BLARING DISCRPANCY

Josh you are absolutely right....here is the problem with naming names. I forgot some pretty important people in my life who have most definately been tender mercies. I always said that I wanted a sister, but I wouldn't trade the two brothers I have for that sister. Jake and Josh have definately shaped me into the woman I am today and I am so grateful to have the very best brothers in the world. Jake and Josh have both been going through some challenging times in their lives and I am so grateful for their example of faithfulness. I have learned so much from them over the years and I know that the Lord placed them in my life to bless me and to teach me and to keep me humble. I am so grateful for the example they set for my children and especially my boys. I am grateful for Jake's enduring patience and love for me during my emotionally and hormonally charged teenage years. I am grateful for Josh's ability to keep things light and fun and balance out the intensity that Jake and I bring to the family. I am grateful to know that I have two brothers out there that love me for all my imperfections and I want them to know how much I love them and how special and important they are to me. I am so glad that they married the women that they did. I truly believe that Kyle, Ali, and Lea bring out the best in each of us. Mom and Dad you can stop wiping your eyes now!

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.