Christmas 2013

This year we were alone in TN. We were excited to do our own thing again and it was very relaxed. Ben and Samuel were sick most of the break. But other then that our time was well spent. 

We went to the temple, ate lots of junk, and watched tons of Christmas movies. 

I think it is important to make an effort to see our family at least once a year but I am not looking forward to traveling with little ones. It's a 5 hour flight to UT and how do you carry/watch 3 kids, luggage, and 3 carseats? 

My boys were so excited for Christmas and Joshua was super excited about going to bed early so Santa would come sooner.  

We had a tornado warning that weekend so I'm glad we were here because if we had been gone I would of been incredibly nervous about our home. Tornadoes and Christmas ... Wish it was snow though. 

It has been a great year and I cannot imagine what the next year will bring. I really have no idea what is ahead but  grateful for what I have experienced and who I've has in my life this year. 

Like I said, they all love to take pics together. 

My little elf. 

I just LOVE this boy! 

I live for moments of cuddling with little ones! 

Probably the best picture from our break. 

Who doesn't love playing with ribbons? 

Presents! 

They really are best friends! 

Trial Talk

I just read this amazing talk and thought I would share it. Definitely adding it to the list. The list just seems to be getting bigger. But here are some highlights from the talks.

This talk is a great one to keep tucked away for those rainy days that we all have. Fabulous talk! 

Trust In The Lord

Elder Scott 1995

The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. (Trust in the Lord)

He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten your way. They often come after the trial has been the greatest, as evidence of the compassion and love of an all-knowing Father. They point the way to greater happiness, more understanding, (Trust in the Lord)

Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain (Trust in the Lord)

They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love. (Trust in the Lord)

His invitation, “Ask, and ye shall receive” (3 Ne. 27:29) does not assure that you will get what you want. It does guarantee that, if worthy, you will get what you need, as judged by a Father that loves you perfectly, who wants your eternal happiness even more than do you. (Trust in the Lord)

Book #25

So I did it! 25 books in a year! Not 50 but still an improvement from not reading anything, minus scriptures. 

Daughters of God

S. Michael Wilcox

This book was a perfect cap stone for this goal. It's all about the righteous and unrighteousness women in the scriptures. 

It taught me about the women of the Old Testament, which I definitely needed. 

I learned so much about Eve and Mary. Which is why I bought the book. I wanted to know more about those women. 

I learned a greater appreciation for motherhood and the daily sometimes mundane tasks that are associated with my job. It also helped put in perspective the importance of not judging others and their actions. How we can add to someone's burden that might already be too much to bare by our actions and words. 

Fabulous book! Beyond 5 stars. Highly enjoyed. 

Some highlights. 

"Women sacrifice much physically, emotionally, and spiritually to bear children. The sacrifice, love, devotion,and labor of righteously reading children to The Lord helps to mold and refine a women's character. It amplifies all that is Godlike and noble within her."

"When a women lives in such a way that the Lord's Spirit and influence are with her and she can be called to further the Lord's work, then she is truly highly favored and blessed." 

"Every act of immorality is inherently selfish and therefore not an act of love but of folly." 

"A man courts of woman for a short time to win her for time, but he must court her for a lifetime to win her for eternity."

"'Oh my mother! And Joseph, 'how often have your prayers been the means if assisting us when the shadows of death encompassed us.'

"A spiritual experience is like a living thing: the more we nourish it by reflection, meditation, and pondering, the more it can give back to us. As we cherish these moments and ponder them, the Spirit will teach ever increasing truths." 

Book #24

Remeber that goal of reading 50 books in a year...yeah well I changed it to 25 about half way through the year. I now have 15 days left to read my last one. 

This book was free and was provided by my RS presidency. It made missionary work seem realistic and possible. It answered all of my concerns and I laughed through most of it because I thought the exact way he explained about people's apprehensiveness of sharing the gospel. 

Learning how to just talk about religion in general can help lead people into inquiring about the gospel. Also not being afraid of the chance that people will say no to our invitation helped to put things in perspective. 

Matt and I have adjusted our family misson plan and now hope we will find some success. 

Great easy read. Five stars for sure. Well worth the money and time. 

As Time Goes On

This week was one of the worse all around. But it is about to get better because Matt will be off for the next 9 days then a few days here and there til January. 

After the horrific embarrassment at the converts baptism we worked on our family's service project, the twleve days of Christmas for a neighbor. The boys were so sweet and willing to help. You would of thought they were two completely different children from that morning. 

We went to a play place this week, where we always have gone, and some mom was so rude. I don't want to dwell on it but needless to say I left crying and cried all the way home. 

But the evening turned up when I went to a Relief Society activity. Our president shared a thought about Mary and how peculiar and treasured we are as women to our Heavenly Father. It was exactly what I needed to hear. It's amazing how The Lord extends tender mercies when you need it most. But I almost didn't go because I was too worn out to go and be social. When we make an effort to be in the right place, doing the right things, The Lord does bless us. 

Hope everyone has a great break! I know we will!!!! 

The finished product for our twleve days of Christmas gift. I took a picture becaue I'm not crafty and this ended up looking really good. 

Joshua always wants to lay down and take pictures with Ben. Ben most of the time is happy do so but not this time. 

Joshua at that awful play place making the most of what he could play with. There were so many people there I bet it violated a fire code. 

Look I have a kate Spade bag named after me! 

Little boys helping. They really love to help me. 

More pictures before bed. 

High point and Low points

My friend does these high/low points post and I love them! So I am following suit and doing my own high/low points of this week. 

High

-spending the day outside in 75 degree weather. Seeing all our neighbors outside again 

-having the boys ride bikes together

-going to a fun ward party

-watching my boys try and take off my boots after the ward party

-making forts in the play room

-dancing in the play room on Friday while waiting for dad to come home

-reading a talk given by President Packer, "The Shield of Faith"

Neighborhood playtime. 

Boys taking off my boots

Forts 

Dance party! 

Lows

-attending a baptism where my children laughed after the person came out of the water 

-trying to help them understand what they did wrong 

-going home and crying because I was SO embarrassed 

I really hope one day my kids will sit through church. But until they do I will just keep trying to pretend like its no big deal and keep pretending I have it all together. 

PJs, Tree, Parks, and More

I LOVE this time of year!!! It is even better now that my kids are getting older and enjoying the holiday as well. Here are some random pictures and thoughts about our life. 

Christmas pjs and our tree. Had to hurry and take a photo before benji outgrew his. He's kind of a chunk. But I LOVE it!!! 

Joshua is THE best big brother! And Benji loves him!!! 

Melts my heart!!! They love mommy's new toy and are so gentle with it. They also must have music to play when playing the piano! Haha! 

Love this little climber! 

Samuel is determined that his age will not hold him back from anything Joshua does. I keep telling Matt we need to look out for him because he is going to keep Joshua on his toes in everything. 

Love this little guy more than I can say!!! Best baby ever!!! 

Tracks in the park with our card. Probably one of their favorite thugs to do when no one is there. People in TN think when it's below 60 that they can't go outside so we are now usually alone at the park. 

This guy hordes cars. I find them everywhere and he takes them everywhere. 

Life gets so crazy I often forgot about the importance of the eternal work I am doing and get down on myself for what I am not doing--or able to accomplish. I know it's so important to keep perspective. Here is a quote I found from a talk I read today. It was sooo good! It's called, "the shield of faith," by President Packer. 

"The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.

In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis."

 I am building their shield of faith daily by the little things we do. Love these boys. Love being a mom!