Day 2 - 100 Day Challenge &

As I am typing this I am struggling to keep my eyes open. I am tired....it was a tiring day. My knees are throbbing and my body is bone tired. Being a parent is a challenge and today was one of those days. I have received one too many emails concerning Max and his behavior. I am weary of watching Parker struggle with math night after night. I am proud of him because he is really being diligent about completing assignments and turning them in. He even asked his teacher if he could retake a math test that he didn't do so well on. He did retake it and improved by 10 percent. Its hard to watch him try so hard to get a 78% and then have his brother come home and get a 94% without even breaking a sweat. Life isn't fair sometimes and the Lord knows it. I read my scriptures after the kids were all in bed tonight. I usually try to read them in the morning, but maybe I needed to read them tonight after a day like today. We are on Day 2 of our challenge which was the Brief Explanation and 1 Nephi 1-2. I highlighted 1 Nephi 1:20. It made me think of the times in my life where I have experienced the tender mercies of the Lord. Sometimes it feels as if the world is against me and nothing is going my way, but if I stop for a minute and look over my life I can see the Lord's hand guiding me all the way to where I am today. Elder David A. Bednar said, "The Lord's tender mercies are very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ....The Lord's tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings." Most of the Lord's tender mercies in my life have been people that I feel the Lord has placed in my life for a specific purpose or callings that I have served in. My parents, Belinda Kuck, Bonnie Marcum, Rebecca Carter, Tammy Watts, Debbie Stevensen, Kathleen Parke, Camie Anderson, my husband, camp director at 20 years old, gospel doctrine teacher at 23 years old, primary second counselor in an amazing Primary presidency, and my children are some of the Lord's tender mercies for me. I have learned so many wonderful things from the people named here and I know that the Lord wanted me to learn something specific from each one of them at a specific time in my life. I also know that I was called to the callings mentioned above for specific purposes that I didn't understand at the time. I am so grateful to know that Lord has been with me every step that I have taken to get where I am today. I am grateful for the Lord's tender mercies in my life. I am excited that everyone in our family has taken the 100 Day Challenge seriously and I am thrilled to see my children reading their scriptures with a purpose and excitement. Sorry if this has gotten to be a bit personal and journal like, but that is why I blog.

Book of Mormon - 100 Day Challenge

Last night during Family Home Evening I challenged our family to read the Book of Mormon in 100 days. I have felt urged by the spirit that I need to teach my children the importance of regular scripture study. I want my kids to know what a marvelous treasure they have available to them at all times. I have found peace, comfort, joy, and inspiration as I have made studying the scriptures a part of my everyday life. I am nervous about this challenge. Parker, Carson, and Ashleigh all committed to the challenge and I know that if they really follow through that marvelous things can happen in our family. As a parent I want to force them to do this, but I know that this will make a greater impact if it is something that they choose for themselves.

President Hinkley promised that if we will read the Book of Mormon daily "that there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. If you want to join in on our 100 day challenge I am going to post daily what we should be reading. Today we are reading the Preface (Title Page), Introduction, Testimony of Three Witnesses, Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Mark the quote from Joseph Smith in the the Introduction, "I told the bretheren....any other book." President Hinkley also said, "I would like to urge everyone to again read the Book of Mormon...There is nothing we could do of greater importance than to have fortified in our individual lives an unshakable conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Living Son of the Living God. And, my brothers and sisters, that is the purpose of the coming forth of this remarkable and wonderful book. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I felt of its truthfulness today as I read Testimony of Joseph Smith. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and the many sacrifices he made to translate this important book of scripture. I know that our lives can change and we can become better people as we read from its' pages. I started this blog as a way to journal, scrapbook, and record the every day events of our family and I hope over the next 100 days that I will be able to record great growth amongst the Stromberg family members.

GRANDPA SHEPHERD'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

We celebrated Grandpa Shepherd's 80th birthday on Saturday. Bob and Dareth held the party at their house where the kids were able to swim and play. We had a BBQ, watched football, swam, and had a wonderful time. We are so lucky to have wonderful grandparents in our midst and Grandpa Shepherd is no exception. Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!! We love you.

It was so fun to have Conrad, Amelia, and Ali there for the festivities. Ali played for a long time in the pool with her kids. What an awesome mom.

