Yardwork and Birthday Hike

Rented a skid-steer today to get things prepped to pour our back patio.

Of course little Fynnie was beyond excited to ride in the "kid-deer".

Jesse had a load of gravel delivered and he spent the day getting it all in place. 

Always so fun to watch him work. Even thought he will tell you that he has driven enough heavy machinery to last him the rest of his life. So he doesn't get as excited about it as the rest of the boys do.

Let me rant about this wall for a moment. A year and a half ago our backyard neighbor came to us about a week before he was leaving on a mission with his wife. His retaining wall starting to fail and he wanted to build a wall in our yard to hold up his wall while he was on his mission. Since Jesse at that time was dealing with the foundation of the addition just finishing and starting to get dirt backfilled around it. Needless to say, Jesse was in a head space where he couldn't even think about dealing with our neighbor. So he at the time just told him that he cold build this wall on our property before he left on his mission. Well, he just went to Lowe's and bought blocks to build up 6 ft high and filled it with dirt. It was done in a hurry and it looked so funky sticking out into our yard all out of place. He left on his mission and the whole time he was gone I just didn't like that wall. But we had bigger things to worry about at that time.

Fast forward to a month ago when thousands of LDS missionaries were sent home from all around the world. Which means our neighbor was brought home too. 

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While we were prepping for the backyard I was trying to figure out how to make this wall look better. The way that he finished it was just terrible. If you look at that picture above you can see how it stuck out of the yard and how he filled the gaps in with random rocks, pavers and wood chunks. Ugly right? 

Well while we were prepping we were noticing that the wall seemed to be tipping a little bit. So we put a level on the top of it, and sure enough it was tilting into our yard. Also when we pulled a few of the side blocks down to the "foundation" and sure enough the treated wood that he placed on top of the dirt was also tipping into our yard. It's only been a year and a half and this wall is already showing signs of failing. What to do? I stressing me out. 

Mike and Heidi came out for a little bit to help us. I have loved being home this month to get to work in the yard with my boys. I was happy to see Mike and Heidi come out, but also feeling bad that it's Heidi's birthday and didn't want her working in the yard on her birthday. But she insisted. She actually took Murphy and Fynn on a walk while the rest of us worked on leveling out all the gravel. 

Jesse prepping the corrugated steel for suspended slab part of the patio. Which is the back 3rd of the garage where his future shop will be. YAY!

Mike was moving the logs away from the area we were working and it turned into a game. Ryker, Cy and Fynn (even though he's not in this picture) were pulling the wheel barrow while grandpa was pushing it. We were all laughing about it as he was yelling "On Dasher, On Prancer..."

After a good stopping point we all went to Salt Lake to grab some Chik fil a and head over to Memory Grove to celebrate Heidi's birthday. Covid style. We were actually shocked how many people were at the park. It's quarantine time and everyone just wants to be outside. 

 Heidi is someone I just love SO MUCH! I burst into tears when I truly think about it. She has always been such a support to me. Such a giver of her love and time. I can't stand the thought of her not being in my life. Thanks to the best mom for being who she is and loving me so unconditionally. Happy Birthday!

These boys are so blessed with this lady as their grandmother.

Fynn would have picked every flower he saw just to give to me. I had to stop him so there would be some left for other people to enjoy.

I did end up with quite the bouquet arrangement though. What a sweet boy. 

Haha, oh this boy. When he has his mind set on something, it's impressive. He found this tire in the creek, and it was in quite good condition. I think Mike or Jesse mentioned selling it for $30 or something like that and Cy decided that he was going to bring that tire all the way home to sell it. So that's what he did. He carried it the whole rest of the way back to the truck.

Sunday Family Day

My heart is full of so much love today for my boys!

We had a unifying family church discussion today where we talked about how we can strengthen the Spiritual Foundation for our Smith Family. Elder Gary E. Stevenson talked about this in his General Conference talk a few weeks ago. His talk inspired us to pin point 4 "corner stones" or principles for our family. This has led us to come up with a Smith Family Motto that we want our boys to live by as they grow up in our family. We have some praying to have it come together. I'm really excited about it. I can't wait to see how it comes together.

Tonight we went on a family walk/ride and I was full of so much gratitude for my family as I watched them play together and laugh. So grateful for a husband who's worthy of the Priesthood and my partner to lead and guide this family. So grateful for the gospel, my Savior and My scriptures. I desire more than anything to raise my boys to "become men of understanding" through the teachings of the scriptures (Mosiah 1:2).

