Wonderful Children

Back in the spring, my sweetheart took me on a weekend get-a-way for our anniversary. (He is so wonderful!!!)  When I returned home, my children had spent the WHOLE weekend planting beautiful plants in front of the house. It was such a wonderful surprise!  I am so blessed!!!

Here is a look at how gorgeous they are.

Fall Vinyl

I have been working towards getting some vinyl projects on here.

 

Aren't they so cute!!! Let me know if you want to place an order!!

I have been trying to create a catalog of all of the designs I can make. Thank you for being patient with me while I learn something new!!

More designs coming soon!

Where Does Time Go??

Okay, so on my journey of "What Matters Most" one of my goals has been to make sure that I update this more often and create what I started to. Well, it was a little ways down the list, so I am just starting to work on that goal. LOL 

I am trying so hard to follow counsel and discern what does matter most in my life. My husband and children are right there on the top. I was busy doing something the other day when one of my children asked if I could help them with something. I responded that I was in the middle of something and I would be there in a little bit. The response cut me like a knife. She said, "You are always busy with something, I will just do it myself."  Am I always busy with things that could come later?? If my children feel that way, it was time to re-evaluate. I love them with all of my heart, and I don't want to be remembered as being always busy with something. I want to be busy with THEM.

I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me so much and forgives me of the things I fall short in! I am grateful for a loving Prophet who leads and guides us in such a crazy world! I printed a wonderful picture of President Monson and have one copy on my dresser and another one on the book self in my living room. He is smiling, and when I look at him in that picture, I am filled with so much warmth!

Isn't this a great picture!! I heard someone say something like, "If he can find 'Joy' with all of the responsibility he has, we can find Joy in our lives too." I think of that everyday!!  So I am still striving every day to "Find Joy in the Journey" and making sure what I do is what matters most!! 

My journey to finding out What Matters Most

A few weeks ago, I posted about how I have been haunted by "What Matters Most". It has weighed on my mind so hard. I have evaluated each day and tried to see what I can do different. Now, my house is still not clean, and I find that I do still waste precious time, but I am doing better. I have been making the kids a special treat for breakfast before school (that makes a HUGE difference in their moods) and I have been trying to take more time to read with them, or watch them play. It will come along more and more as I strive to work harder at it.

I feel like the Lord was trying to prepare me for a new adventure. About 10 days ago, I was called to be the seminary teacher in the Axton area. Very humbling, let me just say!!!  I have only (but they are so important!!)  three students, two of them my own daughters and one who hasn't come yet. It is a huge task, even for a small class. I want them to love the scriptures the way I have come to love them, and go away each day with something they learned. I don't feel adequate enough to teach in this capacity. Through prayer, I have learned that Heavenly Father has been preparing me for months! And by trying out how to decide "What Matters Most" I will find the time to achieve just that.

I am excited and humbled. I am grateful for so many wonderful examples! Sharron, from The Redheaded Hostess, has helped me learn to study the scriptures in a whole new way. I thank her for her willingness to share her great knowledge and ideas!

New 2013 Mutual Theme “Stand Ye in Holy Places”

The new theme this next year is awesome!! I am so excited!

 “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8).

You can read the announcement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here. 

I will be working on some craft projects to go with this theme soon!

Of Greater Worth

I guess Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something. I heard President Uchtdorf’s talk, “Forget Ne Not” a while back. When I was ordering a book from Deseret Book, I saw that he made the talk into a book. Of course I had to get that too. Well… it came last week. As I was reading, the part that stood out the most was, 

 “... forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth.

Giving up a little sleep to help a child who is having a nightmare is a good sacrifice. We all know this. Staying up all night, jeopardizing our own health, to make the perfect accessory for a daughter’s Sunday outfit may not be such a good sacrifice.

Dedicating some of our time to studying the scriptures or preparing to teach a lesson is a good sacrifice. Spending many hours stitching the title of the lesson into homemade pot holders for each member of your class perhaps may not be.

Every person and situation is different, and a good sacrifice in one instance might be a foolish sacrifice in another.

