Celebrating Memorial Day

(Names of Men and Women who have served our country on flags and the Eagle Field of Honor)

 I always love celebrating Memorial Day in Lund.  We always go to the cemetery late Sunday night or early Monday morning and place flowers on the graves and tidy up the headstones.  I love talking with my family about the memories of those who have died.  We smile a lot and laugh a lot, too, remembering all the good things about our family members.  But when we can't be there, we always find special ways to celebrate.

 I especially like to visit our family grave sites with American flags.  We'll go home next week and see flags on Grandpa Neil's grave. Because we can't be home we go to Eagle's Field of Honor to visit and read the names of 600 servicemen on 600 flags.  We visit the beautiful Veteran's Cemetery in Boise.  We talk about our grandpas and uncles and cousins who have served in the military.  We read journal entries from soldiers of past wars.  I hope my kids feel gratitude and patriotism during this time and I hope it lasts long after the holiday.

We also take some time to just be together and to enjoy our freedom--a wonderful place to live.  Wonderful family.  And wonderful friends.  We are so grateful for those who have fought so hard so that we may have so many things to enjoy.  I truly hope my kids feel grateful for all of these blessings.

I planned to take a few pictures at our beautiful Veteran's Cemetery today, but it was just too sacred even to be there.  So many little headstones with flags and with family gathered around wiping eyes and sharing stories.  Many were kneeling at the graves in prayer.  We just stood silently and watched.  I truly hope my children understand the price we pay for freedom and how fortunate we are to have the lives we do in this country.

We are lucky to have their Great-Grandpa Kemp in our lives to tell us amazing stories about WWII. 
 
and to make bead necklaces!

and enjoy ice cream together!

We're grateful we can just enjoy the day together with our little family and our friends.

 

(We tried our first dip in the pool today with our friends--it was just a bit too chilly!)

Happy Memorial Day!

We also love watching this........

► 10:03► 10:03

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMlIM9zLio

Sportsmanship.

I just had to post this picture.  Like I said before, I'm doing photo books and trying to sort pictures to add to the books.  It's really so much fun.  Especially when you look at a picture and it's personality just jumps right out at you.

I know the previous post was all about sportsmanship.  And I have a lot of fun action shots from this fun Kemp family basketball game.  But this one.  THIS ONE.  Is my very favorite.  Every Kemp in this picture is telling another Kemp what's what about the game.  All at the same time.  I don't know if it was the score, a foul, a travel, or a shot--doesn't matter.  But, it's all caught on film.  I just love it.  And it was all done in good (and loud) humor.  The only one not talking a little trash was the kid in the turquoise shorts in the back.  He's our cute next door neighbor.  He's just laughing.

 

Like I am right now...................and this makes me smile........

(Grandpa and Sarah enjoying the game.  Grandpa would be right in the middle of the game if he could see a little better!

I know I'm poking fun.  But seriously, I love this family I married in to.  They took so much time on this trip to help and teach my boys some serious skills.  It's so good for my kids.  And we had a lot of fun, too.  More fun family pics to come....

Sporty Advice and Spring Sports

Last year we got this letter from Carter's soccer coach.  I think it is written very well with some great advice.  It helps me keep things in perspective during all my kids sporting events--not just soccer.  So here's some wise words and some pics of all the kids enjoying their spring sports.  It's been so much fun!

• I recently took a team to a tournament out of state and the tournament director sent this advice to everyone attending the tournament. Having already put two kids through the soccer experience and working on a third, I can honestly say this is some of the best advice I've ever heard. It's geared a little more toward the Competitive-type player, but it is still good:
• "Take lots of pictures and movies. Right now it seems like soccer will go on forever, and there will always be more games and tournaments and trips to look forward to, but it ends in a heartbeat. Or at least it seems that way. ... Don't focus on the games, focus on your kids and their teammates and the other families you are getting to know. When it is over, you will be amazed at how much you enjoy reliving those experiences, especially when your children become adults.
• Kids are loyal to their teammates and coaches. When you criticize them, your children are put in a tough position and respond in a variety of ways. The one thing I know for sure is being in that position is not fun for kids. That is why you have a dog/spouse/significant other. Tell it all to them.
• ... Be like your kids. Care while they are playing, move on when the whistle blows. Stop talking about it, stop thinking about it and do something fun with your family.
• Sit back and enjoy your children and the wonderful things they do on a soccer field. ... See what is important, ignore what isn't.
• (Over the course of the coming season) you will spend some money, watch a lot of bad to outstanding soccer, witness some great refereeing and ugly coaching (or vice versa), struggle to find parking, misread a schedule, etc. etc. etc. I would submit to you that none of that matters. At the end of the day, here's what matters: Hug your kids, kiss your dog/spouse/significant other, spend as much time as possible enjoying your family, the weather and the joy of being together. Everything else is window dressing."

