Good Books

I'm so grateful for inspiring ideas and encouragement that come from good books. We are listening to a book written by an amazing teacher, Ron Clark. I am already a better teacher and parent because of this book. The kids think it's amazing, funny, and crazy too! Heavenly Father blesses us with motivation and inspiration from so many sources.

Teaching

I'm reading a fun book about teaching. I need to get my kids excited about learning, so I am improving my ability to teach. I am excited to try some new games with the kids tomorrow. I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed me with my dream job! I love my children! I enjoy teaching & training them too. I will rise up & help them accomplish their goals & dreams.

The Cutest Kids!!!

Everyday I am surrounded by darling children saying the cutest things!  I love them so much!!! I wish I had time to record all the wonderful, funny, and amazing things they do each day.  I hope up in heaven we can watch reruns of all these precious moments that fly by at 90 miles an hour.  I hope I get to show them to my kids and say, "See, I told you, you were the cutest little bugger!"  But I hardly can keep my head above water right now, let alone document all of whirlwind.  I wish I could, because these are the days I love and want record of.  Hopefully, I can do more to preserve it.  I will record it right now on the camera!  I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with this technology and I'm sure Heavenly Father has arranged for heavenly reruns!

We Are Up and At 'Em

It's 6 O'clock in the morning. We got up at 5:30. Tank is a great morning guy! Adelynn is still sleeping in my bed; she has a bit of a cold. Jessica & Jaremy are already showered and ready. Hopefully, we are of to a great start! Heavenly Father has blessed me with enough energy and rest to do the day's work ahead of me!

End of a Big Day

With homeschooling eight kids we only have big days! I'm worn out and feel like I'm spinning my wheels. But I hope in the eternal scheme of things we are making progress. Sometimes it seems we are on the brink of getting things right, but most of the time it seems I'm putting out fires. No amount of organization seems to be able to deal with bleeding heads, screaming, little boys, sand fights, sick babies, injured, elderly neighbors, and potty accidents. Most of the time I think I'm insane for attempting homeschooling, but on the other hand I think we are on the edge of greatness and success. So much good comes of it! I just hope it is enough! I pray For the Lord's help!

Island & Table

We were blessed to save a ton of money this weekend. We went to the store to buy a make-due, fold-up table at Sam's Club for the kitchen, but we didn't want to spend $80 on a plastic, temporary table. We also needed a couple of desks for the girls. We decided to look for something used on ksl.com. We found a $40 island for the kitchen which is tons better than the plastic table. Then Jaremy and I went garage-sale shopping. We found two desks for $18. So we spent less than new, had a ton of fun, and ended up with better products. It was a great date! Heavenly Father really blessed us to find just what we needed so we could stay in our budget.

Wonderful Neighborhood

We live in a great little neighborhood with loss of older homes and dear, older people. It is like having lots of grandparents to visit with. They are always serving us and doting on the children. Our kids are about the only ones in the neighborhood. The older people seem to really love having the kids around. Of course, the Butler kids are some of the most polite, helpful, respectful, thoughtful, dear children in the world. So it is no wonder I and everyone else loves them dearly! Heavenly Father had blessed me so much!

First Things First

Homeschooling provides a great opportunity to develop terrific leadership skills. I'm not very good at it yet, but I'll just think of it as me taking an intense leadership course. By Christmas I will be an amazing parent and leader.  I must build on love, principles, hope, and patience. I must not surrender any gain even when it feels I am not making progress or that I ever will. It is slow, but I am tenacious! I am weak, but I keep coming back & each time I pick myself up I get stronger. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's help and for Christ's Atonement which makes change and improvement possible.

Resolve to Speak Only Well of Others

At the Lybbert family reunion at Bear Lake we had an amazing time. The Lybberts are amazing people. I was reminded how important it is to only speak well of others or as if they were present. This is kind and good and builds even stronger, closer, united families where everyone feels secure, loved, valued, respected, and welcome. I hope we can create this tradition in our family. I want our family to be united and work together to strengthen each other and build the kingdom of God. We don't have time to waste gossiping, judging, or criticizing. Or the years it takes to repair the damage such activities leave in their wake.

