Goals

So some goals have been partially accomplished and I have realized that others may not be. Sledding for example. We were supposed to get a big storm last week. Lots of snow. It was suunnny. So much for sledding. Maybe I should change it to ice blocking. If you don't know what that is; let me explain. It truly is a "Utah" thing. As in cheap date activity. Never did it but sounds fun. Take a block of ice find a grassy hill, sit on the ice and slide down. Create your own sledding experience in the summer. I miss sledding. Used to go all the time as a kid. Loved it. Maybe we can find some snow in the mountains. Hopefully still white.
Flying kites has been accomplished to a point. We have been trying for a couple of weeks with our cheap $1 kites from wal-mart. The wind was either too gusty or not strong enough. I'll never buy cheap kites again. My dad bought some awesome kites at costco and showed Luke them a couple of weeks ago. Since then everyday he has asked me if it's windy and if we can fly grandpa's kites. Yesterday was perfect. My mom and dad came up. Bless their hearts, they are so busy and took the time to come up. We went over to the school and spent an hour flying kites. They were awesome. It reminded me of the times as a kid when we would go to Kansas and fly kites on the family farm. Half the neighborhood kids showed up and all wanted to try. We got some great pics. They will be coming soon.
Chris went hiking with Preston and the Webelos yesterday morning. He also took the three other kids. I stayed home so I could deep clean uninterrupted. It was great. Put on my music and scrubbed the house. Love that clean floor feeling that lasts only 10 minutes. Oh well. So we are all going to try and go this Saturday. All are welcome who want to come.
Today was the dedication of the Draper temple. Chris took Preston and Madison while I stayed home with Abigail and Luke. They were excited. I will go in August with the kids to the other dedication.
We are getting there. I feel like I have a lot of time, but also that there is not a lot of time. This summer is going to be great and I am excited for what lays ahead. With God by our side Chris the kids and I will get through this. I love him.

Tour of Duty

Time has come again for Chris. We just found out this past monday that his unit has been activated and he will be deployed in November. His army reserve unit will be stationed in Afghanistan. He will be gone for at least a year. We knew there was a possibility of him being activated againg but hoped it would not happen.
These next few months of blogs are mainly for me and the kids. I will be journaling our events, emotions, and good times we have for the children. So the next few months are going to be a whirlwind of emotions as I prepare my kids and myself for what will be happening. My best friend, lover, husband, and father of my 4 children will be going back to war. I was able to do this once and can do it again. With the help of family, friends, prayers, and mainly God freedom will continue in this great country of ours and Chris will return home again safe.
Chris gave me a beautiful blessing Monday night. In it he said to take the next few months and build a bond with the children. Make memories and enjoy the moments that we have. To strengthen our family. To make sure we have joyous occasions and to know that he will come back to help raise and support our family.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who loves me and our children. He has always provided for us and made sure all our wants and needs have been met. He works hard for us. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and lets the kids see that daily. I love him very much and want him to know how proud of him I am.
As we prepare for his deployment there are goals that I would like to accomplish. I want to do these things so that our family will grow and stronger than ever, we will be strengthened and feel at peace when he leaves. That the children will never question what he is doing, but know that he is fighting for our freedoms. I am going to record these as we accomplish them and I challenge any of you who read this to join our family. I know on some of these goals I will need the help of family.
1. Read the Book of Mormon all the way through as a family.
2. Have family home evening regularly.
3. Attend a temple open house.
4. Attend a temple dedication with Preston, and Madison. (Live or broadcast.)
5. Sleep under the stars at Bear Lake.
6. Hike at least 4 National Parks here in our own backyard. Utah what a great state!
7. Fly a kite with the kids.
8. Go to a new museum.
9. Play at a new park each month.
10. Picnic as often as possible.
11. Have regular family game night.
12. Read as many Dr. Seuss books to the kids as possible.
13. Go sledding.
14. Teach the children about the Constitution, and Declaration of Independence.
15. Go to Pineview as many Fridays as possible this summer.
16. Take Chris to Lagoon and ride 'The Wicked'
17. Get a yard.
18. Go to Seattle.
19. Ride bikes as often as possible as a family.
20. Laugh until tears roll down.
And most importantly do something new or different every week with the children and Chris. Whether we go somewhere or stay home. Just make memories with them. Listen to them and love them.
If anyone has any ideas please tell me. I have been blessed to have nine months to make these memories with our children and I don't want to loose a moment. So let the journaling begin.

Halloween in February?

Preston was invited to a friends birthday bash. It was a monster mystery dinner. He was the pumpkin. I was very proud of Preston considering the fact that he hates halloween. I took him to the party store and bought make-up for his role in the mystery dinner. He was supposed to be a friendly Jack-o-Lantern who was the life of the party. We called him "One-eyed Jack". He had a great time at the party.