Simple enough for a child to understand

Things Connor says...so I don't forget:

Tonight at bedtime I was talking about how we need to be quiet to hear the voice of the Lord (Think story of Elijah which I briefly tried to share) and Connor said in response that he wanted to stay in bed all day so he wouldn't get upset with Olivia (we're visiting here with them now in TX) so he could hear what God says. I told him that that's the challenge to keep our calm and be patient everyday so the Spirit can be with us. He then said he would be quiet all day and not say anything so he could hear the voice of God. I told him that that seems like it would be nice to be off somewhere removed from people (think monks) but I said again, that is the challenge- to live everyday in this world and still be still enough to hear the Spirit teach us the right way to go. I told him that the voice of the Lord is more a voice you feel than a voice you hear and we talked about how you feel the Spirit. Such a cool conversation.


When I told him about the story of Elijah he wanted to sing it and add it to the song 'Follow the Prophet'. I told him we could work on that tomorrow and share them for FHE. He wanted to also do verses for Joseph Smith, Moroni and Abinadi. That should be a fun project tomorrow.

I also talked to him about how we need to be happy about living the Gospel-- he's been very grumpy about Gospel things lately saying he doesn't want to go to Church or read scriptures. I told him those things help us follow the path and that it's really hard to stay on the path sometimes. That there is one right way and we are here out of Heavenly Father and Jesus' presence to prove ourselves. That there is one right way and we need to be quiet enough to hear the Spirit so we know the right way to go. He said "mommy, there should be signs to keep us on the path." Oh how I love that kid! I said that there are! That's why we go to Church and have the commandments- the "signs" along the path- that tell us and help guide us the right way! He's really a thinker. He then said we should make a movie (one of his favorite things lately) with signs that show the way. My mind wandered for a moment and thought how cool that would be! The simplicity of the Gospel, "simple enough for a child to understand", portrayed in a movie that could help others to see it's simplicity too. Ah, the wisdom of a 6-year-old. I told him maybe we'll make one and put it on youtube- ha, we'll see!!

In the Air Force

Well, it's official- Ammon is now in the Air Force Reserve.

Taking his oath.

Going from full-on civilian in casual jeans (I thought he should have dressed up more) to soon being in uniform. The guy issuing the oath is wearing the Air Force uniform (the camouflage) which is what Ammon will be wearing everyday for his training. I wanted to see Ammon dressed in it and to get a picture before he left but there just was not time. He was frantically finishing up his last class (early) before he left (more about school below).

He flew out today to Alabama for Commissioned Officer Training. He'll be gone for 4 weeks. Then home for 10 days then back for his first tour for 2 months with the other Chaplain Candidates. He's pretty excited and hopeful this will be what he feels it will be.

This possible career change has been a long road so far and something he (we) have been working on for a long time (at least 18 months now). Because he will be a LDS Chaplain and we don't have a paid clergy in our Church nor do our leaders go through seminary (not early morning-ha ha (or cushy release-time like Ammon did) but a divinity school), he has had to take correspondence courses through a divinity school out of California. [As a side note, this school does not like Mormons. He has been told by the Church military department that if they knew he was LDS, that there are professors there that would fail him. He (or any LDS) is also not allowed to take courses on their campus- why, are you afraid we'd convert your ministers-in-training?! He's only allowed to take independent study courses, which is what he's doing]. These courses are necessary for him to gain credit acceptable to apply as a chaplain for the military. Ammon has also taken a BYU LDS military chaplain class (part 1 done and part 2 to go) to prepare him. He will be done next Spring with his coursework- yeah, can't wait!! It's been hard having him working full-time and going to school full-time. He studies every spare moment. We totally thought we were done with the "being a student-thing". Ammon made the comment that he was a student when Connor was born (getting his Master's from CSU) and is now in school again when the girls were born. I hope this isn't a pattern where he'll be back for more schooling when our next babies come along!

When Ammon was leaving today he asked Connor if he will miss him. Connor said "no, I'm not going to miss you, I'm going to remember you." Ammon liked that response. Pretty intuitive for a little 5-year-old, eh? So, see ya honey, we're so proud of you and we'll be missing...errrr...remembering you!!!

Great-grandpa's visit

We were so privileged to have Ammon's grandpa visit for Amelia's blessing. He brought her a copy of his published life history called "Glorious Struggle". He read the inscription to her that he wrote inside the front cover. He has been traveling around to all of the great-grandchildren's blessings in the past few years. What a legacy he is leaving for us all.

We so love you Great-grandpa Gordon!!

Tombstone- "The town too tough to die"

Ammon's grandpa was here and wanted to see this famous Old West town. Walking down the streets was like you were transported back in time (except for when you saw the cars...). We had a yummy lunch at the O.K. Cafe. It was in an historic building that was around back in the infamous gunfight days. After our tummys were full, we had a great time strolling around and even dressed up for some old time photos. This was a four generation shot with great-grandpa Maughan, grandma Larsen, Ammon and Connor and Amelia. Cool! We had such a fun day!

Thanks great-grandpa and grandma for visiting and enjoying this fantastic day with us!!

Family Night at the Fair

We had a great outing to the FAIR.

cool Shark display

Great  show with live sharks. But surprisingly, our favorite show was with the sea lions.

Wow, this is scary that we could really be these people!

We couldn't resist!

Connor loved the large train display. The operators even let him control them for awhile.

We love Connor

Cowboy climber

Daddy's little girl

Awww, so sweet.

Chillin' with daddy. Boy, is this baby-thing tiring!

Hmmm, should I smile at this guy?

Well ya, of course that's my daddy!

Blessing day

Our precious Amelia Arabella was blessed on Sunday.

Before the blessing with Great-grandpa Maughan.

Following the blessing. Aunt Brenda, Uncle Stan (in a jacket and tie- very rare!), our fam and grandma Larsen (Ammon's mom).

Where's the baby?

She's practically lost in her very full "froo-froo" dress as I like to call it. Big fluffy girl dresses- love 'em!

My sister is the baby in this picture.

Such a cutie!! She looks like my sister Laura, doesn't she?? I thought I was alone in thinking this because Ammon didn't see it but then both my mother-in-law Gwendolyn and Aunt Brenda said that so it's official!!

"I love my sister!"

Check out that toothless grin

Pretending to be asleep like Amelia

Huh?

Sweet kiss

Our little ladybug

Awwwwww

Good big brother feeding the hungry...and clothing the naked

("ha, ha you said naked!"-a common thing Connor will say)

Connor cracks up laughing at this picture every time he sees it.  "I'm gonna get you!"

Wiggle worm

Sleeping so peacefully. We just love her little bear (and bare;)) derrier!