Family Bike Ride and Cleaning up the backyard

Today was the BEST day!

I feel like a kid in school during the week helping my boys full-time get their school work done. So it being Saturday, I finally felt a little more free. Originally this morning I wanted to go on a hike with my boys. While we were figuring out where to go, Jesse got a text from his mom telling him that she and Dad were riding their bikes from their house in Cottonwood Heights to our house in Bountiful to deliver us a gift. As they were discussing that it turned into "Why don't we just ride towards them and we can meet in the middle somewhere?" So that's exactly what we did. We all got our bikes figured out and started our way towards them. 

The boys are growing up so fast I didn't realize that they weren't fitting on their bikes very well. Especially Cyrus. So we thought we would see how he did on my mountain bike (which is the bike that Ryker has been riding lately). To my surprise Cy was able to ride it just fine. And loving it even though it was slightly too big for him. Jesse got out his old mountain bike for Ryker to try out. Ryker fit on it just fine but wasn't too happy about it. He liked riding my bike and was having a hard time letting go of the fact that Cy needed it more than him. I love and hate that my boys are growing up. It's great that we can all go out and ride together, but man they are no longer little babes to hold. It's weird. Where and how did we get here?

I hadn't been on my bike in over 6 months and it felt amazing. Funny how the saying "It's like riding a bike" really is true. You get back on after 6 months and it feels like it was just yesterday. I mean thankfully we were just riding at family pace and it's mostly flat. But it felt good to spin my wheels. 

We finally met up with Mom and Dad at about mile 10. They were at mile 21 from their house. We stopped at the International Peace Gardens to get some photos and to hang out a bit. 

Look at that crew! Mmmm hm they make me smile. 

The gift that Heidi wanted to give us was personalized homemade masks that she sewed for each of us.

She's honestly the sweetest and BEST!

I couldn't believe it, but Murphy ran along side of our bikes for the whole 10 miles. I was a little worried to have him go back. I knew we would be fine on the bikes for 10 miles back. But he hadn't ran that far before I did want to push him anymore. 

Mom and Dad needed to head back home anyway, so we agreed that Jesse would ride his bike back to our truck and then come back and get us. I needed to jump on a zoom baby shower for my friend, Tessa anyway, so I was able to do that while Jesse rode back to the truck. The boys played, mom and dad rode back home, Jesse rode back to the truck while I zoomed. Zoom has become quite common during quarantine. It's really the best way to connect with several people at the same time. 

Jesse got back pretty quick and on our way home we stopped for Chik fil a.

When we got home we started working in the yard. Digging to get things prepped for the backyard patio that hopefully can go in soon. I did ALOT of digging. Oddly I enjoyed it today. I liked being able to work along side with my boys (even though the whined off and on about the yard work).

 I just loved being together all day.

Days like today make the quarantine thing completely worth it. 

Fynn banana bread muffin creation

If helping the boys with their schooling isn't enough work by itself,  have this 4 year old to keep up with. He just decided today (without even asking me for help, or if it's ok) to make his own banana bread. Recently Jesse had the boys make banana bread. So that is probably where he got the idea from. I was preoccupied enough that by the time I caught him doing it, I just let it happen. 

So his ingredients are:

1 banana

1 apple sauce packet

a few Annie's Bunny Crackers (Birthday Cake flavor)

Blueberries

He was so proud of himself. 

Then he really wanted to cook it. So we went for it. 

And he was actually happy with the results. Haha

Easter 2020

Per Tradition we colored our Easter eggs as a family. Each person was suppose to do 4 or 5.

They all look forward to this activity all week long. 

We had a tough time getting Fynn to understand that he was only allowed to do 5 eggs. He wanted to color them all for himself. 

I had ordered them each an outfit for their Easter gift from me. It was supposed to come in time, but because of Covid it delayed it. So I guess I will give that to them when the package decides to show up. 

During breakfast we were trying to have a casual conversation of why we celebrate EASTER. Jesse was explaining to Fynn is was because Jesus died and came alive again. Fynn exclaimed: "Jesus is dead?" and when we replied "yes he died...." he made this face. Haha

Trying to explain that to a 4 year old didn't quite over so well. We were all giggling about it. 

