I am suppose to do Sharing Time in Primary this coming Easter Sunday and I need some ideas! I found an idea at http://www.lds.org/ Sharing Time - Testimony of Easter It's a little program with thoughts, scriptures and songs:

The Easter story is a story of love. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent His Son to earth to atone for our sins. Jesus loves Heavenly Father; He was willing to obey Him. And Jesus loves each one of us. He gave His life so that we may be forgiven when we do something wrong and repent. . . . . .

. . .Jesus died and then was resurrected, which means that He lived—and lives—again. We do not fully understand how Jesus can live again, so we think of it as a miracle. There are many miracles all around us that help us understand the resurrection of Jesus.

Winter time is long and dark; The flowers and seeds are sleeping. They wait for the light of the sun to awaken them. The warmth of spring brings them to life again, Like a testimony of the Easter story. A wonderful thing happens in spring—The birds sing, the grass becomes green, The world is awake with the promise of life, Restoring the earth in its fullness.


Song: “Nature’s Easter Story”

Tiny brown buds become blossoms on a tree

Dry bulbs pressed deep into the earth bloom again.

A little egg inside a nest becomes a bird.

From a gray cocoon, hidden beneath a leaf, comes a beautiful butterfly.

These tiny miracles help us to understand the greatest miracle of all, the Resurrection. When the stone was rolled away that Easter day, Jesus had risen from His tomb.

“He is not here: for he is risen” (Matt. 28:6).

I would like to also use these pictures for F.H.E tomorrow, I think it's a great way to explain the Easter Story to our little kids. Please leave a comment if you have any ideas for an Easter themed sharing time.

This year we are starting a new tradition of having our Easter Egg hunt on the first day of spring. The Easter bunny will come and hopefully it will be nice weather so he can hide eggs in our back yard for the first time since we have lived in our house. The first year for Easter it was raining and last year Penny was in the Hospital with Pnemonia. Since we don't have family close by we are just going to have a little potluck with some friends, have the kids make a homemade Easter Bunny bag and then they can follow the foot prints of the Easter bunny to the back yard. We will color eggs for our F.H.E activity. Then on Easter Sunday we want to go watch the sunrise (we are going to wake up the kids instead of them waking us up :) and then at 7:30 am there is going to be a special musical program at the Boise Temple outside. Hopefully it will be a special day focused on the true meaning of Easter.

So, that sums up what we have to look forward to this week!

Good Night Friends and Family

Love ya :)

HAPPY FRIDAY

This is a for real picture, no editing or anything! The lighting caught the white tips on the pedals of the flower and added a neat affect!

Do you celebrate St. Patty's Day?

I do not recall ever reading about the History of St. Patrick. Have you? Why do we wear green on March 17th? At kaboose.com they have a few articles about the History, Traditions and Symbols, check it out ....


What Are the Traditions of St. Patrick's Day? There are many traditions and symbols associated with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland. Here are a handful of the most popular practices.
Shamrock: The shamrock as symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity. According to Robert Mahony, Professor of English and member of the Center for Irish Studies at Catholic University, legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity.
"A clover is one plant with three leaves, but the three leaves are necessary to make it [complete]," explains Prof. Mahony. "[In Christianity,] God is three persons, but it's not the same as three gods." The simple analogy is thought to have helped non-Christians understand a fundamental element of the Christian religion, facilitating conversion.
It was through the retelling of this story that the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick and Ireland's conversion to Christianity. As a result, the shamrock is a widely used to commemorate Saint Patrick's Day, and in modern times has been appropriated by secular institutions as a symbol for the Irish.
Four-Leaf Clover: Although clovers are most often found in nature with three leaves, rare four-leaf clovers do exist. Finding one is thought to bring someone extreme luck. The folklore for four-leaf clovers differs from that of the Shamrock due to the fact that it has no religious allusions associated with it. It is believed that each leaf of a four-leaf clover represents something different: first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is happiness.
Leprechauns: Just what does a mythical leprechaun look like and why are they so special? A leprechaun looks like a little old man and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. A Leprechaun's personality is described as aloof and unfriendly. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies.
According to St. Patrick's Day: Parades, Shamrocks, and Leprechauns by Elaine Landau, the legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the "little people" collect in large pots--the famous "pots of gold" often associated with leprechauns.
If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal where he's hidden his treasure. Be careful! Do not take your eyes off him for if you do he will surely vanish and your hopes of finding his treasure will vanish with him.
Green: So why do we all wear green?
Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and is connected with hope and nature. Historically, green has been a color used in the flags of several revolutionary groups in Ireland and as a result it appears in the official tri-color country flag, adopted in 1919.
In addition to that, Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the lush natural greenery found on the island. Says Prof. Mahony, "One of the things that strikes people all the time is how Ireland is incredibly green--it's very far north, but it doesn't get frozen. When people say that 'Ireland has 40 shades of green,' they are right!"
The luck of the Irish Want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day? Follow this advice:
1. Find a four-leaf clover. 2. Wear green (so you don't get pinched). 3. Kiss the blarney stone. 4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.
In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!


