{Random Catchup}

I was looking through my pictures the other day and realized there were a lot of random things that I never blogged about. Things I didn't want to forget, but that would take lots of time to blog about individually..... so today is a catchup day, a day of random things that don't really fit together, but whatever!

A few weeks ago, the Ainge girls (my mama and all but one of her sisters) and their girls (Lis, some of the cousins, and I) and their girls (some of the cousins brought their girls, not me!) participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure! This has become a mothers day weekend tradition that I look forward to and love. Every year I spend a few minutes crying a bit. It's so overwhelming to see the widespread effect that breast cancer has, and amazing to see those who have survived!

Each year the kids have a end of year review for tumbling. They show us the things they have learned and the progress they've made. All three of our kids were able to show off there skills. Carlie is quite the little diva, and insisted I curl her hair before we went.She LOVES tumbling class and looks forward to tumbling day each week. Brock has improved so much and his cartwheels and round offs are so much neater than they were last year. Kaleb is so close to being able to do his 2 backhand springs without a spotter. I really think he could do it, if he dared try!

What cute kids we have!

The kids made me some cute cards and trinkets, and picked me some beautiful flowers for Mothers Day!

Last week was the annual Elementary School Program. They go above and beyond every year. They sing quite a few songs and each grade does a dance. The theme this year was "A Barnyard Moosical" with everything centered around the farm! We were in such a hurry to get there, I forgot to take pictures of the boys, oops! Kaleb grade were all little piggies and Brock's grade did the Cotton Eyed Joe. They both did a great job, and Mr. Brock is quite the little dancer.... I couldn't believe how high that boy was kicking up his legs!

Yea I know, it is a bit past Easter..... I told you I was playing catchup! While dad was snowmobiling one day the kids and I colored some eggs, with only one spill!

We also made it to the Primary Easter Egg hunt (that I was in charge of once again) and almost got blown away, it was SUPER windy! The Easter bunny found us, and brought Carlie a new summer outfit and the boys new swimwear! Gram had her annual egg hunt a week late because of the weather, but I forgot the camera?

A few weeks back we spent almost an entire day getting a garden spot ready, and trying to get rid of even a few of the thousands of rocks (that's a definite draw back to having the old creek bed in the back field). Bryson even came and helped us out. Unfortunately, we haven't done anything since then, so the garden may be waiting until next year?

The kids and I all had dentist appointments, and unfortunately, all had to go back and have some kind of work done :( All the kids did really well, Miss C even had two small cavities filled without being numbed at all. Carlie really wanted me to take her picture to show her Daddy how brave she was! And she was really brave, but I'm here to tell you she didn't smile like that the entire time!

Kaleb got to go to his first pack meeting as a Cub Scout. He couldn't wait to put on his uniform, and go with all the big boys! You can pretty much tell how excited he was by the giant grin on his cute little face!

And last but not least.... last week there was the most gorgeous rainbow right by the house. When I first went out it was complete. After I went in to call Lisa and tell her to check it out only the one side was left. I went to get my camera and couldn't find it anywhere. When I looked through my pictures a few days later, it turns out one of the kids had got it and snapped a few shots. The pictures don't even close to do it justice, the colors were the most bright and brilliant that I've ever seen in a rainbow!

{Here Comes the Bride}

This is me, at my wedding, with the most adorable flower girl.....my sweet girl, Skyler (not literally, but to me, she's just always been my girl). Really, it seems like just yesterday Derrick and I were getting married. Well, obviously it wasn't because this last weekend......SKYLER got married! And, it was beautiful. And I'm happy for her, because she is so happy. And well, Maben is a pretty great guy. And they make a perfect couple. But darn it, now I feel old!
We had a shower for her a few months ago, and since it was the day after Kaleb's baptism, I just never got around to blogging about it. So, I thought I'd throw it in here. It was nice, the food was yummy, and she got some great gifts. Now, back to the real post!

