"Letters to Me"

I don't know how many of you listen to Country Music but Brad Paisley has a song out called, "Letters to Me" and it is all about if he could write a letter now and give it to himself at age 17 what he would say. I have heard this song a lot and today when I heard it it kind of inspired me as to what I might say if I were to write a letter to me at age 17. I hessitate to really do this wondering if I can be really honest with myself in a "public" setting like this. I try not to talk about my actual feelings about myself to much because I don't always like how I end up feeling in the end. But I wanted to give it a try. I might not put everything I truly would say on my blog simply to keep from embarrassing myself but I will try to be as real and candid as I can.... So here I go.

Dear Amanda,
To prove that this is really you 12 years later I will tell you the first boy who tried to kiss you was Ryan Watson and you hit him in the face with a hair brush, then ran and hid in your room. Then he ended up holding you down on the playground and kissing you all over your face. (now days that might be considered Sexual harassment and he would probably get kicked out of school!)
I know that while you are 17 Raymond is your boyfriend and at times you even think you will marry him. I would tell you to relax. Enjoy the friendship that you two have, he will be one of your best friends for a long time if you can keep in touch and remember that that is way more important then any of the other "stuff."
As for other friendships, stay close to Katie. Things get rocky I know but if you aren't careful you will loose contact with each other. I know it can be hard but having girlfriends is worth it in the long run, and having boyfriends are more trouble then they are worth. At least like steady boyfriends. Your friends that are boys will always be so much fun and leave you with some of the best memories from High school! Please please be bold and share the gospel with Tiffany! I think if you share your testimony with her and be open and honest with her she will join the church. Even if it isn't in high school she will be open to it later in her life. My biggest regret from high school is that I didn't boldly share it with her. She got lots of opportunities to get glimpses but you need to be open to sharing it with her. Don't be afraid!
Your doing a good job in school and keep it up, seminary too! Just do your best and know that that is good enough. Remember that High School is also about having fun. Although I know you have plenty of that!
Don't take dating in college to seriously either. I know it is a big deal at first to go from dating boys to returned missionaries... but it isn't as complex as you think it is and don't take it to seriously, don't over think it all. Just relax, have fun and enjoy your time! I know you will! YOu will make some of the best friends you will ever have who will imact your life for the rest of your life! Take lots of trips with them, be young, have fun, and don't pass up an opportunity to just enjoy life.
You will get married, you will love him more then you can imagine right now and it will always continue to grow. You will have great kids together but remember to take your time with them also. They are only little for such a short short time so enjoy them while you can and do fun things with them. I know you will but try not to take to much of life seriously and remember they are just little.
Spend some extra time with Grandma and Grandpa and always tell them how much you love them. Make sure Bishop Ditto knows how much you appreciate all he has done for you, and what a good example he and his whole family has been on your life. They will continue to change who you are the rest of your life!
But also make sure the day your mom takes you to college you give her an extra hug and thank her for all she has done, don't be in a hurry to get out on your own. Do the same on your wedding day! I would say take this advice for most of your life DON'T be in a hurry for anything to pass. Just enjoy the stage your in because it will pass to quickly.
"See you in the Mirror!"
Amanda

Lehi's Journey

So as the Primary President in our ward I have the privilege of getting to have lots of fun with the kids. I also have the amazing opportunity to work with some amazing women (my counselors). Sister Jackson had this amazing idea to have us go on Lehi's journey for our Primary activity this past Saturday and it was a lot of fun for everyone. The kids started out moving from room to room putting together packets to use for Family home evening. They made a game called Lehi's journey, they got little signs to use for leading songs for FHE and they practiced using them, they made and FHE chart, got all the figures and stories to tell the story of Lehi's journey on their flannel board, and then they finally got to pretend they were Lehi's family in a tent and get their own Liahona! They all had so much fun (including the leaders) and went home all ready to teach several FHE's all on their own! But before they left they also got to do some activities that Nephi might have done. There was a maze to go through to go and find the Brass plates, then they could milk the goat, and shoot bows and arrow's. We even had some snack's for them under the tent. There was Pita chips, dried fruit and nuts, Graham crackers, and jerky. What a fun day!!!

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day! Sorry the picture is side ways but I forgot I couldn't chage it once I got them on the blog! But I thought I might just show one of my Valentine traditions! I always make cut out cookies for my family and put thier names on them (I make special ones for Larry but I didn't think it was appropeate to show them on line). Or other traditions include pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, and red dinner. I make all red foods for dinner! Tonight it is spagetti, french bread (with red colored butter to turn it pink!) red jello, red drink, and probably beets for a vegtable (yes my kids will eat beats!) Not fancy but fun!
This morning my boys did a Valentine suprise for me! They made a heart out of thier train tracks! Very cute!

Look at that baby!

I was checking my blog and Hayden was being a little grouchy so I let her up on my lap and when I scrolled down to her picture she was very happy! She loves to see pictures of he family but especially herself!!! So I just had to catch this moment with a picture or I knew I would forget it! I just think it is so cute how she gets so excited over her picture!
The funny thing is that I just posted this and was looking around some more and everytime I click away from this picture she cries but claps and is happy when this is on the screen. She even kisses it!

Children's Museum!

At the end of last summer we won tickets to the Portland Children's museum from the library. I was really excited about it!!!! So this weekend we finally took advatage of them and went to Portland. It was a lot of fun! The kids really enjoyed each of the exhibits. Hayden wasn't so sure about the whole thing. It was almost a little overwhelming to her. She really wanted to stay close to Larry or I or happy to sit in the stoller. I was a little supprised by this reaction thinking she would want down and to run. But it was kind of busy and crouded and I am sure overwhelming. I was really happy to have her want to be near then have her running off all the time! The rest of them did a good job of staying together! There was one room called "The Garage" It is only for 5 and up, So Larry took the boys in and I took Amelia to the clay room. The boys made some "really cool" inventions. It was a fun family day! Ending with a yummy dinner!

Brock's invention!

Look who's 4!

So Feb 3rd was Amelia's 4th Birthday! She was born 02-03-04! Her Daddy loves that because it is so easy to remember. She was almost a Groundhogs day baby but she held out just long enough. We had a very small friend party but it was just right for her. I thought I would post a few pictures of her on her special day. The Friend party was actually on the 2nd since her birthday was on Sunday, but Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma Lucy came over on her birthday.

They played Wormy Apples, London Bridges, and Musical Chairs at the party!

Daddy picked up this bike for Amelia! She can't wait for there to be a sunny day so we can ride to get Ethan from school!!!

Granpa Davis built this beautiful table and chairs for Amelia. Now she has a fun little place to have tea parties with her dolls, or just sit and play with her most favorite things, her Ponies, and Polly Pockets! She got some new ones for her birthday and then carried them everywhere with us today as we went grocerie shopping! (I made her leave the tiny peices home so they wouldn't get lost.) She is in heaven!!!!

I wish I had been digital when she was born because I would love to post pictures of her as a baby and her now! But Pictures of her big day are good enough! I'll post more later when I take some pretty ones for my wall!
This is the Hello Kitty cake she wanted me to make her! I was supprised at how easy and fast it was to make. I guess I shouldn't be suprised when the cakes are easy anymore. I have had enough practice now that I have found tricks to make them fast, easy and really cute!!! Most of the time with no pattern and just from our own ideas!!! I am glad she picked this one because I had fun making it and I was proud of how it turned out! Our next Birthday is Ethans and we have a really fun idea for his cake too! Wait and see what that one will be!