News, News and More News

Okay, so I've been waiting to share this news for about 2 weeks now and now I finally can.  It's probably a good thing that I had to wait to share because 2 weeks ago this post would sound very different.  Yesterday, I was released from my absolute favorite calling as a member of the YW Presidency and called to be the Primary President of my ward.  YIKES!   I was completely taken off guard with this calling because I had only served in YW for a year and a half, I wasn't ready to go.  In fact, after welcoming a new beehive into YW a few months ago, I told her younger sister that I hoped I would be in their house again in 3 years to welcome her into YW.  And I meant it.  There is just something about YW that I love - and will always love.  

So needless to say I was devastated when the bishop released me and  completely shocked with my new call.  I am always overwhelmed with the process of choosing counselors and this time was no exception.  I had a horrible week.  I know most of it was due to my lack of excitement so I decided to change my attitude and look forward with faith to this new adventure.  It took about 5 days and quite a few tears but I finally got confirmation of the Lord's will and can say with confidence that I am ready for this new challenge and really excited about it.

Sunday was a loooong day.  My presidency and I were sustained in sacrament meeting (which was a tear filled occasion by the way- the bishopric member releasing us and sustaining us could barely get the words out) we met with the old presidency right after church where they passed the baton to us, we were set apart and then JayDee and I had to run up to the Stake Center to meet with a member of the stake presidency.  Now I know you're thinking, the stake presidency has nothing to do with a new ward calling, and you would be absolutely right.  I walked into their office with a free spirit because I knew we couldn't be there for me.  I was only halfway right.  Our stake is doing a pioneer trek this summer and JayDee and I were asked to be a Ma & Pa for trek.  I was ecstatic!  A little background on this topic might be in order.   

At the beginning of this year as our YW Presidency was looking forward to our upcoming year, trek was big topic, and it just so happens that a counselor in our presidency is the wife of a member of our stake presidency so I took the opportunity to make it very clear that she could at any time mention to her husband that the Gunnells would be more than happy to serve on trek.  Unfortunately, our bishop had other plans.  He wanted our ward to do a beehive camp this summer and he wanted it to be the same days as trek so the beehives (who don't get to go on trek) would not feel left out.  Well that dashed my trek dreams real quick because I am the over the beehives of our ward.  I tried to tell him that I couldn't go to camp those days because I had other plans . . . I would be on trek.  But alas, I had to eventually give in and accept that I would not be going.  I watched as many great couples from my ward were called to be Mas & Pas and listened to many discussions and announcements about trek and I felt okay about not going.  Then I got released.  Suddenly I was available that last week of July where beehive camp used to be and the stake presidency got word and BAM - I'm going to be a Ma on Trek 2010!!  
The Lord sure works in mysterious ways. 

P.S.  I just got word today that I might be able to run the Wasatch Back Relay this year with my sister.  That would be awesome.  I've always wanted to but it's not a for sure thing yet.  I'll keep you posted.  :)

Diaper Free

So we've hit a milestone at our house. . . NO DIAPERS!!!  It is so glorious.  I was thinking about it the other day and realized that we have needed diapers in our house for the past 9 1/2 years.  They just sort of became part of the landscape and an automatic purchase at the store, but no more.  The other perk to this situation is that Isaac has been the easiest child to potty train.  He actually kind of did it himself.  All of a sudden he just started telling me he needed to go to the bathroom, I'd take him in there and he'd go.  We've only had 2 accidents (including nighttime and nap time) and they were really more my fault than Isaac's.  I know I am supposed to cherish every moment of my children's childhood but this is one phase I'm glad to see go.  :)

I wanted to post a picture of Isaac sitting on the potty (the big potty by the way,  he's a big boy he doesn't need a little potty chair - his words) because it is just about the cutest thing, but I didn't want anyone to feel like they needed to report this blog as having inappropriate content.  So just picture this adorable little blondie sitting on the potty, pants around the ankles, bum halfway to the water line, concentrating really hard then smiling that dazzling smile because he "did it!"

I Am A Mother

The reason I call myself mom.

I know I'm a bit late with this post but part of being a mom is being very busy and boy have I had a week!

