So Grateful

It is that time of year to be feeling "thankful," and I feel thankful for so many things. First and foremost I have to say my testimony of the Savior and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the one thing I can always count on. I am so grateful for my membership in the Church. I am so grateful for the direction it has given me. The joy it has brought into my life, and the peace it gives me everyday. My wonderful husband and my children are so wonderful. I have wonderful and loving parents and brothers, sister-in-law's, in-law's, etc. I am very blessed.

Today I have spent a lot of time examining my testimony of the church, and realized that it is so strong. Stronger than I even orignally thought. I am always reminded that through prayer the Lord is always waiting to lovingly listen, and through prayer you can feel his love fill your heart. We can find the answer to every question, we can find peace from any trial. He just asks for our faith, for our sincere and open heart to be ready to hear him. Faith is a hard thing sometimes. To believe what we cannot see. To trust something that we cannot "prove". I am just so grateful that the faith that I have is so steadfast and true. It truley is a blessing.
Sorry, that I am on a soapbox. I just had a lot of things on my mind today. I wanted to let my Family and friends know how grateful I am for them in my life, and for the Gospel that gives me such strenth and peace.

Our honor kids

Shelley made the A &B honor roll this quarter, we are so proud of her. She worked really hard and overcame a lot of struggles to get there. Matthew also has exciting news. He auditioned to be in the "Singing Around Nebraska" Childrens honor choir and was chosen!! He had to send a tape of him singing to University of Nebraska/Lincoln. It is quite an honor to say the least. But, he has a voice like a bell. His concert is this Saturday. I will post a audio of it when we get it!

All I want is a "Sun and a Hand"

Last night we told the kids to sit down and write their Christmas lists so we could get started on our shopping. It reminded me of a cute story that Nick did last November.. I know it is a year late in relaying the story, but too cute none-the-less. So last year he was struggling with letters and fine motor skills (he was only 4 at the time). We told the kids to write their top five things they wanted for Christmas. Matthew and Shelley speedily start making a list, when I told Nick "just draw what you would like since you don't know how to write yet" He seemed satisfied with this idea and began drawing on his paper. Richard and I left the room for a minute and came back to find what each list had in store. Matthew states several different things he wanted from psp games to a ripstick, Shelley said she wanted a NIntendo D.S. and clothes, and when it was Nick's turn he looks at his paper and says "I would like a Sun and a Hand." Richard and I looked at eachother thinking is this some kind of new toy... he than replies "I guess that is what I get to ask for because that is all I know how to draw" We died laughing. He is so hilarious sometimes.
So last night he let us know that since he is in Kindergarten now he can write what he would like this year. It was so darling... he tried so hard to sound out different words and things he saw in his toy magazine. Than stood with pride when he announced that he a "TAR HERO" Spelled completely wrong, and mainly because he thinks that guitar is pronounced "tar" But, it was fun to see him progress from his "Sun and his Hand" to attempting to spell.
The children decided Holly must want a tornado for christmas, because that is what her picture looked like :)
Kids make the Holidays So magical. What would we do without them?

 

For the love of Sports

We had a busy autumn with Matthew in football and Nicholas in Soccer. Both really enjoyed it a lot. Nick scored a couple of goals every game. He was pretty hilarious when he celbrated. He made a "rock on" with his hand and would cheer so loud. Matthew really fell in love with Football. He really learned a lot this year and can't wait for next fall for the next season. It was a little tough because his last game the "friendship bowl" was on a Sunday. He felt good about his decision to not play. He said it felt good to stand for what he knew was right. We are pretty lucky to have these boys.

BRRRR.....

It is a cold November day, a good morning to catch up on blogging. The kids are looking forward to all the holidays ahead, and I will stay on track with blogging once I get caught up :)

Wendy's Wedding

It was wonderful to be in the temple with Wendy and Adrian. It was fabulous. Just click on the photo collage to see them bigger.

 

More Family Reunion

Family Reunion July 08

In an effort to Catch up!

Please excuse the out of order posting of pictures! I haven't had any posted for so long, that I am making a massive effort to catch up and get all of our fun memories posted for the summer. So the next posts will be a recap of our last few months.

At the Zoo with Cindy and Tracy, August 08

DeJay and Melissa's Sept. 08

We had a fun time at DeJay and Melissa's! I didn't mean to put two pictures of myself in the collage.. Like I said still learning.

The Garden of the Gods

We were able to go to the Garden of the Gods when we were in Colorado visiting Jeff and Jennifer in September. It was great!

First Day of School in August

Trying to catch up.... my first attempt at a photo collage. I am working on it :)

I am no good at this :)

I am probably the worst blogger out there... but I am hoping to do better! The kids had a wonderful halloween and loved being able to trick or treat in beautiful weather. It was unseasonably warm for this time of year. Our children were so cute in their Halloween get-up. Matthew was a vampire, Shelley was a Witch (but a pretty one), Nick was Mr. Incredible (for the 2nd year in a row.. he loves that costume :) and Holly was going to be a ladybug, and at the last moment informed me that she wasn't a bug she was a princess. So we dug through the dress up and found a little dress her Grandpa Roger had got for Shelley years before in Mexico. So, we put that on her and a crown.. and she was basically a Mexican Princess, and since she kept losing her shoe the entire night trick or treating, I called her the mexican Cinderella. It was pretty funny. However, she got a lot of complements on her little dress. I have had a heck of a time staying out of their Halloween Candy.. don't know what my deal is.
Winter feels like it has arrived officially today though, it is cold, cold! And will probably snow just a little tonight. Welcome Winter.... ugh :) I am excited for the Holidays though. Oh the joy that will be found!!!
I will post pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.