Missionary Elder Jared B Barton

 Arms length :)

What a fun experience! Before Jared was set apart as a full-time missionary, we took some pics. Here are just a few. What a ride. He's been in the MTC for 6 days now and we got a letter from him on Saturday. We love our boy, we couldn't be happier at the choices that he has made throughout his life that brought him to where he is today.
This post was supposed to go on Jared's Missionary blog. I'm sure that I'll fix it someday, but until then, I'm leaving it on mine :)

Today is a normal summer day, kids are playing/fighting.playing. Katelyn started her tennis matches. She has decided that I am bad luck, when I come watch she loses. When I can't come, she wins. So, we'll see how that goes.  Elementary starts in a week and one day. Katelyn starts in a week in and a half. Jared goes to the MTC in 62 days.
Life is good.
Brent and I, and several family members attended the temple with us as Jared went for the first time. It was an amazing experience. Words can not describe the joy we felt. Jared has even picked up a shift to work at the baptismal  font (4:30-7:30 a.m.) He is enjoying the experience. I wish I could slow time down right now. It's ironic, because I spent a lot of time wishing years away. I love my family, I love the Gospel. I love the peace we feel when we are living the standards the Lord want us to be living.
(Thank you Molly for bring a camera, it was the last thing on my mind) We went to the Timpanogas Temple which was beautiful

I'm back, for now

It has been a long time since I posted here. I get caught up in reading other things online and never seem to make time to come up with something cleaver enough to put on my blog. Today, I just feel like expressing my gratitude for my family and counting my blessings.

This school year has been a strange milestone for our family. We have a senior in High School one end and a Kindergartner at the other. As gradation gets closer, and Jared works toward going on a mission, I am forced to look at how my family is going to dramatically change.  Guess what....I'm excited! The changes aren't as scary to me as much as they used to be.

So, here's my quick update on the kids. Jared is finishing up HS with a bad case of "Senioritis". It's a good thing he loves baseball or I don't think he'd be at school as much. His team is making a run for the state champs. In this photo, they had just won the Region title. He passed everyone by who was trying to congratulate him and ran straight to hug me!(small tears right now) He pitched the entire game and lead the team to a victory.
(blogger is new since my last visit and I can't put my text with the appropriate picture just yet.)

Katelyn is finishing up her Sophomore year and getting excited to get her driver's license. She starts tennis soon,and has grown so much spiritually this year. I am blessed with one beautiful,super helpful daughter. I can't imagine what I'd do with out another girl in the house. She is so close to her brothers. It's been fun for her to be back in school with Jared. he has a way of intimidating "unwanted suitors". One time a boy came up behind Katelyn and put his arms around her and Jared took her 2 inch thick biology and wacked him on the forehead with it. The boy hasn't touched her since. (Katelyn is grateful)

Tyler is an all out stud. He's finishing up 3rd grade, although he acts like a much older boy. He has always been the most responsible member of the family. (me included)
He has so much fun at what ever he is doing, as long as it's not school work. Tyler has a unique bond with each of his siblings. He's such a great kid, it's fun to see his personality evolve.

Jason is far to mature for his age. He hangs out at the ball park a lot, and can sweet talk Jared's friends (girls) into anything. Whether it's playing on their phones or hanging in the snack shack, he always finds a nice girl to blink his blue eyes at, and they melt. (yes, I'm worried) Last night, at the park, a girl brought him a cinnamon pretzel. Jared joked that Jason is a ladies man to which Jason replied, "it's probably because mom combs my hair so nice".

Life is good. I think I spent 2 years worrying about what this year would feel like. With all the crazy ups and downs, it's nice to just feel happy...and blessed.

Jared just pitched to help his team win Region champs!!

Katelyn is all baseballed out

Tyler is just starting his baseball "glory days"

Jason is my best bud, I'm going to miss him when he's in 1st grade

crazy summer

I haven't posted for a while....life is INSANE! Summer is crazy at my house. It's a series of tons of baseball at night, sleeping in from sheer exhaustion (except Jason...and me) and trying to squeeze in chores during the day.