Once breakfast was over we had dressed for church. I really wanted to make this day feel really special and spiritual. I was able to read a book to them but the rest of the time we tried to do Sacrament and go into a spiritual lesson discussion. I swear whenever there is a holiday or a time when I really am trying SO HARD to have a special day or spiritual moment with these boys it goes terribly wrong. We started up on the lesson and I just quit a part of the way through. I needed a break. They needed a break. Everyone was sent to their rooms to take a chill down moment and start over. 

I can't tell you HOW DIFFICULT it was to get a photo together. Ugh. But we made it. 

This morning I was doing my scripture study and I always love listening to David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman on their Don't Miss This YouTube channel. They both are seminary teachers and they just have the coolest insights that really get me thinking. They look at scripture all a little bit differently. I love their views. 

My thoughts from my study and their "institute" style Easter lesson are this...

Certainly an unexpected way to celebrate my favorite Holiday! This unexpected Easter is just like the first Easter Story. Christ was the Unexpected Jesus! our Hearts at this time of Covid Pandemic might be able to understand that First Easter Story. 

1. It's Too Late (John 11: 1-44)

2. When Given a Donkey (Matt 21: 1-11)

3. In the Mess (John 13: 13-37)

4. Defeat (John 19: 13-37)

5. He is not Here (Matt 28: 5-8

1. It's Too Late:

 a. Lazarus was brother to Mary and Martha.

b. Mary anoints Jesus' feet. 

c. Lazarus is sick and Jesus really does love him. They are friends. So the expected story you would think that Jesus would take are of his good friends and go help Lazarus while he is sick. 

d. There are still disappointment and tragedy to those who are close to Jesus. Lazarus dies.

e. He waited 2 days before he went to see Lazarus who had been dead for 4 days.  Questions that might be asked were: Why didn't He just come to sick Lazarus right at the beginning? Why did he wait? Why didn't He come when things were hard? Why did he let Lazarus go through the sickness? Why didn't he remove it? (vs 4 answers this question: Because of the Glory of God and that the Son of Man might be glorified thereby).

f. Part of the waiting was for Jesus to teach them the Magnitude of the Miracle. There was learning that needed to come within the waiting that couldn't come any other way. 

g. Jesus arrives at the tomb where Lazarus lay in for 4 days. He prays to the Father and cries into the tomb, into the Darkness. How many of us have been in this place? Knowing that Darkness and crying out? I love that he doesn't just whisper. He cries with a loud voice "Lazarus Come Forth!" We need to take this lesson and learn to Hear Him when he tells us to Come Forth!

h. The Unexpected Lesson here is that "When you think it's Too Late... From the Darkness There will Be Light! And that Light really can shine brighter in dark places.

2. When Given a Donkey:

a. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey.

b. Everyone is waiting for someone to come save them from the Romans(enemies).

c. What do you think the disciples thought when they were asked to go get a donkey for Jesus? Why not a white horse? With a saddle? A sword? A cape? A parade?

d. The Donkey was so unexpected.... Riding in on a donkey... in humility, meekness teaching "My deliverance looks a little bit different that what you were expecting. And there is still reason to rejoice!"

e. Those that recognized Him, cut down branches to say "Hosanna", others not quite sure who He was but joined in---All the City was Moved!(vs 10)

d. When you are given a donkey instead of a noble stead, He will still give you reason to rejoice and shout Hosanna!

e. When things are unexpected that causes you to say "Who is Jesus in this situation?" "What will he look like in this situation?"

3. In the Mess:

a. vs 5 Jesus wipes/washes the disciples feet.

b. vs 6 Peter: "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" The unexpectedness is in this question. At that day and age someone's feet would have been the dirtiest part of them due to wearing sandals and walking in the dusty roads.

c. Custom was that the host of the dinner is the "Master" at the dinner. Usually the Master or Host wouldn't get into the mess of washing the guests feet. Usually a servant would do that. 

d. vs 7 Jesus says "you will know here after"

e. vs 8 Peter says "You aren't going to wash my feet." and Jesus replies "If you don't let me wash your feet, you have no part with me."

f. vs 9 Peter says "Ok Lord, not just my feet, wash my whole body. Minister to all of me, all of my mess. I will let you in EVERYWHERE"

g. The unexpected lesson here is that Jesus wants to meet us in our mess. It is where he does his best work.

