Aloha Friday @ Turtle Bay

On Friday we went to Turtle Bay and enjoyed some time at the beach. Kali enjoyed spending some time with her new girl friend Velzy. She needed to know where she was at all times. Addi, Kali, Velzy and Ruby spent a good amount of time devouring a bag of Doritos, and I know Kali was loving every minute of it. I am not a big chip person, so I NEVER buy chips. Velzy was being a good little model for me while I was trying to take pictures, which inspired Kali to model for me as well:) Usually Kali is telling me to stop taking pictures of her or to put the camera away. It is OK, it doesn't hurt my feelings, in fact it makes me chuckle to myself, because I know I use to say the SAME thing to my mom when I was little. You know what they say, "what goes around, comes around." Especially through your children:)

HOW STRESSED ARE YOU?

I am not sure exactly how it works, but this is amazingly accurate. Read the full description before looking at the picture.

The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital.

Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.

Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation.

No Need to Comment,
I'll be on Vacation.

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS

Pretty much if you live in E building you have a girl first followed by a boy. Since the girls are older and mobile, running around singing at the top of their lungs and dancing, they get most of the attention. The other day was a little different. The girls were playing in Kim's house and the boys had there moment of fame, outside playing around. I just can't wait until all of these boys are able to run around together and get into mischief:) Nate is the oldest, almost 18 months. He is able to run around and mostly tries to scare his parents by running off. Tyken is the second oldest, at 9 months, he is crawling around and tries to crawl after Nate and see where he is headed and what he is up too, until his mom comes outside, of course, then it is speed crawl right to mom. He does enjoy his time with Krew however, exploring his face and his head:) Last but not least his little Krewzer, he just lays there doing his super man, at 5 months he just laughs and smiles at the other boys, waiting for the day to crawl, then run around with them.

Krew @ 5 months

Stats

Height: 27 1/2 inches
Weight: 17 lbs. 9 oz.

Krew received his shots today and he didn't even cry, what a strong little man:) He just had this look on his face like he wanted to punch the nurse:0 JK!!
At 5 months Krew can scoot around just a little. He is really strong and likes to try and pull him self up on anything he can reach, ie. chairs, crib, stroller, etc. He has such a contagious laugh and is a very happy smiley boy. He really has been laughing and smiling since the day he was born. He has discovered his hands and his feet and you can find him with his feet in his mouth a lot lately. He loves to hear himself talk and makes so many cute sounds. It is music to my ears. He is very aware of when we leave the room and has decided he doesn't like to be left alone and makes sure we know it by his high pitched screaming and crying, (not music to my ears.) He is no longer content being left on the floor or in his swing with out some sort of stimulation, like a toy or a movie. We have started feeding him sweet potatoes, sweet peas, and today he tried carrots. He is very interested in food and if I have him on my lap while I try to eat he grabs at everything and won't stop until he gets it.

Here is a comparison picture of Krew and Kali both at 4 months old. I think Krew is now starting to look like his own little person. Up until this age they have looked pretty much the same.

Recipe Night/Stroller Brigade/Weight lifting

Kali woke me up this morning, then laid right next to me and asked, "How was your time at Sara Duffin's house." It made me laugh so hard. See, last night we had recipe night at Sara's house and Kali REALLY wanted to go, but I told her she needed to go to bed, but if she was good and didn't cry when I left, then she could stay up and hang out with daddy for a while. When I got home, they had fallen asleep together, it was so cute:)

Recipe night was so much fun, as always. Thank you Angie, for showing us how to make those divine mint truffles, they are just so yummy!! You can try them too, the recipe will be on the skinnyjeansrecipeblog soon.



Today Hillary, Kim, Angie and I got up and strapped our kids into the strollers and headed out on a two hour excursion around Laie. We went up the small parking lot hill to the right of the temple, then headed over to Food Land for some air-conditioning and drinks, then up the hill to the point. We stopped and enjoyed the view for a little bit, then it was back to TVA. It was a blast, it is nice to get out and get some exercise and have some good friends to talk to in the process.

The day ended with Hillary and I working out at the gym. It felt so good to actually lift weights again!!! Thank you Derek for watching the kids and thank you Hillary for coming with me!
I AM BACK! I am ready to get in shape:)

I love to see the Temple

I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday. To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray. For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young; this is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday. I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together. As a child of God, I've learned this truth: A family is forever.

I absolutely love the church hymns and children's songs. What beautiful words put to music.

We went for a walk to the temple on Sunday and Kali remembered how when Grandma was visiting, they would go on walks to the temple and talk about all the flowers and what colors they were, so I had Kali take some pictures smelling flowers for memories with Grandma:) Also while we were at the temple we ran into Auntie Crystal and her sister Paige. It was so much fun talking with them, I just love those girls!
This is definitely our new weekly Sunday activity. I just love the spirit on the temple grounds and Kali likes to go into the visitors center and see Jesus and push all of the buttons for the video's of the kids who answer questions about the gospel.

Thoughts of Gratitude

The secret of happiness consists not of having, but of being; not of possessing, but of enjoying. It is a warm glow of the heart at peace with itself.... It is the aroma of life, lived in harmony with high ideals. - David O. McKay

My Heavenly Father LOVES me! I am reminded each day by the blessings that I receive. This quote by David O. Mckay helped me remember to be happy and enjoy life. Thank you Ashley for posting this on your blog today, it was just what I needed to read. Another blog I read today that was so inspiring and just what I needed to read was thoughts by Angie, To all the mothers out there... I get it now! (before you read it, grab a box of Kleenex)

Aaron and I received a calling about a month and a half ago that has really blessed my life. We were called to be Gospel Doctrine teachers. We have had this calling before, so I was so excited to receive it again. It is so awesome to me to be able to learn more in depth about the scriptures and make them come to life and apply them to what we are doing day to day. It helps me really open my eyes and understand why Heavenly Father felt we needed this scripture on this earth at this time.

I absolutely love Sundays. When ever anyone has asked me what my favorite day of the week is, I have always said, "Sunday." Many people question, "why?" Knowing that I am LDS and that "restricts" me from doing a lot of things, such as shopping, sports, etc. I love this day because all of the clutter from the rest of the world is gone. I get to go to church for 3 hours and feel the spirit so strongly, and learn more about my Savior, Jesus Christ. Learn how he loves me unconditionally, and that he has atoned for my sins. No one is perfect, no one. Jesus knew this, so he made a way for us that we can return and live with him again.
I am especially grateful, that I am able to repent and to become clean. I know that the atonement works, and when I truly repent, I am made CLEAN again!

When I look at this picture of the Savior it brings tears to my eyes, knowing that he atoned for us willingly, even though it was extremely hard, he even cried to Heavenly Father, saying, "Abba." We know this was tough, but he still did it because he loves us.

A church Hymn keeps playing in my head while writing this.
I Stand All Amazed

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and Jesus for their love and continual blessings. I am grateful for the gospel in my life that helps me know how I should live, I am so grateful for my eternal family who is always there for me NO MATTER WHAT. I am grateful for my friends who are always there to help and lift and support me. I am grateful for the ward I am a part of.

THANK YOU, I am eternally GRATEFUL.