Aloha 3rd Edition.

One of the fun activities we did while we were there was building little canoes to race.  

Emmett perked up enough to play a little bit before we left.  He didn't explore much, but I was so glad that he go to get a little wet in the splash pad.  He even laughed a little.  He's such a cutie, even when he's not feeling well. 

I'm so blessed to have such a fun Hubby.  The boys adore him.

 We got to meet the main man at a fun character breakfast where lots of Disney celebrities made appearances and danced with us. 

 Here we are at Pearl Harbor.  It was an honor and privilege to watch the historical video and walk on the USS Arizona Memorial.  We had a talk with the boys about the significance of where we were and what happened.  Behind us you can see the USS Missouri, the Battleship where WWII ended, and where I worked as a tour guide when I was 20.

Aloha! 2nd Edition

My favorite pool at the resort was this because it had an infinity edge which made you feel as though you could swim straight from the pool onto the beach. It was absolutely breathtaking.  On our last night there I took Hyrum out for a night swim.  We swam in this pool and enjoyed the star-like lighting throughout the cave area.  It was amazing and Hyrum has said a few times that this was his favorite part of the vacation.

The beach was perfect for kids.  They loved being able to play with cousins and swim all day!

When we first went to the beach Owen was very hesitant to go near the water and spent most of his time FAR from the ocean.  After some time and persuading he finally ventured close enough for his toes to feel the sinking of the sand when the water runs over his feet.  Before too long he was splashing and playing with everyone else.  

I think Hyrum was in heaven with all the people to play with.  He was making friends with SO many people everywhere he went.  A couple of times a day I would hear some random kid say hi to hi.  I was waiting in line with him to go down the slide and there was a little boy a few people in front of us and he got so excited, I could hear him say, "Dad! That's Hyrum! I know that kid!"  He is such a fun boy.

The trip was amazing for Hyrum, Noah, and Owen, but unfortunately our sweet Emmett was sick with a stomach bug and fever for the first three days.  Just look at his sad face in this picture.  I think this is a perfect depiction of how he was feeling during the trip. We brought him out a couple of times a day for fresh air by the pool and to be with us for dinner.  Brett and I took turns with him in the room.  Brett was amazing and stayed with him the most. 

Aloha! 1st Edition

We had the opportunity to join the other Partridges in a family reunion/adventure on Oahu in June.  IT was a beautiful getaway and the kids had SO much fun!  Here are some of the views from our room:

I really can't say enough about how excited the boys were each day to get outside and in the water.   There was a huge lazy river, two pools, a kid hot tub, splash pad, etc.  Basically there was enough to do that the kids could never be bored. :)

Our room was on the top floor so we had an awesome view of the resort below.  Here's a segment of the awesome lazy river.

Hyrum and Noah loved going on the water slides that went down the 'mountain' in the middle of the resort.  When it got dark the lighting on the mountain made it look like a fire-y volcano.  It was pretty awesome.

Here's one of our dinners together with the whole family.  The food was delicious!

What teaching a Parenting and Marriage class has taught me.

