to my kids now. As each holiday comes around, it is the music that helps me the most to embrace the reasons why we celebrate.  Among our favorite music right now (in addition to primary songs and the hymn Praise to the Man, which may always be buddy's favorite) is BYU Vocal Point, Justin Cash, Andy Hackbarth, Disney's Frozen soundtrack, and The Piano Guys, just to name a few.  I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Father blessed me and my children with ears to hear and hearts to love the good music that reminds us of His love for us.

Easter Eggs 2014

 My little artists hard at work on their Easter eggs.  They would love it if I would let them do projects like this every day...