Springtime at the Tulip Festival

Yesterday, we drove down to Thanksgiving Point for the last weekend of the Tulip Festival.  We met Paul's parents there and enjoyed walking around with them for a couple of hours and then stayed even longer after they left.  I have never been to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point and I had no idea how much there is to do!  There are so many different gardens to see including children's areas with hedge mazes and a big Noah's ark complete with bronze animals and Noah and his wife.  The waterfalls were amazing.  There really was something for everyone.  We had a wonderful time!

Waterfalls

Waterfalls from above

Eating dinner together

Emma's Testimony

As a regular part of our Family Home Evening, we have started to encourage each member of the family take a turn bearing their testimony.  It has been an incredible experience the last few months.  Paul and I have really been touched and learned so much from our children. 

One such experience was when Emma said, "Even though I try really hard to be good, I still make mistakes."  "I am thankful for second chances."

I too am thankful for second chances, especially as a parent.  I try really hard to be good but I still make lots of mistakes.  I am thankful for forgiving children who don't hold grudges and still love me with all their hearts.  I am also thankful for an understanding and forgiving Savior who listens and accepts my heartfelt repentance, even if it is for the same mistakes over and over again.
What wisdom there is to be found in the testimonies of children!  Oh, to be like a little child.

Woman of God

I was reading this blog in which Morgan is writing her own personal manifesto which, by the way, I think is a wonderful idea and I will be pondering my own.  Anyway, I was struck by a phrase she used and have been thinking about for the whole day.  She called herself "a Woman of God".  We hear "Daughter of God" often in the church.  "Daughter of God" or "Child of God" brings to mind words and phrases such as potential, loved, cherished, protected, self-worth, images of a loving Father.

As I thought about what it means to be a "Woman of God", I think of strength of character, courage, power to do good, leadership, compassion, service.  I see a woman who stands strong in her own beliefs, testimony, and commitment.  A woman who leads out, who doesn't lean on, or wait for others, whether it be parents, husband, siblings, church leaders, visiting teaching companion, etc.  She is a woman of action not just intentions.  A woman of vision who sees what can be and works to make it happen.  A mother of confidence who teaches with strength, love and compassion.

As I consider these traits, faces of women come to mind.  These are women I admire, look up to, and aspire to be like them.  Among them are my mother and sisters, nieces, neighbors, friends, ancestors, women from history, those from the past and those making history today.

I am a Daughter of God working to become one of these Women of God.  I have the examples, I have the blue prints, help, support, love, and confidence of my Father in Heaven.  What I lack is focus and daily determination to live deliberately, to take advantage of individual moments...to always remember my goal, my destination.

Spring Break

We spent our Spring Break in Moab.  Despite all the rain and cold weather, we had a fun time.  The first day we hiked around Arches, including Delicate arch which the kids loved and the three oldest were great hikers!  Jenna loved the pack, but spent much of the time hiking too.
On the second day, we drove through Canyonlands checking out overlooks and doing one short hike.  It was really quite rainy and cold that day.

The third day, we drove down to Edge of the Cedars museum to check out hundreds of Native American artifacts and climb down into a Kiva.  I had never been there and really enjoyed the feeling of history.  We had planned to go to Mesa Verde, but unfortunately all of the exibits and hikes didn't open until the following Monday.  We'll have to plan it again for another time.  The kids were disappointed, however we wouldn't have been able to see Edge of the Cedars if we had.



Park Avenue



On Sunday as we prepared to drive home, it was finally a beautiful, perfect day, so we decided to try one more hike.  We drove up into Arches and hiked Park Avenue.  It was amazing.  I wish the weather had been that beautiful the whole time.

The kids were very busy.  They earned Junior Ranger badges at both Arches and Canyonlands, and the Junior Archeologist award at Edge of the Cedars.  Then they went on to earn the highest award, the Red Rock Ranger award.  The Red Rock Ranger award requires at least 2 Junior Ranger badges from National Parks and 1 other program from a State Park in the area.

Delicate Arch

Wildlife spotted by Emma

Kiva at Edge of the Cedars

Newspaper Rock