I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   I love the relationship that I have gained with Jesus Christ through learning about Him from The Bible, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and through His chosen Prophets that speak with him today just like we know He did with Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, etc.  I believe that the leaders of our church are inspired.  I love how the church is organized.  We don't have paid clergy, like most churches.  Our Bishops (like a Pastor), teachers, clerks, etc. volunteer by way of assignment or what we have named a 'calling'.  After much prayer, thought, and often fasting, Heavenly Father prompts our leaders to gift specific members of their congregation (or what we call a ward) a calling.  Sometimes the calling really fits the person, and other times the calling may seem odd or difficult, but when we accept the challenge we find our life to be blessed in many ways.  About three years ago I was asked to accept the calling to be the 'Marriage and Family Relations' teacher.  Um, ok. . . was what I thought.  I don't have a perfect marriage.  I love my kids and sometimes have awesome parenting moments, but I'm not a parenting expert.  I have little parenting experience compared to so many others in my ward with teenagers or the empty nesters with what appears to be perfect children who are having perfect grandchildren.  I am uneducated.  I tend to babble. . . especially when I'm nervous.  I accepted this assignment with faith that I would receive help from above and that the Holy Ghost would guide me.  Now, just shy of three years of teaching this class, I still can not claim to be a great teacher, but I can testify to the tender mercies of the Lord.  I heard His words come out of my mouth on more than one occasion, and I knew that it was not my intellect, but the Holy Ghost speaking through me to reach my class.  I have seen my relationship with my hubby change for the better, and I have become a better mother as I have taught this class.  I taught the same 16 week course several times during this period, yet each lesson became new with the different people that attended the class.  I loved the variety of life experiences I had to draw from in discussion and comments.  I truly feel very blessed to have been taught by so many wonderful people.  I was just given a new calling and will no longer be teaching, and a part of me mourns.  This is the longest calling I've ever had and I've loved all that I have gained from it, but I am willing to share the blessing of teaching with someone else now as I step back into the realm of uncertainty and putting my trust in the Lord as I move forward in my new calling.  As I say goodbye to this calling, I wanted to highlight some of the quotes I've collected that had great meaning to me or to those I taught.  I encourage all of you to take this class, and if you've already taken it, than take it again because repetition will help things sink in.

CLICK HERE for the whole participants manual.  It is a great thing to read together as a couple!

Here are the inspired and amazing lessons one by one:

	The Family is Central to the Creator's Plan
	Developing Unity in Marriage
	Nurturing Love and Friendship in Marriage
	Responding to Challenges in Marriage
	Responding to Challenges through Positive Communication
	Strengthening Marriages through Faith and Prayer
	The Healing Power of Forgiveness
	Managing Family Finances "Children Are An Heritage of The Lord" The Sacred Roles of Fathers The Sacred Roles of Mothers Teaching Children Through Example and Instruction Teaching Gospel Principles to Children 1 Teaching Gospel Principles to Children 2 Guiding Children As They Make Decisions Family Prayer, Scripture Study, and Home Evening

CLICK HERE for the teachers manual.  It's full of great quotes and activities if you do not have this class available to you.

      Strengthening Marriages:

President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church:  “Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 3; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 4).

“If you build your homes on the foundation rock of our Redeemer and the gospel, they can be sanctuaries where your families can be sheltered from the raging storms of life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 88; or Ensign,May 1993, 71).

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:  “Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have” (“I Believe,” Ensign, Aug. 1992, 6).

Elder Richard G. Scott:  “In the Lord’s plan, it takes two—a man and a woman—to form a whole. … For the greatest happiness and productivity in life, both husband and wife are needed. Their efforts interlock and are complementary. Each has individual traits that best fit the role the Lord has defined for happiness as a man or woman. When used as the Lord intends, those capacities allow a married couple to think, act, and rejoice as one—to face challenges together and overcome them as one, to grow in love and understanding, and through temple ordinances to be bound together as one whole, eternally. That is the plan” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 73–74).

President Spencer W. Kimball:  “[Love in marriage] is deep, inclusive, comprehensive. It is not like that association of the world which is misnamed love, but which is mostly physical attraction. When marriage is based on this only, the parties soon tire of one another. … The love of which the Lord speaks is not only physical attraction, but spiritual attraction as well. It is faith and confidence in, and understanding of, one another. It is a total partnership. It is companionship with common ideals and standards. It is unselfishness toward and sacrifice for one another. It is cleanliness of thought and action and faith in God and his program. It is parenthood in mortality ever looking toward godhood and creationship, and parenthood of spirits. It is vast, all-inclusive, and limitless. This kind of love never tires or wanes. It lives on through sickness and sorrow, through prosperity and privation, through accomplishment and disappointment, through time and eternity” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 130–31).

