Conference

Ryan had planned a hunting trip with his cousin Tygh about 2 months ago and it just so happened to fall on conference weekend. They did tons of planning and Ry was super determined and excited to come home with an elk. He took off. I was grateful that he was going. Sad he would be gone for a week, but glad that finally he decided to take a week off to himself. (which he has never done) At first I wasn't sure about the whole hunting thing and then when he reasurred me that if he were to bring home elk, it would be great organic meat:) I prepared for survival mode as a single mom and had some fun things planned. I even bought orange juice and pizza to make it exciting (mostly for myself) The oj. was for Em.
Ry was off and we had a good Friday. I took/dragged the kids to the craft store. Not sure why, the girls are fine, they just complain. Owen on the other hand is terrible, unless he WALKS.... that is what he wants to do at every store now. So if I lock him in the cart I have to be armed with food or just let the whole story listen to him whine and scream. We then went to the dollar store to pick out one thing for fun. Owen had fun looking at things and he actually did very well just following us everywhere. Ash picked out ring pops to share with everyone and Em was going to get some princess thing and then she spotted slinkies and she squealed with delight and her mind was made up! Sat. we went to howared Amon park for an arthritis walk/festival to support Michelle and walk. It was fun. We ended up staying for about 2 hours while the kids had fun with Parker and Tyler. I love Peter and Michelle they are such great friends! The kids were great about listening to conference. Naptime helped. I wished that Ry could have been here, but I was proud of myself for focusing. Last year, I don't remember anything. I think it always great to pray about it before. Lots of great messages. I especially loved Pres. Monson's talk on gratitude, so I have been lecturing a lot this past week:)I want to raise grateful kids. About 3:00, I was laying on the couch with Owen wrestling around me and I hear the door knob rattle and Ry walks through the door. Crazy. I was happy, but confused. At first I thought he was going to show me an elk in the buick or something. And then he explained. He said that after about a day he just started realizing he didn't want to be out there and that he didn't know what he was doing. He said there were so many people they were just hiking to get away from them. He couldnt' imagine staying out there for a week. He started missing us, feeling guilty and decided to come home. I was grateful that he was honest. We never made him feel bad for going, and he even said he wasn't sure why he was feeling that way. (just a family guy, gotta love it).Maybe hunting isn't his thing. I guess I married a fisherman!

The tooth is gone

Oct. 1st, Ashlyn's tooth was really lose the night before so I told her to keep working at it and wigglyin it to help it out sooner. I seriously was so giddy, i wanted to lose a tooth again. I was so excited for her to lose this tooth. This morning we told Dad about it and she was ready to have him pull it out. I actually thought there would be much whining and wailing. She came out with a smile, tissue in her mouth, and a tooth her in hand. Awesome! I was so proud of her. It's almost like I have come to terms with Ash growing up and getting older. She is in the real world, first grade, she lost her tooth. She is so big, just getting older way too fast. And now I just keep thinking that these things won't happen to Em and O. They won't lose teeth or go to first grade. I thought toddler/baby life was hard and a lot of work. Nope, I feel like I have to work even harder now to teach, love, teach, be an example, love, teach, help.....etc. It's tough, and sometimes I get way to overwhelmed and then I remember how much the Lord loves us and knows that Ryan and I are trying super hard to be a good family and that if keep working hard, Satan will stay away. I always have to think of my favorite quote in the hymn "How firm a foundation" Fear not I am with thee o be not dismayed for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I no I have to get rid of my fear and trade it for faith. I know I can. I am happy to be rasing a family. Gratitude, and so grateful to have Ryan by my side.
He is hunting with Tygh right now. He deserves this vacation. I am happy he is having fun, and enjoying himself, but I realize HOW much of a huge role he plays in our lives. I thank him lots for his hard work as a PA, and a Dad. But it's so much more than that. I hope he ALWAYS knows of my thankful heart. :) The girls prayers these past few days have been all about dad and helping him to have fun and do good catching an animal:)