Do you know the history of the blarney stone? If you would like to learn some History facts today, i would encourage you to look it up. It is interesting. I would love to go to Ireland someday!

Have you ever found a four leaf clover? I have one framed in my house ;) I have even actually found a 5 leaf clover . . . cool huh! I am one lucky lady :)

Do you wish that you could catch a leprechaun and keep his treasure?

It seems a bit odd to me that we celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

I luv, luv to take pictures of flowers! This is one of the Gerber Daisies with the sun reflecting on it. I think I am going to print out some pictures of these flowers and make my own postcards.

Penny's smiles are contagious :) SPIDER GIRL!

This past week Penny has fallen asleep anywhere for her nap. (pictures -in the family room corner and in the hallway upstairs) Yesterday we went to the park. It was a gorgeous spring day. All the fresh air wiped Penny out. I love spring time - going for walks and playing at the park. We even have pink cheeks from yesterday. The kids were so excited to get out, it has been a bit to chilly and windy the past couple of weeks. So, spring is on it's way. I was also really excited yesterday because on our way to the park I invited an inactive LDS family in my subdivision to come to the park and they came! The Mom is really sweet! I look forward to building a friendship with her!

i made some LUCKY St. Patrick's slippers for my G-ma
and i added some puffy paint on the bottom of the soles so they won't be slippery ;)
i am excited to send her a package. She loves crazy socks and bright colored shoes, I hope she will get a kick out of these slippers.

The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved -Victor Hugo

My sweet heart brought home some beautiful flowers for me yesterday!

Happy Birthday to my oldest sister Marnie

We won't publicly mention how old you are today ;) WOW how time flies! I can't believe it!

I am always sharing stories with my primary girls about how I admire my older sisters. You set a great example for all of us younger kids. The oldest child has a heavy task on there shoulders to plow the way for us youngins. I have a lot of cherished memories with you, you were my second mom as a little girl. Thanks for all the love and support you have given me throughout my life. I am glad that you are my big sister. I love you!

Kraft Foods

I love all the Recipes from Kraft Foods! They are tried and true recipes! Did you know you can sign up for free magazines from them? It's a great deal, with incredible ideas in each issue! You can also check out there web site. SIMPLE and DELICIOUS

The pictures above are just a few ideas of many more you can discover on there site.

* Sleepy Bear Pancakes and Beary Berry Banana Split with Teddy Grahams

* A ray of sunshine bagel

* Cheese and fruit snack Butterfly - CUTE! CUTE!

Peanut Butter Jelly

I need some lunch meal ideas. Lunch is my least favorite meal! It is either PB & J, Tuna, Mac & Cheese or Ramen Noodles - Soup and if the kids are lucky they get fruit ;) Just teasing, they eat plenty of applesauce, oranges, peaches, and bananas . . . Ladies what do you do for your kids?

Here is an idea from my sister, she removes the crust off a slice of bread, then flattens the bread and puts the PB and J on top, then rolls it up. It is a fun twist to the ordinary sandwich, the kids love it. It is also not as messy!

As a kid my G-ma would put PB and Jelly in a bowl and let me mix it together and I LOVED eating it that way. I would lick the bowl clean :)

I had posted a silly song about Peanut Butter Jelly Time but I deleted it, there was an inappropriate link on it that my son clicked on while listening to the song. There are crazy people out there that have to spoil innocent fun.

Delivered Saturday morning treats to the missionaries (Juice and Doughnuts) - We wrote a little note on the Doughnuts and said 'We hope you have a great saturday - From the Rocha Kids :)

Dallin was so excited to go get doughnuts for the missionaries and he was so good about it, I told him that he was not getting any and we were getting treats to make someone else happy. It was good for him to give and not always get!

Rolo had a good time camping with the scouts this weekend. He is such an active, good leader for the boys. He does his best with being involved in scouts. The boys love Brother Rocha and they really look up to him.

