THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

 It is 5 PM and I am still in my pajamas.  Numerous times the thought has come to my mind to get dressed and accomplish something. The thought quickly passes and I decide, I am happy right where I am at. On a high note I have finished all of my homework today. I also watched an entire movie by 8 am. I talked to my sister, Trisha on the phone. For the third day in a row I haven't eaten any sugar. During this time in life, I feel it is important to celebrate the little things, LOL.  The kids are LOVING having the pool open. I feel like it is still a little on the cold side. I have never loved being cold, I am kind-of a whip that way!

Love this instagram post!

Thankful these two have one another!

The last few days have been pure joy having Daxon in the home. After Dax had only been home a few days, I was feeling as if I had no idea how to parent this young man. I called my mother-in-law and asked her for any advice she had to give on having adult children. She completely changed my paradigm. One of the important lessons she pointed out to me was the fact that Daxon is returning to a new home he has never lived in before. Sit him down and find out what his expectations are of you and then you can tell him what yours are of him. Her advice helped me to remember that each of our children changed in many ways while they were on their missions.  As much as we love the way they grow and become their own individual while they are on a mission, when they get home it is as if you are getting to know a completely new person.
As a parent I am often reminding myself that this is not the child who left my home two years ago. This is a man, or young woman, who has learned to monitor themselves.
It is interesting how on the surface they seem somewhat unchanged. Yet, you continually catch glimpses in their countenance and behavior that they are exquisitely different. For example. . .
I love it when I listen to Daxon give the family prayer in Persian, or testify of the things he learned.  I love listening to Daxon talk about his mission and hearing how his testimony has developed. I love the joy that is in Daxon's overall demeanor. He learned tolerance and patience on his mission. The other night before family prayer, Ashlynn out of nowhere blurts out, "I swallowed my gum." Daxon giggled for quite awhile. I love watching the calmness that surrounds him in the craziness of this family. I noticed that calmness in my other children when they returned home, as well. I love the way missions teach our children strengths, we as parents may lack.

Ashlynn was too adorable today. After she finished her homework she went into the bathroom and when she came out she had make-up on and her hair all curled. She asked if we could go shopping at the dollar store and get some things to make the pool area look cute.
After she took the time to get all dressed up for the dollar store, I simply had to say YES!  It is interesting how this pandemic has lowered our expectations of what an exciting activity is in so many capacities.  Going to the dollar store all dressed up has apparently made the list!
She bought three pairs of flip-flops, and the cute little sunhat she is wearing. 

 When we arrived home, Ashlynn ran out to the pool to put up the new flamingo and pool sign that she found. A second later, she is in the house telling the family her plan to clean up the pool area. I always knew she was born to be a leader and this event proved it. I try to get everyone to work together all the time, but it never works. Ashlynn had everyone in the family outside within minutes willingly, happily,  weeding the flowerbeds, and cleaning out the pool. Today we are heating it, and tomorrow we will be ready to swim!

 JD was able to go on a one day work assignment today.  I told him to not smile too big as he walked out the door. Tonight, his sister and her family came over to plant some tomatoes in the garden area. They were all pulling weeds and working hard together. The boys are clearly missing talking to people. They were visiting with these horses and laughing at them for a decent amount of time today. I started school this week and it is demanding that I prioritize my time. The floor by the computer has a big pile of my books on it. JD can't understand how I accomplish or learn anything with that mess. I can't accomplish anything or focus when I clean it up. Today, I felt like I was rushing and rushing to get everything accomplished. We are all in quarantine and it should not be difficult to get everything done in the day!!! 

Alyssa took baby Luke on a walk today.  

I know she was here two days ago, but I can't wait to see her and 

that cute little baby again!

 Growing up, we lived next door to my sister, Jana. Her son Zac was recently sent home from Mexico due to the virus. He is planning to go to school in Utah and dropped in to say hi. I have millions of pictures of these boys together from when they were young. One of the older three boys has been serving a mission for the last four years. It was fun to get a picture of them all together again!

I love that all of our family is back together again. Since we are not going to church at the moment, all of the kids came to the house and Daxon was able to give a homecoming talk on Facebook Live. He did an outstanding job. Ashlynn finished after him with a darling song on her ukulele. JD and I felt very fortunate to have all of our children together for today's events. 

Ashlynn loves to bake so she made Texas sheet cake for dessert.

The weather was perfect and we all had a 

fabulous afternoon being back together again.

 Today we went to Bridal Veil Falls. 

It was beautiful!

 The weather was amazing and it was 

fun to get out and be in nature. 

The rest of the day the boys were shooting, 

Ashlynn was doing homework and hanging out with me.

The other day we watched Little Women. She has been begging for the book since then. She never begs for books. We bought it for her today!  

Life is good!

The speed limit on our road is 40 MPH, but most of the cars go above that.

We rushed out to make sure they did not face sudden death trying to cross the road. 

The momma duck did not like us getting so close to her ducklings.

 It was adorable to watch her gather them all in under her wing to protect them. 

We were able to get her to go where we wanted when Jake suggested using bread for bait. They didn't want the bread, but we got them away from the road.

