Just US! Our Family's Focus for 2018!

A New Year!!! How exciting.  As many of you know 2017 wasn't very good for us in some ways. 
The negatives of 2017:

April we lost my Grand dad Kraft.  He was the reason I had drive in my early years. He was the reason I had a love for all animals.  He was the reason, I knew how to hunt and fish! He was the reason I could perform a surgery on a dog, and never once blink an eye (or get sick), He's the reason I LOVED science, and biology as much as I did.  

4-6-1932 - 3-29-2016 You will be missed! 

IN June we lost my Grand dad Barker.  He has loved me since he laid eyes on me, He is where I get my BRIGHT blue eyes from, he is where half my identity comes from, He is the reason I love the Armed forces so much and have a deep respect for them, He is the reason I will always love the Bald Eagle and red hair.  The love between him and my grandma was unlike any I'd ever seen, and had last the test of time.  They are the reason I believe in Marriage, and meeting my Soul Mate! 

5-30-34 -6-12-2017 You will be Missed!

 IN October, We lost my cousin.  Another young one we lost WAY too early.  He left behind so many loved ones, including two babies of his own, and a heart broken Sister, Father and Mother.  He had his own struggles with in, and eventually they got the best of him.  I will always remember weekends at my Uncles house, when he was the "annoying little brother" that followed us around. He grew into quite the young man, and was no longer the "annoying little brother".  He was an inspiring young man.  I am sure that he will missed for years to come!  

10-14-91 - 10-14-17 You will be missed.

 IN November, we lost two very important parts to the Parker family.  While Sheri was only in our lives a short time, she brought so much mischief and happiness into the room when she was around.  She taught our kids about octopus hot dogs, and always had a craft ready to go with them.  She had a dirty sense of humor, but fit right in.  She was happy, just making others happy.  Jim, has been in my life since I was 16! He was the first to welcome me into the family, and was the most selfless man I know (other than my husband). He taught my husband how to be loving and hard working. He taught him the meaning of loving God and his family.  He was responsible for the drive my husband had, and taught him how to set goals and achieve them.  I look at my husband everyday, and see Dad! I am so thankful for this man, and all he did in our family, and the love he had for each of us! I look forward to growing old with my eternal companion, because I know he is just like his Dad. <3 nbsp="" p="">

 I cried when you passed away . I cry today still.

 Although , I loved you dearly, I couldn't make you stay .

 A golden heart stopped breathing , hard working hands at rest.

 God broke my heart to prove to me He only takes the best. .... I love you Great Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa K, Shawn, Josh, Jim and Sheri

Positives of 2017: We spent time with some of the most amazing people.  

We decided to buy a house! (contract in the works)

We found out some pretty awesome news for our friends, can't share that yet.

I turned 35!!!!  WHOA!

We watch as family members had some new beginnings, Marriages, new babies.

We watched as some friends were healed from illness.

We took a few mini staycations, and explored new places.

Will got a Promotion!

He also finished his Bachelors, in records time!

Nevaeh received the Presidential award for Excellence at school!

But best of all, we spent time as a family, building those relationships! <3 font="" nbsp="">

Here's to 2018!  I know it will be full of blessings!

 ❤

The best vacation ever

I have to say we have taken a few vacations with the kids, but this was the best yet. We just got home last night from the Great Wolf Lodge with the chidren.  It was amazing, and we had so much fun. 

Natural beauty

I absolutely love when I come across little tidbits! Especially the ones of the natural variety!

People always tell me I look 16, well, I am 30 going on 31 in August.  I can attribute this beautiful skin to a very natural skin care regimen! Here is a just a few I have ran into!

In the world today....

We have ugliness, and evil...
                          we have unfairness, and unjustice...
                                          and we have prejustice, and war!

But in MY little world, I have peace, love, and happiness.
                          There are 14 eyes of blues and browns,
                                           There are 70 little and big toes to bury in the sand
                                                         14 ears to listen to wise words from mommy,
                                                                      and seven little and big hearts that I love dearly!

All this is held closely in my heart, as I try to pretect them from our evil unjustified world around us!
I couldn't imgine life without these seven in it, they bring such happiness to my life, such peace to my days, and such joy to my soul!  Everyday I watch them live and grow, I stand amazed!

This is my family, my loves, my universe!  This is where my world is!
~Bonnie

The worth of many

Have you ever stopped to discover your own worth?  I am not talking about what you are worth, as in monetary wise, I am talking about the spiritual riches.   Most people already know this, but I am a Mormon.  Yes LDS Mormon.  I LOVE IT, and wouldn't have it any other way for my family.

The other day I was working on my young womens values in the Personal Progress book.  I decided to do it, since I didn't when I was a teen.  One of the personal progress values are Individual worth.  So as I lay there pondering this the other night, I realize I, LIKE many mothers, do not give myself the credit for half of what I do.  To me, it is my job, nothing more.  My sister in law bought me this book a few years ago that was titled "Just a mom", I finally sat down and read this book.  It is where a young woman finally figured out her individual worth.  This again was another AH-HA moment for me, because this book was me all over.  I have always been the mom that watched all my friends from highschool go on and graduate from college and get married years after I did, and most of them are just now having babies.  When people would describe the things that they have done, I was always like, "Yep, I am just a mom".  Recently though, I realize I am FAR more!  I am not just a mom.  I am:
A wife and best friend to my husband, and a mother to 6 beautiful children, a story book reader, and nurturer, and nurse to the sick, and magical healer!  I am taxi to some, and shoufer to others.  I am the guardian, and safe keeper.  I am the piggy bank for some, and ATM for others!  I am so many more things that come with motherhood as well.  Yes, I am good at motherhood, I have to say it is my BEST accomplishment.  Besides motherhood, I have a ton of talents, to name a few : scrapbooking, cooking, baking, sewing, hair, and organizing (even though you can't tell it by my house right now).  I have a love with anything cupcakes, and pinterest.  I love reading, although I don't have much time to do so.  I serve in the young womens at church as the Young Womens 1st counselor.  I am a full time student, and have already accomplished graduating with my Associates in Psychology.  I also have one successful business, which I own, and run!  I am a devoted Army wife, and I run the FRG (Family Readiness Group) here at West Point for our unit.  All the things that I have accomplished, I no longer look at myself and say I am just a mom!  Because I know now, that I am FAR more (but being a mom is my favorite)!

Our Veggies!

Look what we picked today!

Ok, so that's not enough green beans for anything but a salad, but they were tasty!  :) 

Sharing this just because.

Saw this today and thought I would share.

Joseph B. Wirthlin: Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable.

Thomas S. Monson: Gracias, danke, merci whatever language is spoken, 'thank you' frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity even a sincerity when 'thank you' is spoken.