Cooper's Activities

In April, we met Cooper's birth mom, Jenn, and her husband Brent at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Cooper's birthday.  Cooper loves this place and he had such a great time playing the games and spending time with family.  Jenn and Brent were kind enough to bring Clayton a present also and this really made his day! Cooper received a Star Wars ship and Clayton got a Ninja Turtle! After Chuck E. Cheese, we went over to Krispie Creme Donuts to eat some donuts and watch how they are made!

 Cooper also played soccer in April and May.  He really enjoys the social aspect of soccer.  I need to get out and practice with him more, so he isn't so scared of the ball.  He had a great time at the practices and games.  He has some good friends on his team.  They only lost one game this entire season.

 Since Cooper just turned 8, he is now a Cub Scout. He has really enjoyed going to some of the scouting activities.  A few weeks ago, they had the Pinewood Derby.  He wanted Bryce to make him a school bus for the Derby.  Bryce did the whole thing. Next year, I am going to have to remind both "boys" that this is for Cooper and that he needs to help make the car.  Cooper enjoyed racing the cars on Pinewood Derby night.  He didn't win the whole thing, but his bus did pretty good.

Park City Pictures

Park City

Sherrie and Brian were trying to figure out a location where they could take their kids for a fun family vacation.  Its been a while since they have been away just as a family.  They were originally thinking about going to the beach somewhere.  Steph ended up finding them a really cheap price for the Marriott Hotel in Park City.  So, they decided to bring their kids up for one week.

Sherrie asked that we all come up one day, so that the rest of the week be spent with just their kids.  I thought this was a great idea, because it can get overwhelming with a lot of family around.  Anyway,  we went up on a Sunday morning.  It was so much fun to see their families and let the cousins play with each other. 

Kinlee was such a cutie and she was handed off from aunt to aunt and cousin to cousin.  She is such a cute little doll with such an infectious smile.  Cooper enjoyed running around with Jaden, Wesley, and Addey.  Clayton even tagged along with them.  There was nobody in the hotel, so the kids were able to explore and not cause any problems.

 Later that day, we went down to the swimming pools and watched the kids swim and enjoy the hot tubs.  It was still a little chilly outside, but the had a fun time in all the different hot tubs.  Cooper and Wesley spent their time out in the big pool swimming and floating.

Clayton hung out in the hot tubs with some of his cousins.  We brought some take n' bake pizzas up to cook for dinner.  Steph and Paul brought Mexican food. Jocelynn showed up with Grandma Cooper and we all sat in the main lobby eating and enjoying each others company. 

They boys and I were able to come up a few days later and spend some quality time with Sherrie, Brian, and the kids.  First, we took a scenic drive through down town Park City to try to get Kinlee to fall asleep.  That was the first time I had ever been to down town.  It's kind of a neat little town.  We found a fun hill for the kids to go sledding on. 

Cooper and Wesley had a blast racing each other down the hill.  The weather was perfect.  They didn't need to wear full winter clothes.  The sun was shining but there was still snow on the ground.  Clayton went on a few rides with Micaela and Aunt Sherrie.  He thought that was pretty fun. 

After the sledding, we let the kids swim again.  My boys love to play in the water! After swimming, we met Bryce in Park City at Arbys' and then headed home.  It was such a fun time to spend those few days with Sherrie and her family. 

Thoughts

A few weeks ago, I read my patriarchal blessing again.  I have been promised sons and daughters and it talks in depth about what Bryce and I need to do while I am carrying these children prior to their birth.  I have been constantly trying to think and ponder about what this means.  

This last week and a half, I have been reading a book called Facing the Giants.  It is about a football coach that has a losing record for the last 6 years and he is getting frustrated and tired.  One day, a man at his high school stops him in the halls and says, “I heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain. They both prayed for rain, but only one farmer went out and prepared his field to receive it. Which farmer do you think trusted God to send rain? The farmer who prepared for it. 

This story really impacted me.  I really would like to have another child in my home and in my family, but I have I prepared myself for it? As I have thought more about it, I have contemplated as to how to “prepare” myself….spiritually, physically, and mentally, and emotionally.  Physically, I have been trying to prepare my body to get pregnant for the past 18 months.  I have spent hours at the gym and have lost weight and tried to make better choices.

Mentally and emotionally I think I will be fine, though I find myself wondering about the demands of a new baby.  I also worry about bringing more children into this world that has become so wicked.  However, I know that the “choicest” spirits have been chosen for this time and I would like to help raise those special ones saved for the last days.

I think the spiritual preparedness is really crucial.  I keep thinking about how I can prepare myself spiritually to have another child come into our home.  I have tried to make my scripture study more meaningful.  I have asked Heavenly Father to give me inspiration and guidance as I read the words from prophets.  

I came across a scripture that I have heard and read many times, but it hit me differently this time. Doctrine and Covenants 109:8 “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, and a house of God.” I felt like that is one area that I can be prepared in…making our home suitable to have another Child of God enter into it. 

Bryce and I have really made an effort this past year to hold FHE almost every Monday.  We have also tried to have family prayer and scripture reading each night before the kids go to bed.  We definitely have areas that could use some improvement, but we are doing better than we were a year ago and I feel like it makes a difference.  

As I went back to my patriarchal blessing today, I noticed that it talks about how I will receive insights so that I can prepare myself.  It also talks about how Bryce and I can work together to “prepare those things needful” for the coming of our children.  It also mentions that my preparation prior to their birth is imperative.  It has been really interesting to see how I have received knowledge and guidance these past couple of months. I am thankful that Heavenly Father is watchful of me and our family.

Easter

Like every year, Alpine had a fun little Easter lunch and scavenger hunt for the kids.  I always enjoy this because we really don't go to any other egg hunts and so its nice to have a small one.  The kids have a great time looking for eggs and Clayton loves eating all the candy afterwards.

 This year I tried to do some fun activities with the kids.  We dyed the eggs, decorated sugar cookies, and made pastel colored deviled eggs.

 On Easter morning, we hid the baskets out in the backyard and then watched as the kids ran around trying to find them. This year we kind of made the "search" a little more difficult. They actually had to walk all around the yard to find their baskets.  I hid Cooper's basket behind the Land Cruiser and I hid Clayton's basket on my four wheeler.

They were so excited when they found their baskets.  They compared each other items and realized they pretty much had identical things in their baskets. After they looked through their baskets, they sprayed silly string on each other in the yard.  After a yummy breakfast, we all got dressed in our Sunday best and headed off to church to celebrate the true meaning of Easter!