With that...here's some fun spring sport pics.....

Sarah has informed her brothers that yes, indeed, ballet is a sport.......

(Practicing before class in the back yard)

(Taking a break)

 Oh....and that they also do ballet moves!

(Tyler playing lacrosse at Ann Morrison Park--The Ravens)

 Lacrosse is a new experience for all of us.  Tyler played with some great friends and his speed made him avoid getting layed out all the time (although it happened many times.)  I think this will be a good sport for Tyler.

(Carrying the ball to the goal)

Carter's got the moves, too.

(Upward Basketball team--awesome St. Patrick's socks)

And the best part--he got to play with his good friend from New Hampshire.  This picture looks creepy, but it was just crazy hair day!

(Ethan and Carter on Crazy Hair Day!)

 Even tough Jordan was graceful!  He has played ever since October with Boise Slam.  It has been such a great experience for him.  He is just tough and he always gives 100%.  We even got to go to a tournament in Salt Lake City with his team.  It was a fun season.

(Jordan playing in Salt Lake with Boise Slam)

 Princess Ninja

 

The Pinewood Derby is also a sport, I guess.  Here is Carter working on his car after his football game.

 

And getting some unsolicited help from his sister.

And, of course, we can't forget Carter's Spring Flag Football Team--the Texans.  Here he is with his two buddies from school posing after a drenching, rainy practice.

 Bikes.....

 

 Playgrounds.

 

  Water Balloons.

 

 And back to dancing.  Sarah had so much fun in her spring dance class!  Oh how I love doing girl stuff with my girl.

(Getting ready for her Spring Recital)

(Me and my girl)

(But really, she's daddy's girl!)

 Piano and trumpet count as sports, too, because of the amazing amount of energy we use trying to get these boys to practice.

(This teacher is a saint.  She's done great with the boys.  The did so good at their recital.  We were pleasantly surprised!)

(Middle School Band Concert.  It actually sounded really good!)

I'm actually sad all of these fun things are coming to and end this year.  The last games were today.  I took some of the advice from the letter and really enjoyed their activities.  Great families, good coaches, cool breezes, new skills, and just gratitude that we can participate!

 But we will enjoy a little extra free time until the next season starts!

Giving this another try.

I really, really want to blog again.  It's been too long.  I have pictures I want to share with family and friends.  I've taken on a new project of doing photo books because we really need to get hard copies of pictures somehow.   Anyway, I discovered that the events I blogged about go in the books faster and easier--even if is just the picture and a little information.  It really helps to have them organized and online--so here goes!  I'm aiming for 2012.  Just 2012.  I can do it.

Okay, maybe not just 2012.  Sarah turned 4 on December 29, 2011.  So that's where I'll start. :)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sarah!!  I still can't believe she's really 4.  4!  We had a fun birthday part for her with a Polly Pocket cake (her request).  He daddy took her to Build-A-Bear where she chose this pink Hello Kitty.  She still sleeps with her every night.  I love spoiling this girl.

 Playing with all her toys.  The doll house was actually a Christmas present, but I think it all combined for her with her birthday and Christmas so close.  She told me she will always let me cuddle and kiss and hold her no matter how old she is.  Love you, Sarah!!

Reverse your "buts"

So, what did you guys learn in your class today? My 4 giggly kiddos thought it was absolutely hilarious that this particular topic was discussed in Relief Society along with an amazing lesson on overcoming trials. What did you say, mom? Yes. I said it. "Reverse your buts."

BUT.....

This is what it really means. How you say something can change your attitude and the attitude of the people you are talking to.

"I love you, but you guys are driving me crazy!" Then reverse it. "You guys are driving me crazy, but I love you!"

OR

"I really need to get out and serve someone but I have my own trials right now." Instead. "I have my own trials right now but I really need to get out and serve someone."

Amazing how a simple reversal of phrases can make all the difference. I love listening to lessons and realizing the things I need to change in my life. AND I like when things are as simple as this little "but" lesson.

Especially when it makes my kids smile.

(After church, Sarah immediately pulls out her pony tail holders and whatever barrettes and bows might be in her hair. She loves to get all dolled up but Sunday after church it all comes out!)

Blast from the Past

(Swim Lesson with Missy - July 2005)

(Wells visit to Idaho - May 2011)

Into the future!

Yep! The Wells boys are moving to Idaho--all the way from New Hampshire! Jay and Jordan are particularly excited. Two peas in a pod.

Fun to do, to do, to do!

I don't usually blog about creative little things I find and do because, most of the time, I'm just not that creative. But, I just had to blog about these little gems because this is my go-to recipe any time I need to make treats and transport them. School, church, parties, park days, friends, etc. I started trusting this recipe when my friend, Shaunie, made Christmas star cookies for our entire primary one year. They were yummy and adorable!