How can we tell the difference for our own situation? We can ask ourselves, “Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?” There are so many good things to do, but we can’t do all of them. Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms.”

Isn’t that SOOO powerful!!! If you read my Week in the life in the Moxley’s, you would know why this was so powerful to me. The part that keeps ringing in my ear is, “An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth.” I thought about that a lot last week. I’ve actually thought about it for months. But it hard last week. When we talk about “uncluttering” our life, I keep telling Barry that everything that our family is doing is good, so what do we give up??? So… now I need to decide what is of greater worth. And it is SOOOO hard!!! 

With that weighing on my mind so hard, I attended Megan’s Governors School graduation. One of the speakers talked about the same thing!!! With tears in my eyes, I looked at Barry and said, “I think Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something, and I guess I need to listen.”  I don’t remember her name, but she was only 23 or 24, maybe a little younger. She had been the FFA State President, and had accomplished so many other things.  She was talking about a lesson that she learned a couple of summers ago. (She was a great speaker!! You could just image how it all went by the way she told the story!) She was driving the truck that pulled the hay. One of her rules was to not go too fast. She had made several trips, but on this particular trip, the truck got away from her, it slid all the way around, and the corner of the hay trailer was wedged inside of the truck. (Her father’s BRAND NEW truck) When she told her dad that she was really not going too fast, he told her, “You may not have been going too fast, but you were going fast enough.” She said that was one of the most profound things he had ever told her. She said how many times in life are we going fast enough to miss out the on the more important things.  I am afraid that I do that way too much! So, next goal, slow down and Heavenly Father will help me know what is of greater worth.

Then… on Sunday, two of our High Counsel members spoke. The second speaker talked about… idol time!!! Spending our time on the better things in life. Again I looked at Barry, crying a little more and said, “I am really trying to do better!!!”

If all of that was not enough, I got an email from Jenny Phillips. I just LOVE her music, her FHE ideas, her talks, just all of her things!! Well… she has a new talk CD/Download. Guess what the title is?!?!? “What Matters Most”!!!!! 

 

I made Barry come look at the computer screen!!! I just couldn’t believe it!!! She also has made these little notepads to go with her CD. The notepad is designed to help you focus your day (and your life!) on "What Matters Most." So of course I had to order that too! LOL

So, how have I been doing with all of this knocking me upside my head??? I don’t usually read, but I have been told to read good books. I have often felt guilty because sometimes, I do not do well finding time reading my scriptures. I told myself, if I can’t find time to do that important thing, then I don’t need to be reading anything else. Well, I am doing a little better reading the scriptures, and I have fallen in love with historical fiction books. Right now I am reading “Abinadi” by H.B.Moore. As I was reading, Abbie wanted me to read with her. Of course it was a good part. (It’s all been good! LOL)  But I put the book down and read with her. That little voice was telling me, “This is of greater worth.” 

I am vowing to declutter my life and try to listen for that still small voice to tell me what is of greater worth!! I know Heavenly Father will help me with this, and I am going to try my best!!

Still Counting Blessings

Last week was the Roanoke Stake's Girls Camp. It was full of fun and we were blessed by leaps and bounds.  It was also A LOT of work!! But well worth every minute. (My kids might not think so. LOL I didn't get to play with them too much during the weeks before.) I just want to express my love for my Father in Heaven who watched over us and kept us safe! 

We always plan a fun adventure for the 4th year girls. (part of certification) I worked and worked to get canoes lines up for the two day canoe trip. It finally all came together, and I was so excited!! Then, the livery called me on Friday (we were leaving on Monday) and told me that there was a sewage treatment plant that had a spill into the river. The Wednesday before, I had called them about one that I heard about the week before that. So, with two spills in less than a week, we decided that it wouldn't be wise to put the girls in the river. I was sure they would be so upset. So Barry and I worked on plan B. I looked up the James River State Park (where we had reservations to camp at) to see what kind of activities they had. Then... I saw they had 12 Geocaches in the park. I was so excited!!! This is an activity that my family LOVES!! So that was our plan. We were going to teach the girls how to Geocache. I made a travel bug that we could put in a cache and we could track.

