April Fools

April first was a day full of adventure. The kids and I along with three other moms and their kids drove down to Salt Lake. We had 4 moms, 3 cars, and 11 kids. It was quite the ride. We were on the road at 7:20 AM which should have put us in Salt Lake around 7:00 PM. We didn't arrive until midnight. Mariska got carsick for the first time ever. We came upon a pretty bad accident just out of Ontario Oregon. We were at a complete standstill for about an hour and a half. We let the kids out and had them clean up the trash that was on the side of the road. Finally after all the waiting we were directed to a turn around and went back about 10 miles to highway 201. We finally got to Ontario grabbed lunch and were on the road again.

In Mountain Home, Idaho we stopped for a bathroom break and my friends van started making an awful noise when she started it. Two gentlemen came over to help. As I got talking to one of them I found out he was LDS and had just moved into our ward. He stayed, with his wife, for a little to see if we needed anything. Before they left, to get back on their way, they pulled out a set of cars and tracks for the kids to play with. It was intended for their Grandson but they insisted we take it so the kids would have something to play with while the car was being fixed. The other gentleman that helped us actually replaced the part was broken in the car. His name was Charlie and he said that he had never stopped at that station before but as he was driving he became so thirsty that he had to stop for a bottle of water. The car was fixed we were on the road again, several hours behind schedule. It felt good to know that the Lord was watching out for us. I really appreciate all the prayers that were said on my behalf. I joked with my friend about it being April Fools day. The joke was apparently on us.

Like sister, like brother

It was really fun to walk into Mariska's room and feel like I had traveled back in time. It is amazing how different my children are from each other, but sometimes Jack does things that remind me so much of Mariska.

Field trip at the farm

Back in March we went with Mariska's school group to a farm. The kids had a blast and it was fun to see the baby goats. I think the highlight was getting to ride on the horses. Thanks Kate for taking the pictures. The picture of Mariska and Jack has become one of my favorites.

Mariska Mariska Mariska

What can I say about this little girl. She makes me so happy and frustrated all at the same time! Most the time she is such a good girl but she has her moments just like we all do.
She walked out of her room the other day with the Mr. Potato Head glasses on her face. she then went to the rocking chair with a couple of books and sat down to read. I was laughing so hard it was so funny.

Primary has been a lot of fun for Riska. She gave her first talk last Sunday and did a really good job. i felt bad for the leaders having to use the Microphone. I am sure all kids put their mouth on it the way Mariska did. The Sunday after Halloween she got a new teacher in Sunbeams. When the Sister asked Mariska what her name was she told her "I am Tinkerbell" and refused to tell the teacher what her real name was. So during class time Mariska was called Tinker bell. A few weeks later there was a substitute. Again when asked what her name was she said "My name is Sally Car." The sub asked what her "What do your mom and dad call you?" Mariska then said, "My Grandma calls me cupcake." These poor teachers. A couple weeks ago Sister Riggs the music Leader asked a question. Mariska raised her hand and when called on immediately forgot what she was going to say. Her answer became this, "Um, um, um, I love you." Sister Riggs, bless her heart, said well I love you too and moved on with singing time.
I have to say she is such a good little girl. I lead the music in Sacrament Meeting for the last time last week. Jack was sick so John stayed home with him. Mariska sat in our Pew all by herself during the first part of Sacrament meeting. She was so quiet and reverent. I had several people come to me after and tell me how good she was. She is also a really good sharer (most the time.) We had a sister and her two daughters sit with Yesterday. She is a new member and was just baptized last weekend. Mariska shared her cookies and crackers along with her papers and crayons. It really did my heart a lot of good.

She loves to sing and has sung this song over and over again since she learned it.
Mariska knows just how to make me smile and I am truly grateful to have her in my life. I love you Mariska and I am so glad you are mine!

Visiting Teaching

I have really grown to Love Visiting Teaching. I really appreciate my visiting teachers and I am sad that one will be leaving me this summer. I decided this month to do something special for my sisters that I teach. I wish I could say it was my idea but it wasn't. I found a website that I love called small and simple things. That is where I got the idea for the cone. I had already made the roses and was looking for a way to utilize them. This seemed to work great.

Getting Healthy

I started working out in the mornings. It has been great. The best part is Jack and Mariska started to work out with me.We are doing Jackknives. Mariska has always done them with me but I first noticed Jack doing them this last week. It is way fun to have them "helping me" stay motivated.

Never to young for music.

I love to play my Clarinet. It has been 20 years since I started playing and I am so glad that I have kept it up. Mariska has really taken to my Clarinet. She asks every time I play if she can play and I tell her she can when she is older. So for Christmas she got her own Clarinet at least that is what she calls it. I found a recorder that was $10.00 and almost got it but then I saw the $1.00 shelf and it was loaded with Recorders. I am so glad I went with the $1.00 one. She lost the first one and we have yet to find it, so I bought another one. She left that one down and Jack threw it into the kitchen and Jasper tore it to shreds.
I think I will get another one for her just because I love that she plays it when I play my Clarinet.

Pasco Childrens Museum

There is a Children's Museum over in Pasco. I went with a couple of freinds and their kids not too long. It is a very relaxed place. I wouldn't really call it a museum but the kids had a lot of fun!!

Jack, of course, spent a lot of time at the car track. I was a little irritated with the two staff members that worked there. They took the track set to another room (I assume to be cleaned) and didn't bring it back. Jack was having so much fun I wish they would have waited until we were gone.


Jack followed Mariska everywhere. He loves his big sister so much. I am so glad that they get along the way they do.
Mariska carried this box with her for a long time. It went down the slide with her. It went in all the cars with her. I think it has a dog in it but I am not sure.

Getting good on those feet.



Don't mind me. Riska really wanted to take a picture of me as the princess. She did a good job. It was very uncomfortable, I didn't fit into the space very well.


Mariska ran around as the dragon for 30 min. She was dripping sweat and it took a lot of talking to get her to take it off. She thought it was really cool.
Jolie and Sara are two of the most incredible women I have ever met. I love them dearly and am so grateful to have both of them in my life. Thanks Ladies for being who you are to me and my family.