a thing of beauty...

It's not everyday that you get excited over an appliance. But, last Friday at our house was just such a day. After living out of a mini fridge for the last month after ours died and the new one we purchased was on back order, the fridge was an anxiously awaited arrival. They brought that morning and about noon we were in the living room and I heard some really loud pounding I wasn't sure what it was so I went in the kitchen to check it out. Now if you don't know, our son thinks that ice is a food group all its' own. When I realized that the noise was the freezer making ice I called him into the kitchen. I said "Look what is in here." He pulled the drawer out and there were maybe three ice cubes. He looked at me with a huge smile and said: "our new fridge makes its' very own ice!" Needless to say he was the most excited of all!!

happy birthday HP

Hey buddy! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!! Wish we could be there to help you celebrate!! Love you!!

thoughts...

Yesterday President Hinckley, prophet of the LDS Church passed away. Although my heart is heavy I can only imagine the great rejoicing that is happening on the other side. I am humbled to think of a servant returning to his Heavenly Father having accomplished the Fathers will and mission. I spent the morning reflecting on my memories of the prophet and of his teachings.

I think the thing I loved the most about President Hinckley was his truly genuine nature and his sweet humor. Every time he spoke there was no question about his love for his Savior, us and for this gospel. As I thought about President Hinckley today one of his talks stood out in my mind. It was an address from Women’s Conference two years ago. I remember listening to this talk and feeling so much love from him and the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. I decided that to remember him I would share some of his words from that address:

“…My dear sisters, all of these wonderful qualities which Relief Society stands for represent being encircled eternally in the arms of His love. It is this for which we all wish. It is this for which we all hope. It is this for which we all pray. …I remind you that you are not second-class citizens in the kingdom of God. You are His divine creation. Men hold the priesthood. Yours is a different role, but also extremely important. Without you, our Father's plan of happiness would be frustrated and have no real meaning. You are 50 percent of the membership of the Church and mothers of the other 50 percent. No one can dismiss you lightly. …This is what the Relief Society does for women. It gives them opportunity for growth and development. It gives them status as queens in their own households. It gives them place and position, where they grow as they exercise their talents. It gives them pride and direction in family life. It gives them added appreciation for good, eternal companions and children. What a glorious organization Relief Society is. There is nothing to compare with it in all the world.” -- Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Little Watch Dog

So on Sunday last week at church in primary the kids learned about being a "watch dog" and looking out to make the right choices. On the way home that's all we talked about. He wanted me to give him stories and let him decide if that was a right choice or wrong choice. It is really exciting to see him developing his free agency. While he was playing with his toys I overheard Lightening McQueen tell Doc that he had made the wrong choice and his mom told him he had to go to timeout. He is starting to understand that he has a choice and those choices have consequences. We went to town today and he said - let's play the wrong choice game. So we spent 25 minutes going over different scenarios. 95 percent of the time he gets it right. It kills me that in theory he realizes pushing his sister off the treadmill is the wrong choice but when it comes right down to it - pushing your sister off the treadmill is just to much temptation! Can't wait to see what we learn this week!!

SAHM

Some days it’s hard. There are times when I would rather be at work than listening to my kids yell. There are times when I am stressed and worried about money and paying for two teenagers and two college educations. There are times when I question my abilities as a mother and worry if I am doing all I can do. And then I see them playing, A following N all over the house and then I’m grateful. Grateful that sometimes the money gets tight, grateful that I worry and grateful for the stress because that means that I am home with them. And if I was not home with them I would miss the moments like these…..

these boots are made for walking...

Barbara and Billy sent the kids real life cowboy boots for Christmas and they are too cute. N wears them ALL the time!! He put them on and immediately said he was ready to go to work with Billy!! He wears them to church and with his dress up cowboy outfit....

I especially like the chaps with the CARS underwear - I feel some serious embarrassing parent moments coming on!! You can see the little miss in hers - she thinks she is big stuff - she has a little bit of a tough time walking in them but she's getting better!! They both look so cute in them! The kids love them and so do we - thanks Billy and Barbara!!

On a photographers website that I read she had challenged everyone to pick their top seven favorite photos of 2007. It took a while and it was harder than I thought it would be. It was difficult to only choose seven. So after sifting through all 3000+ yes you read that right - 3000+ photos I took in 2007 (thank goodness for digital) these are my seven favorite. Anyone else care to share???

Big Day

So today was a big day for me and the little guy. Today was our first official day of primary! I am the primary chorister so I get to be there with him which is really fun. I had prepared singing time with little vegetable characters to help them learn how good singing habits. He paid very close attention the entire time and seemed to really be enjoying himself. So after church on the way home I asked him what we talked about in primary today and in true child fashion he replied: "we learned about the vegetables!" Too much fun! Looking forward to the rest of the year and his growth! And I finally was able to edit some of A's cake photos so I will leave you with those....