Lily-the brown nosed Baby

We were having a craft day on Sunday with our cousins. The kids are really into sewing right now, so Spence and Hannah were sewing on the big machine and Sienna and Sims were sewing on my hand held mini sewing machine. Everyone was hunky dory, but then I thought in my head..."why is Lily being so quiet?" Here is what Lily was up to while everyone was busy sewing. She got great joy out of coloring on herself. I got a great laugh out of it all. She brings so much joy to my life!!

In his shoes.

Lily loves to put on shoes. They are always Sims, mine or Matt's shoes. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. She is getting to be such a big girl!!

Some Awesome Stuff

I have been reading the October 2009 Ensign. In there they talk about the power the Internet has to spread the gospel. They specifically talk about blogging and how we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can spread our testimonies through our blogs to our friends and families. What a great idea!! I have been rather obsessed about posting cute pictures of my kids and my goings on in my life that I have forgotten a HUGE part of who I am...my testimony.

So my friends out there that read this blog, I am going to try to share the insight to my testimony with some spiritual messages and thoughts. I hope you enjoy.

Tonight I went back to read my FAVORITE chapter in the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi chapter 2. LOVE this chapter. It just speaks to me and shares so many truths of what we believe. Mainly this chapter talks about agency. I love this concept because I have a very strong belief in our right to choose. I love Jesus Christ because he fought and died for that right. Like I said the whole chapter jumps out at me, the whole thing is highlighted, but I will share my favorite parts:

When I read this chapter tonight the first thing that struck me was when Lehi was talking to his son in the beginning telling him that he knows that his life is very difficult...then he says these powerful words: "Nevertheless, Jacob, my first born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

I almost wept with these words. My life has been continuously filled with trials...the loss of Courtney, bankruptcy, miscarriage, etc. But here is the truth, I KNOW the greatness of God. I know that he knows me and knows of my pains. How healing it is to hear these words, that these afflictions that I have been suffering will be for my GAIN.

And that is why I love this gospel. Because of those simple words and the knowledge that I have that they are true. I have a strong testimony that the Lord does know me and he will continue to give me the faith, courage and love that I need to carry on through any affliction that may be necessary for me to endure. I am so grateful for these truths.

Read this chapter. It is awesome. I may come back to it later. But for now, these are my thoughts and my testimony. Love you all!

Pictures with Santa

I just found these pictures that Matt took at our ward Christmas party. They are classic. Of course Sims is as cute as a button, but Lily was a little scared....

A Love Fest to Remember

{Remember how I opened my house to all these amazing women...well they came.
{We had a fantastic afternoon of delicious food, great friends and well behaved children.
{I enjoyed myself quite a bit.

I think at one point we counted 22 women in my house with their wonderful children. We sent the kids upstairs to play trains, or watch a movie (that we had projected on the wall in Lily's room). It worked out wonderfully. There was enough Mac-n-cheese to feed them all.

I am so grateful for those that came. I am looking forward to another fest for those who weren't able to make it. We missed you.

Here are a few pictures from this day...enjoy.

The Miracle of Being a Mom

I have been thinking a lot today about how amazing it is that as a mom, I hardly get sick. I have been in the throws of pink eye over here and have had my hands in my little boys face trying to clear a way goop so he can see, but alas, I am still not infected. I know, I wash my hands it is all about "science" and stuff, but I think it goes beyond that. I know that Heavenly Father has a special blessings on mom's that we will be spared from some of these horrible things so that we can continue to nurture our families. I am grateful for that blessing.

Mom-I am the doll...

So I must admit, my daughter is the cutest thing on this planet. She just brings so much joy to my heart. We have this mini cradle (made by Grandpa Paul) that Lily loves to put her dollies in. Super cute.

One day while I was working in the kitchen, Lily decided that she was going to be the doll and climbed in the cradle too. Being the cute, petite thing that she is, she fit. Love it. Here are some classic pictures of her being the dolly. Please note her super cute dolly in the crib with her. She loves this baby and walks around the house yelling "beee beee" all day long. They are inseparable. Our wonderful Aunt Debbie hand made beee beee and it was well worth the time! Thanks!

Embracing the Doctrine of Love

Ok.

Since I have moved here I have been overwhelmed with how many wonderful people that I am surrounded by. All I have to say is:

WOW.

So I have been pondering in my little heart about what I can do this Valentines season to show all these truly amazing woman that I love them and am so excited that they are in my life...This is what I came up with.

Come to my: "Embracing the Doctrine of Love"
Valentine Open house

This Friday Feb. 5th starting at 11:30 and going till Matt kicks everyone out.

Come and lets enjoy each other and our awesomeness.

Please bring your kids...the more the merrier.

We are going to have yummy treats to eat and I am going to have a huge vat of Mac and Cheese for the kids to enjoy.

If I don't know you, I want to know you, so please come...this if for you. I can't wait to see you there...pass the word along.

I want you to feel the doctrine of love!