The kids have had a lot of friends over today :) 4 friends earlier this morning and tonight was our night to watch the kids for the date night co-op.

My Daffodils and Tulips are blooming! I have a lot of work to do in our backyard. It is still on the brown side. I want to have a perfectly green backyard but my husband reminded me today that we are raising children and not daffodils. The kids love playing in this back area (picture below) and they stomp on my flowers. O' well. Kids love it, they call it there secret garden, they have quite the imaginations. Today was sunny and warm and they also enjoyed playing in the sand box for the first time this season. O' the joys of being a kid :) I was busy raking while they entertained eachother. It was nice to get something done!

I couldn't resist buying some Pansy's today. Just looking at them, brings a smile to my face...

And there is something I love about getting dirt in my nails. It makes me happy to plant flowers.

Here is a picture for you Rosie ;) She stopped by today to pick up her kids while I was gardening and as she was leaving she said "Hey and by the way do you know you are wearing two different shoes" RATS I was hoping she wouldn't notice. I am not a fashionable person when I am working in the yard. These were the only two shoes on my back patio, so I put 'em on :) (My Husbands yard shoes, well at least the black shoe is for when he works outside, I don't know why the brown shoe was outside) Call me crazy!

All the extra kids are gone and now it is time to sit down and . . . . . .

Life

AFFORDS NO GREATER
responsibility. NO GREATER

privilege. THAN THE
RAISING OF THE

next generation.

I just finished reading a talk by Ezra T. Benson "To the Mothers in Zion"

He gives excellent advice!

Saturday Morning

My kiddos woke up at 5 am and I am contemplating on going to Krispy Kremes for Breakfast!

Oh' those look yummy to my tummy

I have a serious sweet tooth!!

The first time I ever had a Krispy Kreme doughnut is on my mission in St. Louis. When we would have zone conferences the counsler in the mission presidency would bring boxes and boxes of doughnuts for all of us missionaries. He was a very generous man! At the end of our Mtgs we would always sing 'As I have loved you' to all those who had been serving us for our zone conference. I need to be better about serving and saying thank you with acts of love. I just had the thought to provide a doughnut and juice breakfast for our local missionaries on a Saturday morning, they would appreciate that! I just might get ready and go do that!

I think I'm going to.... The kids would have fun!

Have a Great Saturday :)

A peak into my day and thoughts in my mind (readers - please feel free to skip over this entry)

‘Embrace your own weirdness’ A title of an article I just read.

Sitting down to BLOG and indulging in a big bowl of Cookies and Cream ice-cream

Kids are asleep after a busy day. They crashed after we ate chicken dinosaurs and ice cream and had a movie night. My Husband is with the scouts and I need to learn to be more supportive with his scouting duties. He enjoys it. I wish I could have as many get aways as he does (not really) My calling in life is a bit different and I prefer it that way! Even if I had the chance to get away I wouldn't!

I have a hundred ideas running through my mind! In my mind I envision a big plate of goodies piled high and just looking at it makes me full. Asking myself questions like - Do I just nibble here, nibble there? Devour it? Or just look at it? My personality says do it all now and then I go into shut down mode because I am overwhelmed. I am learning the lessons of taking things a inch at a time. Gardening last year taught me that and being a homeowner with endless projects. One of my 2008 New Years goal has been to finish all my unfinished projects. So far we have been doing it and it feels great to complete ‘em and then have a fresh organized start.

I have never had a computer with Internet my whole life until this January. Man O Man I am behind. I have a little phobia with computers. I am actually learning quickly how to use one though. I am only in my late twenties but I have felt like a Grandma who has totally skipped past the computer generation. It is possible, somehow I have done it. I took a class at Rick’s and all it took was for me to touch one button and I did something wrong I would get very frustrated and so would my teacher. Some how growing up I would just learn the bare necessities of computers to get me by. I have also never liked writing but I have always wanted to be a good writer. I struggle with grammar wording my thoughts correctly and blah blah blah. I am a perfectionist in my mind and with writing I have yet to learn to perfect it. A weakness that I am trying to overcome. I usually do not write letters because I can’t get my words to come out right and then I won’t do it but I have good intentions. So I need to stop worrying about what someone will think about it and JUST DO IT. I over analyze way to much and fear that people analyze me. I am learning. SO starting a blog has been good for me it is an open to all journal and I have always wanted to be better about writing down experiences. Something in the heart says you better do it or you will regret it when you’re older. Probably because I have such a bad memory, if I want to be able to reminisce when I am older I better have it written down. Plus my G-ma has always been a good example with writing letters, she is so good at writing weekly reviews of her life. It is amazing. And she learned that from her father, he was a good journalist. Hopefully with time, It will come more naturally for me. I have always felt a need to connect with the personalities of my ancestors. They have a lot to teach me!

