Sarah's 6th birthday

Sarah today was your 6th birthday. Where has the time gone. You were very specific on what to do today. Wake up and open presents. Then daddy would make crepes for breakfast. After that we would play with our bunnies Elsa and Flash. We then headed to Cassies house to swim in her pool. We painted finger nails, did face painting, opened presents, and ate your strawberry layer cake that was decorated by daddy with a Elsa bunny on top. We then came home and ordered pizza and watched movies. After the movies you said we needed to have a nerf gun war with all the lights out in the house. I was on your team and we were awesome! We laughed so hard and got Ethan and daddy a ton of times. After the war you wanted to "get daddy " that means play fight which ends up in daddy throwing you on the couch a lot. You were so funny, trying to smack talk daddy and telling him He wasn't going to win this and you were going to be the victor. We then said prayers and read scriptures and books and went to bed. You said today was, "the best birthday ever!" i love you my darling girl. You are everything and so much more of what i ever hoped for in a daughter. Happy birthday sweetest girl!! Love, Mommy

Happy birthday!

Ethan told me I was as pretty as corn today...or a strawberry or even an orange Wow never had such a great compliment. sweet boy. You were dead serious too.  You thought it was the best compliment ever. I love you.

Family night

I love when daddy teaches and so do you.

Girls day with my favorite girl!

Sarah today was girls day at our house. You were so excited and we had a blast. We started by pretending we were at a hair salon and did all your ponies hair for the galloping gala ball. We braided, twirled, curled, and styled every pony. After that we played with Polly pockets. We made them dresses out of some toole you got from school. Then you decide it was hair time for us. You did my hair first; which included lots of brushing and hair spray. The end result was a side ponytail...and you say I look gorgeous. Then it was your turn. I did a side Frenchbraid and bun. You loved it and topped it off with my lipstick. You then told me this was the best day and that I am your sister. It touches my heart so much when you say stuff like that. You are everything to me honey and I love you with all my heart sweet girl. Thanks for a day I will always cherish. Best girls day ever!

Sarah My artist

Sarah I love how much you love to draw. This was your homework for today. You have a gift and I can't wait to see what you will discover about your gift as you get older. I love you honey!

Sarah's homework

I thought this was so cute Sarah. I love how much you love to draw. This just made me happy in every way. I love you!

Ethan's first goal!!!

Ethan you did it...your first goal!!!! Today on the way to soccer Daddy said, "Ethan I feel it, today is the day you are going to get that goal!" You played forward center and you were right in front of the goal and kicked the ball and it went right between the goalies legs. You said that move is called the "nutmeg". You threw your arms in the air with the biggest smile on your face and just started screaming, "yes, yes, yes!!" Parker ran right for you and you guys hugged and then you looked over at me and gave me the thumbs up and I gave it back. I kept yelling and telling you good job. Daddy was screaming from the other side of the field. You were beaming. Happy just doesn't describe it. The sideline was going crazy. Everyone was screaming for you. It was epic in my mind. Ethan you are determined and you are diligent. You got the goal because you believed in yourself and you never gave up trying. We are so proud of you! What a great day. Happy first goal buddy! We love you!!!

