Future Elder Redd

Last night after Josh was set apart as a missionary we asked the boys where they wanted to go on missions. Carter said Mexico, Logan's answer:

"I'm gonna go to Chucky Cheese on my mission" Watch out Chucky Cheese, Elder Redd will be there in just over 16 years.

Sunday Message

Some weeks it's hard to find something to post for my sunday message others I have four or five ideas that I'd like to post. I know the difference is not in the content of the lessons I hear but in the spirit that I have with me and the attention that I pay. Today is a day that I heard several great talks and lessons and thanks to Logan sleeping through all of sacrament meeting I actually got to listen to all of it. My littlle brother gave a great talk as well as my cousin Nicole and in sunday school we talked about the translation of the book of mormon and Sis. Christianson gave a quote by President Benson that I really enjoyed:

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.... When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.

I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness "

Joshy Squashy

Today was a great day. My littlest brother Joshy Squashy (an endearing term given to him by "the little kids" aka Stacy, Deco and Noelle) spoke in church today. He will be entering the MTC on Wednesday to begin his mission. He will be there for nine weeks and then will head to Paris France. I can't believe it, I'm not really sure how it happened because just a couple weeks ago he was the cutest little six year old, and my best buddy. I decided I needed to post some funny Joshy stories because they no longer have the traditional farewell meetings in which you get the chance to do this.

My first story happened when I was home one weekend from College. Josh was in first grade and his class was going on a field trip to the famous dinosaur museum. When Josh realized that I would be home that day he asked if I could come. On the walk to the museum Josh didn't leave my side, he spent most of the trip talking to me and telling me the best first grade gossip. He told me about an after school activity that was coming up. I asked who he would go with and he named several of his friends. I don't remember exactly who but I'd bet they included Dane, Bean, and several others. He hadn't mentioned one of his best friends- Kyle, who was a red shirt kindergartner (for those of you not from Blanding I'll explain that phrase: many hold their kids back and don't send them until the year after they can go, you know for sports purposes- thus when they go they are a red shirt kindergartner) Anyways I asked Josh- What about Kyle? To which he rolled his eyes and said "Kristi. A first grader does not be seen with a kindergartner". I think he got over this though because he and Kyle are still really good friends.

The next story was also when I was in College but this time Josh was hangin out with me at my apartment. We were leaving to go somewhere and as we left a friend drove into the parking lot. I stopped and talked to him for a minute and found out they were going to another friends house and I told him I'd come over in a while. As we drove away Josh asked "do you think I could come over with you?" I said "sure" He said "thanks cause I want them to see me, I'm just little you know and I don't get seen a lot."

I really miss my little buddy but also love the big guy that he's grown up to be and I know he's going to be an awesome missionary. Watch out Paris France here comes Elder Lyman!!

ps: I would like to encourage all my brother and sisters and anyone else who knows a good Joshy story to either leave it in a comment or post it on your blog.

In memory of. . .

Logan's hair : (

We finally did it. Even though he didn't lose any of his "powers" I still feel sad about it. He still looks dang cute just not as original. I am not sure if we'll keep the do' or grow it out again but for now I'm enjoying not having tangles to brush out. Logan doesn't seem to care either way, he says he likes it but he also always said he liked his long hair, even as he cried while I brushed it out. Thanks to everyone for their help and advice with making this decision. I know it's just hair but I am still mourning it a little.

and yep, once again he is missing his shirt.

The road to Life

We are in St. George today so we went to a random church at 11:00 and amazingly there was a sacrament meeting starting right then, crazy how we just knew when to go. Anyways, a return missionary, named Carter something, read this poem. I really liked it so I came home and searched for it online. It's been a few weeks since I've posted a sunday message, I'm going to try to do better (even if it's just for you Bev.)

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a
bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable...
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, “I'm scared”,
He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance,
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord's and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
they're extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it,
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to listen
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion,
Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says... “Pedal.”

--Author Unknown

The haircut: part deux

After the fiasco last Sunday I called Shantil and she came to the rescue so Monday I went over and she cut his hair. She did exactly what I asked and I really liked it. Jeremy, however, doesn't like it at all and we're still in the market for a different look. So I am letting Jeremy decide what we do next, I'll post those pictures next week.

This isn't the best picture actually, it looks pretty bad in it, it doesn't look that bad in real life I don't think. Either that or I am blinded by his cute little smile and I would think he looks cute no matter what.

From the back- this is Jeremy's least favorite thing about it, again I think it looks cute.

I was going for Zach and Cody in the early years (for those of you who don't have preteen daughters you'll have to google) but maybe his hair is just too thin to pull it off??

Feeling appreciated

If I ever wondered if my kids appreciated all that I do (laundry, cook, clean, taxi service) on top of having a full time job I got my answer today. I spent all my spare time yesterday doing the much dreaded laundry- which if you know me you know is one of my least favorite jobs. So by the time the kids got home it was done and just needed to be put away. I am kind of a mean mom and I make Camryn and Carter put their own clothes away so when they got home I told them that before they could play or watch TV or anything fun they had to do their homework and put away their clean clothes. Carter was expecting a friend to call and invite him over so he quickly got busy and finished everything in record time. I was very proud of him because usually he starts something and gets distracted and has to be reminded several times before he finishes. I thanked him for doing it so quickly and let him play with his friend. This morning I finally got around to putting Logan's clothes away- you know because I was playing all evening and stuff. And I was surprised to see that there were a bunch of empty hangers in Carter's closet- usually it takes every last one, no matter how many I buy we seem to always need more hangers. Immediately I thought "that little stinker, he shoved all his hang up clothes in a drawer" so I checked the drawers- Nope. Then I looked at the dirty clothes hamper. It was surprising full considering I had done the laundry the day before. The little stinker had thrown all the clean clothes right back in the hamper. HE IS SO GOING TO GET IT WHEN HE GETS HOME.

To cut or not to cut

I need your help. We have been trying to decide if it's time to cut Logan's hair now for a while and I just haven't been able to pull the trigger and do it. I don't think I want the traditional short hair cut for Logan. His hair cut, to me, totally matches his personality, but. . . he has bed head most of the day and pretty much looks like an orphan. So, I am looking for a new style, I tried to cut it today and the results, well let's just say it ain't pretty. So please leave a comment and/or vote on the poll to the side and let me know what you think. I've kind of already screwed it up but I think it could still be left kind of long, it just needs some professional help.

his hair before:

The problem

His hair today after the "haircut" or "butchering", depending on who you ask. Pretty much everyone is in agreement that he looks like a girl. Not that he didn't get that before.

Carter Bug

My little bug turned 7 last week. It's been a little busy so I'm just getting around to posting about it. This is exactly the reason that I have talked him into having his birthday party on his half birthday for the past two years, it works out better for everyone. Carter is such an awesome kid. He is Logan's "best buddy", they really are such good friends.

He is always keeping us laughing, the things he says and does are crazy. He's a total ham when it comes to posing for pictures- he's always up for a picture.

He is super smart, he taught himself to read before kindergarten and according to his teacher "there's not a word out there that he can't read."

Happy Birthday bug, we love you!!