A review of today-

5 am My running group did not show up, I was the only one. So I came home and got on the treadmill. WOW the treadmill is a battle for me to conquer. A treadmill is definitely tougher than running out side. It is a battle with the mind vs. your body. Running outside distracts me and having a group to chat / laugh with. That has made a huge difference. With a treadmill it is just me starring at my shadow, watching and counting every step instead of watching land marks outside. Plus you are watching the time ticking by slower than slow and the mileage is not going fast enough. A treadmill is torture. But, it is good for me, it makes me motivate myself with no peer pressure, just me and my two moving feet. It also helps keep me at a steady pace. I have a lot to learn about the power of the mind! It is very fascinating to me. ‘What we sow is what we weep’
6 am ABC’s about ME blog - Tagged
7 am got the kids ready and Rolo to work. We only have one car and I like it that way.
8 am got ready and read my scriptures Currently reading the B of M everyday and reading a little from Psalms (one of my favorite books in the O.T) to my kids.
9 am Fed the children there 2nd breakfast They could eat all day long – Sigh
10 am Library for story time
11 am Artic Circle with friends
noon – lunch
Afternoon errands – Got a movie and ice-cream for the kids something to entertain us while daddy is with the scouts. JoAnns- bought fabric to make some St Patrick’s Day slippers and send a pair to my G-ma. Penny is in her terrible two’s. Lately when we go shopping she wants to run free and throw lots of tantrums when I try to keep her with me. She is constantly trying to climb out of the carts (side note and will not stay in her car seat, she wiggles her way out of her seat belt - she is a little turkey) and she screams with a high pitch squeal, that is truly making me go deaf. When we were standing in a long line a lady in front of me felt so sorry for me and she was probably tired of listening to my little girl, she let me cut in line. That was so kind of her! Every time I go shopping I say never again will I go with my children and then I take them again and again. I will catch on one of these days. A funny thing, as we were leaving the Mall they have clear glass doors and windows as you exit and Penny was strutten her little happy walk not paying attention to what she was doing and then thump right into the class window, Dallin thought that was hilarious and all Penny does is bounce back and holds her little nose and says owee. She makes us laugh. Also, Dallin had some issues with Gravity today, some how he manages to trip and fall at the most awkward times, i will spare you the details. Silly kids!
4 p.m. Pick up Rolo
5 p.m. Dinner and get Rolo ready for scouts
6 p.m. Movie
7 p.m. Bedtime - read stories
8 p.m. obsessed with blogging and seeing so many creative, amazing people out there! I am mentally stuffed
9 p.m Time to Snooze

Good Night Family and Friends

TAGGED BY MINDI :)

A- Attached or Single? 100 % Attached

B- Best Friend? B/F/F Rolo

C- Cake or Pie? Ice-cream Cake

D- Day of Choice?. If I could choose I would like my Husband to stay home with me everyday and all day but thank goodness he is a hard working Engineer and providing for our family

E- Essential Item? Deodorant ;)

F- Favorite Color? Yellow

G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Gummy bears (I love Bears)

H- Hometown? Grew up in Wenatchee, currently in ID

I- Favorite Indulgence? Anything with Chocolate! Last night after my husband came home from mutual he brought me chocolate. I need a chocolate fix at least once a week, he brought me chocolate milk and a twix candy bar! He is so SWEET!

J- January or July? January – I love the first of the new year and setting new goals

K- Kids? 2 little monkeys

L- Life isn't complete without? Religion / Family

M- Marriage date? December 21,2002

N- Number of brothers and sisters? 1 Brother 3 Sisters

O- Oranges or Apples? Apples

P- Phobias and Fears? Phobias - germs /I especially do not like handling raw meat / Fears - not living until I am 99

R- Reason to smile? Simple Pleasures

S- Season of choice? Spring – When I fell in love with Rolo / In the Summer we courted / In the Fall he proposed and in the winter we were married - So, all seasons bring great memories!

T- Tag two people? My Mom and Dad ;)

U- Unknown fact about me? I do not like Static!!!!!!!!!!!!