4. Defeat:

a. The Crucifixion death was the worst and lowest form. It was reserved to humiliate and crush people morally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Ultimate defeat for the worst traitors an worst enemies. 

b. People at the time of Christ's crucifixion would probably feel or question "Christ was supposed to beat Rome, but Rome beat him. He lost!"

c. As the people looked up at the cross they would have just thought "It's over" or "This isn't how it's suppose to happen" or "I can't believe this is happening". They couldn't see that this REALLY WAS CHRIST'S VICTORY! He was defeating Rome, He was defeating a much bigger enemy! And He was doing it in a way that was SO UNEXPECTED!

d. If you were to look at a painting of the crucifixion you might label it as DEFEAT!!! In reality, it should be labeled VICTORY! Crowned King of Kings!

e. What do I label as defeat, but could really be Victory? What am I becoming through my defeats?

f. What we view as Defeat will become His Victory!

5. He is not Here:

a. The day that Jesus was risen, but they didn't know that is going to happen!

b. The women go to the tomb and look in and their first thought is "He is not here! Then the angel appears and says "I know you are looking for Jesus and He is not here." I'm sure they were thinking "After all that has happened and someone stole His body?"  The angel confirms what Christ had taught "He is Risen Like He had said. Now go QUICKLY and tell your brethren."

c. Go Quickly and move forward. This is how you are actually allowing yourself to see HIM!

d. The unexpected Lesson here is "If it seems He is not Here, Move Forwards, because you will see Him there." Sometimes He prepares the way before you, JUST KEEP GOING!

What Easter is About:

The Promise of HOPE----VICTORY---DELVERANCE---OVERCOMING---BECOMING---PASSOVER

Who is this?

Who is that you are rejoicing in?

Who is this that is bringing Hope?

Who is the reason for Rejoicing?

---THE CHRIST---

He is HOPE-PEACE-LIGHT-JESUS

That afternoon we thought it would be nice to go for a walk. Jesse came up with the idea to drive up above the B and on the way back down let the boys ride their bikes while we followed them down. We mentioned the idea to them and they all loved it. 

Fynn recently has learned to ride a pedal bike. For a long time he was so comfortable on the Strider bike (it's a balance bike without pedals). Finally he got the courage to add the pedals. He looks so much like a big boy with his older brothers riding down the dirt road together. 

Boys, bikes and their pup!

Client Coverage Kit Delivery

Since I a unable to work for the whole month of April. I offered at home grey coverage kits for my clients that were scheduled in the month on April. The purpose of this was to get them through the month of April and book them a follow up appointment 6-8 weeks later. That way my month of May wont be so crazy.

I made 22 kits and spent the whole day delivery them. I went all over Bountiful, Centerville, and Farmington. I had one in Layton and another in Syracuse. Then I made my way into Salt Lake, Cottonwood Heights, South Jordon, Taylorsville and North Salt Lake. I was happy to see my clients and talk with them really quick.

Jesse was at work and thankfully the older 2 boys were home working on school work. I took Fynn and Murphy with me the whole day. They were both good sports being driven all over town.

Conference Weekend

SATURDAY:

The first thing yesterday morning the boys had the opportunity to collect cans for the Bountiful Food Bank. Our neighbors, The Tanners put the drive together to help out the Pantry with their supplies for Families that need assistance during the Covid-19 Quarantine.

I thought it was so cute of them running up and down the street, checking each house for donations. Fynn joining in on his bike.

Once they got a donation from a porch, they would put the loot in the back of our truck. We gathered everything and took it to the Tanner's where we and other neighbors loaded everything in their truck to be delivered. 

We made it home in time for Conference to start. Boy was I so looking forward to what this conference was going to bring. Back in October President Russel M. Nelson announces that the April 2020 General Conference would be a Bicentennial Celebration of the Restoration of The Church. He said "general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable."

When he said that did he see that we would be in the middle of a Pandemic? Did he know that it would be unforgettable because we would all be gathering to watch only virtually? Did he see that no one would be allowed to gather at The Conference Center? Did he know that Utah (and the rest of the world) would have recently been given the "Stay At Home" order? 

If you could only imagine how much I was looking forward to hearing what the leaders of the Church would have to instruct and lift us with. I have never before been so anxious to hear what the prophet would talk to us about. 

