Broken Window

So Bryant just threw a rock at the back window and it broke. Luckily it is double paned so we don't have to get it replaced right away. I am proud that I didn't loose my temper or anything, but I am having a hard time coming up with a good punishment. Usually when the kids break something Chad and I make them pay for it or help us fix it, but lets be honest, there is no way Bryant will be able to pay for this or be able to fix it without getting injured. Have your children ever broken a window before or do any of you have any ideas of how to make Bryant accountable for his actions?

Great Books

Since my Dad’s passing I have read two wonderful books that are about near death experiences. The first one I read is called I Saw Heaven by Lawrence E. Tooley the second book is called The Message by Lance Richardson. Both of them were excellent, but I think I like I Saw Heaven a little bit better. They both comforted me have given me a greater desire to live better.

I am going to share some quotes from The Message. (I didn’t take time to write down any quotes from I Saw Heaven.)

• “Thank God we are not allowed to see the future. How often we would seek to change the course, not realizing the need for such opposition.”
• “Certain members of each family chose, long ago, before this life, to die and come to this realm that they might better help their families endure the challenges to come. … There are many powerful, wonderful spirits who are being called home right now, that they can better help their families prepare for that which is about to take place in your world. One of the major reasons many of us are here [Spirit World] is to serve and help those in mortality. Remember that word ‘serve’ for it is a vital part of our world, and can change yours.”

When I read that last passage I was moved to tears. I thought of my son Joseph, my Dad, and my brother Darin who have already passed. I know that they were powerful spirits and that they will help the rest of the family endure what will come.

I have really been fascinated with stories and experiences about life after death. They really make me want to do better and to be a better person. That is probably a big reason why Joseph Smith said, “All men know that they must die. And it is important that we should understand……our departure hence……It is but reasonable to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject.” Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p 211

Another face lift

For those of you who look regularly and may be wondering why I changed the look of my blog again, it is because Spencer just came in and asked me to change it to something that wasn't so girly. Then Bryant came in and said he wanted something red because that was a boy color. So together we went to the cutest blog on the block website and we chose a background that we all liked and then added red to it. Who knew boys cared so much!

Sanders Family Reuion 2008

Last Thursday through Saturday we had a Sanders Family Reunion in Pine. We camped. It was fun, and not so fun at the same time. It was fun to be with the family and to let the kids play together. However, I have come to the conclusion that I am not so fond of camping anymore, mainly because I don't sleep well and when I don't sleep well I become grouchy and I don't like the way I act when I am grouchy. Chad and the kids had a great time, so all in all it was worth it.

Bryant loved throwing rocks into the creek

Chad helping Karalee play in the water

Gettin' wet

Malia and Karalee having fun

Spencer caught a crawdad

Spencer using the compass during the treasure hunt

Karalee having fun on the quad, dirty face and all.

Bryant shooting the rockets

Dinner time

Shooting paintballs

Chad was a moving target

Riding the golf cart with Aunt Jennie

Snowflake Pioneer Day Parade

The Jake Flake Family had a float again in the Pioneer Day Parade this year, but instead of a "Vote for Jake" float we had a "Jake Flake's Family Thanks You" float. We even had new t-shirts made for everyone in the family. (84 people!) The shirts said Thanks from Jake and they were printed to look like the Vote for Jake t-shirts. My mom came up with the idea of the float to say thank you to all who have given my dad such a good send off and who have helped so much with meals, cards, flowers, etc. It was kind of fun to be in the parade so I could see friends all along the way. I would stop to visit for awhile and then I would have to catch up with Chad.

My Mom was the Grand Marshall

Another rodeo video

I wanted to add this video to my post yesterday but it wouldn't work. So I am trying it again. It is of my neice Lindsay doing ribbon roping. Now you can see what that event is like.

Flake Rodeo 2008

The day before the Snowflake Pioneer Day Celebration starts, the William Jordan Flake (My Great-Great Grandfather who founded Snowflake) Family has a reunion that consists of a rodeo, a potluck lunch, and a talent show/program. The Flake rodeo is my favorite part of the celebration weekend. I took lots of pictures and videos at the rodeo so I could show what happens in each event.

Karalee running in the foot races

Bryant racing

Spencer racing

Here is a video of the Grocery Race

My nephew's Noah and Jayze in the grocery race. I am not sure who the third person is.

Karalee's dirty face

Spencer getting ready to ribbon rope.

Spencer's sad that the calf didn't get caught and he didn't get to pull the ribbon off of the calf.

Hayley, Annalyn, and Kaitlyn waiting for the rescue race to start.

A video of the Rescue Race

The keg race

A video of the keg race

Memories of Me Game

I just found this game on my friend Angie's blog. I thought it would be fun to try it.

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Summer Fun

It feels like I haven't blogged anything for a long time. So here are a few pictures I have taken this summer.

Karalee and her cousin Josh

Karalee playing the wii for the first time. She was boxing against Bryant. There is a video at the end of this post. To me the look on her face says "I'm cool, I'm big, I can do it!"

Water sliding fun

No Bryant did not fall off and lucky no one has ever fallen ... yet.