Pioneer Day (and swimming)

We had a really fun Pioneer day this year!  It's very different being in Utah for the holiday, but even more different having it actually seem like a holiday because Preston took work off. In fact, the seminary didn't want anyone working that day.  So, it felt more exciting and special.  We had a big pancake, cinnamon roll, and bacon breakfast while we watched the parade and Preston shared part of a journal entry of one of our ancestors who was part of the founding of SLC.  He was with Brigham Young when he declared "This is the place."  Pretty cool.

Then we went to the fire station because it just so happens that a fire chief is in our ward.  He and his  team gave us a tour of the fire station.  The boys loved it.  Even the grown ones!

During Zander's nap we played some games and then we went to a neighborhood block party and BBQ.  The boys had a blast with the bounce house.  It was a first for Zander.  He has always been too scared to go in the bounce house, so I was proud that he gave it a try anyway.  We also saw Brayden's first and only friend there so he like that.

After driving through the mountains and accross the country, I think how much of a sacrifice the pioneers made. They had to leave everything behind and walk for months only to come to find a desert to try and live in.  I can only imagine the feeling they had as they looked at the mountains they had to climb.  And yet, somehow, I can also imagine the sweet comfort and the extreme anticipation of knowing they were going to have a fresh start on life. I can relate more to the pioneers this year.  I am grateful for their faith and sacrifice.

Brayden said "Mom I smiled SO hard." Haha. Yes you did buddy!

 Like father, like son, like grandson. . .

I thought they were so nice to let the kids get in all the trucks!

Zander couldn't get enough of the bell.  It used to be used before sirens were invented. This was him sneaking over while we took pictures.

The Whole Brown bunch! Well, except Dan.

The ambulance!  The boys were incredible.  After they saw the inside and heard Auntie's ambulance story, they said started talking about Grandy's fall from the ladder because they understood that she should have been in an ambulance.  Which is probably true :)

Again, how awesome that they allowed them to try it all out!

The oldest fire truck there.

Taking HUGE drinks of snow cone :)

 And then today we went swimming! So, here's some of our fun.  I let Zander swim without me in the pool for the first time and he was a champ!  He jumped in the little hot tub that wasn't actually heated a few times and then got in the big pool.  He even wanted to try out the diving board! Until he got up there at least. . . then he had second thoughts and I had to hold his hand to help him.  Man, it's gonna be hard to keep up with this boy! Brayden was a great swimmer as usual too of course! We were at Preston's cousin's house with a bunch of kids, but all bigger than my boys.  They had a blast with other kids!

figuring out tether ball.

In Utah!

We've been in Utah for 2 weeks now!  I feel like there is so much to say right now that it's overwhelming and yet there are so many things that I really probably should be doing instead.  So, I've decided that it's only fair to take a few minutes to give a little info on the past month to give myself a little personal fulfillment.

In my last short post I mentioned the dissertation and house.  Dissertation went well!  The house didn't actually get an offer for another week and we accepted.  Unfortunately, the contract fell through a week ago, so now we're working on that again.  But, all will be well.

There are a lot of great things to say about my life- the move was full of miracles because we made it safely and the boys did AWESOME in the car for the 4 day journey; We are back in Utah where all of my family is for the first time in 4 years; and my mom survived a fall from a poorly placed ladder trying to get to our roof (she had 7 broken bones, 8 stitches in her ankle, 9 staples in her head, and wrist surgery, but she did survive!); and we get to come back "home."  And yet, I'm still missing that home feeling.  I guess it's hard to let myself settle without knowing how long we'll be here.  But, I know I'll enjoy it and already have enjoyed it.  It's just hard leaving Tallahassee because that was our first home for our family and the only place we've ever felt was "ours."  If that makes sense.  But, it still feels right to be here and I an so excited to see what the future brings.

We're in that development phase of finding a routine and getting on schedule right now, but hopefully soon I will find a good time to put up pictures.  There's lots!!

Today is a BIG DAY!!

I know it's been a long time and there are so many pictures to share and experiences as well.  But, let me tell you about all the reasons I believe today will be a great day. First, Preston defends his dissertation in just an hour and a half!!!  Woohoo!  Second, we are going to get an offer on our house!! (as long as they didn't change their minds over night).  Two big reasons that we are excited for the day.  Besides that, we have our play group at someone's pool today, it's beautiful outside and we get to go to some friends to watch the NBA finals. (Mostly that's exciting for the friends from my perspective. :D ).

Anyway, wish us luck!!

More to come soon!

Happiest Places on Earth

We made our final trip to Orlando this week!  It was strange thinking we won't be making that 4 hour journey every month.  Not that the temple isn't enough to keep us going down there, but we've been adding Disney after the temple to make it an extra fun/ extra long trip!  I guess I won't miss having to drive 4 hours to get there, but it's always sad to realize your opportunity is coming to an end.  We love the Orlando temple!  The boys even know their way around and have favorite spots to go.  The fountains are their favorite :)  Plus, our Disney passes have several months left on them.  But it was fun while it lasted!!! 

I couldn't help but take lots of pictures knowing it was my last chance.  So, here they are (probably more for my memories than your enjoyment, but please enjoy!).

Brayden gave Bun Bun a tour of the temple.

Zander got hold of Bun Bun and ran away.  Good thing Brayden's a good sport!