We scooped them up into a box

 This did not make them happy at all. 

A couple of minutes later we released them to safety in a nearby creek.

I feel like we are all kind of like these ducks. This virus has put all of our lives in a situation that we don't want to be in. At times we are unaware of the danger that may be present.  We have all of these restrictions and guidelines to keep us safe that we resist and fight. Our favorite stores are closed and staying home makes us feel like we are trapped in a box and we desperately want to get out.  I am not perfect with quarantine. I could do better, but I try hard to stick to only immediate family gatherings of less than 10 people. As hard as all of this is, I believe that if we stay patient and stick to the rules, wash our hands and stay home as much as we possible, can we can have faith that we will be released to safety and happy living once again. 

Hopefully sooner, rather than later:). 

 Elder Daxon Phippen is HOME!!!

 After 57 months all the siblings,

 plus 3 additions are all together again.

 Baby Luke was able to meet Daxon.

 Everyone, except Jake was able to lose 

Daxon in some friendly arm wrestling. 

 Ashlynn has not stopped smiling since he got home. 

 I have loved watching all the kids and grandparents play and hang out all afternoon.

 Riley and Daxon were able to hug after 42 long months.

I love that they are finally together again.

 FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

I LOVE THIS DAY!

 The airport was funny.  JD and I were planning to have all the children stay home due to the fact that no one was allowed in the airport. When we arrived at the airport we hear Britton in the very back . He says, "can I get out now?"

I am glad he did.

 Everyone picking up a missionary had to wait on the 2nd level of the airport. 

No one was allowed to go inside.

 Parked right next to us in one of my favorite people of ALL time and she has NO IDEA who I am:)!

I walk up to Emily Freeman and her husband offers to take a picture. I know this is not social distancing, but we were safe. It was inspiration that we parked in that spot, I am sure LOL!

 It is so wonderful to have all my children home!

WELCOME HOME ELDER PHIPPEN!

WE LOVE YOU !

One of the classes I am taking this term is Marriage Skills.  I realize I have been married for almost 25 years but, there is always something more to learn when it comes to being married. 

Being in this class and thinking about marriage the last few days has caused me to reflect on Riley and Madeline's wedding and the blessing it was that they were married at the perfect time. 

As I look back over all these picture I feel blessed 

and humbled by all the love and support they had. 

Who would have ever thought that a day in the very near future 

you would not be allowed to have that kind of ceremony?

Who would have ever thought that in a few short weeks 

after this picture was taken gatherings would be 

limited to 10 people and all the temples would be closed?

Hip Hip hooray for large gatherings again very soon.

Social distancing from so many of our loved ones causes me to be even more thankful that

 Families are Forever!  

How important it is that we do our part in making sure 

that as a family, everyone is loved and cared for. We leave nobody behind.

We are incredibly blessed to have Madeline join our family.

Riley is incredibly blessed to join hers. 

She has a wonderful family. I am thankful Riley has the privilege

 to be a part of it. 

Do to the Corona virus we have been cleaning out pictures. 

I love that I keep finding pictures with 

Alyssa and Madeline together from when they were teenagers. 

When she and Riley started dating, she would go fishing with him all the time.

 Riley loves fishing and racquetball.  Madeline supports him like a champ in both of these activities.  

 Most of the time when they have a day off, they are going fishing. 

She really is a saint! 

 Ashlynn ended up with the bouquet. I am pretty sure she tore it out of the other girl's hands. We forgot to discuss this part of wedding etiquette with her. LOL  

 Looking at all these LARGE group pictures makes me so very happy. 

How quickly the blessings we have today can go away. It reminds me 

to be thankful for every moment I am given.

I love how happy these two love birds are.  

I am thankful for the gift of marriage 

and I have a testimony of the fact that 

Families can be together forever!

This picture makes me extremely happy. The summer we moved, the Russells let Riley stay with them. I did not want him to stay and thought it was a bad decision.  Riley had prayed about it, and for some unknown reason was sure that he needed to stay.  It turns out he was right. I love how the Lord is continually playing a part in the details of our lives. 

Recently, Elder Bednar spoke in a seminary conference. These are not actual quotes, just my notes of what he said. (Your daily life is not divorced from revelation, it is part of it. You are always living in the revelation. With every thought, we are living in it. The Sacrament prayer teaches us this when it says, "To always have His spirit to be with us." We increase in confidence as we listen to the thoughts that come to us. Write them down. Act upon our own thoughts and stop relying on a process. As you keep the commandments you gain the confidence to KNOW that as you go to work, inspiration will most often come after your prayer, not during.) 

I am thankful Riley listened to the revelation and was able to hang out with Madeline during the summer. Turns out it was a PERFECT decision!

As I watch these two, I feel blessed by the 

fact that they are wise above their years. 

JD and I comment often on the fact that we wish we would have 

been as knowledgeable as these two, about how to have a happy marriage. 

I love that they already practicing their own holiday traditions and finding ways to date creatively with the coronavirus going on.  

Congratulations, Riley and Madeline, on having a beautiful, perfect day. 

We are thankful that so many of us were able to be part of it!