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  “Husbands and wives, learn to listen, and listen to learn from one another. … Taking time to talk is essential to keep lines of communication intact. If marriage is a prime relationship in life, it deserves prime time! Yet less important appointments are often given priority, leaving only leftover moments for listening to precious partners” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1991, 28; or Ensign, May 1991, 23).

Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:  “You want capability, safety, and security … in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. … Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart” (“How Do I Love Thee?”[Brigham Young University devotional address, 15 Feb. 2000], 6).

Parent's Strengthening Families:

Sister Michaelene P. Grassli:  “We need to discover who our children really are. We need to know what interests them, what worries them, and what they would do if they had their fondest dreams come true. Nearly always, their fondest dreams are wonderful. We can let children be their own selves and not expect them to be reproductions of their parents. Give them varied experiences so they can discover what interests them, and then encourage these interests and talents—even if they are not the same as yours” (“Teaching Our Children,”Ensign, Apr. 1994, 62).

Elder James E. Faust:  One of the most difficult parental challenges is to appropriately discipline children. Child rearing is so individualistic. Every child is different and unique. What works with one may not work with another. I do not know who is wise enough to say what discipline is too harsh or what is too lenient except the parents of the children themselves, who love them most. It is a matter of prayer-ful discernment for the parents. Certainly the overarching and undergirding principle is that the discipline of children must be motivated more by love than by punishment” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 41; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 34)

President Boyd K. Packer:  “Our Father’s plan requires that, like the generation of life itself, the shield of faith is to be made and fitted in the family. No two can be exactly alike. Each must be handcrafted to individual specifications.  The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.  It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.  In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 8; or Ensign, May 1995, 8).

President Gordon B. Hinckley:  “You parents, love your children. Cherish them. They are so precious. They are so very, very important. They are the future. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them. You need the help of the Lord. Pray for that help and follow the inspiration which you receive” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 120; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 89).

Neal A. Maxwell:  “The gospel of work is part of ‘the fulness of the gospel.’ Though joyful, missionary work is work. Though joyful, temple work is work. Alas, a few of our underwhelmed youth work all right, but mostly at trying to please themselves. …Be careful … when you inordinately desire things to be better for your children than they were for you. Do not, however unintentionally, make things worse by removing the requirement for reasonable work as part of their experience, thereby insulating your children from the very things that helped make you what you are!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 50; or Ensign, May 1998, 38).

Elder Howard W. Hunter gave the following counsel to parents who have done their best but grieve because of the mistakes of a child: “A successful parent is one who has loved, one who has sacrificed, and one who has cared for, taught, and ministered to the needs of a child. If you have done all of these and your child is still wayward or troublesome or worldly, it could well be that you are, nevertheless, a successful parent. Perhaps there are children who have come into the world that would challenge any set of parents under any set of circumstances. Likewise, perhaps there are others who would bless the lives of, and be a joy to, almost any father or mother” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 94; orEnsign, Nov. 1983, 65).

In conclusion, I think the most important things that I have taken away from this class is an understanding that a healthy, successful marriage is one filled with communication, charity, and effort EVERY DAY.  Marriage is wonderful, joyful, and awesome, but if the relationship is ignored and the spouse is merely the person you share a house with than it can wither and die like a plant that doesn't receive water and sunlight.  Do something every day to 'feed' your marriage, because even the smallest gestures or communications can nourish the relationship for years to come.  I have also learned that parenting is much easier and rewarding when you choose to be an active parent rather than a reactive parent.  Arise each day with a plan of action.  Teach your children something EVERY DAY, even if it's as simple as telling them why you love them.  Children will misbehave and you will have to react, but be sure that is not the only way they see you.  Choose to be there teacher, their example, and their guide. Take an active role to teach, play, and learn from your children.  