This way the 4th years girls would have something that would be remembered for years. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Girl's Camp, we posted on the geocaching web site that we wanted it to go to 100 State Parks.  We had a lot of fun!

Monday evening, the sky turned all black and yucky. The park ranger told us that a red cell (a bad storm) was developing and it looked like it was coming our way. We told him that maybe it would just go around us. Heavenly Father was looking out for us, and just sent us some rain! He truly blessed us!!! Back at camp where everyone was setting up, the storm tore up 2 of our tents and the power went on and off. Some of the leaders said it was the worst storm they had been in. Luck-fully, they had building they could go in.

It was truly a great couple of days, and I feel so blessed to have been able to spend them with the girls and their other leaders! They never complained about one thing, and their smiles and laughter was so wonderful!! Out theme was "Be the HER in HERO", and they were GREAT examples of that!!

I will post about the rest of the week soon!

Blessed Beyond Measure!

What a crazy start to the summer! I can't believe I haven't even found time to check in on here! I keep thinking that life will slow down, but it just doesn't seem to happen.

Last week we drove so much that we could have gone to the beach and back twice! (at least!)  Megan and Alyssa both competed at State Convention at Virginia Tech the first part of last week. Megan competed in Floriculture and Alyssa in Plant Science. They both did so well! Megan got 5th place over all and her team took 2nd. They will get to compete at BIG E in Massachusetts in the fall. She is so excited she will get to fly on a plane! Alyssa did really well too. She received a 2nd place ribbon in the Junior division. We took Jordan up there on Wednesday and he received two awards. He won the State Proficiency Award for Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication. He also received the State FFA Degree. I was so proud of all of them and their accomplishments!

Thursday, I picked up the girls and we were off you Youth Conference at Southern Virginia University. It was hard to leave them after not getting to see them much the whole week. They had a great time though. The theme was Arise and Shine Forth.

 After I dropped them off, I headed to a girl's camp meeting. We were trying to finalize the schedule and activities for our week at camp. I will be posting different ideas and things that we will be doing soon. One thing I have been so excited about is we are having all of the YCL's,  YC's and the other camp leaders complete "Becoming Like My Scripture Hero" book created by The Redheaded Hostess.   Our theme is Be the HER in HERO, so we wanted to get everyone spiritually ready for our week.  I will post more about this soon.

Saturday my mom and I picked up my very sleepy girls, and started our 2 hour and 30 minute drive back home. We then spent the rest of the evening getting Megan ready for Governors School. Yesterday we drove back to Tech so Megan could start her new adventure. She has a very sweet roommate, and she will have so many wonderful opportunities for learning and growth. She is getting to study Plant Science, so she is so excited! It was just so hard to leave her! We will get to visit next weekend, and then we will pick her up on the 20th of July. It's only been 14 hours, and I already miss her so much!

Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with such a wonderful family! I love them all so very much!!! I am Blessed Beyond Measure!!

A great start to the summer!

Well, the last two weeks have been very full. Jordan graduated, we headed to Gatlinburg, TN, got Nate (Elder Clay) off to Utah to start his mission, went to Dollywood for a couple of days, got home, and had a Girl's Camp meeting. Mgan and Alyssa have been practicing for the FFA State convention, and Meg has been working on the FFA scrapbook. It has been wonderful not to have to catch the bus! I will post a few pictures of our last two weeks.

Right before the ceremony started, we had a really bad storm, so the power when out and they had to graduate with the use of generators. Needless to say, the pictures didn't turn out all that well.

But when we came out of the school, the most beautiful rainbow covered the sky!  While we waited for Jordan to come out, there was even a double rainbow. The evening turned out great!

Saying goodbye to elder Clay

That was so hard! But knowing that he will devotion his next two years to serving our Heavenly Father, and knowing He will take care of Nate, brought a lot of peace.

He is a wonderful young man!!

DollyWood added a new attraction, Wild Eagle, this year. So of course they had to take pictures with the Eagle babies. It was a fun couple of days.