Trying to see in the temple's back "door"

Ahhhh. . . got Bun Bun back.

The nice white rocks around the back fountains

And the palm trees we won't be seeing in Utah

A little lunch

Playing and talking together. Too cute!

SO BIG!!!

Zander snapped this shot.  Haha.

 DISNEY WORLD - Magic Kingdom

 Hidden Mickeys in Small World

Life Plans as of Now

Even though our seminary journey didn't end like we had hoped, the journey continues on.  Not that we can't take "No" for an answer, but what else do you do when you just feel that it's the path for you??  Plus, you gotta understand that both our attempts so far have had some extenuating circumstances.  First round they had actually told Preston's principle they were going to hire Preston, but then the hiring freeze happened and they just couldn't.  Now we were just too far removed and we're not entirely sure if the pre-service director Preston worked with in Arizona ever really considered him as a student teacher.  He seemed to forget about Preston and didn't provide the feedback he would promise.  Who knows if he even watched the videos?

All we know is that we feel like Nephi when he went to get the plates.  We feel like we're being told "Go get a job in Seminary and Institutes."  So, we try once, but it doesn't quite work.  That's ok.  We'll just try again.  I wonder if Nephi felt like we did when we knew we were going for the right thing, so we just figure it's going to work.  But, just like for Nephi, our second try didn't end up working.  Now we're at the point where we feel like in the eyes of everyone else we should probably just find a new goal.  But, in all we feel from our Heavenly Father,  a job with seminary is still the right goal.  It's pretty humbling having to get turned away and ask for another try when there's not usually that option for people.  But, as the Arizona preservice director responded, Preston does have some natural talent, so we can be given a chance when we get to Utah.  But, I'm pretty positive this is THE last chance.  So, here's to hoping that it all ends like Nephi's journey to get the plates.  If not though, we can rest assured knowing that going for seminary will still get us to where we need to be.  That being said, Utah is calling.  It is where we need to be.  So, on June 9-ish, we'll be heading to MO for a Doxey family reunion and then on to Preston's parent's basement in Sandy where we will mooch off of many necessities of life while we build our means back up.  We are SO grateful for parents who are in a position to help us!!!

FHE- Followers of Christ

This week we talked about Elder Oaks' talk from Conference.  Another record-time planning session (is it really "record" if it happens every week?) that led to a successful FHE.  The Lord is really looking out for me!  It seems like all I have to do is make an effort and he takes care of the rest by filling my mind with great ideas.  I love it!  Anyway, the talk is titled "Followers of Christ" and Elder Oaks talks about different things we do that make us Followers of Christ. 

For this FHE you will need:
-footprints (traced or printed then cut out)
-the talk "Followers of Christ" by Elder Oaks from April 2013 General Conference
-tiny pictures for the characteristics you choose.
-something your kids use while they sleep/rest (like a blanky)

Prep:

Make your footprints however you choose. I traced my own feet and cut out a stack of construction paper footprints.  I ended up with 8 (4 of each foot). I think it was just the right amount. Then choose the same number of characteristics that you want to use. Elder Oaks discussed charitable contributions (tithing), baptism, the sacrament, service, missionary work, keeping commandments, repentance and forgiveness.  I added my own applicable habits of sharing, reverence, and playing nicely.  Then search for pictures of each thing.  I used a google search for the topic plus the word "coloring" because then it brought up lots of black and white pictures that are much nicer for my ink supply. They're meant for coloring on, so if you have kids that want to help prep, you could let them color them in!  Or if you're in a super big hurry, you can even just write words on the feet.

The last thing to prep is deciding where you're going to lead them.  I chose my bedroom because the talk basically says that if we follow Christ we'll find rest to our souls.  So, I figured a bedroom is a good resting place.  Wherever you choose, leave your child's "resting item" there where they won't accidentally find it before you start.

Song I used:
Do as I'm doing (with marching in a line to follow the leader. . . since we're talking about following Christ).  "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" would work nicely too.

Lesson:
After we had an opening prayer, I explained that just like in our song when we followed each other (each of us got a turn leading) we were talking about following Christ.  I told them that we say "follow in his footsteps" because we want to live the way He did when He walked on the Earth.  I told them that Elder Oaks shared some ways that we can follow in his footsteps.  Then I shared his testimony from the end of his talk that says "He invites all of us who are heavy laden to come unto Him, to learn of Him, to follow Him, and thus to find rest to our souls."(I added emphasis).  I emphasized that we work hard to follow all his footsteps and then we can rest because it can be hard and tiring!

Now the fun part- the footprints!  I just held the stack and showed them the one on top and asked them what the picture showed.  Then when either they would guess it or I would tell them, I would toss it on the ground ahead of us and we all had to run and hop on it.  They started taking turns standing on each one :) I kept tossing the footprints ahead to lead to my room where my resting place is.  Once we were there, they found their blankies waiting on my bed and then we went to their resting places after a quick treat and brushing the teeth.  They both did really well with it and actually went back to race to the footprints after we were done.  So, I asked what steps Brayden remembered.  He started just pointing and saying "that one and that one" so I started naming some for him and he seemed to actually be paying attention and trying to remember them.  Ahhhh.  Another success.  Parenting is SO fulfilling when you're doing it right.  Basically when you partner with the Lord.  Love love love it.