McKall and Katelynn had fun in the pool. McKall just started a new phase of chemo, but we were happy that she was feeling well enough to play in the pool. Katie and McKall also had a blast playing inside with the kitchen and ironing board. If only I enjoyed ironing as much as the two of them were.

Ashleigh was a fish...She was the one to retrieve all the dive sticks at the end of the party.

Carson and Max playing together on the floatie.

Carson had a blast jumping off the diving board.

Parker, Max, and Carson had a great time playing together in the pool. It made me wish I had a pool for the three of them to play in.

TENDERFOOTS

Parker and Carson earned the rank of Tenderfoot on Wednesday the 15th of September. There were 5 Eagle Scouts awarded the same night. Carson and Parker set a goal to also earn their EAGLE. I know that they can do it.

Best Buddies

Carter spent the night last weekend with us and I went to check on Max and Carter before going to bed myself and this is how I found the BEST BUDDIES

Advancing from Primary to Young Mens

I now have 3 Priesthood holders in my house. I didn't cry...I am shocked that I didn't cry. I am unbelievably happy and extremely pleased with Parker and Carson. The spirit was strong during their ordinations and Kyle did an amazing job. One of the things that I don't enjoy about having twins is that a lot of things happen at once. I went from 1 Priesthood holder to 3 Priesthood holders in a matter of minutes. Most of the time with Parker and Carson I don't get a chance to reflect on things because it happens so fast and all at once. Parker and Carson passed the Sacrament for the first time today. They have grown up so fast and I realize how quickly time passes. Carson is the peacemaker in our home and Parker is the funmaker. I am so blessed. I feel overwhelmed that the Lord has entrusted Kyle and I with these special spirits and I am grateful for all that I have learned over the past 12 years as Kyle and I have navigated our way through parenting...I know I couldn't do it without Kyle or the Lord by my side.

Parker and Carson Turn 12

Parker and Carson (my BIG babies) turned 12 on September 12th. It was a really crazy weekend. We had their cousins (Jake, Jamison, Carter, and Harry) over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Parker, Carson, and Kyle went on an overnight campout with the 11 year old scouts on Friday. Kyle and I went to the temple with the Strombergs, Kennards, Tanners, and Behlings, on Saturday to do Grandma Cook's temple work and some temple work for other family names. Thanks mom for your help so that we could attend that awesome event. (she watched my 5 kids, Sean and Melissa's 4 kids, and Jake and Lea's 4 kids; it was their anniversary. If you are counting that is 13 kids....Mom you rock. Dad you do too.) Sunday was the BIG event. The boys turned 12 and were ordained Deacons in the Aaronic Priesthood. We had a birthday party Sunday and Monday. I can hardly believe that my little boys' are now young men that hold the prieshood. Pretty darn surreal and I guess that must mean I am getting old.

Parker and Carson at the Stromberg Birthday Party Monday night.

Blowing out the candles.

We celebrated Grandpa Shepherds, Parker and Carsons, Great Grandpa Shepherds, and Conrads Birthdays Sunday night at Jake and Lea's

Singing Happy Birthday to all the Birthday Boys

Ali brought a pinata to the birthday party. Carly knocked it down with an awesome swing.

Ali made Parker and Carson a candy gram for their birthday.

Parker and Carson with the mounds of presents.

You can hardly see Parker and Carson behind all the gifts.

Conrad did not want his picture taken

Traditional cooked breakfast on your birthday.

Salsa and 14 Years

Kyle and I celebrated 14 awesome years of marriage on September 6th. We commemorated the occasion by canning SALSA. 40 pints and 16 quarts to be exact. Our anniversary fell on Labor Day this year and I was trying to figure out when I would have time to can Salsa. I told Kyle I really wanted to can Salsa and asked him if he would like to help. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Kyle was really excited at first but after a few hours he realized the ENORMOUS task before us. Thankfully we had really celebrated our anniversary the Friday before Labor Day by going out to dinner. My sweet sister-in-law Melissa took the kids for the night and we watched a movie and went to breakfast the next day. We also decided to get a dog for Parker that day. See what happens when you get a few hours to yourself....you loose the ability to think clearly and you get a little giddy.

