Not My Will, But Thine...

Austin purchased a special gift for our family this year. A replica of the Savior. He was going to wait and have us open it after he leaves for his mission but decided instead to give it to us now. He said that each time we feel any sadness at him being gone (um, I’m pretty sure he’s talking about me) to look at this statue and “remember, that this is the reason I’m gone.” I cannot tell you how much this meant to me. As hard as it is letting him go, he’s going to serve the Lord. Who can stand in the way of that? Not even a mother that doesn’t quite know how to live without her son. What a comfort it is knowing that God really WILL be with him until we meet again.

Christmas 2018...

I love my family. Another wonderful Christmas. If only Halee and Jared had been home but even still, so much to be greatful for. 

The music maker...

I will love his music until the day I die. Then I’ll love it again in heaven.

A sweet gesture...

From my sweet and thoughtful Connor on my birthday. He’s going to make a girl really really happy one day. 

P.S I could marry cherry coke 😍

A day to celebrate...

41 is no spring chicken but it felt a whole lot better than turning 40. Chris and the kids made me feel special as always. 

Cozy central...

Yes, that’s firelight. Yes, it’s snowing. Yes, I’m a happy girl.

A special kind of gift...

I received an early birthday gift from my sweet son, Austin today. He drew me. The best part is that he made me a lot prettier than I actually am. 😆

In all seriousness...it’s a gift I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Movement...

Because even teenage boys want to feel the baby move...

My son is an artist...

I always knew Austin could draw to some degree. All of our kids enjoy art. Don’t ask me where they got it...actually I lied. Chris is great at drawing. But when I saw these pictures Austin drew from an art class he took at the college I knew he had a special talent. There are at least 10 other pictures as good as these but I can’t fit them all. 

On a cold day...

We pull out the Cocoa and throw in some candy canes. Oh and of course we play phase 10 because without a good game to play life is just kind of boring.

Coming together...

Austin leaves for His mission on February 6th. When he gets home Connor will have left on his mission, Overlapping to where our family may not be in a photo together for the next 4 years or more. When I realized this I acted fast. I’m so glad too. Even our sweet grand baby is sort of in the photo. 

What a blessing to see this family growing. I feel so grateful to have built all of this love with Chris. 

Teaching not preaching...

Christian, Grace and Scarlett came to help us out at work a few days ago. No pay. Just service. They worked for two full hours without complaint. And they actually did a great of job. I love these kids.

Christmas is coming...

We didn’t waste any time this evening. We got home from our Thanksgiving trip and jumped into action to put up our tree. Now all I have to do is subscribe to the Hallmark Chanel for the next month and binge watch Christmas movies. Basically, I love Christmas. 

A Thankful Life...

If my life had been one of not knowing these special people, I’m pretty certain I couldn’t say my life has been full. These people fill the void I would have if they didn’t exist. I have a thankful life. Not a perfect one, but a blessed one.

Happy Halloween...

From our house to yours...

A wonderful place to be...

There’s really no other word more fitting to describe the temple. It’s simply a wonderful place to be. I love the quiet and peace when I enter this sacred building. Austin went through for the first time and it was such a special experience. As hard as it is to see him grow up, I know that God is with him. That’s enough to convince me to let him go.

I miss that smile...

I recently stumbled upon this photo from 2 years ago. It’s amazing how much has changed in such a short amount of time. I miss this beautiful girl living at home. I’m so happy that she’s happy though. She’ll be a momma herself in a few short months. God is good.

This is Halloween...

Is it bad that I love such a spooky and well, sort of evil holiday? Or that scary movies are my favorite? Oh well if it is...it’s worth it. 🎃🎃🎃👻👻👻

Gymnastics meet...

The girls had their second meet this past weekend. They both improved tremendous in the past 3 weeks since their last meet. Scarlett got her very first 9.0! 

Grace got 1st on bars with a 9.45 and also first on her floor routine. She won 2nd over all. She’s blossoming and gaining so much confidence. Her smile says it all.

Scarlett. I can’t even begin to describe how much more confident she was at this meet. She took great care on every move she performed. She smiled confidently and all her scores ranked above an 8.5. She ranked 5th over all which is leaps and bounds for her.

I am so proud of these wonderfully strong girls.

The best kind of history...

The very best history in my opinion is that of ones own family. How intriguing it is to hear stories about those that have lived before us. The ones who have paved the way. The ones that have taught us lessons indirectly by how they loved, lived and raised their own children who then raised their own children, and so on. It’s  an amazing cycle that really can be beautiful. 

Austin is helping out at a family history event for our church and sharing information about my grandfather (his great grandfather) on my dads side. 

What a neat experience it will be to meet him again one day...and so many others.

A blessing in disguise...

When we chose to get dogs (we have two small Yorkies) 4 years ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have days where I love them and days where I wish so bad I could make them go away. BUT, I had no clue how blessed my children’s lives would be with having dogs, particularly our sweet belle (seen in photo.) she really is an old soul. She truly loves our kids and as small as she is would do all she could to protect any one of us. Sometimes you just luck out in the dog department.

Watch out ladies...

Christian got glasses this week and boy oh boy...he looks mighty handsome. ❤️

He loves me...

Of that I am certain.