Merry Christmas!!

"Mom, Rylan sticked his tongue out at me!" Reagan said.

"Why can't you guys be kind?" I asked.

"I was going to be kind, but then he sticked his tongue out."

"Well, somebodys got to be kind first."

Reagan to his friends, "Hey guys!  With eternal perspective, I have the greatest idea!  Wait here and when I say, 'I'm ready!' then that means that I am ready."
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Last week (I was 19 weeks pregnant) I had a lady ask me if I was going to have my baby soon.  I laughed, "no!"
"When are you due?"  she asked surprised.
"Not till May."
"Are you sure there is just one in there?"

My self esteem was squashed.  So, just in case that random lady falls upon my blog, here are the things you should say to a pregnant lady:

 1.  You look beautiful
 2.  Would you like a treat?
 3.  Here, sit down.  Better yet, lay down and I will get you a drink with a straw so you don't have to lift your head.
 4.  You are doing a GREAT job!! (doesn't matter what she is doing.  dinner, laundry, mothering, cleaning)

The Greatest Gift

What do you want?


This Christmas time of year my kids are being asked this question a lot. "What do you want?"


Reagan wants a skateboard, even though he already has two. He says he needs another one to practice on to do tricks on the ones he has.


Aubryn wanted an ipad, now she wants a puppy. (It’s not going to happen.)


So, now I ask you, what do you want? What would be the greatest gift you could receive?






Russell M. Nelson said, "In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift."


"Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man. Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven- the kind of life that God lives."


D&C 6: 7,10, 13 says,


7. Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold he that hath eternal life is rich.


10. Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above-


13. If thou wilt do good, yea and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.


President Brigham Young said, "Your temple endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back into the presence of the Father… and gain your eternal exaltation."


We need to prepare to enter the temple.


This gift, the temple endowment, was given to us by revelation. Russell Nelson continues, "Thus it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart."


Elder Nelson says, "Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: "Anoint," "Atonement," "Christ," "Covenant," "Fall of Adam," "Sacrifices," and "Temple." Doing so will provide a firm foundation."


"Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from the modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds."


Preparing to enter the temple and making these covenants keeps us clean and worthy. The temple covenant and any covenant with the Lord, is not restrictive, but protective. "Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective."


There are many blessings to being faithful to our temple covenants.


I want to share with you one family’s story.


http://lds.org/ensign/print/2010/02/the-promise-of-the-temple?lang=eng&clang=eng


"Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."


"The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant- the heart of the plan of Salvation- is the Atonement of Jesus Christ."


So, what do you want? What gift do you want?


John 3:16-17


16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.


God gave us a gift.


John 14:27


27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


The Savior has given us a gift.


I know if we prepare to enter the temple, and then regularly attend and stay true to the covenants, we can have eternal life and have true peace and happiness.


In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

CLICK HERE to see a family photo shoot I did on Sunday.  Fun!!

What Are You Thankful For?

Before this video I was combing Reagan's hair.  He asked me, "Mom, are you making me cool?"

I said, "Do you want to be cool like me?"

"No, I want to be cooler."

Then when his hair was done, he admired himself in the mirror.  "I am handsome!  I like this haircut.  Oh, I look good.  I am as handsome as a tyrannosaurus rex!"

When we finished the video he said, "OH NO! I remembered something else I was thankful for.  My body!  And Jesus.  And my nose.  And my tongue.  And...."

Happy Birthday Aubryn!

I LOVE this girl! She is bright, happy and beautiful (inside and out). She can get along with anyone. She is a great friend. Where Aubryn is, there is a good time!! Love you, Aubryn! Today, I am so thankfu for you!!

Elder Nelson tells this story about the airplane in his book, "The Gateway We Call Death"  which I highly recommend, especially if you have lost a loved one.

On a cool note, the man playing the part of Elder Nelson on the plane is my dad! 

Ever stood to loose what you love?

Everything is Going to Be Okay!

Three years ago this month I experienced one of the most terrifying moments of my life.

Before I tell about that, I am going to share the worst moment of my life. This is deeply personal and a bit out of my comfort zone, but I feel compelled to write this.

January 2004. It was a cold Sunday morning. We wondered why our 19 month old had not woken up for the day. My husband went to check on him. I will never forget the sound of my husband’s voice. I ran. Our son was gone. I knew it. We called 911. I followed the directions from the 911 operator and was doing CPR on his lifeless body. "It’s NOT working!" I kept shouting. The sounds will forever be imprinted in my mind. The sound of my air going into his body, but no life coming out. Brian and I hysterical, wailing. The distant sirens that could not come fast enough. I knew he was gone. There was no life there. He was gone. They flooded my home. They worked on my son. I sobbed and rocked. I saw Brian and the neighbor give him a blessing. I saw my precious three year old standing in the corner watching. Watching the nightmare. Another neighbor swept in, wrapped Brad in a blanket, and took him. This vision will never leave me. All of my senses remember. My Isaac was gone. He was gone. I had plead for his life, yet he was gone. I had plead for his health, yet it had taken him away. I had tried to make deals with God. I told God that I would raise him to be a good missionary if he would just grant him a healthy body. God’s will prevailed.

