Shopping Adventures

Normally I hate shopping at Wal-Mart, but since we discovered these special shopping carts it's not so bad. Adelaide and I sit next to each other, Maverick sits in the main cart and Rick pushes us all around. It is seriously more like an amusement park ride than a shopping trip... the strange looks from adults and longing looks from their children make it especially entertaining.

Christmas Thoughts

I love this picture. Especially now that I have my own children and realize how holding any baby in your arms feels like such a miracle. I can't imagine what Mary must have felt like holding baby Jesus in her arms.

This Christmas season has really been beautiful for me. I have not decorated my house and sadly don't even have a Christmas tree, but I have felt a change of heart which prompts me to redirect my energy from life's distractions to thinking about Christ more often. This focus motivates me to love others more purely, humble myself to understand and do God's will for me, study his word more often, avoid judgement of others, look for ways to serve others and simply to be grateful for God's gift of the Savior to me. I am most definitely failing at the ideals I just mentioned, but I guess that also makes me feel closer to the Savior, asking daily for his grace and help to be better. I really do feel my Savior's love in all the world around me... through my family relationships, friendships new and old, my beautiful children, all the wonders of nature, and the peace the gospel brings me. I am feeling really blessed and like I've never had it so good.

I hope you are all enjoying this season too, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. ♥

Good Bye Jess!

Jessica left yesterday to be a missionary in Portugal for the next 18 months. I am going to miss her so much but am proud of who she is and the decision she has made to spread the gospel there. Jessica is the most Christlike individual I know, always humble, loving and genuine, and I know that she will positively influence everyone she meets. It was so wonderful having her live with me for a while and I guess now it's time for me to share- be good to her Portugal, I know she'll be good to you!



Last picture together for a while.

In Winter it's a Marshmallow World

It has been dumping snow here lately so today we decided to take Adelaide sledding for her first time. I went down once with her and she yelled "No no no no" the whole time. So we left Adelaide at the top of the hill with sleeping Maverick while we went down a couple of times. She was so grumpy and flailing her arms around (you can see her mittens mid flight in one of the pictures) and kept saying "No no. Home. Please." We made her go down once more with both of us and she still did not like it so we headed home. Maybe next year she'll like it?! If not we'll have to find a babysitter.