Discouragement

Do you ever wonder why we have to have discouragement in our lives? We all face it day to day, but why? We all have different situations in our lives that lead to it. Can you tell this has been on my mind a lot this week? One of my biggest discouragements is having a body that is capable, but pain that limits me in different ways. The desire to run (for physical activity) yet having the feeling I want to barf from the pain that always resides in the same place, in the middle of my back and up to my neck. My poor legs that just feel like they 100 lb weights in them because of the pain. Granted this is not everyday, just when the pain is at its worse. Luckily this week in the early morning time (during a very frustrating run) I was able to think about this for a minute and realize some of the blessings of discouragement: - Through discouragement we have the ability to realize what we really can accomplish. If we don't keep pushing on, we don't truly realize what we are capable of and what we can do. - Knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father that truly knows and loves me. He knows what I am capable of (when I have no clue). He gives me no more than I can handle. I know he is truly aware of me and the struggles that we all have. -Perspective and what is truly important. In our life, like everyone elses, we have tons of things going on. I have the expectations that it all has to get taken care of. In a blessing Nelson recently gave me it talked about focusing on things that truly matter most. Sometimes I need those reminders to help me focus on my little ones and not worry about the constant mess that is always being created. Even though at times it is not fun experiencing discouragement I know there is a reason and it is all for our good!

End of school

I swear the last few weeks of school are jam-packed with so many things. By time you times that by 4 (number kids in our house) there is a ton going on. When the end of the month is here I am so grateful school is over. glad to be living by no routine for a week or two. Here are a few highlights from the last few weeks of school: Max was able to compete in the iron kid at the science olympiad over at the Fairgrounds. He did good at the relays, not so hot at the hola hooping ( i think he gets his talent there from me). He had a super fun team and was glad he could go.
Then Max's class was able to compete in the football game against the facilty staff. They class had the most reading minutes in the competition held by the school. His teacher is amazing on encouraging the kids to read. I have never seen Max read so much in his life. He has also been able to participate in movie days, fun at toads fun zone and dinner at Timpanoki with his teach for completing extra stuff. He has one amazing teacher.

Shurtleff 1st Annual Family Race

This year Nelson and some of his cousins decided to organize a family 5k. A family get together is organized for basically any holiday that comes up, we love our time together. We decided it would be fun to promote some physical activity. We originally planned to host a 5k, 10k, half marathon and kids k. Decided we had better scale this down a bit since it was a bit lofty for the first race. It was awesome to see all the family members who had prepared so they could come be apart of the day. Thank heavens the family was patient with our inability to get everything set up on time. Everyone getting ready to race/run-

The race was held on Cinco De Mayo. Good thing Nelson's brother Spencer came into town and most of all came prepared with costume. I have to say there is never ever a dull moment with Spencer around.

Our handy nurse Jen who took all measures to ensure she had all equipment needed while riding her bike. Where do you find support like that at a race?

Max was convinced he was going to run the 10k. That would be the furthest distance he has ever ran, let alone his first run for the year. As we learned that everyone was backing out of the 10k I was a little skeptical to let him do it. I told him to just see how his body was doing and see what he could do. I also told him as he was headed to the finish line the first time to make up his mind of what he wanted to do so it was not easier to quiet. I just have to say he is one determined kid. He did not even hesitate. He crossed the finish line and just kept on running. He and his 9 year old cousin Tanner were the only ones that ran the 10k. When he finished he wanted to make sure he helped his cousin finish. He ran back and got him and helped him finish his run. Super proud of Max and the accomplishment that he made that day. He was also determined he was not going to quit before he hit 7 miles. He did hit that goal as well. Hope from this experience he remembers and realizes that he can do hard/tiring things. Asher ended up running the full 5k and was the first finisher (excluding Max and Tanner who kept going). Yes of course my silly crazy kids

Max after he finished running. Can you tell he is a little proud? He did a great job.

We were so grateful for being able to see everyone cheer and encourage each other to keep going. What a great way to start our morning out. No worries we have more of these events planned for the future.

Asher's School Comment

I have debated over and over if this is an appropriate place to put this, but figured it is something I wanted to remember years from now. Yesterday I stopped by the kids school to pick them up for the girls Foster visits. While waiting for them to come out Asher's 1st grade teacher pulled me aside to tell me what had happened in class. They were comparing three different objects and one of the objects was balls. Asher raised his hand and said "teacher I just need to understand are we talking about the balls in boys bodies or the ones we use at recess?" Who knows if he was joking around or actually 100% serious. Luckily his teacher laughed and understands his silly, goofy and light personality. Opps sorry to those other parents whose kids were exposed to more than they wished. Got to love boys.

April Happenings

I swear I have fallen off the blogger planet. Have not had much motivation to blog about life, believe me there has been plenty. Here are some highlights: For some reason Asher has a major obsession with rain. He loves being in it and getting down right soggy in it. I guess we all had that love at one point or another in our childhood, I sure did. I would twirl around under my umbrella as long as my mom would let me. The first rain storm we had this year left Asher a little disappointed. As I headed out for our walk I found him moving huge buckets full of water and dumping them down the gutter. If we did not get enough rain, he was going to create it. But the night finally came and Asher was able to get as soaked as his heart was content. He was a little disappointed that his rain jacket did not keep him 100% dry. He was wanting that thing to perform miracles while he played and played in the down pouring rain on ofcourse the soaking wet tramp.

