Here's a quote from President James E. Faust that came in my email today. It just touched my heart today so I wanted to share it with everyone.

"For most of us. . . what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult that laying down one's life. . .
Many think that the price of discipleship is too costly and too burdensome. For some, it involves giving up too much. But the cross is not as heavy as it appears to be. Through obedience we acquire much greater strength to carry it."

In case you're interested. . .

Our school is going to be the FOX13 "Cool School" on April 23. Big Budha is coming from 6 am to 9am; Eric, Maddie, and Kelson will all get to be on TV! I think they are running several different segments during the morning, so set your DVR! :)

Lara’s story- dictated by her to Mommy (with only a minimal amount of editing for readability :))

BY LARALYNNE GUSTAFSON

EVERYTHING I LIKE

I WAS BORN IN JANUARY 27 2002. I WAS A CUTE BABY. I HAD BLACK HAIR AND BLUE EYES. MY NAME IS LARA. AND MY MIDDLE NAME IS LYNNE. AND MY LAST NAME IS GUSTAFSON. AND MY HOUSE IS WARM INSIDE. MY MOM AND DAD NAMES ARE KARYN AND TROY. THOSE ARE MY PARENTS NAMES. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE NICE TO ME. THEIR NAMES ARE BREEANNE, ERIC, MADDIE, AND KELSON. THOSE ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS NAMES. MY BEST THING OF ABOUT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEY ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH. AND MY SISTER CAUGHT A LEPRECHAUN HAT ONCE. SHE IS BREEANNE, ONE OF MY SISTERS. MY BROTHERS ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH EVEN MY SISTERS ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH. AND I LOVE MY FAMILY. THEY'RE ALWAYS FUN TO PLAY WITH. MY FAVORITE THING IS TO HAVE SNACKS AND PLAY WITH MY BARBIES IN MY BARBIE HOUSE. MY FAVORITE SNACK IS STRAWBERRIES DIPPED IN WHIP CREAM. MY FAVORITE PLACE TO GO IS MCDONALD'S. MY TOYS ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH. MY FAVORITE THING TO DO AT SCHOOL IS COLOR PICTURES OF MY FAMILY. MY FAMILY IS NICE TO ME. I HAVE TWO CATS AND ONE SNAKE AND DON'T FORGET MY SISTER'S TURTLE. MY BROTHER HAS A GERBIL.ALL THEIR NAMES ARE ARCHIMEDES, THAT'S THE SNAKE'S NAME, EVEN THE TURTLE'S NAME IS SPEEDY. AND THE CATS' NAMES ARE NEWMAN AND JERRY. AND THE GERBIL'S NAME IS LIZZIE. THAT'S ALL THEIR NAMES. ALSO I LOVE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS PETS ARE

FUN TO PLAY WITH.

I LIKE TO SING. MY FAVORITE SONG IS "IT'S A GIRLS' NIGHT OUT". I LIKE GOING TO SCHOOL. IT'S FUN TO PLAY THERE. I LIKE GOING ON FIELD TRIPS AT SCHOOL.

Some cute pictures of the kids with Averie

Typical day

Suddenly it seems our lives have gotten CRAZY! I've been working all week because one of our agents is on a cruise and things at home seem to be spiraling out of control. Here's today's agenda:



Dad- School from 7:30 to 4, then drive everyone to/from all their activities

Mom- Work from 12-7 (hopefully not any later), figure out something for dinner

Eric- Seminary at 6:55, school, then soccer game at 4:30, then homework

Maddie-Choir at 7:10, school, then piano lessons at 5, then homework

Kelson-Field trip to the zoo, play practice till 5:15, then homework

Lara-School, homework, and help keep Daddy from going nuts :)



I love that the kids are involved in so many activities! Our school is going to be on FOX13 on April 23 sometime between 6 am and 9 am. All our kids get to go at 6 am (ugh) because their various groups are being featured (i.e. sports, play, and choir). I'm pretty excited about it- guess we'll have to invest in TiVo by then so we won't miss it!



Lara wrote a story this morning she wants me to post on the blog. So keep an eye out for "Everything I Like" by Lara

Breeanne's big day

So now our little Breeanne is Mrs. Hammond- whoa. Her wedding was Saturday afternoon at one of the meetinghouses in our neighborhood. It was really pretty and I think she felt very special. We were worried a little worried ahead of time, but everything went well. We're feeling more hopeful and optimistic that things will work out. :)

A boy and his truck

Eric is one happy 15 year-old this week. Grandma and Grandpa Gustafson got a new car and found they had an extra 1994 Ford Ranger on their hands. Fortunately for them, Eric just happened to be in need of such a vehicle. :) They generously sold it to us and now it's Eric's pride and joy. He's still in the process of obtaining his learner's permit so about all the exercise the truck gets right now is in and out of our driveway (we're not allowed to leave it on the street overnight). He has vacuumed it all out and hung air fresheners and even put change in the cupholder, all in anticipation of that happy day when he gets to drive!