Day 7

I can't believe it has been a whole week! It went by so fast, and I am so exhausted!! I have been looking forward to a day of rest for a couple of days. We all started our day with a wonderful Sacrament meeting. We were able to renew our covenants and reflect upon our Savior and Heavenly Father. Nathan was invited to bare his testimony and two High Counsel men spoke. They we're both wonderful talks. The first one reminded us how special our mother's are. The second one talked about living below our ability. In Sunday school we talked about Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. In Young Women we talked about being a light unto others. It was a great day. We came home, had lunch. And now I am finally relaxing with my family. Everyone is very tired, and we all needed a day of rest. Nathan went home with Gram to get another suit for his mission. He leaves in just 9 days. Colby is going to come spending the night with us. I have really enjoyed keeping up with my life the last few days. It has been wild and crazy. I love my family so very much! They are the light of my lives!!! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with such a loving and understanding best friend and eternal companion. He completes me in every way! I could not make it through this life without him. I am also grateful for my children,son and daughter in law, and my grandchildren. They have given me so many reasons to smile this week. They are a true blessing! I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and His helping hand all week. Only through Him could I have accomplished so much! I am grate for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the restoration of His gospel in this day. I have been so uplifted by the words of Prophets and the wonderful music from so many talented artistes this week. It has been a glorious week!!!

Day 6

I was really thinking that I would be able to sleep in. I didn't have to get anyone ready, catch a bus or anything. But at 7:00, I was off to Sam's. We didn't even have anything at all for breakfast, and I know that the kids would need to eat something. So Abbie and I bought some food, picked up flowers and headed back home. We got all of the costumes together and organized, watched the videos from the rehearsal, learned how to make a big ballet bun, fixed a couple of costumes, and hopped in the shower. Megan borrowed Scott's car and left a little after 12:00. She looked so beautiful!! I almost cried trying to take pictures of her. I have so blessed! I finished getting ready, fixed Hannah's hair, and Hannah and I were off to watch the 2:00 show. We stopped to pick up more Bobbie pins and gas. Then Megan called and had forgotten her make up. So we stopped at CVS and grabbed that. We got there with 10 minutes to spare. I really enjoyed watching all of the dancers. Then Megan came out with one of the younger classes, and I just about lost it! She really is a princess! We left at intermission, and went to get the younger girls ready. After four attempts, we finally got Alyssa's hair fixed, got everyone dressed, fixed a few sandwiches, and we were off again! We got back at the school, and the girls got their makeup done. They were all so beautiful!!! It was a very proud day for mommy!! They were all princesses! After all looked well, I went out to sit and wait. Michael, Sierra, Amy, Scott, Jordan, Mickey, Nate, Gram Karen, Taylor, and Rachel, all came to watch. Madison was also dancing, so Stacey and Austin were there too. It was a really wonderful night. The girls worked so hard all year for this one night. I was just so proud! We got home around 11:00. My mom stayed the night with us and we all got into bed a little after midnight.

Day 5

It has been so crazy around here, I haven't even been able to get on to write down the last couple of days. I really hate that too, because it is so easy to forget the little things. But I am going to do my best. Thanks to me wonderful husband I didn't have to get going so early. I really didn't even rush. I got up and got al of the kids on the bus. Sent Jordan and Megan off for their last day of the 2011-2012 school year. I hopped in the shower and arrived at the school by 8:30. When I got there, Eddie Sechrist was already setting things up for me. Rhonda Wilson, Jennifer Peters, and her dad were helping too. That was such a great surprise! Amy went to Sam's for me to get some more candy and chips. We started selling things pretty early, and it was already getting very warm. It was a lot of fun and very busy. Jennifer and her dad had to leave around 11, and Amy stayed for a little while. After 11, it got really crazy. I enjoyed visiting with Rhonda and Patricia a lot. At one point we had two or three classes in line, with just three of us trying to make snow cones. I ask one of the parents if she would take the money for me. Much to my amazement, she told me no!!! I couldn't believe it! I was not happy. I have loved being the PTO president, but I hate that out of 450 some students, there are only a handful of people that will help. So, I just kept telling myself that next year, I won't be the one in charge. The day ended well at the school though. We sold over 450 snow cones, four cases of waters, lots of candy, and chips. It was very exhausting! Heavenly Father blessed me once again. Eddie was going to leave, but decided to help me clean up everything. It was so nice of him. I was so tired! We finished loading up the truck and headed home. The girls got their dance stuff together. Jordan took Megan on to Basset for me and came home to watch Weston for me. When he got the girls and I headed up to Basset for rehearsal. Barry, Nate, Jordan and Weston went to the Avengers. I was so proud of my girls they did such a great job and were so beautiful! I got to visit with Stacey. It was a great evening. We got home around 10:30 and I just fell into bed. I was a very busy, happy, day!

