Cause for a Royal Dinner

I don't watch much TV and when I do it is usually a brief glimpse at the weather. I knew there was going to be a Royal Wedding but I had no idea when until the night before. I wish I would have been a little more on top of things but none the less we took the opportunity for a little party. As I was watching the wedding earlier in the morning I thought why don't we have a royal dinner and then watch the wedding as a family. I was overall impressed with the wedding. She was modest, graceful, he was handsome and they seemed to be very much in Love. Even though theirs was a wedding with lots of people and publicity I thought it was very intimate and tasteful. Kaci was really excited and wanted to invite some friends over. She even when over and got Ty to dress up since the Durbins' let her down. We had homemade french toast with buttermilk syrup, and bacon. It was so delicious. Pretty sure it was on the Royal dinner menu but it should have been. Then we watched the wedding. The kids were not nearly as into as I was but they humored me. The dads even enjoyed it. This gave us a great teaching moment to talk about marriages and the differences between a temple marriage and civil marriage. We read teh book My Wedding Day by, Debra Pace Rowley. This was a simple explanation of a temple wedding with beautiful illustrations.



I am so grateful for my temple wedding. I am grateful for the covenants and promises we made. A temple marriage doesn't make marriage easier or less work it makes it even more work because their is more on the line. "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our Heavenly Fathers plan and blessing it is and can be to My Eternal Family. I know that Families Can be Together Forever!

March Madness

March started rough for us everyone got Influenza B so while I doctored sick kids I remodeled my bathroom. I am a huge Cars fan and one night a few months ago I had this vision. I love the results. Because of Influenza Jake, Kaci, and I stayed home from the St George rodeo. I was so sad. Zeak did awesome in the ribbon roping placing 3rd and 5th and had some good runs in everything else just not enough to place him. I have no pictures because I wasn't there to take them.
The second weekend in March Aunt Shannon came for a visit. Her and Kaci have been planning an ice skating party since Porter's blessing. Everyone went and we had a great time. Kaci was in heaven having Aunt Shannon dote on her. Grandma Woodland even got on the ice for just minute. Brinley was very frustrated because she wanted to go fast but couldn't. She and Uncle Dan had a power struggle on the ice for a good 20 min. I am not sure who won but everyone left the ice smiling.
Mona Elementary has a rad kid program that is so good for our kids. They teach self defense to our kids and stranger safety. This is Zeak at graduation. I stayed long enough to watch him finish the course and then had to leave because Kaci was still really sick. She was sick one week better the next and fevered and sick again on Sunday for another week of sickness.

I LOVE St Patrick's day not sure why maybe because it is the day after my birthday. I decided this year to have a little fun and make green shamrock pancakes for breakfast. Jake thought I was awesome. He was lucky to have his Rad kid graduation on St Patrick's day hence all the green shirts.
Even though Kaci was still not 100 % she felt good enough to get dressed in her St Patrick's skirt her and Grandma Barnhurst made. She asked me why I couldn't sew I told her I didn't have patience to sew. When she was sewing with grandma she told her I just couldn't sew.
The 3rd weekend in March we spent in Toole at the Junior High Rodeo. We decided to enter Jake in the 5th and under rodeo as well. We were already there and the horses were there so why not enter him. He did awesome for being on a new horse. This was the State finals for the 5th and under and we warned Jake he wouldn't make it to the short go because he only had one rodeo. Much to our surprise as well as a few parents Jake did come back to the short go in poles. I was so proud of him. He ended up 9th overall and won a set of leather reins. He was so excited.

Zeak had some bad luck in Toole. He didn't place in anything and lost his good standings for state. I am not sure why we had such bad luck because he has practiced so hard. One thing for sure Zeak doesn't get discouraged very easy. He smiled and then asked if he could help with the 5th and under rodeo. He got to be the pick up man in the steer riding. He was so proud that his bull and heifer were used in the steer riding both days. Cody Wrights boys loved our cattle and wanted to buy the bull. This made Zeak's weekend he said to me, "Mom our bull is famous!"


Kaci finished her first session of Ice skating at the end of the month. She loves ice skating and showed lots of improvement. She is passed the first 2 levels and will start on level 3 in April. Grandma and Cort got to see her skate the last day and pass her test.
Dan loves to turkey hunt it is one of his favorite past times. This is the 3rd year in a row he has taken Jake turkey hunting. They have become good friends and enjoy this sport together. Their new goal is to take him Elk hunting. Dan is so attentive to Jake it give me comfort that if something were to happen to me or one of our kids Dan really could take care of us. Jake has come along ways and is very independent and mobile. The first year his dad came with him and had to help him do almost everything. The second year he had some buddies come with him. This year he came alone. He is living on his own in his own apartment. It is so fun to watch him and see the progress. And, it is so fun to see him out enjoying the great outdoors.