Nevertheless, I had a fantastic Mother's Day.  One of my best actually.  I truly enjoyed the whole day.  

It started off with great gifts from my children that they thoughtfully prepared at school.  And I mean thoughtfully. . .they made me all teary.  Gift #2 was that everyone got ready for church without incident and we not only made it to church on time but we were early!  9:00AM church people!  Gift #3 was when I sat down in the chapel and had a look at the program to see JayDee was speaking.  He kept that little jewel a secret for a whole week. If I had to choose favorites that would have been my best gift of the day. I just love that man!

Later in the day we went over to my mom's house to celebrate with all the other mothers and future mothers in the family.  I always love being with my family, and for those of you who know them you know there is never a dull moment.  On this day, all the wonderful, reverent and new feelings of being a mother were brought in a tiny 6lbs. 15oz. package named Eden Burns.  My sister BriAnne (the newest mother in our midst) came with her almost week old baby girl, Eden.  That girl is one loved baby!  But honestly how can anyone resist - just look at her.

This picture was taken at the hospital the day she was born.

Everyone just couldn't get enough of this miniature BriAnne, especially my future mothers Emma and Hannah.

Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I do feel loved on a regular basis but there is something about a day set aside to honor the sacred call of motherhood.  I feel so blessed to be a mother.  And although I am far from being the poster mom for motherhood, I'm making progress in my own way to being the mother my children deserve and that my Heavenly Father wants me to be.  It's the absolute best journey I've ever taken!

Hannah's 5!! - May 6, 2005

Well it's been a long time coming . . . 5 whole years, but she's now finally 5.  Hannah's been counting down the days and I don't think she was disappointed at all about how her day turned out. 

Dad surprised Hannah by taking her to breakfast - just the two of them.  She absolutely loved their one-on-one time together.  After breakfast she opened her presents before Ethan and Emma went to school.  We didn't think we could handle Hannah's lack of patience all day and really why wait! 

Her favorite gift was the soundtrack to "Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel."  This girl is our little songbird.  She always has a song on her lips and a groove in her hips.  There is no holding her still if there is music playing.  Usually there is no lack of music because she's singing it.  I love that about her!

We were the hosts of preschool Thursday so we decided that we would combine preschool with a party.  We did a little learning and had a little party fun as well but no presents. Hannah loved that because it's her off year for friend birthdays.  We only let our kids have a friend birthday party every-other-year on the even years (4,6,8,etc).  Part of the festivities was letting the kids decorate their own cupcakes and I think every cupcake at the table had about an inch of frosting on top.  :)

If you look close you can see chocolate smudges on everyone's faces.

I love this picture of Hannah!  It captures the true her, scraggly hair and all.

And just look at that candle - she had to have it even though it was almost as big as the cupcake itself.

Hannah received birthday wishes all day from grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and  friends.

Hannah is so full of life and never misses a chance to notice the little things in life that bring even the smallest joy.  I love this girl!!  Birthdays really bring back lots of memories for me, being a mom is awesome!

The Great Outdoors

This last weekend our good friends, The Garbers, invited the whole neighborhood up to their cabin in Ashton, ID.  And when I say the whole neighborhood, I mean it -10 adults and 17 kids! Good thing their cabin is like an oasis on a mountain top, plenty of room for everyone. We had a great time. 

It was a four hour drive so the kids watched movies.

Isaac had a hard time getting his headphones to stay on his head 

so we got a little help from Dad's gloves.

Finally at the cabin, and after exploration time, the kids decided they liked the loft the best.

Friday was a fairly nice day, just a little chilly, so we headed outside to see what fun we could find to do.

After a little hike we went canoeing.  The kids had a great time taking turns going out on the slightly frozen lake.  I thought it was hilarious to watch everyone in their coats, gloves and hats fumble around trying to get life jackets on and get in the canoes without touching the frigged water.

After canoeing we went to the field down the hill from the cabin and played games.

We were certainly glad to have been able to enjoy the sun one day because when Saturday came. . .

so did the SNOW!

