Twin Falls Temple open house

So before a temple is dedicated, anyone cango on a tour and go through it and see the beautiful inside of a temple. I have never been to a n open house before, and thought the kids would like to see the inside, since they don't get to come with us when we go to the temple. It was So beautiful. the wood and all of the materials were amazing quality. And the craftmanship was exceedingly fine.
All throughout the inside there were syringa flowers, that is the idaho state flower and they were in the wallpaper, the carpet, the chandeliers, it was just gorgeous.
They also had this big mural in one of the endowment rooms of the Twin falls area. It had the water fall, and the deer and animals, It was so pretty. They said it was to show the beautiful creations that God has created for us to enjoy, and they wanted to make this temple significant to the area.

Afterward, we went to dinner with my family. Then we got to go visit a couple of families from Jarom's mission. He served in this area and so it was neat to see some of his favorite families while he was there. We ended up staying and visiting really late. So we didn't get home till almost midnight, and i had to give a talk and teach my lesson on Sunday. Yikes, I was exhausted. But it worked out. I made it through.
There are still a couple more weeks before the temple is dedicated, so if you haven't been, you should go. Anyone can go. You don't even have to be a member of our church. There are missionaries to answer any questions, and at the end of the tour you even get a yummie cookie and lemonade.

Malad Gorge

We went up to twin Falls area this weekend and we stopped and let the kids peek in at Malad Gorge. It was so far down, it was scary to take the pictures. It is like 400 feet down from where we were standing. the sun was bright.

July 24th Ward Party

This is liam in the bath afterwards. He waited in line for a good 30 minutes to sport this rainbow. Yes boys think rainbows are pretty too. he didn't want to wash it off, but I told him I'd take a picture so he could remember it.

So our ward went all out at this party. We had this sweet dunk tank which the kids enjoyed very much.
And Jarom got to be the " kid-puller-outer", so he was pretty soaked.
A couple girls from his primary class wanted him to get dunked and he told them maybe if the paid him 5 bucks. Well the girls rounded up 5 bucks and well, he wouldn't do it. It was pretty funny though.

I entered the pie baking contest with my peach apple pie and my strwberry rhubarb pie. I didn't win, but I came in 2nd. Dern.

they also had volleyball, horseshoes, handcarts for the kids to ride on, three-legged, races- tug-o-war, face painting, snow cones, scones... man we know how to party!! It was a lot of fun. I missed my friend who was out of town ;).

grocery shopping

I am so proud of myself!! I got everything I needed at Walmart, and had 4 dollars to spare!! Yay!! usually I have to pay 50 dollars more because I strayed from the list. But even the checker was amazed at how far I got my money to stretch!! Yay!!

When things are tight, I guess little things like this get you excited, well they sure make my day!!!!Month actually.

i need to vent....

So these past few weeks have been filled with a lot. A lot to do, a lot of emotion, a lot of worry and also a lot of hope and peace.

First of all, there is always something to do, or that needs to be done. I think I am caught up on laundry, and turn around and there are 2 loads to do. Dishes never ending, and my kids are hungrier these days. At least that is how it seems. They just had lunch and are asking for food again.

So last week I was peekin' in on a friend's blog and she mentioned how her mom is going to die possibly any day. I of course freaked out and called her sister, who lives locally to get the scoop before I call the mom, who is ill. So here is the scoop. She got west nile virus a couple years ago, then like a year ago had a stroke and has been sort of digressing since then. With some nerve damage from the stroke and an immune system that is pretty much non-functioning, slowly her body and it's organs are shutting down. Here is how it affected me and why.

This Lady, Dauna has been like a second mom to me. When I was on my mission here in Nampa, she and her family sort of took in the sisters. they fed us when dinner appointments fell through, she made me and my companion a quilt for Christmas, we were part of their family during the holidays. Then after I got married, we ended up renting the house right next door to them, and she sort of mentored me on being a wife and a mother. Having 13 children of her own, and now almost 50 grandchildren, she is well experienced in the profession of wife and mother. She canned with me and baked with and for me, she really was there for me so much, like a second mother. Did I say that already?? Well this came as quite a shocker to me and I was seriously balling all day last Friday and it has taken this long for me to finally be able to write about it. Anyway, I had the chance to visit with her. I thought I would be strong but I wasn't. I bawled when I saw how frail she was and that it is true that her days are numbered. But we had a sweet visit and I was able to thank her for her love and kindness toward me and sort of get some closure, as I probably won't see her before she passes. Anyway, she complimented me on my family and how she has seen me grow. And she told me" Rosie, you will struggle as a wife and a mother. You will go through some hard times. But just know that it is all worth it." I already know this, but from her prospective, I know she has a much broader scale of experience than me. We have been experiencing some hard times, so this struck a chord. All of the feelings of sadness that I was experiencing, left. And I felt peace knowing that she was at peace and that I will see her again. I feel grateful for the knowledge that because of Jesus Christ, I along with everyone else will be resurrected and be able to live with our Father in heaven again. I know how amazing this woman is and she'll get a first class ticket into the pearly gates. Thank you Dauna for your hand in my life. I will miss you, but will see you again someday!!

Little fairy princess

I feel like I have posted so many pictures of Aubrey lately, but she is the one into trouble and making messes ,and just looking so darn cute.

This little dress her grandma gave her, and the boys said mom she looks like a fairy princess. So, we took some pictures. She is so sweet!

New playhouse at Grannie's

Granny got a super deal at a yard sale and picked up this little doozy for all the grandkids to play in when they come over. The kids have had a lot of fun already pretending and coloring and playing house!!

Yummy homemade popcicles!!

MMM! nice way to cool off in this 100 degree weather!

our July 4th Trip

This is our new tent we got for Christmas. We have wanted to try it out, but are to poor to go anywhere far. So we decided to go to my parents and camp in their lovely back yard. It was a lot of fun.

The kids loved being in the tent.


We also lit some sparklers and other fun fireworks, courtesy of the grandparents. We enjoyed the neighbors too. We had a BBQ, and My mom made a cobbler with fresh cherries from their tree. Very delicious! We had a great time, thank you Mum and Dad and Janet and Melanie for making it a fun night!!