God's love...

Palmyra Temple, July 2009

Recently I have watched many loved ones as they face adversity.  My heart has been full of love, worry, and especially a desire to shout from the rooftops my testimony of God's love.  I want to help, but I can't take away the pains others are experiencing, despite how much I may want to, therefore I do the simple things I know I can-- pray, babysit, clean, offer a listening ear, and share words of love.

Today I was blessed with a quiet hour of reflection as both girls were napping. I saw something on pinterest (I began my time with a distraction), that was exactly what I needed (thank you, Crystal, somehow after years of being away from each other you can still be an answer to my prayers).  The pin was to a devotional given by Elder Holland.  His words are exactly what I wish to share with those I see in their difficult and troubling moments.  We all have them, I have experienced such and it is inevitable that more will come our way, but I share my testimony of God's love by reiterating, "God often moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. . . He turn[s] adversity into blessing."

My dear family and friends please know:

-God has not forgotten you.

-The Savior has been where you have been.

-The powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, except upon the principles of righteousness.

Please watch Elder Holland's insightful address at: http://www.mormonchannel.org/ces-devotionals?v=1466597284001.  I am grateful for my testimony of these things and hope I can exemplify it in my interactions with others.

Lovingly,

Shannah Marie

Savannah's first recital...

Savannah began taking piano lessons in late January.  She has soaked in every minute of her lessons and seems to have a gift of focus and an innate interest in her talent.  Her piano instructor, Ms. Elizabeth is phenomenal!  They are a perfect pair together.  It was a treat to attend Savvy's first recital as a family, as Skyler took the day off to make sure he didn't miss the event.  We are very proud of Savannah for putting forth the effort to excel and her ability to apply her knowledge.

Savannah's recital took place at a nearby retirement center.  I was grateful for her to experience such a setting and that she felt comfortable and confident.  After Savannah and Ms. Elizabeth played each of their pieces, Savvy went around the room and thanked each guest as she shook their hands and graciously accepted their compliments.  Love our girl!

Ms. Elizabeth and Savannah

Playing "Frog in the Middle" in A Major

Reality check...

I have had an awesome day full of laundry, kids, and generally bringing order to our home.  I have felt on top of the world.  Then I started to realize that I need to be serious about planning for our dinner guests on Monday.  Suddenly my list was huge and it included things like "tune the piano" and "buy a larger dinner table."  Planning for friends from Skyler's work shouldn't be so daunting. 

I need to remember that just because some of our friends live different lives than us, that doesn't mean I need to change mine to please them. We have a pretty awesome life around here and I doubt they would think otherwise just because we don't have loads of fancy furniture or a view of the city from our balcony. We do, however, have these two gems! And they truly make the world a happier place!

Song in my heart...

A piano rendition of the primary song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" was playing on my phone today and Savannah asked, "Mommy, is that the same song I have in my heart?"  When I sang the words along with it to help her answer the question she said, "Yes, Mommy that's the song in my heart!"

Love my girl and love the sweet reminders of how close our children are to the spirit.

"When I was two..."

We went to Costco last night and Savannah saw the coolest thing ever--a box of pull-ups with Cinderella AND Minnie Mouse on them.

Today she dashes upstairs and somehow found her old pull-ups.  She brings said pull-ups downstairs and says, "Mom, I was really big and didn't drop any of them!" as she proceeds to line them up next to the giant box of diapers for Summer.  I ask her why she is playing with them and she explains that she wanted to see if they were the same as the pull-ups advertised on the diaper box and she calls the pull-ups "her diapers."  In fear that she might decide that wearing pull-ups is cool and teach herself how to stop using the toilet I say, "Those are cool, but they aren't yours, you don't wear diapers anymore."  To which she responds, "Yeah, but when I was two [showing me her fingers] I did.  Now I'm three [showing me 3] and I don't.  But I did when I was two."

I had to laugh.  She is so good at reasoning with me and following logic that she does the same with me.  Glad we understand each other. And glad she is three and won't be going back to diapers.

Summer is 3 months old..

The first few months of life with a second baby went by with a flood of love and the blink of  an eye.  We couldn't be happier that Miss Summer is a part of our family.  She is already a very happy baby and is quick to give a smile--especially to her sister. She is growing quickly and I can already tell my days of rocking her are numbered, but I just want to hold her and keep her close forever.

Savvy turns 3...

Savannah is 3!  She was a blast as a two-year-old and we are so excited for her to be three!  She is ready to play with the big kids and have a little more responsibility.  Becoming a big sister certainly kick-started the role of being even more of a helper and she has done a wonderful job.  Savvy was so excited to be three and receive a bicycle from Mommy & Daddy.

Also, who wouldn't want to be three if it meant you had three birthday parties?!  We celebrated with the Tanner family when they came at the beginning of the month, again with our family, and then a third time with some of the Larsen family.  Needless to say, she was spoiled and thrilled to have the attention.  We were thrilled for her to have it as we would hate for her to feel lost in the chaos as we learn to balance two kiddos.

Savvy was so excited for her birthday she now thinks any and all gifts/parties are birthdays.  She was very grateful for all of the love and often refers to the birthday parties she enjoyed as we read her "How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday."

"Your Special Day" birthday breakfast

 "Your Special Day" birthday dinner

Still trying to master blowing out all the candles at once...

She certainly knows to lick the frosting first though!