what a beautiful mess

She did a great job on her Haiti report. She worked so hard to find the right information and taught us a great lesson on obeying the commandments of the Lord. She is our power point girl! She loves to use that program and every FHE lesson that she is in charge of usually involves a power point. As she taught us, we could feel her sweet spirit and her strong testimony. I always love to hear my children bear testimony of the gospel...they're Haslems so they probably won't do it in church for awhile yet but that's ok cause they do it here... Thank you belly for doing such a great job!

It seems sometimes thats all we do at our house. Especially for the last few months. But it's slowly dwindling down. The kids have been troopers; so patient and (mostly) willing to help when asked...Trevor made all the meals yesterday and at one point asked me how I don't spend all day in the kitchen. Sometimes it feels as if I do. But I like it...the kitchen is my own space. Unless the dishwasher needs to be emptied then it's the girls space. Or like yesterday when trevor made the kids make each others lunches. It was a genius idea so he didnt have to make it and they got to do something nice for each other...a win-win.

He was super excited for our weekend...at least for last night cause we went and saw Divergent. WOW. It was so super good. Trevor read the book and so he was anxious to see it. I haven't yet read the book but now I am anxious to read it. I think I may have enjoyed the movie more since I didn't know what to expect... Now that our date night is done and over with (sad) Trevor gets to go unstuck someone's van and then finish tiling the bathroom. Happy weekend...

Stephen went to Calgary for his mission. We realized that Canada is much like the US, at least food wise. So we had corned beef and cabbage, stuffed lemony potatoes and crackle for dessert (delicious). He did a fantastic job teaching us about the restoration of the gospel. And his testimony at the end was sincere and inspiring. I'm really going to miss my boy when he goes on his two year mission...and by the look on his face, he's going to miss me too.

Most of you know my love for yoga (and don't understand why) but I really do love it, despite my on and off again affair with it.  However, right now, me and yoga are very much so, on again. And it's in large part because of a group of videos I've found on youtube. The instructor is Sadie Nardini and she's absolutely great. So if you want to try yoga, go check out her videos. I promise you will love it (unless you really don't like yoga then chances are you will hate it). Since my practice today, I've been feeling very grounded and strong. But my toes are cold and this patch of sunlight has warmed them right up. Happy spring everyone!

Trevor has made it to the young age of 34 and I've been around for 17 of those years to witness it. He's made himself a really good life. We made him a thought bubble card and these were all of our thoughts on him : Trevor *has beautiful eyes *is a great chicken raiser *is good at tiling a bathroom *is a great teacher *is a great dad *is a wonderful provider *has lots of hair *is a great math teacher *is the only one who flushes the toilet *is my eternal best friend *is hilarious *looks great in pants *is sincere *has funny looking cars *is good at math *is a hard worker *is so smart *loves his kids *is a super hero *has very clean feet *is kind *is super wonderful *is so cool *is very sharp *loves his wife more than anything *is pretty young *is funny *is mostly always happy *is so strong he may be the strongest man on the earth And that my friends, is proof that he is one of the greats. We love him. So, so much. Happy birthday Trevor. ...

There's nothing holding us back now...We'll be in the Bahamas for a week coming the end of april. Trevor and I are so flippin' excited. Its like an adventure or something... We've got lots planned for that week like sleeping, walking a lot and some super secret stuff or just some super private stuff. It'll be so great.

I'm joining Annabelle and her class this morning on a field trip.  As of right now, I'm sitting on a rickety old bus and some kid keeps kicking the back of my seat. Good times. It takes me back to the days when I rode the bus...and I really don't miss those days... At least I get to be with Annabelle and I get to see the new exhibit at the museum. There's a bright side to everything....

He is kind, funny, and so, so good to me. And he's a whiz at math which is really good cause I'm not. I love him. (even if he makes me lick pancake batter off his chin.)

That's what I'm doin', an update, fa reel, ya'll. Emily: She's adorable. She just started track today. And her thighs are sore. I'm trying to convince her that it feels good but it's not working. She's going to do great though. She has grown up so much in the last 11 months. It's hard to believe that she is almost 13. I'm not ready, I tell ya. Just not ready. Emily loves the show Psych. If Trevor and I are out for the evening, we come home and that's what she's watching while the kids are in bed. I love the show too, but she absolutely loves the show. I think she has a crush on Shawn and Gus. Or she just thinks they are really funny. Cause they are. Annabelle: Oh man. No one ever warns you about the terrible eleven's. They are terrible. One minute she's happy, the next minute she's biting your head off. Emily went through it too and so we realize it's normal and that we just need to be patient. But it's ha...

We started off the evening with an authentic meal prepared by me and Josh called  Vary Amin Anana.  We authentically ate on the floor too. It was delicious and used ingredients I've never tried before: watercress and a turnip. Everyone liked it and had seconds.  When it comes to food, the Haslems are not a hard crowd to please.... He also got to teach us a skill that would be helpful when on a mission.  Josh taught us how to fold towels.  (not to be competitive or anything, but I could fold towels better than anyone) Now there can never be any excuses for there being towels  that need to be folded in a pile on the couch.... Josh gave us an awesome lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  He acted nervous but he knew what he was teaching by heart.  And he bore such a good testimony at the end.  I am so grateful that I get to be with this kid for eternity.  He makes me happy.  Before bed I accidenta...

Emily told me last night that it's been a month since I've blogged.  Seriously?  That's a long time and a lot has happened that I wish I would've written down.   But it is the weekend and now is a great time to start.  The kids received their mission calls Monday night... Emily: Poland Annabelle: Haiti Stephen: Calgary Joshua: Madagascar Did you know that Joshua has a really crazy shadow?  ( FYI- his neck isn't really like that in real life.) Trevor took this picture of me and I can't remember why... I think I remember him mentioning Cinderella or something... (obviously because I have a broom, not because I look like a princess.) I've been reading a long and boring book.  Okay it's not really long but it is really boring.  The Richest Man In Babylon.  Have you read it?  It's got great financial advice; it's just so boring.  (I have to read it for my math class.) Our walls are ...