End of School Water Party

For weeks we have been anticipating the last day of school and it finally came. . . and it was a very wet day.  Why not make another excuse for a party!?   I had fun putting this little shindig together.  We had a wet-free zone dedicated to towels, chairs, and blowing bubbles.  The wet zones were filled with hundreds of water balloons, hanging tires for target practice, sprinklers, and some pools.  It was a fun day!  I think there were about 30-40 kids who ended up coming and quite a few moms too.  There was a photo booth, but our boys weren't all that interested in getting their picture taken.  Here were some of the moments I caught:

Here's Noah with his Peruvian brother, Niko.  They are pretty much inseparable.  Noah has been excited about his tan, because he keeps saying that he's almost the same color as his buddy.

I just love this little man!

Cinco de Mayo!

This Cinco de Mayo we ended up throwing a huge neighborhood/ward party.   It was so much fun to have so many people come and participate.  Several people were willing to help and contribute so it made the whole event very easy and low-stress.  We put the grills and side dish tables on one side of the street and the desserts and drinks on the other side.  Everyone brought chairs or blankets, food to share and their own main dishes to eat with their families.  After a while we got out two pinatas and divided the kids by age for hitting them.  Everyone had a lot of fun!

Phone Dump

 Some of my absolute favorite pictures are the moments that are captured when I don't have to run upstairs and grab the camera.  It's moments that are caught quickly from my phone before the moment passes.  Some of the pictures are blurry and out of focus, but I still love them. 

I asked Owen to put a FEW cherrios in Emmetts tray while I made dinner.  I walked over a few minutes afterward and found this overload of goodness:

Brett and I don't seam to go out on a lot of dates, so I wanted to record this night out to the Bombay House.  We LOVE our curries!

 I can't get over the cuteness of our sweet baby Emmett.  He is such an angel and he has the most amazing long eyelashes.  What a cutie!

 I feel so blessed to have four such wonderful boys.  They always look so handsome on Sunday when they're all dressed up and hair fixed - even if they do still talk with their mouths full.

 For Saint Patricks Day Hyrum put together an amazing Leprechaun trap.  He worked so hard on making it perfect.  His brothers helped with the surroundings.

 I was really frustrated with the boys one day when I saw the disastrous mess in the back seat of the van.  I told them they needed to do a full 'detailing' to the interior of the van.  The neighborhood kids kept coming by to see what they were doing and asking when they could play.  I finally told them that if they wanted my boys to play sooner they could help them clean.  There were about ten kids with rags, wipes, and paper towels cleaning away.  

 When it's nice outside and there's no school our house seams to be a kid magnet.  During Spring Break I would usually have between 5-10 extra kids over at our house for several hours.  I am both excited and scared for summer break:).

I haven't been able to volunteer in Hyrum's class nearly as much as last year, but when I do I love it.  It's so fun seeing him with his friends.

 Girls night out to see the movie, "Mom's Night Out".  It's a nice treat to have a night away from the kids, especially to see such an uplifting, relatable, fun movie.

 I took Hyrum and Noah to see their first theatre production.  We saw Peter Pan at the Hale Center Theatre.  The boys loved it!  I loved watching the excitement in their eyes.  Sometimes Noah will still tell me a part of the play that he thought was funny and start laughing.  When the play was over, the cast lined up outside the doors so we had a few pictures taken.  Noah wanted me to take lots of pictures with him and the cast.  Before we went, Hyrum found two pillbugs(rollie-pollies) at our house and was adamant about keeping them as pets.  I gave him a little container and he put some leaves in it.  He carried the container with him in the car and hid it behind a bush in front of the theatre for the first half of the show.  At intermission he checked on them and was really concerned about them being lonely, so I let him carry the container in inconspicuously.  They enjoyed the second half of the play too:)  While Noah and I were taking pictures, Hyrum was showing all of the cast members his pets.  It was really cute and very fitting having just watched Peter Pan. 

 It's been a big week for Emmett.  He started climbing up things, including staircases.  He's growing up SO fast!