This Girl!

Bri hasn't been around much.

You is having her own life. 

She has house sat for a lot of people lately and then, because our house is so far from town, she often stays at a friends house in town.

I'll like it better when we live in town.

I miss having people around.

Although, I have LOVED the farm life with everything in me.

No regrets there. 

On Friday night she sang at our Women's Conference and I just sat there and cried.

I am grateful and amazed at the love Jesus has for this girl.

She has been protected, guided, and loved in ways I have not seen in any of our other children.

I just cried as she sang her testimony of being with Christ.

That is all I want for my kids- to believe in and know Him who knows and loves them with out end.

Sunday Funday

Sam brought the boys over on Sunday.

I love squishing that Emry and mugging on Afton.

They all went out and played in the snow for a little bit.

We have a LOT of snow.

I'm really ready for summer but I know that is still far away.

It is really beautiful outside though, especially when the sun shines.

I'm excited to sell the farm and move closer to town so we can all get together more often. 

 

Staycation- Alyeska

I seriously LOVE my kids school!

They do the coolest field trips and they are so hands-off.

For reals.

We showed up at the Day lodge at Alyeska at the designated time to get our gear and a safety lesson and then it was up to us if we wanted to take ski/snowboard lessons or just go for it.

Makenna and I took lessons.

I lasted through about half- I won't get into all the whys for that now- but she did them all.

Matt and Corban just took to the slopes and Makenna joined them on some pretty steep hills.
It was almost more than I could take watching them.

But I was so happy that they were having a great time.

Matt was in his element and that makes me happy. 

We barely saw any school staff the entire time.

We checked into the hotel after 4 pm, played in the pool/hot tub, and ordered room service. 

Every thing was covered except our room service.

This morning we got up for a HUGE breakfast buffett with all the other families and then could do as we pleased after that, just had to check out by 11 am.

It was such a nice moment to spend together and do something we have never done together.

Corban is awesome on the snowboard and Makenna really picked up skiing fast. 

I'm glad we went.

It was just what my hermit heart needed.

 

Hibernating

My blogging seems to be taking a hit this winter.

There just is not a lot happening.

I almost feel like I am hibernating and yet I go into town daily.

So that is definitely not hibernating.

We are doing homeschool and seminary.

Kenna is still doing the play.

Corban has classes on Thursdays.

And Sunday afternoons our kids come home.

Sometimes it is all of them.

Sometimes it is just a couple of them.

Last night was Sam with her boys and Bri and her boy :)

I love squishing on that Emry.

He's solid!

Sunday's might be my favorite day when everyone comes together.

This week we do have something fun happening.

We are having a staycation at Alyeska in Girdwood.

The kids school is doing a field trip.

It's an over nighter at the hotel and we are getting a ski lesson.

I am going to learn to downhill ski.

I am both excited and terrified.

I'm sure we will spend time in the pool and hot tub as well. 

I'm so looking forward to something out of our normal routine!

 

Wintry Barbara Falls

I've been wanting to get to Barbara Falls for some time.

Call me a wimp if you may, but I refused to go in negative temps.

It got into the 20's today and we were close by so we did it.

Kind of unprepared but it is a short walk and all the bears should be sleeping.

However Corban was in shorts so....

He did say he had frost bite on his legs after the adventure.

It was still really pretty and totally worth it.

 

Beauty and the Beast

Last October, Makenna landed the part of a silly girl in the production Beauty and the Beast.

They have been practicing almost every night since then.

Then about 9 days ago Matt got roped in to helping with building the sets.

Needless to say, I haven't seen Matt for more than 5 minutes a day for, what feels like, forever.

But last night we got to go and watch their complete dress rehearsal and it was so good.

And the sets were amazing!

and Makenna is the funnest girl.

I think Corban might have got the drama bug as well and was telling Matt that he wants to help out with stuff next time.

If that happens I will be a motherless drama widow.

Hahaha!

 

Happiness

"Find happiness in the ordinary things.."

Boyd K Packer April 2004 

This is such a simple thing but seriously- Avocado toast!

Who knew how amazing this is?

And also, why?

Why is it so amazing?

Some days, the best course of action, is to focus on happiness in ordinary things.

Then you can find lots of happiness!