Family Home Evening Board

I've been trying to finish up some old projects lately and this one's been haunting me for a couple of years. I mean literally, like two or three years. Rather than buy vinyl lettering I decided to wing it and just do my own with paint. This is as close as I'm going to get to a tutorial so bare with me ok?

1. Bought a bamboo cutting board on clearance at TJ MAXX. (I have a serious love/hate relationship with that store!)

2. Painted words on it.

3. Set it on a shelf for two years.

4. drilled holes in the bottom and screwed in some hooks

5. Set on a shelf for six more months

6. Made pictures to hang on the hooks.

7. Attached a wire to the back to hang it up.

What I don't like about it:

1. The size. Too big. I mean, it's bordering on obnoxiously big. The problem is that it took me almost three years to actually finish the project. This baby's stayin!

What I like about it:

1. The pictures. Now even the smallest can see their part.

2. Love the bamboo.

3. Most of all.. it's finally done!!

Lovely Lauren

That's what I call her. My Lovely Lauren. The Middlest. She bore her testimony on Sunday for the first time. If I just lost you there, remember.. I'm a mormon. On the first Sunday of the month we have the opportunity to tell the congregation why we believe in Jesus Christ. It comes from the heart and feels a lot like a prayer.

Brent and I do it occasionally and we let the kids practice at home during family home evening. The rule is, if you want to do it in church, you do it alone. I want them to be old enough to say what's in their heart.. not words I whisper into their ear.
I wanted to say "no". I reminded her she had to do it alone. But she was determined and so confident.
She really did surprise us all. My lovely Lauren got up and said just what was in her heart.

All dressed up

Ty wanted me to take his picture this morning so he could show Papa his new bow tie. So this ones for you Papa!

New Friends

We had some new friends over tonight. In a nutshell, I love making new friends!

Any guesses?

I downloaded some pictures this morning and found these. I think Brent's toying with me.. in fact, I know he's toying with me. Any guesses as to what they are of? I guessed one really easily but the other two had me stumped until..oh..about two minutes ago when I finally broke down and asked him. So annoying!! And then I had to listened to him snicker in victory!! Please excuse me while I go soap his car windows. We're mature like that around here.

croup and such..

I realize that, in truth, I have no right to complain about the weather. Especially considering that half the U.S. seems to be snowed under at the moment. My sis called to tell me it was four degrees in her town today. Ouch!! Well, despite our moderate weather, we are still having a nasty cold and flu season. And I really, really, really can't wait for summer!

you know you have five kids when...

..toilet paper rolls in your house look like this.