Families are Forever

March 17, this sweet family (Trevinos) were sealed together for time and all eternity. They joined the church just over a year ago and she was immediately put in as 2nd counselor in the Primary! She's amazing with the kids and has such a joy about her that I love being around her. I love getting to work with her now in the presidency. Her husband teaches the Valiant 10 class. They have a couple older children who did not join, but the oldest daughter in the front of this picture was in Lea's 1st grade class and they were good friends.

I was able to attend the session with them, then the sealing. It was standing room only and barely that - what a great outpouring of love and support for this family. I hope everyone who changes wards or is a new member can feel that love and joy the gospel brings. 

I will look back on this time with sweet feelings of joy and gratitude. The missionaries had been transferred to a new area and the temple is outside our area as well. I'm grateful they were ale to be there for this special occasion.

A note home

Dear Child(ren),

Please know that I'm not trying to ruin your life AND I do know what I'm talking about (most of the time).

If I give you advice, please don't ignore it just because it's coming from your mother.

I am trying my best to guide you and help you. I want you to be safe. I can't make your decisions for you and despite what you may think, you CANNOT choose your consequences. So learn from your mistakes and I will learn from mine. We can learn from each other.

I love you and want you to be happy.

Love, 

MOM

Easter Pageant 2012

 We wanted to go to the Easter Pageant again this year, but the days were so filled, the only night we could go was last Saturday they performed - the night before Easter. What a great way to spend the night before Easter than learning and feeling the spirit at the Easter Pageant. We went early to get good seats - 3 pm!

 Abbey, Ally and Ammon

 Lucas having a little camera fun - he thought it was fun to watch the guy on the light tower, how high he had to climb.

 SPOT IT! Miss Erin brings the funnest games - a tradition to go with Beckers - best tradition ever!

 More 'SPOT IT' - some tears, laughter and LOTS of excitement!!

The next day, Jeff and I were able to speak in church. And although my voice still shakes and I cry like a baby, Heavenly Father has helped me in my journey to become more comfortable speaking in public. I didn't say become a great speaker, but to become more comfortable. The nerves no longer make me sick days before and after I speak, but just minutes and I don't have a chance to dwell on it thanks to being in the Primary Presidency. This has helped me with my presentation and overcoming the fear of speaking to adults who I think must know more than I do. It was a beautiful day to be at church. I love to hear my children sing - Abbey is quite the singer! :) I love to hear my husband speak in church and share his testimony - we don't often volunteer to share our testimonies during fast/testimony meeting. 

Lucas saw Jeff preparing his talk Sunday morning and asked him what he was doing. Jeff told him: 'Preparing a talk for church.'

Lucas: 'But I don't speak Spanish'......

Jeff quite often speaks Spanish in our Stake and most often his talks are in Spanish - he rarely speaks in our ward - it's been 2 years since we last spoke in Sacrament meeting.

I love Easter. I'm grateful for our Savior - that He is Risen. He lives again and so can we!

Ah-ha moment

Today was one of those rare mornings at our house which inspired this 'ah-ha' moment for my kids. 

Picture this: all the kids around the craft table coloring, drawing and having a good time. I'm playing the piano and Jeff has already left for work. It's 8:20 (school doesn't start til 9). 

Lucas says 'it's great we have time to play!'

Lea in her ever-so-rapidly grown up phrase says: 'I know right? It's because we're all ready to go'.

(insert the Hallelujah chorus!!!)

Who would have thought that getting ready before we were walking out the door would give you more time to play........school ends in 6 weeks. Maybe next year we'll be a little quicker on the 'ah-ha'....one can always hope.

Spring Break!

We celebrated 100 years of Oreos and Pi day (3/14) with Oreo Pi(e), ice cream and oreos! Awesome dinner - kids were a little sick from eating all that sugar. :)

Perfect Cookie eating place. He fits inside the cupboard - closes the door and plays peek-a-boo.

Bye-bye curls!!

My little boys are all grown up!! There was a LOT of hair on the ground.

We went to the Dentist, the girls were playing while Lucas was chilling in the chair. Lea already had her turn.

Spent the afternoon with Jeff at a Spring Training game - Rockies vs Cubs. It was SOOOO HOT! We splurged and bought lemonade and snow cones. Ammon tried to lift some ice from the beverage carrier the seller put down to talk to someone. He then towards the end of the game, picked up a couple cups (of course there was some beer remaining....) and tried to drink it. Luckily I saw him and snagged it before we got reported.... ha! He was trying to clean up and honestly any cup left behind, MUST be for him.

African Safari

 No I didn't actually get to go on an African Safari - I got to see it second hand, but still so cool!!! And WAY better than the zoo. :)

My aunt/uncle (dad's sister) are serving a mission at the Temple in Ghana, Africa. My dad's siblings and spouses go on trips together every year or every couple years. About 8 years ago they went to Norway, that was before my parents served their mission there 2 years ago. I remember them going on that trip because my sister and her husband went along (not knowing they'd get to go again to visit our missionary parents) and Jeff and I were suckered into watching their 5 kids along with our 1 - Lea. My sister was very organized and we split time among my brother and his wife, and my brother-in-law's sister. It was an interesting experience. :)

Anywho, this trip they took to Africa - Lucas was excited because they were going on a safari! (Didn't know he knew what that was, but he did!) To prepare for the trip, they had to get 3 shots for malaria, yellow fever and something else. They had to take medication before, during and after the trip. Other than that, they said it was a wonderful trip. :) They stayed in resort type places and enjoyed good food.

Enjoy a little taste of the African Safari:

 I love the giraffe!

 Lunch??? In the Seringetti

 A hot air balloon ride of the African country side - so awesome!!! My dad's older brother, Ken and his wife Geri went, and my dad's oldest sister Vivian.

 They visited a school one day and the kids loved my mom - not surprising, this is where she loves to be - with the children.

The Accra, Ghana Temple

These were our souvenirs from Africa: each of the kids got an animal necklace, except Ammon (no worries, he'll complain when he's older.... ha!) They've worn them every single day since they've arrived. I was SO very nervous to let them where it to school. But it's come home, Abbey's has gone through the wash.....

An elephant, a turtle, and an alligator

I got a necklace and a bracelet with my name on it, Jeff got a hand stitched bookmark and my favorite is this:

A wooden Nativity. It's gorgeous and unique!

The 'placemat' is also from Africa. We decided to leave it out to enjoy it since it'd be a while before Christmas decorations came out again. 

Thank you mom and dad! Thank you Bud and Gaye for serving a mission!