A few months ago, Sky asked me if I would put together some pages for the guest to sign. Well, I procrastinated (for the first time ever?!?, ok, like I always do) and finally finished them late Wednesday night, or actually it was more like early Thursday morning. Hey, the wedding was on Friday, I still had plenty of time! I'm so glad she asked me to do them. I've taken a bit of a break from stamping and crafting and I really missed it, so this was really a good motivator.
Lisa made the cake and of course that meant I got to go help, which I'm really not sure how much help I really am? Anyhow, that was a full day project for Friday. For some reason, this cake just didn't go smooth, from start to finish it was just one thing after another, including fingers in the cake not long after we got it set up! In the end it all worked out and was one of my favorite cakes she's done. A friend had let them use this whiskey barrel they had, but they didn't really know where they were going to put it,... I think it turned out to be the perfect cake stand! My sister-in-law Julia did most of the decorating, and it turned out really nice, but in all the running I didn't end up getting any pictures of it all.
Maben & Skyler Larsen
This is one of the only pictures I actually took at the reception! Carlie sure loves Skyler, and the "marrying" is all she has been talking about all week. At the end of the reception they had dancing and Sky and Maben along with some others did some swing dancing. On the way home that night Carlie, told us all about it. "Skyler danced with Maben and it was SO cool. And he lifted her up and it was just awesome"(you have to imagine it in her little diva voice to get the full effect).
I just had to add this one in. Sky gave Carlie a little kiss and left lipstick on her cheek. I tried to wipe it off, but she wouldn't let me! Derrick and the boys popped in for just a second, between a baseball game and fathers and sons campout, so it was a crazy day for them as well.

{Budding Artists}

Art.... compliments of Miss Carlie and Tylie! WHAT??? I love that they love to draw. But really, I do wish they would perfect their talent somewhere else, like PAPER, instead of C's new shoes and my leather seats!?!

{All About Mom... Preschool Style}

At preschool Thursday we did a little survey about our moms to put in their cards. It was so cute to watch the kids really think about the questions and their answers were so adorable I just had to share some of them!
** How tall is Mommy?**
Most stretched their little arms out to about 2 feet
Really Tall
Taller than Daddy (hehe)

**How old is Mommy?**
7
5
Probably 40
I think hers 40
Like kind of old
8 maybe?

**What does mom like to wear?**
new clothes
a weddin' dress
skirts
a wedding dress
Temple clothes
shorts

**What does Mommy like to do?**
Go Work
Make Stuff
Run
Clean Up
Dishes in the sink
Wash Clothes

**My Mommy is special because?**
She makes us do everything she does
All of the sings (things).
Jesus sent her to us.
She is nice.
I love her.
She makes food.

How blessed I feel to have so many wonderful mothers in my life, they each play a different but still important role! My mom, Derrick's mom, Sheri, our many Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters and Sister-in-Laws, Cousins, Friends....my list could go on and on. Each of you teach me, inspire me, encourage me, but most importantly are great examples of LOVE!

I am thankful to be a mother to my three children. Though many of my days are long, trying and monotonous, I wouldn't trade them. I am blessed!

{I Love to See the Temple}

I just got home from spending a special evening at the Manti Temple. It's late and I'm tired. I sat down at the computer for just a second to check messages and such. But, my brain won't turn off and I want to share quickly how thankful I am for the Temple in my life. What a blessing it is, one I don't take advantage of as often as I should. Each time I'm there, I vow to do better. Then, life catches up with me and things get in the way, I make excuses and don't get there like I should. I'm thankful that Skyler gave me the opportunity to be there tonight, and for the sweet Spirit that was felt there!

