Kate's Baptism

Last Saturday, Kate got baptized. She was really excited and a bit nervous. Earlier in the week she had been wrestling with Hope and ended up with a black eye. I didn't realized that she was actually hurt that bad until the next morning I thought she had put makeup on to go to school, and that is when I realized she would be sporting a beautiful black/green eye by the day of her baptism. The night before she was baptized, in her prayers, she asked that she would get a journal on her baptism day so she could write about how funny it was that she would have a black eye on her baptism day. That's when we had to make sure that she got a journal, because she had prayed for it and we didn't want her faith to be shaken. The next day we sent Aunt Belinda to get a journal, she ended up getting two others.

She was so proud after she was baptized and told me she felt really good inside. She was one of the last baptisms of the day and the water was freezing. She had goosebumps a mile high. She is a very sweet girl and is really trying to do the right thing all the time. I can tell she feels bad when she messes up, but she knows that she can repent. I just love watching kids learn and grow in the gospel. She has a friend who wasn't able to make it to the baptism. She saw her friends' dad a couple of days later. He was apologizing that they couldn't make it. She told him, "That's okay, it doesn't really matter who was there it just mattered that it happened." Wow, that is an impressive response from an 8 year old. I think that she is wiser than I thought.

Christmas Favorites

I absolutely love Christmas. I love the smells, the tastes, the sights, and the sounds of Christmas. I love the smell of cinnamon pine cones, Christmas trees, and the smell of cinnamon rolls baking. My favorite foods associated with Christmas are cinnamon rolls, yams with tons of brown sugar and butter, mmmm. I love holiday treats of every kind, but I really like to make and eat dipped pretzels. I also love hot chocolate, alot!!! I love seeing the lights on through everyone's windows and of course those who have them outside. I love going to temple square and seeing the lights and hearing the music. I don't necessarily love the snow, but I love the way it looks on the trees with lights underneath. I love listening to Christmas music. My family isn't crazy about the fact that I turn on Christmas music right after Halloween, but I just have to, its in my blood. I love to listen to Trans-siberian orchestra, Manheim Steamroller, and Jim Brickman. But the old family favorites...Anne Murray, Statler Brothers, and the Chipmunk's Christmas still remind of being a child at Christmas. I just love everything about this blessed holiday. But most of all I love the reason for the season and that is our Savior. How blessed we are to celebrate his birth and remember everything he stands for.

Turkey Day

Mark really likes to cook the turkey. He tries something a little different every year. One year it tasted like garlic. One year he cooked it with oranges inside. Then once he tried putting the stuffing under the skin, not bad just different. This year he thinks he should cook it breast down. But two years age he didn't want it to be naked, so he put a bikini on it. Here are the results of last years turkey.

Thankful Thoughts

This morning I was taking a nice hot shower and thinking about the simples things that make my life a little better. I have been reading accounts of ancestors that had little and I have been pondering what it would have actually been like to live even 100 years ago. For instance, I love taking a really HOT shower, the kind that makes the bathroom all steamy. I am truly thankful for hot water. I love having family around and eating yummy food that was easily prepared because I have a stove, hot water and a fridge. I am thankful to have a reliable vehicle to get my family from one place to the next. I am thankful for the ease of shopping for anything I need or want from the internet. I am thankful to have my friends and family at my fingertips with the internet. I am thankful for doctors that know so much and can take care of the simple ailments and the major ones. I am thankful for a nice home and a good neighborhood where my kids can learn and grow. I am thankful for reliable employment that supports our family. I am grateful for washing machines and dryers. I am thankful for parents who taught me to be frugal. I am thankful for friends throughout the years that still keep in touch. I am thankful for the gospel that gives meaning and purpose to my life. I am just thankful that I get to live in this day and time.

Happy Birthday Sophia

I don't know what in the world we would do without Sophia in our home. She is a wonderful blessing to our family. She makes our lives exciting in many ways. Sophia loves to share everything she has. She is going to be one of those people who will give the shirt off her back to make sure someone else has one (this doesn't necessarily apply to her toys though). Sophia is a happy, cheerful girl. She keeps us laughing and definitely on our toes. Sophia we love you and hope you have the best birthday ever!!!

Happy Birthday Kate Bug!

My how time flies! Kate turned 8 years old yesterday. I can hardly believe how much she has grow in the last year. She has always been pretty, but has gotten even more beautiful inside and out. She is a wonderful big sister and is always trying to help someone. She loves her friends and is good to them. She loves to learn and read. She loves her brothers and sisters. We are so blessed to have such a special girl in our family. Most importantly she loves her Heavenly Father. She prays for help and has faith that he will help her. She is looking forward to getting baptized in a couple of weeks. We all love you Kate Bug. We hope you had a wonderful birthday.

These are a few of my favorite things....

I was just thinking about what makes life great and I want to share thoughts with you....

Mark, he makes my life great! He is my best friend and a great father. Thanks for all you do!

Kimball's joking makes me laugh and sometimes makes me just a little crazy. But he is a great big brother. Hope adores him and he has the touch to make her happy when she is sad.

Nick- who can resist those eyes. He is very loving and fun to be with. He is always trying to find out why, how, and anything about everything.

Kate's little love notes tucked under the pillow or on top of my computer make me smile. She is very thoughtful, especially when she can tell you are having a bad day.

Sophia is always on her toes and not always in a bad way. I love it when Mark comes home, she loves to wait on him. She loves getting him drinks, food, snacks, or whatever he wants, or even if he doesn't, want it bless her heart she gets it anyway.

Hope's little conversations make me smile. Her constant asking "Why Nemo sad mommy?" Or telling me "I love you mommy." She melts my heart.