Spontaneous weekend getaway

I am not spontaneous, I wish I was, but I'm not. However this weekend I just wanted to getaway. Matt has been working so many hours and I have missed him so much. So literally within a few minutes we found a hotel called the resort Zermatt in Midvale and headed out. We packed in 30 minutes and we were out the door. Cassie called right when we were planning and said they wanted to come too.  We got to Midvale at 4:30 and unpacked and then waited for about an hour for the Sandbergs to arrive. Ethan and  Sarah you were so excited to put your stuff away in the drawers. Sarah it was so darling watching you perfectly place every item. After we unpacked everyone cuddled up in their bed and read while we waited for the Sandbergs to arrive. Ethan you were so excited to read Harry Potter. You are almost finished with the first book. Sarah you danced around the room and starred out the window. The only thing you both wanted to do was go swimming. You were so excited that you put your swimsuits on under your clothing. After Cassies family got there we went downstairs to Mattys bistro. Dinner was really nice. We all ordered pizza and the kids were perfect. Sarah you did fall off your chair and it was so loud when you fell that you could hear a pin drop after. Everyone was looking to see if you were ok.  You were just fine, Just a little embarrassed.  After dinner we headed to the pool. The pool was amazing! First of all it was like mid 30's outside. There was a pool inside and a hot tub with a waterfall. When you were in the pool you could swim through a little opening and get to the outside pool that was for children. It was only 2 feet deep. It was cold but you didn't mind one bit. It started to rain while we were out there. The rain kind of felt like needles on your skin, but it was fun. They also had a hot tub outside attached to the pool.  We played swim games and talked and just enjoyed every minute we had together. Ethan you even swam the length of the big pool and nearly gave mom a heart attack. I thought you were drowning and you calming looked at me and said, "I just had to know if I could do it." Your brave buddy and becoming so independent. After swimming we all went back to our room and played games and had ice cream. It was lots of fun. We ended the night about 11;00 p.m. and everyone fell right to sleep. In the morning we headed out to the hub for breakfast and ate enough for an army. Then we went shopping at the outlets and got some new clothes and shoes. Sarah you got you first real belt. It was gold, you specifically wanted gold. After shopping the kids played on the playground. After that we headed home. Everyone is good and warn out. It was a wonderful weekend. I love my family!!!

100 days of kindergarten

Sarah you celebrated 100 days today in kindergarten. It was so fun. You made a 100 picture using all smarties. It was all your idea and you did it all by yourself. We got to make snack bags with 100 treats in it.  You did a cup stacking with 100 cups and you loved that. You made a picture with a chart of 100 numbers. You played a game with counting to 100 by tens. I love helping in your class.  You make me feel like a million bucks. You give me hugs and kisses about every ten minutes and always beg me to stay. It's so great being your mother. I love you sweetheart.

Presidents day holiday

Presidents day was a mini holiday for our little family. We went bowling and ice skating for the first time. You both loved bowling, Ethan you even bowled a spare.  Now ice skating was a different story. Sarah you loved it with all your little girl heart. Ethan you said, "Heavenly Father didn't bless me with the special gift to ice skate. Sarah's got it,  dads a natural, and your good to mom. Just not me." You were actually pretty sad about it. I told you Sarah just kept practicing and that is why she was doing so good. I think you'll try again, maybe with a little bit of pressure from Parker. We played on the playground outside the movie theater. We played arcades while waiting to be seated at the Lego movie. We also went and saw the Lego movie which was cute but Sarah and I both fell asleep at the end. Apparently the day was to full of fun. But Ethan you loved it! We had lunch at this great little Mexican place. It was a perfect day. It felt like a mini vacation. I love you all so much. Thank you for a much needed break.

Ethan you made my day

I was praying in the van before I started to read my scriptures while waiting for Sarah and I hear a knocking on the van window.  When I looked up there was the most handsome face staring back at me; My Ethan. I rolled down the window and Ethan your cheery voice said, "hi mom. Enjoying your scripture study?" Ethan it almost made me cry. I felt so loved at that very moment from you. I told you right then how special you made me feel. I asked you about your day and how your book report went. You said, "great and you hadn't done your book report yet, but your day was good. You said, "I just knew that was our van and I had to come say hi to you." I told you I loved you and you said, "I love you to mom".Then you smiled and said "well enjoy your scripture study mom" and ran off to Tyson and Christian who were patiently waiting by the playground. Then off you went picking up a piece of snow off the ground and throwing it in your mouth. This picture is you, Tyson, and Christian as you headed off to your next adventure. Your in the orange coat.  I love you Ethan So much!!! Your the nicest little boy and I hope you always want to say hi and I love you. Thanks for making my day!

