Bedtime moments

So I just got done reading a book by Nicholas Sparks. ( I love his books, all of them, and his movies). This book was actually a memoir called Three Weeks with my Brother which he wrote with his older brother Micah. In this book, Nicholas mentioned that his mom would come into his room at night and ask him to tell her three nice things that his brother and sister did for him that day. She also did this to both Nicholas' brother and sister. He said that at first it was hard to think of those three things, but it got easier night after night.
That really stuck in my mind. Lately it seems that my kids seem to be fighting or not say nice words to each other and that makes me sad. I always tell my kids, "friends will come and go throughout life, but brothers and sisters will always be there, no matter what." I truly believe that but.. that begins while they are young. If kids grow up fighting and not talking and not being nice, they will grow up hating each other and never talking to each other, and being alone.
 I know this first hand. I do not talk to my brothers and sister. It hurts me everyday. I don't know what happened but I don't want my kids going through the same thing.  And I use me as an example and they know it hurts me.
Tonight I decided that I am going to ask my kids, all five of them, to tell me three nice things their siblings did for them today. I don't care if it was a huge thing or a little tiny thing. Tonight being the first nice, it was hard for them. I told them I was going to ask them every night. Every single night and to be ready. I also challenged them to go the extra mile and do something nice for their siblings. I will keep these confidential. I will however write them down so I can have them to look at later maybe show them sometime in the future, if needed. 
It was cute what they thought of. It was also an eye opener to listen to them talk about that one nice thing that was done to them. I hope my kids will feel the love of the person being nice. I see this little bedtime moment I have the privilege being a part of going beyond what I am trying to do. I don't really know what I am trying to do except showing my kids we can live happily when being nice to each other.

Families Can Be Together Forever

As a family we are trying something new. We have a hard time holding FHE on Monday nights. This week we did it tonight (Sunday). Like I said, we have a hard time holding FHE, so it has been awhile. Dan challenged us to some scripture questions. He asked us about King Noah. After we answered questions about King Noah we had a great discussion about him.
Ella gave us her FHE lesson. She has been waiting for this all week. She was so excited that she needed some help because she forgot what she was going to do. Her lesson was about Families being together forever. We say a primary song, I Love to see the Temple. Then we talked about the Mesa temple and how our family is a family forever. I love being reminded about simple doctrine from my children. The spirit was felt during our time of scripture reading and FHE. I have missed that feeling.
In our family, like most families, get busy with everyday life. With Lea being 16 now, she is never home and soon will be working. And Chayanne going her own separate ways by attending a different school then the rest of the kids, I can already see how crazy and hectic our lives will be, but I know that having FHE and scripture study, is helping our family spiritually as we try to be together forever.
Thank you Ella, for reminding us and simply teaching us that we can be a Family Forever.

Ringing in the New Year.

We had our annual New Years Eve party at my house. The Bigelows, Nuemeyers, and the Workings (aka David,Jen, & Kids), came over. We had a lot of food and fireworks to keep us awake and busy. This year Lea, Kylee, and Dallin were able to hang with us "old" people for awhile before going to the church New Years Eve Dance. Next year, Chayanne and Hannah will be able to go. Although Hannah sneaked into the dance with her firend. (shh). Here are some of the fun pictures that were taken from the party. I guess I didn't get many pictures of the adults that attended the party. Oh well.. maybe next year.

Jennifer, Alexa, and Chanyanne

David and hs two girls Lea and Alexa. When Lea was a baby, David and her were inseperable. Lea was his "daughter" until Alexa arrived three years later.

Stephanie, Laura (from Spain), and Lea

All the kids that attended the party.

Making glitter crowns for the party. Megan, Elijah,Sarah,Alexa, and Isabella

Dan the the boys

Lealynn's First Home Game

For one of our family home evenings in Dec we went to Lea's first basketball home game. Even though we lost, it was great to see Lea. One of the things I love about our big family is that we are a loud cheering squad for each member of our family. It was a fun night.



I know this is a really bad picture but I loved how it came out.



Super star of the night. I love her so much.

Some of Lea's friends. Laura next to Lea and Lucy in front.

Chayanne having fun squishing the kids. Nathaniel, Elijah, & Isabella

Arya

This is our new addition to our family. She joined our family when she was 6 weeks old. She is half Chihuahua and half miniature Grey Hound. In this picture she is 9 months old.

 Here is her side view. She is turning into a great family member. We all love her so much.

 Here is Arya in her winter sweater. Lealynn and Chayanne both say she looks like the magic carpet off of Aladdin. I think she looks cute. She loves it.