My latest creation.

It must be getting into spring, but we aren't there quite yet.  I love spring.  I love to be outside, do yard work (not that you could tell by the state of my back yard!), take slow walks, go to the park, and all that fun stuff.  But when you live in AZ, you get teased with spring a lot.  For example, last week, we had several days that were so warm and gorgeous.  I thought for sure we were heading into spring a bit early.  But this week we are back to colder nights, outside not warming up til it's too late to do anything, and just plain unproductive weather.  So, when I start to get bored with all the "inside" stuff, (a.k.a., cleaning, entertaining kids, t.v., etc), I try to find crafty creations that won't take me too long to finish and that are not too difficult (I don't want to get frustrated or ANGRY, it's supposed to be fun!) and that I can encourage my kids to do.

  This bag/purse is what I've been working on the past few days.  I guess I could have had it done in a few hours if I didn't have to make 3 trips to Walmart (I can never get out of any store without forgetting something, even if it is on my list), reading 50 books to Jax, sitting with Jax, playing with Jax, feeding Jax, changing Jax's diaper, etc.  It's a miracle I get anything done with that kid around.  Oh yeah, and the 4 other kids keep me somewhat busy as well.  Anyway, I found this cute pattern online for super cheap and it had the simplest and best instructions for a sewing pattern I've ever come across.  It was also fairly cheap.  I don't know if I'll keep it or give it away yet.  The girls want to make their own now.  I think I will make another one too, but I'll expand the pattern to make it big enough for a church bag.  What do you think?

The last time.

This weekend was our last official temple trip to the Mesa temple.  It was bittersweet.  I didn't get to go in this time since we had all of our kids with us, but I had a lot of time to sit and think about all the many wonderful times we have had at the Mesa temple.  I remember going there as a young girl with my YW class.  There was one specific time I remember going to do baptisms.  After we were done, we had to wait for all of our leaders to finish.  My friends Laurel and JoShel and I walked all around the temple and all through the visitors center.  Afterward, we went out on the big lawn and lay down just to look at how beautiful the temple was.  I remember us all promising to ourselves and each other that one day we would be married in the temple.  It was a great day!
 
  I remember going there on a special day (day before I got married) to get my endowments.  My family was there with me.  My older sister got to go through on the same day to get her endowments.  It was so beautiful.  The next day we got up so early and took wedding pictures and later I got to be sealed to Michael for all eternity.  It was magical!
 
  Not long after that, my brother and his wife were sealed there.  There were many other sealings and special occasions that we were able to attend in that temple.  I remember once when I was pregnant with Taylor we were called to be temple missionaries.  That meant we were asked to go there and do 2 sessions or 2 initiatories a month.  It was very difficult on us since we were both in school and both working AND pregnant with our first baby.  We were doing sealings once and the worker performing them turned out to be my mom's cousin.  I almost passed out.  I guess it is pretty common when you are pregnant!  So, he let me sit on a chair and do all the sealings we had on our list.  I loved that day!
 
  Taylor and Jordan were both able to do their first baptisms at the mesa temple as well.  I'm so glad they were able to do them where I once did as a young girl!

  Of course, we always love family temple trips to Mesa because we usually end up staying in a hotel and eating out at restaurants we just don't have.  The kids love going to a real mall!  We make the trips really fun.  This time around it was rainy so I didn't get to take any pictures.  I was also pretty cranky since I didn't get much sleep and the boys were fighting.  But being with my family at the temple is always a good thing so I managed to get over it.


  Now we are going to be going to the Gila Valley temple.  I have lots of family and memories already made in that area.  Mike and I lived in Central for the first 6 months of our marriage and both my parents and their families are from Safford.  It will be nice to go to the temple there and be able to visit with my Grandma more often.  We know the temple president (President Crockett) from our days at EAC.  We are going to make lots of new memories in a new temple.  I'm both excited and a bit sad about it all.  Our girls get to participate in the cultural event that is coming up with the open house and dedication.  It will be a great start!