My Uncle Kendall

I wanted to pay a little special tribute to my Uncle Kendall.  My heart is very heavy at this time.  I don't think I've cried so hard and been so close to tears for days in many many years, actually probably ever.  However I feel it might help me to remember some of the things that I really I want to remember about my uncle Kendall.  He was always a very caring and understanding man.  I know he was willing to help wherever needed and that he was very proud of his children.  One particular story I remember of him was when we went to visit them in Utah.  We were at my Aunt Ione's house and he taught me how to do a back flip on the trampoline.  He was very patient and understanding even when I didn't get it right for a long time.  He always  had a jacuzzi wherever he lived on his back porch.  He and his wife also loved to play games of any kind.  He was always coming up with some fun family game to play.  He was a very good teacher and could help people just by listening to them.  I remember going to Tucson for some of the Family Home Evening's that we would have every 1st Sunday of the month.  He showed us a video on families and taught us about being a child of God.  We also ate some awesome hamburgers.  I'm so grateful for the influence he had in my life.  I wish Amy and her kids the very best in their future without him.  It will not be an easy road that is for sure but I know angels will be with them when they need them and I know that Christ's atonement is real. 

I still can't believe that he is gone.  I wish at this time I could be with my family.  I can imagine them talking about life, having fun playing cards, and trying to help each other get through this tough time.  I called my Mom today and heard my family in the background.  Just hearing familiar voices brought tears to my eyes.  How grateful I am for my family.  For their love and faith.  I know we don't have all the answers in this life but in time the Lord will provide enough to move forward.  I truly have such an amazing family.  We aren't perfect but we sure know how to stick together when times are tough. 

The Beautiful Seattle

Picture overload!  So since we decided to move we have a long list of things we want to do here.  Not all of them will happen I'm sure but we will try to do what we can. 

 Anna and Kali loving each other...they are such good sisters!

This is a place called Coulon park.  These pictures will hopefully give some of you a little insight on this beautiful place we've lived for the past year. 

 Love this girl!

 It was raining in these pictures yet the sun was shinning through the clouds.  What a beautiful sight!

 After the  rain there was this beautiful rainbow, I couldn't get the whole rainbow in one picture but it was beautiful, and look at those green trees in the background!

 So for sharing time this Sunday I had each class help me fill this puzzel by drawing pictures.  Basically the idea is that gospel truths were lost on the Earth till Joseph Smith restored the gospel on the Earth, now the puzzel is complete and we have a fullness of the gospel. 

Moving to Oklahoma, what!!!???

Well it's official, we are moving to Oklahoma City.  We are a little nervous yet we are also super excited.   It has been one of the hardest decisions of my life!  This is a HUGE move for us.  Moving to Seattle was big but it was the only job offer had and we were excited for the adventure.  Now we are moving across the country again and not home.  Why?  This is what I've asked myself.  It will mean that we are 12 hours from my Parents and about 14 hours from Mesa which is much closer than the 25 hours that we are now away from Mesa.  That is one reason but he will be working in Materials in Oklahoma and that experience could help him get back to Mesa quicker if that is what we decide to do.  Also the cost of living in the Seattle area is SO expensive.  Most people in AZ would probably compare this area with LA or something like that, maybe not quite as expensive where live exactly but in Bellevue and places like that it is.  We can buy a much bigger house in Oklahoma.  Not that we want to have a huge house but it is comforting to think that we can provide for our family better in Oklahoma, and feel comfortable doing so.

One major reason it's hard to move right now is because Zach actually really likes his manager.  He is a good man and is reasonable.  Going somewhere where you don't know the manager is a little hard because you never know what to expect but all in all we know the Lord will take care of us.  I have felt peace about this decision.  I know the Lord will take care of us.  I sat back and watched as miracles happened when we moved here and I know that will help again.  The house we are in fell in our lap, the ward we were put in has been amazing, and it all just worked.  That doesn't mean it wasn't hard but it was all a huge miracle and a huge blessing.  The Lord really does take care of us when we have faith.  I'm excited to see what the Lord can do with this move.  I'm learning so much through all of this even if it is hard.

One of the hardest things about moving for me is I JUST got called to be Primary President.  I will really miss this calling.  Besides that I'm not the type of person to run from something that is hard.  I like the challenge and honestly I love being in charge.  I love watching the Lord's hand in the small things and watching things come together.  I didn't want to move in part because they have been through a lot of Primary Presidents in the last few year, but we have to do what is best for our family.  Zach also works in YM's and it will be hard to leave all those boys.  I don't want to feel like we are running away from those things, and we aren't.  I got very emotional this morning thinking about moving and leaving behind all the incredible people that we have met, I'm so thankful for the lessons I've learned from the incredible people here!  That song rings true in my ears, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good."  We can't take one day for granted because we never know where we will be the next day, and we need to learn what we can from the people that are in our lives now because they may not be there tomorrow.  God puts people in our lives at specific times for specific reasons.  I'm so grateful for the gospel that makes moving that much easier!  I know will all my heart that this gospel is God's true gospel on this Earth and I'm so thankful for it!

I also wanted to write a list of things that I'm not looking forward to having to do all over again:
1. Finding all new Doctors, we love our Pediatrician here...
2. Changing your address on just about every document and buisness
3. Finding Friends(this is hard and fun but it takes a while!)
4. Finding new places to take my kids
5. Not having a Costco...only Sam's Club
6. Figuring out how to drive in all new traffic again
7. Packing all my stuff again, trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of (it is kind of nice to reorganize though)

Soccer

We let Anna do a soccer camp and it was a lot of fun.  She really liked it.  She looked so cute and got a lot of energy out that she needed to get out!

 This is what happens when we are bored...lol

 Last day of class they got a certificate

 Kali looking cute watching her sister play soccer. 

 Everyone in her class. 

Preschool St Patrick's Day party

I do a Preschool with a few other woman in my ward and it has been a lot of fun.  I have really enjoyed it.  It can be crazy keeping Kali away from all the craziness but overall we have a lot of fun and I'm learning a lot as well. 

 Jaron

 Hallie

 Palmer

 Emily

 Anna

 They helped me make heart shaped cookies to make into a 4 leaf clover. 

Easter 2013

Easter was a lot of fun.  We looked for Easter eggs 3 different time actually and also colored eggs, yay!

Easter egg hunt in our back yard!

The Easter Bunny came.  It looks like nothing is in there baskets but they got a ton of stuff.

 Cute Easter dresses!  They looked so cute, Zach took this picture just before church. 

 Thanks for the cute shirts Grandma!

 Easter egg hunt at the Knight.(a family in our ward)  It was a lot of fun having Easter at friends house.  We really have such a great ward here!