Vacation

We took a wonderful vacation to Albuquerque, New Mexico this past weekend. Jeff's brother and his family live there and we wanted to go visit them.

Back Yard

Tonight we were working/playing in the back yard and the kids had a great time.

Emma loved running up and down the patio.

Ethan found some little friends to play with.

Emma wanted to check out the snails too.

My {ahem}older{ahem} brother got married last Friday. I don't think he could have found a sweeter girl to be his bride. Congrats Mark and Lacey!!!!

Photos

Sometimes I pretend to be photographer. I don't have any special equipment or anything but I love to take pictures. I love to try different angles and lighting. Here are a few of Emma. Ethan won't pose for me at all anymore. I have to get him doing something and then maybe I can get a good shot of him.

Tagged

8 Things

8 Favorite TV Shows

1. Law and Order
2. Law and Order SVU
3. Law and Order: Criminal Intent
4. Chuck
5. Hell's Kitchen
6. Medium
7. American Idol
8. Super Nanny

8 Things I did yesterday

1. Watched Conference
2. Went to Costco
3. Got my coupons in the mail that I had been waiting for.
4. Went to Albertson's and bought soap for 65 cents.
5. Helped Emma learn to walk (she is doing really good)
6. Laundry
7. Talked to my mom
8. Slept

8 Things I look forward to

1. Going to Oregon in July
2. Basketball on thursdays
3. Band practice on Thursdays
4. Buying a house
5. Warm weather
6. Gardening in the summer
7. Emma walking with no help
8. My mom coming to see me Wednesday


8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Zupas
2. Cafe Rio
3. San Pan
4. Olive Garden
5. Texas Roadhouse
6. Panda Express
7. Mimi's Cafe
8. The Bluebird in Logan


8 Things on my Wish-List

1. a Large family
2. To buy a house that won't make me house poor my whole life.
3. uninterrupted sleep
4. That my kids will grow up healthy and happy
5. to go to Albuquerque in May
6. More time as a family
7. harsher punishment for parole violators
8. and World Peace

8 People I Tag

I don't normally tag people...so you are all tagged if you read this.

Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

We have been working hard on trying to promote "Sunday type" activities to try to set this day apart from all the rest. We have a tote that we have deemed as the "Sunday Box". There are all types of things in this box from puzzles to dot-to-dots. I am not really that picky as to what is in the box as long as it keeps my children busy and not begging to watch a show all day. We also allow any type of Church Movie to be in the box too. So, a few weeks ago we went to the library and got "My Turn on Earth" and "Saturday's Warrior" and a bunch of others. Ethan LOVES My Turn on Earth and he asks to watch it every week. Too bad we already took it back.

Oh, my friend Rachel blogged today about her Sunday Activities and she introduced me to the Church's new "Friend" website. Click Here. This will also be on the list of thing to do on Sunday's.

If you know of any church movies that a 5 and 1 year old might like (we even watched the old movie "The Worth of Souls" which has The mailbox, the gift, Johnny Lingo and such...My kids loved it) So if you have any ideas of what else can go in my Sunday Box please leave me a comment. My rules are that if it is on Tv or the computer than it has to be church related...but otherwise just anything to keep them happy.

Oh, also General Conference is coming up...if you have any activities or tricks for helping them sit still better please let me know.

Emma

Yesterday we took Emma to the temple to be sealed for Time and All Eternity. What a wonderful opportunity. I know this has been a very long road but all worth it. She is so worth it. I would do anything for my children.

While sitting in Sunday School today I was looking up the scripture that the teacher asked us to look up and I stumbled across a passage that hit home so strongly. I would like to share this with you. For anyone who has been through any kind of trial or heartache. This is for you.

I know it is long, but read the whole thing ...it's worth it.

Doctrine and Covenants 122

5If thou art called to pass through ^atribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in ^bperils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

6 If thou art ^aaccused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to ^bprison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like ^cwolves for the blood of the lamb;

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the ^apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the ^bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to ^chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of ^dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee ^eexperience, and shall be for thy good.

I know that sometimes when you are right in the middle of your trial...it's hard. It sucks. It still hasn't hit me that we don't have to worry about Emma anymore. Worrying just became part of my life. She is mine forever and ever and no one can take her from me ever again. I am so grateful for the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. Without him there would be no hope. There would be no reason to try to better tomorrow than we did today. There would be no eternal families. I know that without my faith I would not know the joys of motherhood. I would have given up years ago. I hope that all of my friends can find that same peace that I have found. The hope that gets me through my most darkest hour.