A letter to Ben

I'm a little overwhelmed when I realize how quickly you will be a grown man. I feel like since you turned 12 life have double timed and you change faster than I can keep up.
I want you to know, when I look at you I see a son of God who is a rock solid enough for many to lean on. Remember the other day when I was so embarrassed and devastated over forgetting to pick up Sarah and her friends from school. I'd had a long week already and that was just another glaring imperfection for me to see about myself. Not even organized enough to remember to pick up my own 5 year old from school. You reminded me of you Dad in your caring but logical response to me. I wish I could remember it word for word. ;) I just know you assured me that is was not really that big of a deal and that I didn't need to beat myself up. Your caring and cool headed way of approaching struggles will be such a blessing to you and others. Your wise perspective of knowing the bad is short lived will carry your own family through many trials. 

I love you Ben. I love to laugh with you and hang out with you. In a house so full of women, thank goodness we have you. Keep on moving forward with faith. I know Heavenly Father knows you and is proud of your efforts.

Happy Valentines Day!
Love , Mom

Best Valentine

A letter to David.

To My Big Boy and My Favorite Little Valentine,
It's a common occurrence for you to just hug me and say " I love you. " no prompting necessary. Of all the kids..you definitely love me the most. You come and ask me to snuggle with you in the morning..and sometimes at nap time. ;) You always want to go with me. One important outing is helping me take the kids to school in the morning. You get yourself up just to make sure that I don't leave without you. Always..you want to be wrapped up tight in a blanket and carried out to the car where you sit quietly through the whole ride. Just content to be with me.

Do I sometimes feel overwhelmed by your love...a little. You hate me to leave you.  But, that is a small sacrifice for the blessing it is to be loved so much. When you prayed the other night for Heavenly Father to bless mommy to be safe I was taken back by the knowledge that Heavenly Father was listening and would watch over me in answer to you sweet sincere prayer.

Dave, you are kind and gentle. Your heart is full of the love and you let it shine. And..you are rough and tumble. Climbing, running, and loving to be a comedian. Lately you respond in gibberish just because it's funny. You are competitive..and that's hard when your sister is 2 years older than you..which also means she is bigger and faster. She does let you win on some occasions but it's a little rare. I comfort you when you lose. :)

Happy Valentines Day to a boy full of so much love it couldn't possibly be contained in that little body...it just has to be shared. I love you David.

Love , mom

Pepperoni for Everyone

Sarah has just informed me that we need to buy many bags of pepperoni because for her birthday she will be handing out bags of pepperoni to all her friends. Hmmmm.

Easter Morning

I have given a lot of thought this week to the power that comes into my life because of faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a firm belief in a Heavenly Father who loves each one of us beyond our capacity to understand.  I learned of several difficult trials that have come to people around our neighborhood and area and I have pondered how the power of peace can come to those who it seems have every right to despair. 

I know, no matter the trial, Our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are completely aware of all that is happening.  The timing and duration of any trial is an unknown.   No matter those things we are sustained through trials and our fears are quieted through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Having experienced all the pain and suffering the world would know, he has the power to calm our hearts and whisper peace and comfort to our souls through the Holy Ghost. 

I have experienced it.  Moments when I feel like my heart is failing...I am breaking...I am afraid...I pray.  My thoughts are quieted and replaced with feeling of power.  Power that only comes because I know Heavenly Father is watching.  My Savior Jesus Christ is walking with me.  There is no reason to be afraid because I trust that whatever is happening...it is being allowed because I will come out the other side closer to them.  Better, more compassionate, loving, full of power in the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Confident. Trusting.

I know my Savior lives.  I love him.  I love my Heavenly Father. I can't speak of one without the other because I feel they are one in purpose and love for me.  Some people are of the opinion that to rely on a "God" is weakness.  The only thing I have ever gained from it is power...power over sin...power over pain...power over disappointment...anger...fear...frustration.  My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has saved me. 

Dave's Birthday 2 years old

Our cuti pie David turned two this weekend.   He is all boy and loves being wild, trains, cars, and planes...and then he loves the My Little Ponies Movie "Rainbow Rocks".  Not sure how that one got in there.  For his second birthday he finally got brave enough to climb out of his crib...and now I have lost that control.  Each little step takes me to one more thing I don't get to control...the crib it just number. one.  HAHA.

We had a very quiet and easy birthday for Dave.  A couple of presents, some cupcakes and ice cream and a quick trip to the Curiousity Museum.  :)  It was the Perfect amount of work for mom and Dave had a good time.  Let's face it...at two...they really don't care as long as they get to run around free and stick their hands in frosting and make a good mess.

Really, Dave is just a joy in our home.  He keeps us all busy and keeps us all positive with his contagious smile.  So glad he is ours. :)

Time with My Man!

 It's been a while...too long...since Nate and I took an entire 24 hours away from our kids.  I was so very happy to spend a day in SLC with him.  We got a little room at Anniversary Inn.  The only down side was that it was in the basement.  I will watch that next time.  We ignored that though and still had so much fun. 

 Many years ago Nate took me to the ROOF at the top of the Joseph Smith building for prom.  We thought it was about time to go back.  And can I just say, it was so nice.  We had a perfect seat and got there just in time to watch the sun set and see the beautiful lights of the temple come on.  The food was good...but the atmosphere was really wonderful. 

There are many things I am grateful for in this life...but the greatest blessing I recieved here is my husband.  He is truly my soul mate.  I couldn't make it a day without him.

A Day at the Beach...ummm...well, close enough

You know how sometimes you just got to have some fun.  As spring set in we decided we needed on of those fun days.  So, we planned a day trip and made the most of it.

 Since you can't stay too close to home on a fun day, we readied our picnic and headed to liberty park.  Spring weather..check...it was perfect.  The kids played on the playground, fed ducks and we took a nice stroll...not to mention eating a fun lunch.  It was such a relief after winter. I am always grateful when the sun returns and I can tolerate the weather again.

 These girls are just too cute.  A moment frozen in time.  Can't believe we are going to add another one.  HAHAH

 The fun day continues at fashion place mall where amazing lego creations were on display.  I do believe this was the highlight of the day for the kids.  It was pretty dang cool. 

You know what really made this day great.  The kids got a long.  Fighting was at it's very minimum...which is a blessing if you live within the walls of our home.  HAHA.  I am so thankful for times that we are reminded how much we enjoy being together.  So grateful for our  big family.