Sisters

I sure love mine and I think they like eachother too!

An Answered Prayer

So, Hannah is quite sentimental. She has this bag full of thank you cards that she for some reason, treasures. This afternoon she couldn't find them anywhere and was starting to get really concerned. We looked for them together and couldn't find them so she said, "Mom, I'm going to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help me find them." So, this sweet little four year old said a prayer and of course, we all know that Heavenly Father does indeed listen to little children. Not one minute later, she found them. That little girl folded her arms and thanked Heavenly Father.

Why don't we all have such simple faith like a child?

Abby in the morning

Gotta love that hair!

Fun times at our house

The perfect tea party with your very favorite cousin.

Abby trying to offer something for the tea party so she can be apart of it too.

This next picture is a regular accurance around here. Nathan LOVES my shoes. (don't most boys love their mother's shoes?)


Piggy back rides on daddy's back!

How to give yourself a hickie....

Just ask Aaron. He can tell you how to do it. Just put a suction to your forehead. Run around with it on for a while. Show the kids how cool it is. Try to take it off and realize there is a really good seal. Eyes go really big. Run to the bathroom mirror. Have a look of horror on your face once you realize what you did to yourself! Ta-Da! Your very own personal hickie! :o)

A Sweet Life

There is a little boy who lived but a short time. He was born with many challenges and obstacles to overcome. He was born to goodly parents. More like saintly actually. They loved him like noone I've ever known could love. They understood he had a specific mission to accomplish. Their son would help them, and so many others remember who we all are. He was a celestial being in a body that would humble any who complains about their own ailments.

I went to Dawson's funeral last Saturday. I did a fair share of crying. My heart ached for his sweet parents and for his brother and sister, whom he left behind. Then I continued to cry as I thought of my own children. How would I work through losing one of my own? Would I, could I, be as strong as Amy and Ryan? Is my faith strong enough to endure what they've gone through and what they continue to go through? There is no anger in them. There is no questioning, "why"? There is complete trust and understanding of a deeply loving Heavenly Father, with a plan. A plan that includes all of us on this earth; who've ever lived on this earth or will ever live on this earth. I was amazed at Ryan and Amy's incredible strength. Not to say they didn't cry. They did. They sobbed. Their hearts are aching. But they both bore testimony of the reality of the Savior as strong as any testimony of Him I've heard before. They KNOW they will be with Dawson again. They know there family is eternal. Because of this knowledge peace has entered and strength has moved in.

So, I've spent some time reflecting, pondering if you will, even questioning. I've turned to the scriptures. Peace has come to me and a witness reborn that God loves us. He knows us, even if we don't know Him. He does indeed have a plan. We are His children. He cries when we cry. He smiles when we smile. He aches when we ache. He wants us to be happy, just as we want that for our children. Things happen for a reason. Dawson's life was full of purpose. One could easily question why. Why would God allow such a sweet and innocent child come to this earth so early from his mother's womb? HAve to endure pain that most of us never will have to experience? This one little child touched thousands of people. Some who didn't even know Ryan and Amy. I'm guessing that he helped many find their way back to Heavenly FAther. HIs life was not in vain. There is a purpose for everything that happens.

The last several days I've hugged my kids a little longer. I've said I love you whole bunch more. I've been more patient. I've tried to see them for who their incredible spirits really are. Amy said it best when she said, "What is stopping you from believing that ALL children carry within them something amazing. Something sacred. Something pure and Christlike. Something WE are supposed to learn FROM THEM?"

There is so much to learn from children. I've always known that, but I am living it now. My three are eternally connected to me and that brings incredible joy.

Another thing that really has made me think, is I was sitting next to Aaron at this funeral, hand in hand. THankful beyond words that he was sitting next to me. That he knows and understands all of these things to be true just as I do. We are eternal companions. There was a time that someone important to me didn't share the same standards as I and didn't believe what I know to be true. Although there was heartache for us both when we went our seperate ways, there is happiness beyond what I could have imagined being sealed to a man that looks at our children with the same understanding of who they are and what we as a family are capable of having.

So thanks be to a little man who's changed us now and forever. His life was beautiful and a gift from our loving Father in Heaven. Click here to read Dawson's story.

A Very Belated Birthday

My siblings threw a surprise party for him since this is his 70th birhtday. We were in California so we weren't able to be there. Each of us kids wrote my dad a letter of a favorite memory. Here's what I wrote:

Happy Birthday Dad! We really wish we were there to celebrate with you. This is certainly a milestone birthday.
There are lots of wonderful memories I have of you, that it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. You’ve taught me so much in my lifetime. I really give credit to you and mom for me being the person I am today. How do I thank you for that? Now that I’m a parent, I have a whole new appreciation and love for you.
One of my most fond memories is of our family camping. I loved that we lived so close to the mountains and how you would often come home early from work on a Friday and we’d load the camper up, and head for the hills. You gave me an appreciation for the magnificent mountains that were quite literally right outside our back door. Once we had found the perfect camping spot, you would take us on hikes, or fishing, or play games with us at our camp. We were even lucky to see the milky way one time and I’ll never forget that incredible experience. However, my most favorite part of camping with you, was always the bedtime stories you would create. There is one still to this day that I remember. Those stories would often be hilarious, and always had some moral point to encourage us to follow. They made me feel safe in the dark woods. I chuckle now that I married a man that does the same thing with our kids. I hope it will become a favorite thing about their father too.
You are a wonderful man. A terrific father. A fun grandpa. And someone that I’ve always looked to for guidance. You’ve given me the greatest of all gifts, (besides life), the gospel. I really mean it when I say there are so many great memories to choose from. My greatest wish for you this birthday, is that you can look back over your 70 years and feel good about the man you are and the amazing things you’ve accomplished. I love you so much!
Love,
Melissa