6 months ago President Nelson asks us to do some personal preparations for the Conference regarding the Restoration. I got up early Saturday morning to do some extra study about it.  I had been listening to David Butler's Restoration Celebration Classes on his YouTube channel. I finished the last one and thought I could do some further study from the church website. They of course had so many options to study everything about it. 

I think about my personal testimony about the restoration and I feel like I have always believed. I enjoyed reading about it again to add more to my testimony about it. 

We got started off with the boys and their Bingo boards to help with their attention. 

President Nelson was the first speaker and he said "Little did I know, when I promised you at the October 2019 general conference that this April conference would be 'memorable' and 'unforgettable,' that speaking to a visible congregation of fewer than 10 people  would make this conference so memorable and unforgettable for me!"

He announced that at the conclusion of the Sunday morning session there would be  a worldwide solemn assembly he that he would lead us in a Hosanna Shout. 

He also encouraged us to "...fill our personal spiritual storehouses with faith, truth and testimony." Because "our ultimate quest in life is to prepare to meet our Maker."

I love hearing from our prophet. He is always so happy and glowing with the love for all of us and our Savior. I was so happy to hear from him right at the start of the conference. He brings so much peace and comfort with this words. 

My favorite talk Saturday morning was from Joy D Jones. I will definitely need to read it when it comes out. But from my notes and my thoughts I loved that she talked about Women in the Restoration and how we have the unmeasurable influence in the continuing restoring of The Church. She talked about how it is a NOBLE CALLING to be a Mother Right Now! She reminded us that women wear many hats and that it's not necessary to wear them all at once. SUCH a good reminder and thought.

She quoted James E Talmage "The World's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ!"

So many good things that she said. So empowering to women in the priesthood and their access to that power. Go and Read it!

Saturday afternoon session and lunch time I had the cute face of Murphy begging me for some of my lunch. That pup is quite professional at that begger look. Biggest brown eyes that says it all. 

But my favorite talk was Gary E. Stevenson. He used the current renovation of the Salt Lake City Temple to illustrate his point. The Temple was closed at the start of this year to under go a 4 year earthquake proofing of it. He used that in comparison to our spiritual lives. What does our Spiritual Foundation look like? Can it withstand a Spiritual earthquake? What do my Spiritual Corner Stones look like?  How can the renovating of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to renew and renovate our spiritual lives and families? Can my Family sustain a Seismic Spiritual Earthquake? 

Corner Stone ideas could look like: Family Prayer, Scripture study, Temple Attendance and Articles of Faith. 

I definitely want to apply this talk into my life and into my family life. 

Saturday evening would normally have a Priesthood session. But this time they made it so that everyone would attend. And for the first time ever they had 2 YOUTH SPEAKERS at  the session. A Young Woman and a Young Man. No pressure right? So very cool though to see this change in our church.








SUNDAY:

Jesse was able to come home from work  this morning and watch conference with us.

A few of my favorite thoughts from that session:
Ronald A Rasband.... We must be prepared in Heart and Mind to Receive Him
David A. Bednar... We go to the Temple to overcome EVIL, NOT to Hide from it.
And of course our beloved prophet spoke and OH MY GOODNESS! I had a whole page of notes from him. He really encouraged us to HEAR, HEARKEN and HEAD our Lord and Savior.

The Hosanna Shout was really neat. Each of the boys got to use a paper towel because I only had one real white handkerchief. We all got to do it together. Fynn later that day heard the word Hosanna and started saying "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna To God and the Lamb." I loved hearing him say that because for that little moment I though "Oh my goodness you really are listening" Haha

Mike and Heidi stopped by in between the sessions to bring by an Easter kit for the boys to make chicks and eggs out of. Such a good Grandma. 

The final session Pres Nelson announced the new Symbol for The Church of Jesus Christ o Latter-Day Saints.

He also read a Bicentennial Proclamation to the world called: The Restoration Proclamation. He read the whole thing to us but it was prerecorded in the Sacred Grove. So he was in the grove while he read this proclamation. Oh how powerful it was. So cool. The last time we had a proclamation in the church it was 1995? When The Family Proclamation came to us at that time. Back then it didn't seem like that big of a deal, but the Lord was smart to have those standards set up long before the attacks on the family and marriage between a man and woman would be heightened. 

Such a memorable and wonderful time to be alive. I love our Savior and His Church!

Here's a picture of what it looked like when they were broadcasting the conference to the world. Fewer than 10 people in the room. So strange right?