It dumped 4+ inches Saturday, so for most of the day we were quarantined inside.  We did venture out one time when the snow let up a little and drove up the canyon to Mesa Falls.  On the drive up, the snow actually stopped and there was blue sky.  That lasted exactly 10 mins. and then a blizzard set in, right as we were walking down the trail to see the falls. The falls were beautiful but with the snow I'm not sure many of the kids appreciated the beauty.

Mesa Falls

Freezing children

On Sunday we headed home, and because it was Sunday, we thought it would be fun to stop by the temples that we passed on the way and let the kids experience these temples close up.

Rexburg, ID Temple

Here the gates were open, so we walked all around and the kids went up and touched the temple.  

We talked about temples and their importance and looked at all the beautiful details that are built right in.

Idaho Falls, ID Temple

At this temple the gates were closed so we couldn't go right up to the temple 

but we did walk around the outside and across the street to see the Idaho Falls.

Our family doesn't vacation much so this trip was really a treat.  It was fun to be with friends and then spend some time on the way home with just our family.  Thanks for the opportunity Garbers. 

Hopefully we can go again . . . soon.  :)

Spring Is Here!!

With such beautiful weather this past week we have finally felt like Spring has arrived.  And what better way to celebrate the arrival of this glorious season than with a good old fashioned camp fire. JayDee couldn't wait to break out the old fire pit and roast a few dogs and there is no way our kids would let us forget the s'mores. We just love the feel of sitting around a camp fire so much that we've actually had one blazing three different times this past week. Here's a smattering of our fun.

 

Hannah:  "Look Mom, we're an octopus!"       Mmmm. . . s'more face!

And another sure sign of Spring. . . baby animals.  On Monday, the Utah House was hosting a family night, with activities, crafts and of course baby animals.  The kids explored their animal whisperer skills with a bunny, baby chicks, goats and a very vocal rooster.  That rooster was cock-a-doodle-dooing every 10 seconds and distracting Isaac from the other animals every time he crowed.  It was so funny.  Every time the rooster crowed, Isaac would immediately stop what he was doing, turn around to look at the thing and then most times run over to it's cage, squat down and look at it like "Okay, I'm listening. What do you need to tell me?"  Our good friends the Thompsons and the Griggs came along for the fun.

Here's the crotchety rooster and there is Isaac and his good friend Carson trying to translate what that rooster is trying to say to them.

Did I mention we watched a sheep shearing as well.

Just look at Isaac's face below to see what all the kids thought of that!

We ended our fun with the kids begging Dad to give them a ride down to the ponds on the gator.  He said no, but they had fun climbing all over it anyway.

YAY FOR SPRING!!

EASTER!!

 Here's our little monkeys on Easter Sunday 

(well the Sunday before Easter)

Our Easter this year was "double the pleasure, double the fun."  It started the week before Easter with a trip up to Grandpa Gunnell's farm in Idaho for tractor rides and an Easter egg hunt.

1. Emma navigating while Dad drives the tractor.
2. Ethan manning the 4 wheeler.

1.  Isaac LOVES the tractors. He literally can't get enough.
2. Daddy and Isaac on the John Deere.

It was cold so Grandpa got a hat for Isaac but then I couldn't see his cute face, so the hat had to come off.

Hannah and Emma holding their own during the hunt.

Ethan doing well - and the whole gang after all the eggs were found (we hope).

The week after the farm fun, my brother Matt and his family came from Colorado for a visit. We always have fun when they come but this time was even better because I let my kids miss 2 days of school to play with their cousins. We had all kinds of fun. We went to Discovery Gateway, colored Easter eggs and had another Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Taggart's house.

Discovery Gateway

You can never get too much music when you're with the Taggarts.

 

James and Emma

Ethan and Joshua

Coloring Eggs

There's Matt.  I knew I had a picture of him somewhere.

My kids are wearing their painting clothes.  

I promise I don't let them wear clothes that are that dirty on a regular basis.

We can't forget Milan. He came over for all the fun too.

Easter Egg Hunt #2

There's our Aubree girl.  Too cute.  

She and Isaac were quite enthralled with each others baskets.

I threw this one in just to prove that I was actually there.

Don't look too closely though.  :)