I am so lucky to be married to this man. I had no idea that I was getting such an awesome catch the day I married him. He likes to cook, he willingly goes to the grocery store, he loves me despite my many faults, and he likes my spunkiness or so he says. EAT YOUR HEART OUT, LADIES. I loved him then, but I am more in love with him today than I was 14 years ago. Thanks Honey for being my rock and helping me keep my head on straight. Kyle truly helps me keep things balanced in my life. Nobody can make me laugh like Kyle can...he has the ability to do this even when I am upset (an absolutely remarkable talent). I LOVE YOU!!!

Katelynn and Joy School

Katelynn started Joy School, like preschool only parents are the teachers and you take turns having it at your house, on September 7th, 2010.
Mrs. Moon was the brave mom that offered to have it at her house first. Mrs. Moon also has been my kids piano teacher and second mom. Here are Katelynn's preschool buddies. Katelynn was so excited to go to school just like the big kids.

Katelynn buckling herself. She loves that she gets to ride in the front seat since I only have to drive her through the neighborhood.

Parker and Ellie

I really wanted to title this entry as "World's Best Parents or We Didn't Think We Were Crazy Enough....Take Your Pick." Parker got an early birthday present yesterday. Did you already guess. It is Ellie. He has been begging for a pet for a while now. Carson and Parker went camping with my dad this summer and caught a chipmunk...Parker tried to talk us into letting him bring it home and have it as a pet. GREAT IDEA....GRANDPA. A wild animal sounds perfectly safe. Well I talked Kyle into giving Parker a pet for his birthday..I was thinking a hamster or a lizard...turns out Kyle caved when I suggested a dog. I think it reminded him of his childhood pet dog Winkie. Ellie is so sweet. Parker and her bonded instantly. She loves to play fetch, tug-of-war, and she will play endlessly with the kids. Buster thinks she is absolutely obnoxious....we have decided that Buster isn't a dog PERSON. Ellie seems really smart and she is pretty close to being housebroken. She loves Parker and Parker loves her...the two of them remind of the comic strip Red and Rover. Kyle and I have got to be the coolest parents ever!!!! Usually we are the meanest parents ever, so I am reveling in our current title.

1st Day of Preschool - September 1st, 2010

Katelynn started preschool on Wednesday!!! I will now have 4 days of the week with no kids. OOOOHHH the freedom!!! I am sad that I don't have any more babies, but thrilled that I am FREE. Okay it is only a couple of hours a day, but WOW.


Katelynn seems pretty excited too!





Katie's teachers name is Miss Katie.


Katelynn has a couple of friends in her class. Jessica and Aubrey

Don't they grow up so fast. She is my little angel.

GORGEOUS

NOW IF I COULD GET HER TO STOP HAVING ACCIDENTS IN HER PANTS.

DUTY CALLS I MUST GO CLEAN HER UP!!

Friends and S'mores

Last weekend Ashleigh, Max, and Katelynn invited some friends over to do s'mores. Parker and Carson were at a birthday party.


Katelynn and her friend Jessi

Ashleigh and Calli


The three amigos. Logan, Zach, and Max or ie.. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Max wanted me to include this picture because he thought it was cool.

My baby girl is 4

I can't believe it! My baby girl is 4. She got a new bike for her birthday. It has a baby seat on the back of it so that she can take her baby dolls for a ride. She picked ebelskivers for her birthday breakfast. We weren't able to have a birthday party that night so we celebrated on the following Saturday with family. Last year she cried when we sang Happy Birthday to her, but this year she was reveling in the attention.

Katelynn with Grandma and Grandpa Stromberg.

The birthday girl with mom and dad and Buster.

Katie bug with Grandpa & Grandma Shepherd

Grandma and Grandpa Sanders couldn't make it to the birthday party so they came over and had dinner with us the following night. Katelynn was so excited to have a tea party with them with the tea set that Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd gave her.Katelynn blowing out her candles.

Opening Presents

After all of the kids left for school Katie and I took her new bike outside and she took it for a spin. It was an absolutely beautiful morning. I do love fall.

Katelynn enjoying her ebelskiver breakfast and blowing out the candles!




Katelynn sitting pretty on her brand-new bike.