I know the best way to eat a delectable sugar cookie is with cream cheese frosting. BUT! This icing is amazing. You color it. Spread it on. And it dries. Completely. And it keeps it's yummy taste and shine. You can stack these babies as high as you need to without disturbing the icing. If you ever want to make them the options for decoration are endless. Today, my choice was spring colored flowers with Starburst middles. I use a sugar cookie recipe I love for this if anyone is interested, but it should work great with any recipe you are used to making. (There is a recipe on the site, too.)

I wish I could say the recipe is mine. All mine. But, of course, it isn't. It's from my all time favorite website (and now book) Our Best Bites. I know most of you know about them, but here's the tutorial for their Glace' Icing. I use vanilla instead of almond flavoring--that's the only change I made. And, if you have a moment, browse a few of their other recipes, too.

These kind of things just make cooking fun!

Cleaning your house....

(Sarah's muddy hand prints after weeding the garden April 2011)

It's how the saying goes. Cleaning your house while children are growing is like shoveling your walk while it is still snowing Or keeping a clean home is like trying to nail jello to a tree. Both of these are true. But living in New Hampshire gave us the perfect object lesson for needing to shovel your walk while it is still snowing--the walk has to be shoveled in between October and April while it is constantly snowing. AND. That house MUST be constantly cleaned even while the children are still growing.

(Bruneau Sand Dunes - September 2010)

And now, for my favorite quote:

Housework, if it is done right, can kill you.

Yes. It can. So how do you keep a nice house AND stay alive and happy?

One of my all time favorite talks by Sister Julie Beck is here. In the talk she said (among other VERY important things) that we must be homemakers not housekeepers. At the time I heard the talk I felt relief.

I thought, "See, I don't have to be neurotic about a perfectly, clean home. My family just needs a nice place to live and feel the Spirit. That certainly has to be easier than worrying about keeping a spotless house all the time."

I was dead wrong. Wrong to think that a General Relief Society President would actually lower the bar at at a general meeting. And wrong to think that being a homemaker is simpler than being a housekeeper. Housekeeper or homemaker you still have a ridiculous amount of cleaning and organizing to do. The only difference is if you are a homemaker you need to pretend to be happy about it. The homemaker aims for the Spirit and happiness of all who reside in the home AND that requires A LOT of work done in the right way. Definitely harder than just being a housekeeper.

(Neighborhood basketball game - December 2010)

Like it or not, cleanliness brings the Spirit into our homes. It saves time and money. It smells good. It lowers stress levels. Everyone loves a clean home to live in. Awhile back my friend, Lori, wrote on her blog that one of her favorite things is to have a clean house on Friday night. Such a great idea--that way Saturday's activities don't kill your Sunday morning with mess. I've tried to do this and involve my kids--homemaking involves teaching kids to work--that alone makes it harder. "It's FRIDAY mom!! Everyone else is playing basketball. Everyone else is riding bikes. Everyone is at the park. Everyone else is going to Disneyland. EVERYONE IS GALLIVANTING OFF TO BORA BORA TO PLAY IN A BUNGALOW FOR THE WEEKEND! (oh, wait, that was me!)

Sorry, the "getting kids to work" topic is a whole book in itself. AND I posted all these pictures as proof that we have tons of fun most of the time and that kids shouldn't complain so much when they need to help out. Work in progress. Work in progress. Regardless, it sure is nice to have a clean home for the weekend.

(Grandpa playing with the kids after "helping" them clean the yard - September 2010)

I've found things that work for us and things that don't work. Nothing is particularly easy about the process. But, when we find the right recipe for homemaking it can be rewarding, refreshing, and invigorating.

(Splash Park - August 2010)

Before I went off on all that all I really wanted to do is post this cute picture of hand prints on my window and talk about Spring Cleaning. I have jobs I like. Jobs I despise. And jobs that are too cute to clean up. Seriously, Sarah's little muddy hand prints stayed on our glass door for over 3 weeks. I just couldn't bring myself to clean them up.

Favorites - organizing closets, shining floors, dusting, garden, and cleaning cabinets

Not good at all - anything AND EVERYTHING to do with grout, changing light bulbs, bathtubs/showers, seasonal clothing change-out, top of my stove

What are your favorite/non-favorite household or spring cleaning chores?

Also, a big part of being a homemaker is not freaking out about the little things when there are bigger things at hand. Like you shouldn't be worried about dingy grout when there are friends to be made, people to serve, piano recitals to attend or, most importantly, a hug or kiss to be given. Things have been quite crazy for us and I've had to really learn that when hard times come it's time to slow down. This talk, by Elder Uchtdorf, has the greatest advise for keeping things uncrazy in times of higher stress. A good reminder for us all!!

(Climbing the willow tree April 2011)

Happy Spring Cleaning!