 They were so beautiful!! I love them so much!

Day 4

Good Morning!!! I am trying really hard to stay on the up and up! I woke at 5:00, have already walked the dogs and taken a shower. I am feeling pretty accomplished already and it's only 6:00! LOL  It will be another pretty crazy day. I am not even going to get to do my Zumba I am afraid. I am off to get all of the snow cone stuff together, and then load all of it, as well as all of the refreshments for field day. It will be a great day with all of the kids. Weston has a field trip (the last one of the year and I won't get to go!) to play putt putt. Well, I am off!

I can't believe that it is already 10:36!! My body sure does feel it though! I am so tired! It was a packed full day for sure. I have some wonderful ladies help me at field day, and four wonderful 5th graders. (one of them was y lovely Hannah. She has such a wonderful spirit!) My son-in-law Scott came and was a wonderful help. And my biggest helper.... Jordan who missed school to help me. He loaded and unloaded everything, helped me set everything up, and helped make snow cones. I just love him!! I am very blessed to have such wonderful children!  Scott and Jordan tried to go through one of the blow up, since they had helped me so much all day, and one of the teachers got on them! I couldn't believe that! And then, I had angels help me once again. As we were just sitting, waiting for the classes to come up, I kept thinking, "Man, I could be finishing up my order. " It caused me quite a bit of anxiety a few times. Then, Mrs. Martin came up and asked me how everything was going. She told me to go get the cups and her and Mrs. Napper would get them wrapped up for me. I just wanted to cry! They were such blessings!!When I got home a little after 3:00 I finished up the 10 tiles, and it was off to the PTO meeting. (I didn't even fix my poor family dinner) It was a show case on the garden that the kids planted at school and Southern States and and another person that has helped so much were able to receive plaques. Then we had ice cream. Unfortunately, there were more teachers there than families. I was very disappointed in that. When we left, we met Barry, who was leaving to deliver my cups and tiles for me. (did I mention that I have the best husband in the whole world!!! He is so good to me!) So Megan, Alyssa, and I jumped in the truck and got to ride with him. So after a day full of running and craziness, I am very ready for bed. I am grateful for so many wonderful friends, and for a family that loves and supports me all of the time.  I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who truly watches over me and sends me help all of the time. I am grateful that He love me so much! I am also grateful for a wonderful husband who teats me like a princess. He always has my best interest i mind and tries to help me in all that I do. I just love him so much!

Day 3

It has been hard for me to put on my happy dance today. I have already broke down twice. I did good getting up early, 6:05!! (I had to give the kids their baths this morning due to the storm last night). They were all in very good moods, so that was helpful. And I was able to get a good hug from my Jordan. That definitely put a smile on my face. Everyone caught the bus, Jordan & Megan headed out on time, and Barry left while I was getting Alyssa on the bus. I came home and did a double scoop of my Ionix (I felt like my body needed that extra boost since I was already so emotional) and now it is 8:30. I am off to do Zumba, shower, and be at Weston's Pre-School Graduation at 10:00. (I can't wait until my clicker gets here!!!!)

Weston's graduation went very well. He did his speaking part , "Welcome to our preschool graduation"
(it was so cute!) with his hands in his pocket. I just love that boy so much!! It is hard to believe that he is really 5. Landon (my grandson) didn't want to do anything, but he did say his part well. He just stood and smiled the rest of the time.

