Spring Projects- Garden, Chicks, Fam History Wall

 We have been wanting to get chickens so we can have fresh eggs and be a little more self sufficient. Which means we need to use the garden area for the chickens and built new garden boxes in a different spot. I think Cade's hard work has paid off. He worked for many weekends in a row getting all the projects done. Emma helped him put together the whole chicken coop and run in the garage on a cold, rainy day and then some neighbors helped move it to the backyard corner. 

He leveled the ground by our south side of our home and put together some garden boxes as well as making sure the sprinklers were all working and ready to go. They both look great! 

We got our chicks over 2 weeks ago and they are currently alive and seem to be doing well. They were in our mudroom until today...they got too stinky to be inside anymore but it was fun to have them in here and listen to their chirping all day long. Already in 2 weeks they are getting big. The girls have LOVED having them and have been looking forward for almost 2 years to get them. I am just excited for the fresh eggs this fall and not so excited about doing the chick thing every 2-3 years. It's been an exciting adventure around here so far. 

Last thing is our family history/adventure wall in our basement. I have had this idea for SOOOO long and haven't known exactly how I want to carry it out. But I wanted to have pictures of the girls grandparents and great-grandparents then transition into Cade and I dating/marriage and then into our family with our girls. I found this company called mixtiles that made it easier to know what to do. I love how it turned out and how easy it was to put up! My desire is for my children to feel a sense of belonging and love in our family and those who have come before us. And I am excited for many family adventures to come!!

An Adventurous and Relaxing Spring Break!

 We had the BEST time in St. George over Spring Break. We went with Nathan and Steph's family and rented a townhome with a private pool. It was a little pricey but we thought with how many people would be in St. George it might be worth it to get our own pool that we didn't have to share with other people. And IT WAS WORTH IT. The kids had SO much fun and it was wonderful to be able to put Jane down for a nap and just let the kiddos party in the pool for hours! The trip was the right amount of adventure and relaxation and just an amazing time!

Hiking at Gunlock State Park Thursday morning. The falls only go on once every 8-10 years! So we just have fun hiking around and exploring. 

Hiking the lava tubes (caves) in Snow Canyon State Park Friday morning. I stayed back with the two babies so everyone else could explore the caves. Unfortunately they forgot their head lamps so I think they only were able to do part of them. What was really fun is Emma and Reese randomly ran into their two best friends, Madi and Kenzi Waite, on that hike! 

We explored Pioneer Park Saturday morning and it was a breezy, beautiful day! The kids and adults had a great time!

Swimming for hours and hours in our private backyard pool was definitely a favorite part for all the kids.

Easter 2021

 I love that our girls now understand better our Easter tradition of watching the sunrise and the importance of our Savior in our lives. It's become a favorite tradition for sure. This year was special because Easter fell on General Conference weekend and we got to listen to many uplifting messages from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Of course we have to do the obligatory Easter egg dying. Not my favorite but the girls and Cade thoroughly enjoy it :). 

Janie-Boo had her first Easter egg hunt (that she can really enjoy and understand). Of course she would find one and sit down every time she found one to scarf down the candy inside. It was all gone in a matter of minutes :). The girls all had a great time. 

One Year Since the Covid Shutdown Began!

 Today is March 23rd. The world shut down last March 13th. It has been QUITE the year. There are many times and many issues that have been hard to deal with and get used to. Such as wearing masks (girls at school too), not being able to easily go to museums and indoor play areas, etc., and in the beginning not being able to see family and friends. But there have been many blessings and eye-opening things that have happened that I am very grateful for. 

Being able to do at home church and make our home a sacred place has been the most important thing Cade and I have learned from this pandemic. The temples have been shut down and it's been very hard to not be able to go inside and focus on the spiritual nourishment that we have needed. But then we have made our homes that spiritual haven that we and our girls have needed. Come Follow Me has been a regular important thing in our home and it has strengthened our family relationships 100 fold. I am so grateful for the revelation of the Come Follow Me program that has allowed families to become spiritually stronger together. 

I have also learned that I need to be understanding of others beliefs and opinions and know that my way of thinking is not the only correct way. I want to teach my children to be strong in their beliefs but understanding of others thinking and believing different than them. The Holy Ghost is so essential in our day that I need to keep Chirst's teachings at the front of my to-do list every day. I need to be guided and directed every single day to what is most important for myself and my family. 

I am grateful that we are coming around a corner and hopefully will be able to resume certain activities soon (church, primary, etc.). We are currently meeting every other week at church and doing the other week at home virtually. It has still been good but I am excited to get back to hugging people and smiling at others without a mask on.