Having two busy teenagers is busy as well. I'm ready for Katelyn to drive. (too bad she turns 15 in a few weeks) It's starting to actually become part of our decision to let them go out at night as to whether or not we are too tired to wait up for them to come home.

My Grandma and Grandpa are in there late 80's. (maternal) They are both having major health issues right now. It makes me sad. They are so wise and amazing. I can't imaging one without the other and I can't imagine me without either of them. Our family is praying for a speedy recovery for them both.

That's all for now, maybe I'll post something interesting later in the month. Happy 4th of July!

milestones

Life is measured in milestones. I had my 38th birthday a few weeks ago. Milestone.

As a younger gal, I liked the milestone of New Year's Day. I always set goals, reevaluated life, blah blah blah. I liked my birthday. I loved reviewing the year to see what I accomplished and what areas I was going to improve in the coming year.

As I got older, I started noticing Sunday as a milestone. Being spiritually fed on Sunday and carrying the feeling through the week. As the "spiritual high" would be wearing off, it was time to go again.

As I got even older, I noticed a new milestone. I found the value in taking one day at a time. Every morning, I can start with prayer, scripture study. Every night I can evaluate my progress for the day, repent as needed, and try again tomorrow to be a little better.

The funny thing about the "day at a time" philosophy is it rendered the other milestones semi-pointless to me. (Except Sunday worship, of course)

It's interesting for me to see the different changes we go through in life.

A day of Jared...

Saturday, our day started out picking up Jared's date to head with the fam up to Spring Mobile park. Herriman and Riverton played teach other. It was nice to sit in the sun, also, my nephew plays for Herriman so I got to see my sister. The little boys played with cousins and Katelyn and Sadie had been friends last year and had fun with each other. After the game we took Sadie home, and hustled home where Jared was getting ready for prom. It was a fun day. Jared had a blast on his date. Thanks always to my friend Lisl who made the corsage. She is amazing!

At the end of the week I am putting Jared on a bus to Anaheim, CA for a baseball tournament with the High School. I wished so badly that we could go (stupid budget!) but he's nearly 18 so I guess he's a big boy now. They are going for 10 days. (sigh) It will be a great experience for him, but we'll miss him. maybe I'll clean his room while he's gone......with a shovel.

I need this framed for my salon.

A well timed joke

My 8 year old's BFF is his 17 year old brother. I wished I took a picture of the things that happened tonight.

Tyler came out in some basketball shorts that used to be Jared's. They were a little big on him but if it used to be Jared's it's all good. Jared said, "hey, those are my John Stockton shorts" (meaning they would fit small and tight.)Next thing I know Jared is wearing the little shorts and Tyler is wearing the shorts Jared had on before. Jared was getting ready for an ice bath so it was time to trade back the shorts. Jared had sliding shorts on so he was going to just drop trou and asked Tyler, "what do you have on under your shorts?" Tyler paused and said," underwear.....and I think we all know what's under that." ....(sigh)He's 8.

After Jared was out of the ice bath, he asked Tyler if he wanted to get in. I jokingly said,"Ty, do you want to take a bath with Jared." He shook His little head, put his hand over his eyes and said, "mom, you don't know me at all." He can keep a straight face and be so funny...I love it!

Late night blogging

I really admire people who have the ability to write something interesting enough for me to want to read. If that's what you're looking for with post, maybe you should stop reading now.

Many people have a life that is lived in a before/after way. Whether it is a tragedy or something amazing that happened to you, your life is forever changed.

I've been thinking about a few of my before/after situations. What I notice never changes is our agency. We have the ability to let things define us however we choose. When we are sad it is easy to be really sad and not understand how to be happy again. When we are happy it is hard to believe we were ever so sad and it seems easy to be happy. Weird.

I've had times in my life when I felt I was clinging to the Gospel and other times when it seems natural and as if nothing could take the Spirit away from me. It's strange to me that the veil is so thin at times and feels like a brick wall at other times.

I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I'm not surprised when a trial comes my way. Ask any 8 year old about to be baptized why we are here and they will answer to get a body and be tested. I'll be honest, I don't like trials. Maybe that's bad to say. But, I always love what I learn from each trial. Each trial (eventually....cuz I'm stubborn) strengthens my faith, and shows me the love my Savior and Father in Heaven have for everyone of his children.