I don't have a photo of the last accomplishment in March but it is one I am very proud of. Our county also has a RAD Women Self Defense coarse. Since the kids were taking rad kids I decided it would be good for me to take the RAD Women coarse. Every Wed in March Tina, Taylei, and I went to a two hour class. Taylei could teach the coarse now and help her mom and I she was amazing. I feel more prepared and more confident that I could defend my self if I had to. The hope is that I never have to!

February Fun

Kaci was so concerned about the babies and watch closely as Grandpa and Mitch took care of them. They helped them get in where it was warm and made sure they were getting milk from their mamas. I am grateful for the farm and all the lessons learned out there.
While Dan and Zeak attended a ropin' Friday night before his birthday, Kaci and Jake went out to the church ranch to visit Grandpa and Grandma Berezay this time of year is crazy busy at the church ranch with calving season. So we took them some dinner and they took the kids out to see the new babies. Kaci loved seeing them but was scared to death. I love how this photo shows her trusting her older brother. This photos speaks a 1,000 words.
Zeak and Shane are roping partners for eternity I am sure of it. Their birthdays are one day apart. Zeak's on the 26th and Shane's on the 27th. For the last 3 years we have spent their birthdays roping and this year was no exception. The only change was it was just the two of them this year. They got matching shirts and all. I am glad that Zeak has such a great person to look up to and grateful that Shane isn't to old or to cool to hang out with us still.
Grandma Nelson is so amazing. She takes everyone to pizza at the Pizza Factory for her Birthday. This year it happened to be on Zeak's birthday as well. We look forward to this party every year and enjoy spending time with the family.

Zeak came home the end of this month with a huge surprise. He was the terrific kid for February. He loves things like this. This is what Mrs Bradley said about him. The Terrific Kid in Mrs. Bradley's 6th grade for Febrauary is Zeak Woodland. Over the past few months, Zeak has really been working towards getting all of his assignments done and turned in. Mrs Bradley has noticed that Zeak has been listening better in class and has been working towards setting goals for himself. He is nice to others and strives hard to do what is right. Zeak is a good student with a big heart. He is always willing to help wherever he can. Thanks for all you do, Zeak.
I am so proud of him for this award and I agree that he has tried hard and set some big goals for himself he is really growing up.
Jake earned his bobcat and his geologist belt loop and patch he also earned 3 beads. He thrives in scouts. Zeak was there for the social and Jake is there to learn and absorb all the information he can get. They did crystal gardens that he was fascinated with and he loved the space dome that they just participated in. I am glad he loves scouting I think they learn valuable things and having been in scouts a short time I am grateful for the leaders who have the patients and desire to serve these boys.

Kaci started ice skating lessons and she loves it. She was so excited she could hardly sleep the night before. We were there a half hour early. They started her in a class that was way to advanced and put her back in the beginning group. She is to advanced for them because they are scared to death of the ice and wont even stand on their skates. But she is learning and loving it.
The Monday before Zeak's birthday we were having trouble with Jake and Kaci again so Dan decided to take Zeak to dinner for his birthday. Zeak got to pick the restaurant. He chose Red Lobster. Dan sent me this picture from his phone that is why the quality is so bad and the txt read. Man this kid can eat a ton! He had Lobster, Alaskan King Crab, shrimp scampi, cocktail shrimp, and a large desert. He did bring me home a slice of his chocolate cake when I commented on how much there was left Dan said, "ya that is 1/4 of it!" No wonder he wrestled 165 in 6th grade.
Kaci loves preschool she is so creative and fun. This is her M homework the instructions were to use something that starts with "M" and fill in your m. You could use macaroni, M stickers, marshmallows, ect. She said, "let use mud." I was so impressed with her creativity until I facebooked Mrs. Blackett and found out that she suggested it in class. I am still proud of her because she was the only one in both classes to be brave enough to use mud. (Or a mom dumb enough to let her)

Mona Elementary still has a tradition of making homemade valentine boxes. My boys kill me they have one track minds. Jake got a duck egg and used it in his valentine box. Zeak couldn't go without his horses so they shared a stall with all of the valentines.


At the beginning of the month Kaci was so excited to put out Valentine decorations she told me that Valentines was her favorite holiday. I asked her even better than Christmas she said, "yes!" Inquiring why she said, "it is because it is so pretty and full of Love I just love all of the heart decorations." So the thought came to me why not let her celebrate her favorite holiday. So we planned a little party for her and she picked the dinner and the decorations. We made desserts and hair bows. It was so much fun we might have to have more girl parties. Jake got to hand out with Grandpa Barnhurst, Uncle Clay, and Cort. Dan and Zeak went to the Klondike. Zeak was so excited to go on his first scout camp out. He wasn't worried about the snow and cold. Him and Dylan White were the tough guys with strength and endurance thanks to wrestling.
This is what happens at the Woodland house when your mom has had enough. I am trying not to yell and scream as much so Saturday I had reached my limit. I just handed the two of them their coats told them they had 5 seconds to be outside and they had 1 hour to have the dog kennel spotless. Don't mess with the frustrated mom it could get ugly.