The Book of Mormon Challenge

• Conversation started Tuesday
• 

  1/21, 10:07pm

  Jill Fitzgerald Kirk

  Hi Amy!! I have a question...rather, a favor. I am so intrigued about the challenge you just finished with the BOM. I have to speak in Sacrament this week and I got to choose any conference talk I wanted, and I've been feeling I should share about the scriptures and the talk by Pres Packer, The Key To Spiritual Protection. I'm sure you've had some personal and sacred experiences from doing this challenge so I don't want to make you share anything you don't want to. But if there IS anything you feel like you could share or would want to teach someone else, I'd love to hear!! I know my testimony is always strengthened from hearing someone else's testimony so it could be something very valuable! I don't mean to put you on the spot or take up your time though. So if you don't feel like replying its okay, I totally understand. Just thought it would be neat to hear about results or experiences from such an intense challenge with the scriptures. Hope your darling family is doing well. Thanks!!
• 

  1/21, 10:25pm

  Amy McCormack Parkin

  I would love to help you. Let me think about it and I will get right back to you.
• 

  1/21, 10:35pm

  Jill Fitzgerald Kirk

  you're so sweet. thanks!!
• Today
• 

  10:50am

  Amy McCormack Parkin
• Jill,
• Let me give you a little back story on me. At 15 years old Brother Allison my seminary teacher challenged me to read my Book of Mormon everyday. I made a promise to him that I would, that first commitment changed my life. I am now 36 years old and I have read the Book of Mormon everyday for the last 21 years. The Book of Mormon has been my solace. I have gone to the pages every time I have a problem or need counsel. The pages speak to me in a very real way. I love it. I have loved reading it these last 21 years. That being said I feel very familiar with the Book of Mormon. I feel like I have a good understanding of the teachings and the people. When Elder Tate issued this challenge he committed us before he issued the challenge. I knew that just like my promise to Brother Allison this was something I had to do. I knew it would be hard. Two years ago my husband and I read the Book of Mormon once in 27 days. It was hard then. I knew that three times in three months would be very difficult. Especially because the challenge was given on October 27, 2013. I knew that I would be trying to focus on this all while doing Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years; not to mention being in the Stake YW's and my husband serving in the Bishopric and having two children that have school and their needs to be met. The reading took any where from and hour to an hour and half a day (18 pages a day, we read 20 to keep a cushion in case of a bad day where maybe we couldn't read the full 18). When your reading it out loud with your sweetheart that means that you read early in the morning or very late at night. Well we started and the first time through; we highlighted everything in yellow that referred to God the Father. While reading about God the Father and the way He deals with His children I was deeply touched by his compassion and mercy. I knew I was His daughter and that He loved me and was aware of me. The second time through we were asked to mark in red every reference to Jesus Christ and any saving doctrines. This experience was truly eye opening. I have always known that the Book of Mormon teaches a lot about the Savior and the atonement, repentance, etc. but seeing it in red and seeing the very visual red representing his blood that was shed for me, was overwhelming to say the least. How much He did for each of us. How much He truly loved me. What He sacrificed for me. Also reading it out loud while reading so rapidly it came to life in a way that can only be understood by doing it. The people became a part of me. They became real. Their lives and why they lived the way they did became so much more clear to me. I felt like I was reading a journal from a relative. They were a part of me. The third and final time through we were asked to mark in blue anything personal to us. On this last challenge my husband and I decided to read this on our own. We wanted to really focus on what the Lord wanted for us individually. This last challenge was my favorite. Maybe it was because the other two prepared me so well for the final read and I had become so familiar with the people while reading it out loud. I'm not sure exactly why, other than I felt the Lord sitting beside me. He whispered very personal promptings. He comforted me with my deepest struggles. Passages that never spoke to me before jumped off the pages. I knew I was a daughter of God and that I matter. I knew that my heartaches were His heartaches. I received counsel on how to raise my children better. I had more patience. I learned where my priorities should be. How much time I really have to give to Lord. How important it is to not just read but to study. That time in the scriptures is what matters. It's the quality of our scripture study, not the quantity. How important it is to keep a record. How much the Father wants us to rely on Him and to remain faithful and that by doing so He will not leave us comfortless. He will bare our burdens; that even we cannot feel them upon our backs. He wants to take away our sorrow; that is the very purpose of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I learned to come to Him. I learned the Book of Mormon is the very word of God. The Book of Mormon is true! God is our Father. Jesus is the Christ; the very literal Son of God. He Atoned for our sins so we could become like Him and return home to our Father. The people in the Book of Mormon really lived on this earth and many of them sacrificed all so we could have this very sacred and holy book. Read it, learn from it, love it. This challenged changed my life for the better. I have already started reading it again for a fourth time focusing again on the personal. I am forever grateful for Elder Tate and issuing a hard challenge that helped me to grow, strengthened me, and showed me once again how much I truly love the Book of Mormon. It is true; of that I testify. In the name of Jesus Christ my Savior, Amen.
• 
  