After all of that excitement, we came home, Barry and Weston ate, I drank a cleanse and worked on organizing some pictures, and now its off to work.

I worked until it was time to pick up the kids. I enjoyed listening to Hilary Weeks all afternoon. I just love her music! It really helped lift me up! I picked up my little ones at 2:48, fixed Megan's ballet shoes (they had to dye them black for their dance, so I had to sew on black ribbons and black elastic), picked up Alyssa, and went back to work on my orders. Then my heart just broke! I knew that my sweet Meggy was having a rough week, but she never really let me know what was going on. Her and her guy friend broke up. She has had such a hard evening. I hate it so bad for her. My heart just aches for her. I know that, as a parent, we have to let our children go through pain and heart ache, but I sure wish I could take it away from them sometimes. Then I think about how in the world does Heavenly Father manage it? I know that I must disappoint him so much and I am sure he is sad when I feel so down. Thank goodness for our elder Bother, Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins and know exactly how we are feeling! I love him so much!! After many hugs, it was back to work while we talked. My new running shoes came today, and were too small. So Jordan took them to the post office for me. Before we all knew it, it was time for church. We left at 5:55 and dropped Abbie and Weston off at grandma and papa's. We cute ribbon and tied it onto flip flops in the YW Value colors and we worked on a song. Then my family cleaned the church. I was getting so tired, so Heavenly Father sent us some angels to help, Brother Evans, Brother Turner, Brother Walker and the missionaries. It was such a great surprise! On the way home, Jordan gave me a WONDERFUL back rub!! We got home around 9:45, and I was just exhausted. We talked with Nathan about his mission (He leaves in 12 days) and Barry gave Megan a blessing. She is still having such a hard time. We were all very tired, so I decided not to work any more tonight, it can wait for Thursday.

Day 2

I am so excited!!! I feel great two days in a row!! Maybe it is because the kids only have six days of school left!! I can't wait!!! I just love having them home, and I can't wait until most of the hustle and bustle is over. It's kind of like the beginning of the year. Everyone sets goals and tries to do better. My "new year" starts when the kids get out of school. We set goals and make plans, and just enjoy each other. I just can't wait!!

Okay, now for how my day has gone. Of course I didn't want to get up again. I just can't figure out why my nights go so fast!! I woke up at 6:30 and crawled out of bed about 6:40. Megan and Hannah were, of course, up and getting ready. Weston woke up in a pretty good mood. (He was completely wrapped up in a blanket on Megan's bed. It kept moving, so I hollered, "There is a snake in your bed Megan!! Lets get it!" He thought that was just so funny) Abbie is just not a morning person. It took us a little while and a few tears to get her going this morning. All and all, it went well, and they were on the bus at 7:15. My wonderful husband (and best friend in the whole world) was ready to go off to work at 7:30. We did our morning routine; he drives up the gravel road, stops, gets out of the truck and signs "I Love You" then spins around to mean bunches and bunches and I do it right back. Then we wave good bye, yell "I LOVE YOU" and he is off. (kind of silly I guess, but it is our little way of saying good bye) Megan and Jordan left shortly after that. So that just left me with my sweet Alyssa. She is ALWAYS just so happy! She hopped on the bus at 7:50, and the rest of my day began. I have been really wanting to get some music on my Ipod, but every time I hook it to my computer all of the songs go away. So my wonderful son-in-law said he would help me. So I gathered up all of my CDs and head up tho his house. Of course I had to visit with two of my grand-babies and Amy while I am there. Noah's little (well it's really great big!) smile just melts my heart! I also got some great hugs from my little Landon, he was having to go to the doctor today. When I got home I made my shake, and my sweet daughter-in-law and Bentley came by to help me work. I was really determined to try and stay on my "diet", and guess what Sierra made?!?! This yummy smores stuff she found on Pinterest! You can get the recipe here.  It sure was good though. She helped me get 10 cup orders done in the middle of chasing Bentley from place to place. He was really just trying to help. By that time Barry, Michael, Nathan, and David came home for lunch. Unfortunately Sierra and Bentley had to leave before they got home, so Michael didn't get to see his sweet hearts. I enjoyed getting to see them all for a little while. Nate will be leaving for Salt Lake in two weeks from today, and will check into the MTC on the 6th. I can tell that he is getting a little worried about leaving. I pray that he will have the strength to leave so that he can go and serve the Lord. He will learn and grow so much, and he will be such a great instrument in the hands of the Lord. After they headed out the door, I went back down stairs to get the rest of my work going. (I would say done, but I still have a ways to go) I am working on gifts for some teachers. This is what they look like

