Philadelphia Temple Groundbreaking

The Philadelphia Temple groundbreaking will be this Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2011. September 17th is also Constitution Day... the day the Constitution was signed less than two miles away from the temple site! It gives me chills.

Here is a great website showing the timeline, location, etc. It's location was changed due to contamination at the first site, then the city tried to profit from the sale of this land because the land owner hadn't developed it in a certain allotted time frame (that was in local news). That was resolved, along with some zoning changes/approvals, and everything has worked out for the temple to be constructed here.

At Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago, the visiting General Authority talked about how much has happened with the temple plan and how it has changed. The design was altered to make it much bigger because of the location and zoning changes. He told about how our Area Authority would meet with the Church's local (not members of the church) lawyers before every meeting with Civic leaders/organizations and ask if they would join him in prayer before the meeting. They would come out every time just shaking their heads in disbelief and saying, "You got everything you prayed for." A HUGE miracle in Philadelphia, from what I've seen... :)

This session of Stake Conference was exceptionally powerful.

We have seen so much growth in our ward and stake and so many new, strong families have moved here the last couple of months. I can really feel that the Lord is building up our stake/ward/area for this to happen.

This is so exciting!

Link to a giveaway

I LOVE the Vintage Pearl, and they're doing a giveaway.
http://www.thevintagepearl.com/blog/

I LOVE my boys

Oh, how I love the little men in my life (and the big one, too)! I just found these pictures on the computer. They are from over a year and a half ago, and I LOVE them!

These boys are the reason I get out of bed every morning...

and I am eternally grateful they are mine.

Umm, this was vertical when I selected it on the computer... ?

Gideon's first day of preschool. This one was vertical, as well.

I looked at this picture probably 10 times tonight before I even noticed the toys in the background.

What a good reminder for me...

See and love the FACES, and the messes will fade into the background of happy memories.

Facebook vs. Blogspot

Awhile ago, a friend lamented (on her blog) that she had lost too many blogger friends to Facebook. It's true. For me, at least.
Just like Video did to the Radio Star...

Facebook killed this Blogger Star.

Hahahahaha! Like I was ever a blogger "star". But, I did post more than once a year! Something about the instant gratification I get from Facebook... people respond almost instantly when I pose a question or share a quick story (and I can get recipe/dinner ideas really fast). I still read all my friends blogs, and the hubby and I always say, "We need to post that one on the blog..." It just doesn't seem to happen. And now, because of the way we had things set up last year, we have 2010 pictures on 3 different computers/hard drives. I'm gonna dig them up, though, RIGHT now.

And if anyone does ever look at this blog... I've missed you. :)

My Christmas Card to You...

This music speaks to my soul and is the epitome of the Christmas Season.



Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture

This is for you, Babe.

This guy has a point.



But 8 out of 5 podiatrists say that studying at home is 6 bajillion times better for your marriage. :)

(I couldn't get the whole video to show up... here's the link if you want to see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs )

Seriously... February?!?

Wow. Time flies when you're having fun (or small children). :)

Between switching bedrooms (with the desktop), to switching computers, to switching photo storage devices, I just haven't pulled it together enough to post.

I have made another goal to make a goal to update my blog regularly. I'm committed.

And, I'LL PROVE IT.

My gorgeous little Superheroes. I've held off the superheroes for a long time, but with an almost 5 year-old, it was inevitable that he would discover their "superness". Gideon has a Leap pad book that is about Spiderman, and as a result, he has been pulling the costume out of the toybox and climbing walls. We even had Spiderman along for the ride the other day while running errands.

I love my boys!

This video is shaky because Joseph insisted on being on my lap. I had to get his muscle sound effects, though.

Joseph Singing

Joseph loves to sing! I finally caught him singing while he was waiting for his breakfast... he usually quits as soon as he sees the camera.

He is such a joy... We love you Joseph!

"Protecting" My Children

I want to keep my children safe.

But I don't want to stifle their sense of adventure, or the development of their natural gifts and talents. I'm going to work harder to strike a balance.

This is an amazing story... I loved it. It reminded me that we need to allow our children to accomplish what they can, instead of what we think they should be able to. And it reminded me of some of my own goals, and made me want to work harder.

This tells the story.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9475057

And be sure to watch the video.

Thieves in the Night

Is there any way I could love these boys more?!?

Nope.

My heart has been stolen,

never to be returned.

I will be eternally grateful.

Thank you.

I Love You!