The month started off with a trip to Sunny St George! Kathryn and Jeff were blessing their adorable baby girl. Kamryn. We spent Saturday enjoying the sun and the red rocks. Saturday night all of the adults went to dinner it was a nice enjoyable to visit with out so much noise. Sunday was a beautiful day the blessing was amazing and the dinner was yummy. We stayed and watched the Super Bowl with everyone. I didn't really watch I just visited with everyone and chased the kids. It was a wonderful visit and we hated leaving the beautiful sun and come back to the snow.

Against All Odds

This Cowboy brings a whole new meaning to the word Cowboy Up! Back in October he was asked by some friends to go to Salt Lake and do a Blue and Gold Banquet for their pack. The theme was on cowboys and 90% of the kids had never met a real cowboy. They wanted him to bring his ropes and explain what his life of a cowboy was like. How scouting helps him as a cowboy and more. So we prepared and planned for this fun opportunity. He called me from school that day telling me he was sick. The good mom I am said you sound fine go back to class and I will pick you up after school. His teacher sent him back to call me telling me he couldn't stay in class. I asked him what he ate and he told me,"orange juice and teddy grahams." I explained that of course he was going to be sick eating that for lunch. He ended up going back to class and when I picked him up I was ready for my mother of the year application. He looked terrible again. I told him he had to go to Salt Lake we didn't have time to cancel. Just before he left he threw up in the bathroom. He threw up several times on the way and on the way home but he managed to wow the kids into total silence for a good 30 mins. Dan helped him and Jenny called several times to let me know how grateful she was and what an awesome job he did. On their way home they hit a huge snow storm which made driving next to impossible. Then they stopped to get a new horse for Zeak to try out. What would normally be an hour and 15 min trip turned into almost 4 hours. Zeak spent the next day home sick and then we rode hard all weekend. The first night on the horse started in tears because he was convinced we were buying this horse to replace the one he lost at Christmas time. If Dan and I questioned anything at all he would burst into tears and say I am just giving up this isn't working. By the third day he decided that the horses we already owned were better than this new one and we could take him back. So with all odds against him from loosing his horses, standing up for who and what he is, and anything else life hands him this cowboy still keeps smiling. He amazes me with his enthusiasm and love of people and life. He keeps learning and growing even though some days feel like all odds are stacked against him. I hope that his excitement for the priesthood stays with him through his teenage years. He is so excited to get the priesthood and is ready to pass the sacrament. I love this cowboy that is turning 12 on Saturday and can't wait to see where his life takes us!

January Highlights

The biggest highlight of our January was the 1st. Jake got baptized. It was a great day full of family and friends. We started with a lunch at 1:00pm we had soup and scones. It was delicious. From the photos you can see we had all of the cousins and he was so happy. I am so happy for him. This is the first step to obtaining eternal life with our Father in Heaven, our elder brother Jesus, and our families. I am so grateful for this knowledge that I can be with them for eternity. I love you Jake and I am so proud of you for making the choice to be baptized.
Since Santa brought Kaci ice skates and we live in Utah with weather that accommodates an outdoor rink I decided to make her one. After all how hard could it be right? So it was a little harder than I thought. I would go out several times a day and add water to the spot. As long as it didn't snow I could keep it fairly smooth. However if it snowed it was a rough rink. Kaci didn't seem to mind and just loved being out there. She practiced almost ever day the whole month of January.
January brought on full wrestling schedule. We had a really tough season. We wrestled a lot of older kids and lost most of our matches. I was so proud of Zeak for not quitting and keeping such a winning spirit about him.
We got to have a late night party with Madison and Andrew they made homemade pizza for dinner and watched movies.
Jake loves his goats and is often found playing with them or tying them. Who would have guessed a goat would bring such a big smile.
We had one weekend free in January so we took the kids ice skating. Kaci loved every second of it but was very nervous with all those people skating around her. She wanted to be the only on the ice doing spins and turns. Zeak and Jake caught on pretty fast and loved skating. Wish we had a rink closer we would spend lots of time on the ice.


The end of January brought the end of wrestling yahoo! Our team did awesome taking 3rd. Zeak took one for the team and wrestled up 2 weight groups. He ONLY weighs 138 lbs and her wrestled 165lbs at state. I was very nervous about this but is ended ok. His first match was a kid he has wrestled lots this year. The kid was totally prepared to pin Zeak but to his surprise Zeak gave him a match and only lost by points. Most of the match he wrestled on his back which is hard to do but he fought and didn't get pinned. Zeak ended up placing 3rd at state his last match he pinned in 10 seconds. It was a great note to end the season on. We have seen a lot of improvement this year and he had several young men come and tell him he has improved from last year. It was great to see him work so hard and have his peers recognize it.

You can see January was full of growth and accomplishment. We are ready to get riding again and prepare for March rodeos. Dan and I stayed busy with work and keeping track of the kids.