In five minutes it is off to get the kids off of the bus.

The rest of the day was quite crazy. I got the kids off the bus, and finally squeezed in a shower. Then it was off to catch Alyssa's bus.  She watched Weston while Hannah, Abbie and I went to Danville to get more ribbon for the cups, the supplies for YW, and all of the snacks for field day. My one hour trip ended up taking 2 1/2 hours! When I got home, the most beautiful storm was brewing. The lightning was amazing. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around and watch it (or I would have some fantastic pictures to put on) because I had to get down to Greensboro to pick up ice cream for the PTO meeting.  I didn't get to even see my Jordan yesterday. He is such a wonderful young man, and I just love him so much!!  Megan and Barry went with me to get the ice cream, and we enjoyed visiting Barry's aunt and uncle for a while. We got home after 11:00 and it wasn't long until I was curled up fast asleep.

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A week in the Life of the Moxleys - Day 1

Happy Monday!! I feel like it is going to be a great day!! I haven't felt this good in a few weeks, so I am so excited! Yesterday I taught a lesson to my Young Women on Personal Records. We talked about different ways people keep journals. I was telling them that I had started a blog and my daughter challenged me to record a week in my life. So, I am going to take her up on that.

So... Day 1 -
It started a little late. I didn't get up until 6:35. Hannah and Megan were already getting ready. They both have SOL tests today. Alyssa also has one too, but she doesn't let the pressure of a test get her down. She is still sleeping peacefully.  It has been Hannah's tradition for the past couple of years to eat blueberry muffins for breakfast on her SOL days (she is convinced they help her make 600s), so I was scrambling to get those made in time to catch the bus. After mixing up muffins, it was way past time to wake up Abbie, Alyssa, and Weston. Abbie did really well, Weston wanted to stay asleep. At 7:10, they were just sitting down to eat, so we missed the bus. Instead of getting down, we did a little Monday dance, and they were car riders. We loaded the truck at 7:25 and headed off to school. They were really pretty happy for a Monday! (It might have something to do with the fact it is the LAST Monday of this school year!!! YAY!!!)  On my way home I pass Barry who is heading off to work. I walk in the door, and Jordan and Megan are heading out. Megan didn't seem her happy self, so I am praying that her day is amazing and her SOL goes well. The morning rush is almost over. But I can't find Alyssa! After searching the house, I find her out in the lot playing with the miniature horse she is trying to tame. She is, of course, smiling from ear to ear. So she grabs a muffin and off we go to catch her bus. As we leave, Michael brings my little Bentley for me to watch, so he got to wave Alyssa off this morning. Next it is time to get lunch started for Barry and the boys, start a load of towels, order ice cream from Barry's uncle for the PTO meeting on Thursday, Scott brings Noah, I send off an email reminder about field day and the PTO meeting, get Noah breakfast, change Bentley's very poopy diaper ,and now I am finally finishing my first entry for the day. Whew!! Now it is off to do Zumba if my little ones will let me! LOL

I have managed to get everyone fed for lunch, Bentley had a short nap, another load of laundry done, did 40 minutes (hit and miss due to running after two little ones) of Zumba, ordered some new walking shoes and a Hilary Weeks CD  (that I LOVE) and now it's off to clean up lunch!  Have you ever heard the song "Who You Are" by Hilary Weeks? That is my theme song today. If I knew how to put it on here I would, but I can't figure it out. It starts out, "I know you wonder if you'll ever have a day When the kids stay calm, the laundry's done, and the dishes are put away...Believe in what you're doing, Believe in who you are."  Just thought that was appropriate right now.  My two little grandchildren are making more messes than I can keep up with! I love them so much though, and just had to sit down and hug them both! Heavenly Father is so good to me!!