I don't get yelled at very often. But this week it seems like every time I turn around, someone is yelling at me. I have been blessed with an overwhelming knowledge that the people yelling at me aren't mad at me at all. Everyone has trials. We never know who is going through possibly the hardest time in their life. I have felt compassion for them that I'm sure wasn't from me.

If you understand what I mean by you life being defined by a before/after situation I hope it has strengthened your testimony.

Random catching up with the Bartons

Jared forbid me to put this pic on Facebook.....he said nothing about my blog. I think it's cute how my boys faces are the same while pitching. Their little corners of their mouths are turned down. Cute.

Anywho, I've been having a hard time posting lately. We've been busy with semi-same-ole stuff.

Quick update on the family.....Brent turned 40. Jared is meeting with colleges, Katelyn is almost done with her YW Medallion. For part if her Divine Nature project she learned to make bread with the help of my mom (cuz her mom doesn't know how) and she used the bread she made for the sacrament. I thought it was cool. Tyler is having cabin fever. He needs to be running around outside. Jason got his alphabet crown, which means he knows upper and lower case letters and all their sounds.

I'm so proud of all my kids!They are amazing.

Brent and I went to see Jim Gaffigan for his birthday in January....we love him. I laughed harder than I have ever laughed. Brent's sister gave us tickets for Brent's birthday. We were able to go with Crapo's, Brent's sister and Brent's brother and wife. It was blast.

I am reading the Book of Mormon again at a little slower pace. it's amazing to me how the words that you need to hear jump out at you even though you have read them many, many time.

I love the scriptures.

I just learned about Josh Powell......(if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all)

Katelyn is on the 9th grade basketball team. She loves it!!! She's a good player. She's learning so much about the game. It's fun to see her grow. She also likes boys(grrr) She has for a long time, she just isn't afraid to talk to me about them any more. I'm glad she will let me know what's up in her life. I literally don't know what I'd do without her. She is amazing.

The most funny Christmas card of the season.....

Brent's sister sent my the most funny card this year, I had to share the words:

Christmas Carols for the mentally ill

1. Schizophrenia ---
Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder ---
We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia ---
I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

4. Narcissistic ---
Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic ---
Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and.....

6. Paranoid ---
Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder ---
Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder ---
You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder ---
Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....

So, I stole the pic from Mc. I am not a "baker". MC it "baker-extraordinaire" I appreciated her willingness to help me with these yummy pretzels. I can't believe how many we made, but it was so much fun to spend time with my BFF in her kitchen. Thanks!

I am almost ready to be nearly done shopping for Christmas.....next, I'll wrap. I love Christmas. Even though each year it gets a little more stressful, I am trying to keep things in perspective. I look forward for months about getting together with our families. I also am glad to have church on Christmas this year. Katelyn and I are playing a flute duet with the choir. She is so talented....me on the other hand haven't played since I was her age. But it's working out.

Merry Christmas!

2Corinthinians 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be ^aexalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a ^bthorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My ^agrace is sufficient for thee: for my^bstrength is made perfect in ^cweakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may ^drestupon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in ^ainfirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in ^bpersecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am ^cweak, then am I am ^dstrong.

I have been thinking a lot about this scripture lately. Paul is bothered by what he terms "a thorn of the flesh" He asks the Lord three times to take it away, to which the Lord replies,"my grace is sufficient for thee".

The Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows that we are fundamentally flawed. But, it doesn't matter. His grace is sufficient as long as we do our part. We can take Pres. Hinckley's advice to "try a little hared to be a little better". It's what the Lord expects. I am taking comfort in the last line of the scripture "for when I am weak, then I am strong"

Tyler's baptism

Tyler's baptism was incredible! He had a great day. It's had been awhile since we had a baptism in my family. I had forgotten how amazing they can be. Jason isn't pictured with us because he was being difficult and didn't want to stand in the picture. Katelyn and Jared spoke and bore their testimonies, it was beautiful. I am constantly a inspired by their testimonies.

