Happiness and Peace

I have been thinking a lot lately about happiness and optimism.  I want to be more optimistic and train myself to focus on the good instead of what is not going right.  I love the mormon.org you tube videos.  The following link is to a video that touched me this morning.

Come What May & Love It

LAUGH - SEEK FOR THE ETERNAL-PRINCIPLE OF COMPENSATION-TRUST THE LORD

The Money People

Darrell gave me on of my birthday presents tonight, a painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Emily came in our room to look at the picture.  She pointed to three of the men around the table and says "look...the money people."  I was so confused and said "what?" She responds "you know, on the dollar."  I was totally stunned that she made that connection, and she was right:)  I'm so quick to think she isn't paying much attention to things around her, but I guess she is.  

Rockets

Derek was into rockets for a few days because Darrell assigned him a project to look up some facts about rockets.  In the process he decided to make his own.  It turned out really good.

I don't want to!!

This picture was taken after a lot of whining, kicking, screaming, and refusing to empty the dishwasher.  She knows how and does a good job when she wants to, but this day she did not!!  "It's too hard" "I don't know how" "My ankle hurts." ETC. ETC. ETC.  Eventually she fell asleep at the table...this happens sometimes...she wears herself out protesting and then is sorely disappointed when she wakes up and I have not forgotten that I asked her to empty the dishwasher.  One day she might learn it's quicker and better just to suck it up and do it:)  Then again...maybe not:)

Lego Men

Derek made a bunch of unique mini figures with his multitude of mini figure parts and wanted me to take pictures of them...so here they are:)

Vase Paintings

We were studying the Greeks.  One thing the Greeks did was make pottery.  So one day we made vase paintings.  I have discovered the most fun for all of us is when we are doing art projects...I just wish they weren't so messy.

This is Sarah's

This is Derek's

This is Emily's 

This is mine - I think the kids' are better:)

Field Trip

We took a field trip to the Arizona Natural History Museum.  We have gone before and the kids love it so we went again.  One thing I like about his museum is how hands on it is and that there is one area that changes, so there is always something new.  These first pictures are in the changing area and right now it is about flying dinosaurs. 

Sarah building puzzle or human arm bones.

Emily building puzzle of bat wing bones.

Derek building puzzle of eagle wing bones.

A tarantula puzzle...we gave up on it:)

This is the favorite part of the museum - panning for gold.  It involves something shiny and water...what more could you want!  I of course don't love the whole water thing but oh well.

Derek as a movie star.

Emily as a movie star.

Another favorite attraction is the jail cells.  It is a bit creepy but they love it.

Hands in the diaper???

Talking to Dad.

I Love You

There are so many ways to say I love you...how about with Legos?  Derek built this with Legos and I thought it was so cute.  Then of course everyone wanted in on the picture.  I love my adorable little kids, it is moments like this that erase the more difficult times and reminds me how blessed I am to have each of them in our family.

Failed Experiment #1

These are picture of the first of several failed experiments.  Derek has decided none of the experiments I do work out...only Dad's.  So guess what....I guess that means Dad will have to do all the experiments from now on, which is fine with me:)

This experiment was supposed to create stalactites and stalagmites, but instead the ends that were in the salt water grew crystals.  It still looked cool, it just didn't work like it was supposed to.  I guess my consolation is that Derek loved the crystals so much that he added the whole thing to his rock collection:) 

Army Guy

Darrell went to an Army surplus store and found a uniform for Derek.  They went out to the desert to go shooting and Derek looked so handsome in his gear.