• 
  

Sarah lost her first tooth

Sarah you were so sick this week. You only went to school one day. Well we were getting ready to go to the Dr and you had just gotten out of the shower. We were painting your finger nails and all of the sudden I looked up and you were just wiggling your bottom left front tooth.  This tooth has been lose for weeks and we have begged you to let us pull it, but you would not have anything to do with anyone touching that tooth. We even went to the dentist the day before and the first thing you said when we got there was, "my tooth is lose, please don't touch it." So back to the tooth. I looked up at you and your eyes were huge and that tooth was barely holding on so I started to laugh and said, "pull it out, its ready!" With total determination you grabbed that tooth and gave a little yank and out came the tooth. It didn't even bleed. You were so happy and so brave. So today you became a big girl.  I can't believe it. You look adorable by the way and I couldn't love you more. The tooth fairy left you a whole dollar under your pillow and you were beyond grateful and happy. I love you Sarah Diane. We have a lot of fun together and today you told me, "it's just a girls day today,  right mom". I said yes. And then you said, "this is so fun and I love it! But I do miss daddy and Ethan too." You did my hair today, we painted nails, dressed the same, wore similar jewelry and cuddled and watched movies. It was a perfect day even though you did have a fever and a double ear infection. You are my sweet girl and I love being with you.

Xbox prayer

So tonight Ethan you just wanted to play Xbox as a family. We got the game cars on and we were all sitting in the family room with our controllers in hand and the game wouldn't start. We turned it on and off several times and the Xbox said it wouldn't work.  Ethan the next thing I knew you were praying quietly on the couch.  It didn't start again, so you said, "could we all pray as a family that it will work." So that is exactly what we did and it started right up! We then said a prayer of gratitude and started a wonderful night of Xbox fun. Ethan I am so proud of you tonight. You have such strong and simple faith and because of your example we all felt the spirit and had a great night. Love you so much!

Sarah made her teacher laugh

So I came to Sarah's class the other day unexpectedly and Sarah turned around and said, "Amy Diane Parkin what are you doing here?" Her teacher Mrs. Adams gave a big laugh and said, "she cracks me up!" Now fast forward a few days and Sarah tells me, "you know why I called you your full name because I've never heard Mrs. Adams laugh, and I just had to do it. So after I got her to laugh I was like snap (snapping her fingers in the air) and with a little attitude she said, "I just made Mrs. Adams laugh...Ya!" She was so pleased with herself. I laughed right out loud. I wish I could have captured her on video. Sarah you light up my life!! I love everything about you!!!

Happy New Year 2014

Happy New Year! Ethan didn't think he could stay up this late and even asked to go to bed and if we really wanted to wake him up we could at midnight. He didn't understand the staying up late business. However Ethan and Sarah both had fun with their cousins. What a great night we had with finger foods, family,  and playing scum the card game. What a great year. What great kids and a great husband, I'm feeling very blessed right now. To 2014!

2013 pumpkin carving

Ethans 3rd grade picture

Ethan you are just kind by nature. Today when you got in the car you told me you had a great day, because you befriended a boy named Christian who you heard didn't have any friends.  You said, "I couldn't wait for lunch recess because I was going to make Christian have the best recess of his life!" You said later you had to go to the bathroom and you felt so happy inside because you knew you did the right thing. Ethan you are pure in heart and I couldn't be happier to be your mom.

Sarah's kindergarten school picture

This is Sarah's kindergarten school picture. I think they captured her perfectly. She is the light of our life. She told me that a girl took her picture and she was so happy because she was pretty. She said,  "all my friends were going to the girl." (and then she clasped her hands together) and said, "please give me the girl, please give me the girl." Needless to say she got the girl. She said, "they took two pictures of her but only gave her one, because they wanted to keep one to remember her. " She cracks me up everyday. She is such a girly girl and I absolutely love it!!

Matt made Halloween carrot curry soup

Matt made this delicious soup tonight for dinner. I love that he made it look like a Halloween spider web. He makes simple things special.