V- Vegetable? Broccoli, Lots of Spinach lately

W- Worst Habit? Perfectionist, I need to learn to relax

X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound

Y- Your favorite food? Italian Food with chocolate for dessert

Z- Zodiac Sign? Cancer and I fear ever having Cancer is that a sign?

The ABC ' S about me :) Have a Great Day! Mom and Dad your it!

Welcome Friends and Family.....

With a seasonal wreath for your front door!

Weeds Already! It's way to soon!

My weeds are growing faster than my daffodils! I have had a six month break and now it's time to get busy gardening! I have mixed emotions!

A Package for Penny! Hooray!

A Dora Sit-N-Spin

Penny was thrilled to get a PACKAGE! She was dancing with joy! Thank you (i have a bad habit of turning my camera the wrong way for videos OOPS :)

This book made me smile

Synopsis :
Momma Chicken tries to tuck in little Lulu, but Lulu is worried: What if a bear comes into the room? Or a tiger? Or an alligator? Will her momma scare them away? Will she protect Lulu from everything, even the friendly pigs? Well, she's a pretty powerful momma, and she sure enough can scare away any bad creatures. The ultimate goodnight book for every bedtime, whether in the barnyard, your own yard, or somewhere in between.
Publishers Weekly:
After Momma Chicken tucks Lulu into bed and pecks her on the head ("gently of course"), the worried chick calls out, "What if a big, brown bear comes in while I am sleeping?" Momma reassures Lulu that she will "flap and cluck and scare it and chase it all the way back to the forest." Similar reassurances about tigers and alligators follow. Undercutting the sweetness and light is a hilarious visual subtext. Readers see two silent, wide-eyed pigs eavesdropping on Lulu's fearful musings and creeping ever closer to the security of the Momma-guarded bed. When the duo hides with comic ineptitude under Lulu's blanket-their pointy ears are a dead giveaway-the chick asks, "What if the pigs come in while I am sleeping?" Momma promises to "tickle them and squeeze them, and kiss them all over their faces"- and she does. Bogan (Spike) has a ball illustrating this barnyard crew. She wields ink and watercolors in lush reds, purples and blues, but her triumph is in the creatures' highly animated expressions. Momma's wings-on-hips annoyance and her single, angry eyebrow as she takes on a cowering tiger are not to be missed.


We checked this book out at the library. I want to add this book to our collection! The Momma Chicken is a perfect resemblence of how we are as Mothers with our chickadees! I took some photos so you can see the animated looks of the two little pigs in the story. (I had poor lighting for the pictures SORRY, they don't do justice)

Oh' the pigs are so cute! It reminded me of how my mom use to tuck me into bed and give us love (She called her goodnight kisses XOXO goodie kisses)

2012 Family Vacation

Hopefully in 4 years when we will have another extra day of the year to celebrate, we will be going on a family vacation to.......we can't decide! It is fun to plan and think of all the possibilities!

Dream Baby Dream!

So, we found a vacation beach in Jamaica! Family Oriented, they have a lot of activities for kids. Our kids would have a blast with all they provide.
'Beaches Resorts are the only Caribbean destinations where you'll find a colorful cast of characters from Sesame Street :) Through out the day, kids can enjoy the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street with a full schedule of events.' They dance with Zoe, bake cookies with the Cookie Monster (I would do like to do that ;) They go on a scavenger hunt with Grover . . .water slides. .etc. I would also love to be on a sandy white beach with the crystal blue water taking lots of pictures.

Someday I would love to go to France or Switzerland but that will have to wait ;) I know, I am a big dreamer! But, you have to dream to make your dreams come true.








We also thought it would be fun to take a road trip in a R.V some where? Has anyone seen the movie RV? It will be an adventure traveling with a young family :)



So many places to go and lots of things we want to do! It will take four years to plan a special trip and four years to save for it!

A Pleasant Morning!

Out of the ordinary picture - unzip-a new-day

This morning at 5 am while a group of us were jogging there was an enchanting yellow sliver of the moon in the deep blue sky. The gal I was jogging with mentioned it looked like a smile. It was a perfect heaven-sent smile :) What a great way to start a new day with a smile in the sky!

Spread good cheer - Make someone happy today :)

Mystery Package

Dallin is one lucky boy to have his Ma-Key and Poppa. The other day Dallin was telling me he wanted a Yellow Transformer and I told Him that we are not buying him any more toys. So, his response was "I will call my Ma-key and she will get one for me" What a Kid :) He was right, his Ma-Key and Poppa love to SPOIL there grand kids! Thank You! He has loved it!