{We've Just Gotta Get Outa Here}

We had the funnest weekend break a few weeks ago! We loaded up the kids, and the bikes and met up with two of Derrick's cousins and their families and took off for a little weekend vacation! We left early Saturday morning (I have to admit I'm not a morning person) and when Kami decided we were meeting at 6:00 instead of 7:00 (which was too early to start with) I was about ready to stay home, but I drug myself out of bed and did my best to put on a happy face. We stopped for breakfast in Loa, and pretty much filled the little restaurant with our group of 6 adults and 9 kids....how can we really have 9 kids between us, it seems like just yesterday we were the kids? Anyhow after breakfast, we continued on to Caineville to spend the day riding.

Caineville is one of James and Kami's favorite spots to ride. We'd never been there, but I'm pretty sure we'll be going back again! The kids had a great time, both riding and climbing on the hills and playing in the dirt. I relaxed, read a bit, did a few word searches, visited with the girls and also fit in a bit of riding time.
The day was nice (until the wind kicked up in the afternoon) and by the time we packed up to leave, we were tired, a bit sunburned and DIRTY! Carlie was asleep before we even pulled out of camp and Kaleb had been trying to nap on his four wheeler before we even loaded up! We decided to go to dinner as is.....in other words dirty and grungy. By the time we checked into the motel we were ready to get clean and crash, which was good since there was nothing else around the motel, and I mean nothing, it was just a lone motel on the side of the highway!

The next morning we headed out to explore Goblin Valley. The kids had a BLAST! They ran and climbed and just had fun! It was hard to get them to even stop long enough to snap a few pictures.
Wind and water have carved these fantastic and unique goblin-like sculptures out of rock, creating an amazing outdoor playground. We had so much fun exploring and just hanging out a bit!

~The Dearden Clan~

We stopped and made lunch as we drove through Capitol Reef. After lunch we went on a little hike. Yea, I knew I was out of shape, but holy cow, it was only a mile and by the time we got a third of the way, I was beat!

It was worth it though, the kids were great at trying to keep up (or to wait up for us slower ones). Brock played tour guide and read the descriptions at each stopping point.

The natural arch was beautiful!

And most importantly......we had a super fun weekend as a family!

{In the Blink of an Eye}

It's been busy around here, it seems as if spring always is (if you can call the weather we've been having spring?!?). I have much to blog about, and many thoughts running through my head, but I keep coming back to one particular theme- Don't take one minute for granted, things can change so quickly!

I received a call earlier in the week from a friend, sharing sad news about another friend. She's been diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 cancer. No warning....overnight their life changed. In a Facbook message she said; "Don't take life for granted. Spend time with loved ones. Let your love ones know how much you love them and live as everyday is your last. Don't say things that you will regret later. I have 6 kids and the best husband anyone could ask for. I am asking for your Prayers in behave of my family." What has been a horrible ordeal for all those whose life Amy has touched, has been an eye opener for me. If the situation was reversed and I was dealing with this, what regrets would I have? Would my kids remember me as the mom who was always there for them, took time out to play and have fun with them, or as the mom who was always too busy, cleaning or preoccupied with the computer. What about my husband? My friends? The people in my community? Would I have truly touched the lives of those around me, or would I just be a blip on their radar? Would I be ready? Would I have enough faith and truly trust that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me?

I've been so touched by the faith, prayers and support that has been shown to this family. Amy is truly one of the most caring, giving, unselfish people that I've ever met. She touched my life in the two short years I lived in Santaquin. I remember the first time I met her at girls movie night (oh, how I miss Santaquin girls movie nights), her big smile and outgoing personality made me feel comfortable and welcome in a group of women I didn't know. We then became Visiting Teaching partners....we were all that great about the actual visiting part, but Amy always knew what was going on with our sisters, and was the first one there for them if they needed anything!

Friends have put together a benefit yard/bake sale on Friday, April 23rd and Saturday April 24th from 8 am to whenever at 270 East Main in Santaquin. There have been posts about this one both Nie Nie and C Jane If you are in the area, please try to stop by!

I think Amy has given us all some great advice to try and live our lives the best we can each day-"Don't take life for granted. Spend time with loved ones. Let your love ones know how much you love them and live as everyday is your last. Don't say things that you will regret later."