The Post that's a Bottle

... as in a bottle for time, Time in a Bottle. :)

I know, I know, summer is long over. We actually really are enjoying some fall fun, but I've not been great at blogging lately, even the things that really are important to me to share here. So, I wanted to post some of my favorite pics from the summer and earlier Fall... the ones that just need to be included in this little online story of our life :)

Waiting with Mom at swim lessons. Ry is sure my trooper boy- he gets to tag along with me more than the older brothers by nature and is such a joy! He begs whenever we are away, "Can we go home?" But is still cool about what we are doing out and about too :) I'm so grateful for half day kindergarten!

This one of Taron and Stephen was actually taken the day Taron was ordained a Priest. Can I just say that it's pretty wonderful to hear my own son's voice over the speaker blessing the sacrament? :)  So proud of the strong young man he is!

Hammock at Grandpa and Grandma's :)

Snagged this one quick the night before school started... I was a little watery over sending my baby to school :)

Beautiful night out flying with Stephen earlier in September. He rarely gets the opportunity to fly when we can tag along (or at all, really), so this was a fun night. Cooper happened to have a really loose tooth at the time and they tried to see if they could pull it falconry style...

...not so much... shocker ;)

Yay- our annual girls trip to Logan! For the past two years we've gotten to take a quick day and let the men handle the kids while we browse Hobby Lobby, get HuHot for lunch and grab desserts at Kneaders in Logan- a really great day! I love these sisters and Mom of mine- they are my dearest friends :)

And there's the bottle of time lately. Planning on more, better, genuine sharing to come from here :)

Meet THESE Mormons...

Today I'm pretty honored to be among this impressive group here...

All of us belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or "The Mormons". And we're all proud of this part of who we are! This group of more than 65 of us strong are coming together today to share our testimonies and extend to you an invitation to see a movie... A feature film coming into theaters today called "Meet The Mormons".

This film isn't something you'll find to be pushy. It's simply designed and produced to uplift and inspire, sharing six stories of those of our faith who have listened to promptings to follow Christ more fully in their lives. All proceeds from the film will be donated to The American Red Cross!

All of the bloggers seen above have decided today to share personal testimonies, conversion stories, and just various experiences of the hope and peace that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I often say "to each their own," and I do truly feel that way. I also feel the joy of having the awesome gift of the source of true happiness, so I really want to share it! I'm especially motivated by this movie and these fellow bloggers to share more of my testimony here today... :)

That handsome crew I'm with above... THEY are the biggest reason I'm so grateful to be a Mormon. I know that the family is of God, that He has sent us to earth in these sacred units, making it possible for this life to be wonderful and full, rather than lonely and lacking.

I know that this Gospel is the same church that our Savior, Jesus Christ, brought to the Earth during His mortal ministry, restored again in this day. And one of the most significant blessings included in that restoration is the sealing power that allows families to be together through eternity.

I know that families can be together forever, that death is not the end. Though our Savior's Atonement, we have the promise of being Resurrected and returning to live with Him, and that this family unit will be in tact there through our faithfulness.

I know that our Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us, He truly is in the details of our lives! Recently I was having a really hectic morning and was keyed up even more than usual. In the process of completing a final errand, I ran across a man digging through a garbage can for food. My heart was torn away from the focus on myself and I was able to give to him as part of my errand. Silly and small, but I truly believe our Father coordinates small moments like these to help and lift us. I am better when I'm looking outward instead of inward... and He knew I needed a reminder of that that day.

I know that God is our Heavenly Father, that He knows us. He will never leave us comfortless- we can always repent and turn again to Him! He hears our prayers, His desires and plan for us is truly the path to real happiness :)

I hope you'll click around below and learn more about the strength of these other Mormons. We are normal people, accepting and giving and deeply aware. I know you'll be uplifted in some way as you Meet These Mormons!

Adrienne | Free Time Frolics , Camille | Chicken Scratch n' Sniff , Natalie & Rebekah | House of Sprinkles 
Kathleen| Fearlessly Creative Moms, Emily | The Benson Street , Staci | The Potter's Place
Alyssa | Alyssa.Marie , Kristen | Capturing Joy , Aly | Entirely Eventful Day

Katie | Clarks Condensed, Larissa | Just Another Day In Paradise , Camille | My Mommy Style ,
Candice | She's Crafty, Anita | Live Like You Are Rich, Landee | Landee Lu 
Tara & Devin | Salt & Pepper Moms , Mallory & Savannah | Classy Clutter , Kelli & Kristi| Lolly Jane
McKenzie | Girl Loves Glam , Pam & Lisa | Over The Big Moon , Melanie | Forty Eighteen , Adell | Baked in Arizona

Andie | Maybe I Will , Shatzi | Love and Laundry , Robyn | Create it Go , Rachel | R &R Workshop
Tiffany | Feel Great In 8 , Katelyn | What Up Fagens? , Brittany | BrittanyBullen , Ginger | Ginger Snap Crafts ,
Stephanie | Crafting In The Rain, Chelsey | Cee Me Be , Amber | Crazy Little Projects , Kallie | Smitten By,
Elyse, Kristen, Lauren, Steph, Kendra &Camille | Six Sisters Stuff , Annette | Tips From A Typical Mom
Amberly | Life With Amberly & Joe , Taralyn | Keep Moving Forward With Me ,
Jessica | What Does The Cox Say? , Lisa | Mabey She Made It , Kiki | Kiki & Company

Kierste | Simply Kierste , Tayler | The Morrell Tale, Jennifer | My Daylights , Cambria | Live To Be Inspired,
Danielle | Today's The Best Day

Amber | Dessert Now Dinner Later, Natalie | The Creative Mom, Bobbie | A Vision To Remember ,
Becky | Babes In Hairland, Lisa | Pebbles & Pigtails , Mandy | Sugar Bee Crafts , Krista | Reclaim, Renew, Remodel ,
Wendy | Musings, Miracles, and Mayhem, Nat & Holly | My Sister's Suitcase, Britni| Play.Party.Pin
 Montserrat | Cranial Hiccups , Heidi | A Lively Hope , Ashley & Meegan | Flats to Flip Flops
Alexis | We Like to Learn As We Go, Amy | The English Geek , Mariel | Or So She Says Carriann | Oh Sweet Basil
Kirtley | The Gist of It | Aubrey | Dreaming of Someday, Natalie| The Messanos, Angela | Handmade In The Heartland

Upcycle, Build and Create with Help from the Online Target Toy Emporium

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

Don't you wish sometimes that we lived in a time gone by? When apps and screens and processed food wasn't any concern?

I sure crave that some days... but the reality is that we Moms have to be pretty convincing and have some pretty sweet resources (let alone a random burst of energy :P) on our side in order to entice our kiddos toward real, true play.

And I think I've found another one of those resources. For this post I got to check out some great #TargetToys through the new Target Toy Emporium, found only online. Six categories- Build, Create, Explore, Imagine, Discover and Move- each include toys and brands that fit into that particular kind of play.

We chose some fun and colorful build and create items that were right up the boys' alley. In the past, we've really enjoyed upcycling- creating crazy works of kid art from stuff that was otherwise going in the garbage. Tired of screens sucking the personality out of your kiddos? These simple, inexpensive ideas are doable for anyone, even those of us that struggle with that whole "burst of energy" thing ;)