A New Friend

Kathy Kuhn, our neighbor, came over for a visit. She has some brain-damage from a couple of car accidents, so she doesn't leave her house much. She was the neatest lady. She told us about Herriman history, her life, and her conversion. She has a beautiful testimony and love of the Lord. We found a new friend! We meet her two weeks ago and have not heard from her or contacted her since. I feel awful. I hope our neighbors, friends, and families understand how much time and effort a large family with small babies and children demands. I hope they don't feel neglected or unloved. I need to redouble my efforts though so we can show more love. It is not good enough to be good, we must be good for something! We must help and lift others, spread the Gospel and His love, visit the sick and weary, redeem our dead, and build the kingdom. Education is worthless if not used to advance families and the work of the Lord. Of course, creating and maintaining strong families is the work of the Lord. I will do better. I thank the Lord for this opportunity!

Amazing Children

Last night we had a marvelous family night. It was very spontaneous. Jessica expressed her desire to become more like the Savior and encouraged us gently to all try harder to be more patient and persuasive. Benjamin said how much he loved every family member and how each one added so much. He said we have the best family in the world. Everyone agreed! Ella said we should never hit. She forgot that a few minutes later. It was funny. We had the Spirit in our home. Our children invited the Holy Ghost into our family. Neat!

Happy Labor Day

Oh, I have been blessed with a dream life! Jessica and I started the day running the Tempe to Temple Steeplechase. We ran it with my dear, dear cousin Laura. She is fast! She pushed Jessica & I to our fastest 5 miles ever, about 50 minutes. That's not fast, but to me it its huge! I'm feeling it tonight. But it made me realize I could be pushing myself harder & not just in running! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father allowed me to have this experience. I'm grateful I could spend time with my sweet, amazing, grown-up (15) daughter and friend Jessica & my dear friend, Laura. These experiences are precious!

Jaremy ran the support crew! He brought us Gatorade and cheered us on along the way with the rest of the kids. Then he brought us breakfast at the finish line.He kept track of our time and managed Tank and baby Adelynn. Amazing! I'm so grateful for his love and support!

After the race we headed up the canyon for a hike and some time at a mountain lake. It was perfect weather! The kids are all healthy and fit! The mountains were beautiful and peaceful! I kept telling Jaremy, "It doesn't get better than this! If this was the Celestial Kingdom I would totally be okay with it!" Family time is sacred and is heaven on earth. Of course, we have our moments of, "He's touching me! She's breathing my air!" But even those moments are just part of learning to love one another better. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much!

This evening we made incredible veggie burgers together. They were fabulous! Everyone but Natalie loved them! Then we sang and practiced Chinese while we did the dishes. After we went into the courtyard, laid out a blanket on the yard, turned on the water fountain & some soft music and dream-lined. We embed with scriptures and prayers. It was lovely!

Adelynn has woken up again, so ...

Brigham City Temple Open House

Today we took the kids to the Brigham City Open House. It was beautiful of course. But it was a very spiritual experience.We tried to come prepared with the Spirit. Adelynn started singing her sweet baby "Da,da,da..."while we walked through. She was was very excited about the Temple. She kept singing then hugging me tight. I felt she recognized something familiar and special. I felt she was testifying of Christ in her sweet, precious baby way. I distinctly felt she knew and loved Him and was aware of Him. I don't know exactly what it was or how she communicated that to me but she did. She just came from His presence, so I shouldn't be surprised. The Temple reminded me how much Heavenly Father loves us and our dear families. He has prepared a way for us to be together forever! I know it is true!!!

Peaches

Heavenly Father answered my prayer for adorable produce to store.  The next day my mom called with news of peaches for almost half of normal, $24 a bushel compared to $36. We just put up 9 bushel of peaches in the freezer, in jam, & peach salsa. Yum! I'm grateful Heavenly Father answers our prayers.

Gardening

Thoughts of beautiful plants, paths, flowers, herbs, & vegetables seem to fill every dream and void. Designs, plans, dreams--all of garden.  I'm so excited to see an empty, boring lawn transformed into a lush, colorful, & delicious gardens. Will it look as I envisioned it? Probably even better!! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father lets us create as He does even if we are only barely infant creators. Still it brings us closer to Him!  Still it brings joy and satisfaction! For this I am truly grateful!