A couple of week ago I found this awesome site that Hilary Weeks started. The purpose of this site is to promote positive thoughts. You get this little clicker and click every positive thing that you do throughout the day. I have been so excited about it, so I finally ordered me a clicker. I am so excited to start clicking!! I have been told many times that your attitude reflects your thoughts. If you think positive, you will be positive. I will have to report how it goes a little later.

Scott came about 2:30 to get Noah.  Abbie, Weston and Hannah got off of the bus at 2:47, and the afternoon rush begins.  Abbie rushes to get ready for dance class, we pick up her cousin Madison at 3:25, pick up Alyssa at 3:35, and it's off to pick up Megan.  We get to Magna Vista at 4:00. All three of my girlies that had tests today, felt really good about them. Megan got pass advanced. I am so proud of all of them! Megan had a meeting to be on the Horticulture team for her school. Next it is off to dance class. Abbie dances from 5:00-5:45. She is so lucky because Megan is a student teacher for her class and the class after. Alyssa dances from 6:30-8:00. This is the last dance class for them this year. Friday is rehearsal and Saturday is the recital. During all of the dance time, we picked up treats for the little horse, and  black ribbon and elastic for Megan's point shoes. I was also able to study a little bit about Sarah. I have enjoyed learning about her so much. The faith that she had in our Father in Heaven is so amazing! Her longing for a child for so long, and then she had to have faith in Him to help her when she conceived at 90 years old. Well, it's almost 9:30, and I am completely exhausted. I am going to change my sheets (I didn't get that done earlier) and I am off to bed. I love my family so much!

Well, things just don't seem to slow down! It is getting closer to another school year ending. My second baby will graduate in a couple of weeks, and we will be sending my nephew (who has lived with us for the past year and a half) on a mission. So many changes. Sometimes I wish I could just slow down the clock so I can enjoy more of the "little" things. I am trying so hard to unclutter my life. I am determined that I can do it!

 I am posting some pictures of son and friend's senior pictures that I took. He is such a great cowboy!  It was such a fun afternoon. I am so grateful that he let me take these! I am one blessed Mom!

Words for today :

"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood,” says Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  “While women live in homes under many different circumstances—married, single, widowed, or divorced, some with children and some without—all are beloved of God, and He has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity.”   

Garden Tour

St. Augustine

Florida Sunrise

It has been such a CRAZY couple of months!! Full of so many things. One of the high lights was going on garden tour with my children and their horticulture class. It was an eight day trip, that consisted in going to; Savannah, GA- St. Augustine, FL- Tampa, FL- St. Petersburg, FL- Sarasota, FL- Destin, FL- Mobile, AL- Pine Mountain, GA- Atlanta, GA- and Charlotte, NC. We saw several gardens, went kayaking, canoing, Bush Gardens Tampa, Cirque Dreams at the Mahaffey Theatre, a sunset cruise, a dinner cruise, snorkeling, Braves game, a Shakespeare play, and the Nascar Museum. There wasn't much sleep involved, but it was a wonderful trip! My kids are so blessed to have such a wonderful teacher. She put hours and hours (really weeks and months!) into planning this!

Still trying-

Do you ever feel intimidated by the unknown?? Well, that is where I am at. I keep thinking that I will find someone who can help me get my blog going so I can share some of my ideas and wonderful things I have found, but it is just not happening. Soooo.... I am going to just try to get it going on my own. I am sure if I just keep trying I will get better at it. LOL

My hopes and dreams for this site is to share things that I have come up with and share things that other wonderful people have done. I love getting on different blogs and learn how they have done things, and so see all of the creative ideas that are out there.

I will learn how to make this work, add pictures and share my ideas and crafts! I know I can!