Windows: A house would not be a house without it's fair share of damage. Believe me we have had our share. This is officially our 4th window break since we have lived in Farr West. Good news this is actually the first time one of my own children caused the damage. First time was by Nelson and a wiffle golf ball and the other two- neighbor kids. As we were mowing the lawn I asked Max to pick up the baseball off the grass (one of the many objects that were just laying around). As I continued to mow I heard an extremely load noise (over the lawn mower) yes one did not even have to guess what happened. Max thought it would be a good time to try to see if he could get the ball over the house. Instead it went through the living room window. Good thing for us it is just a window and stuff like this happens. Extra good news is we have 2 great glass guys that are always there to bail us out in times like these. The broken window (4th time)- Luckily this time I remembered to get a picture

Crazy Hair day The kids had crazy hair day and ofcourse are always glad to participate. Asher for some reason knew exactly what he wanted. For some reason he wanted ponytails in the shape of an X. Then he could put his head down and tell his friends they had found the treasure- "see X marks the spot" he would say. Not sure where he comes up with this stuff, but it sure is cute. Glad the boys are willing to be involved and not embarrased what others may think.

New play spot The kids have found their new loved play spot. Unfortunately it is as high as the ceiling- up on top of our built in entertainment center. They spent hours up their reading, eating and just down right playing. It was like they had just created their own indoor fort and had such a blast hanging out in it. Unfortunately I had to put the wall scaling fort playing business to an end. When I caught them jumping off of the top of the entertainment center I decided it was time to be done. That is the last thing we need- more injury. So here is to a short lived play spot!!

Believe me I have definitely felt the comfort and strength from a loving Father in Heaven. I know he is very mindful of me and my family and we are extremely blessed. I have strengthened a deeper love for fasting and know it is real. We are truly blessed by many friend, family and the gospel.

Easter

There is no way to hide the excitement the kids feel about Easter. The kids get excited about each little hunt and family gathering. Easter this year was right over Spring Break- so yes it was kind of busy. Easter Hunt at Grandma Weston's- My mom literally has popcorn popping on the Apricot tree. Fun little tradition that the kids enjoy, so do the adults. My kids have learned they had better hide their popcorn balls or I end up eating them all

Tradition has it that the kids go in the back and look for a certain number of eggs. Kids love doing this. Them after emptying out their eggs. Wanted to get a picture of both the boys with Grandma for keepsake

Once the backyard was cleared out they then get to start their scavenger hunt for more fun treasures. For some reason that pesky hider put the clues way to high up on the address sign. No one could manage to shimmy up the pole but little old Asher.

The kids had a blast. We were grateful we were able to spend this Easter Day with our family instead of in the hospital like we were last year. Grandma Bowen's Easter Hunt- There is no easy way to explain the hunt at Grandma Bowen's house. There are a lot of kids, lots of fun and lots and lots of food. When the Bowen's get together all the Aunts, Uncles and Cousins come. it is always a fun and large family hang out. We would have it no other way. This year I let the kids pick what they wanted to throw out on the grass. Their selection was something non traditional, but hey who cares, the kids loved it:

All the cousins hanging out after the hunt-

Last but not least- Asher being silly and hanging out with his Great Grandma Miner. The boys have a tenderness in their heart for her and she loves having all the kids around. It has been good having her in Jeannie in Court's house, we get to see her more often and spend time with her.

We are so grateful for the holiday season and for what it truly means. Grateful for a Savior who sacrificed for us and was resurrected so we can return and be with him again. This easter was fun with the boys helping to get to explain to the girls in our home what Easter is truely about.

Spring Break

Spring Break this year was scheduled for a week over Conference Weekend and Easter Weekend. I learned it was a long break and I need to gear up for fun things to do in the Summer to help avoid Summer boredom. With Nelson's current church calling he does not have a lot of vacation time. I wish he had more time off so we could go and play as a family. So for the first part of the week the kids and I went and played as much as we could. We visited a few different parks, went ice blocking, which was a first for some of the people with us, and visited the Airplane Museum. We had a great break and had fun spending time with each other. Museum-

Later in the week we decided to take the kids on a little get away to Salt Lake. We did not have much time to go far so decided we could have fun in Salt Lake. We got a hotel and went and visited some of the places we don't go to often. We started the night off at the new City Creek Shopping Center. Of course the kids gravitated to the water and had a ball playing. The next day we purchased a Salt Lake Connect pass and hit some of our favorite spots. First stop- Discovery Gateway We don't go here often and now I know why. It was jam packed with kids. The kids had a blast hanging out, Max on the rock climbing wall

You can interpret Nelsons face however you want in this photo,and no I did not let a stinker:

We then headed to the Hansen Planetarium and watched an IMax show. Let's just say I had a good nap, it was one of the worst movies I have seen in my life. Of course a trip to gateway can not be complete without over an hour spent in build a bear. Kids were able to spend their own money and buy themselves a new pet. We then headed up to spend sometime at the zoo. We could not have picked a better day to go. There were about 40 other visitors in the park and the day was slightly overcast. It turned out perfect.

Yep!! not hard to figure out that my family fit in just perfect here!

Max and Asher hanging out in the Giraffe house. They were not too fond of the smell.

We tried the shot of Nelson and i one more time. Not sure this one turned out any better.

Our day was then topped off with dinner at the Lion House Pantry. All of this was included in the card we purchased (except Build a bear). Yes we ran the kids ragged. They had a good day but were pretty tired when it was all said and done. It was a fun way to spend time together and get away from the hustle and bustle of our life.