We love the Gospel. I have a testimony of the Holy Ghost. To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost is such a blessing in my life and I have enjoyed teaching my kids about how much love I feel for the gift. I am thankful that my husband baptized Tyler. He is a good example of what a leader in the home means.

4.0

I had to document Jared's 4.0

Loved this quote

"Christ taught that we should be in the world but not of it. Yet there are some in our midst who are not so much concerned about taking the gospel into the world as they are about bringing worldliness into the gospel.They want us to be in the world and of it"


(Ezra Taft Benson Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 11).

whaaat?!?!

Seriously, it's September.....in one hour. This year is flying by.

I've been thinking a lot about time lately. I have felt so rushed for some time now and am realizing that you can slow down time.....stay with me.

Have you ever noticed when your child is falling and about to get hurt your mind seems to slow down, you can't move fast enough and in an instant you process what is about to happen. Time seems to slow down, and our ability to process the situation speeds up. At the same time...weird.

My Tyler is amazing. He struggles with anxiety (at 7) and it's hard for me to watch him being so worried all the time. However, I have noticed an incredible ability/gift that he possesses. He loves sports and being an active kid. When he is in a sport situation he has an ability to slow the game down in his mind and observe everything around him. He is very observant. (when it suits him) It reminds me of the scripture in Mormon 1:2 where Ammaron is talking to Mormon when he is ten. He says, "I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe". What an amazing gift of the Spirit, being quick to observe. It takes a disciplined eye and mind to slow down the situation so you are able to see everything around you in great detail. Which seems to me to be the opposite of anxiety. So, as a mom, I am trying to find ways to help Ty develop this gift so he can not only control anxiety but also develop his ability/gift of discernment. I may be wrong but the two gifts seem to go hand in hand. When Tyler is in a leadership type of situation, he takes control and things flow smoothly for him. When he is not in control (school, church, bedtime) his mind races to fix the perceived problem. (the problem being that he is not the mom) I have been worried about his anxiety getting in the way of him enjoying life, but what I'm finding is as he gets older and has more control I think things will smooth out. I think of it as harnessing his powers for good. He is about to be baptized. I have never felt in such a hurry to have one of my children receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It's a reminder to me that we need the gift and power of the Holy Ghost every day. It's a great comfort to me knowing that I am given this gift, based on my worthiness, and can access any gift of the Spirit that I need in any given situation. As a baptized and confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are all given this gift. It's up to us individually to receive the blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for us.

It's late, I may not be making any sense....I may even delete this post after I re read it tomorrow. All I know it that right in this moment I am feeling the influence of the Comforter and I hope you who may read this feel it too.

My Katelyn is preparing to receive her Patriarchal Blessing. I am so excited for her. I am also excited for me because when my son received his blessing it was one of my mothering highlights.

I wanted to post a summer recap but as I sat down and typed, this is what came out. Our summer was just normal fun summer stuff. But, the best thing was the spiritual growth I saw in my children. I am a grateful mom. I am sad to see summer end, but at the same time I look forward to the fun things our family has coming up from now until Christmas.

The kids are back to school, and loving it! Jason starts preschool next week. It's a weird/nice thing to wind up the baby portion of my life. (sigh) I look forward to the years ahead of me and am excited to see how things roll.

I should label this "random, long post" :)

love...love...love honest John

My beautiful daughter turned 14 yesterday (sigh). I am constantly amazed by her maturity, wisdom and over all amazingness. I feel so lucky to have her in our family. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel, she is a wonderful friend, she tries hard to say kind things to and about anyone she knows and last but not least she is an incredible helper. I depend on her so much. Her attitude is usually good about helping at home with babysitting or chores. She just does what we ask with little complaining. I feel lucky to have one more girl in our boy-filled house. She loves to shop with me and is great company. I have told any one who asks about the ages of my kids that she is fourteen (for about six months now). She just seems older to me. She is beautiful, talented and sweet. Since she is now fourteen, she can go to stake dances and youth conference. So far, she hasn't given me anything to worry about with boys (which is another thing I like about her). I love you Katelyn!!!