My heart had a huge hole ripped out of it. My heart ached and hurt. I was overwhelmed with hurt and deep sorrow. The Holy Ghost comforted me. I knew God was mindful of me and, through time, everything has been okay.

November 2008. It was a Sunday afternoon. My husband, kids, and I were watching a movie in our bed. Brian’s body jerked. I looked over at him and saw emptiness. His eyes were dilated and his body struggled intensely. I called 911. "Something is wrong with my husband!" His body got worse in every way. I thought he was leaving me. He then went limp, gray, and lifeless. "My husband is dying!!" I screamed at the operator who continually told me to calm down. This single moment slowed down to almost completely still. My thoughts were several. First I thought, If anyone is ready, Brian is. Second, my kids. I looked up to see Brad standing and watching much like he had done several years ago. Aubryn was at the foot of the bed, hands in her mouth, balling. I motioned to her to come on to the bed by me. I was kneeling over Brian. I thought, "They are watching their father die!" I put my arm around Aubryn trying to comfort her. "I am going to be a single mother."

Then I heard and saw a very slight and shallow breath. "He’s breathing!" I told the operator, "But he is still not okay!" Paramedics arrived. Brian was not okay. They took him. Neighbors stayed with my children and another neighbor drove me to the hospital. I felt lost. What happened!? What was wrong!?

When I arrived in the emergency room I hurried to his curtain. I cautiously opened it. There was Brian sitting up in the bed. "How’s it goin’?" he said. I was shocked! I was confused. I was grateful. I was worried.

Many tests over time revealed a horrible answer. Brian received Priesthood blessings. Fasting and prayers by armies began. We consulted top doctors and specialists. We listened and discussed.

I knew God’s will would ultimately be fulfilled. I have faith that through God, all things are possible. I wanted more than anything for Brian to be healed, and I plead for that. But this time, I made no deals. I said, "Thy will be done." I heard in my head, "Everything is going to be okay." I felt peace. I felt overwhelming peace and comfort embrace me. I still did not know what was in store or how it would end. But I knew Brian had made the right decision. I knew I needed to stand beside him, support him, and sometimes defend him. He never questioned what the Spirit told him. He never doubted. "We will grow old together. I promise." He said as he held me. I hoped he was right. Desperately.

Now here we are three years later. We have since had another child and God has blessed us with another on the way. I never thought this would have unfolded. Never. Brian is feeling great. His condition has not worsened in any way. I am so grateful for my husband who is in tune with the Spirit and does not question. He listens. He acts. He has courage and FAITH. God loves us. And, Everything is going to be okay.

Hymn, How Firm a Foundation.

Compliments to Brian for his birthday

Halloween

I know it is blurry, but it is the only shot of all of them.

Happy Birthday, BRIAN!! (Nov 1st)

Happy birthday to my best friend and LOVE of my life.  For Brian's birthday I gave him a list of 37 things I love about him.  This picture reminded me of on item on my list.  He is a huge support to me.  No bigger moment than the birth of a child for that trait to shine.  I thought it would be cool for him to read 37 things other people love and admire about him too.  I am posting this on facebook as well and hope by then end of the day there are 37 kind words  for him to read.  (I opened the comments)  Thanks!!

I didn't think it was possible to have every family picture look bad.

This is the best one.

I said, "Make sure your bumbs look good." 

REAGAN!!  Someone tell him it's not funny anymore!

"I think I know why the video isn't working.  It's because it is rewinding."  Reagan said about a video that wouldn't load on Youtube.  Then He added, "I think I know why your computer isn't working very good.  It is running out of gas."

"Mom, can I go to the party?"  Rylan asked.
"No.  It is just for adults."  I said.
"Just for adults and dads?"

"Buuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppppp.   Excuse me.  Excuse me.  Excuse me.   I said excuse me three times because it was such a long burp."  Reagan said.

My kids and husband have been playing Monopoly for what seems like 12 hours straight.  They are really into it.  Rylan wanted to get in on the fun.  He walked to the table and said, "I want to play.  I want to be this guy." 

Nobody paid attention to him.  They were to enthralled in their game.  So he started moving his guy around.  Brad noticed.  "RYLAN!  Don't!  Dad, he's moving guys around!"

Rylan took his guy and put him in the jail spot and said, "I'm in trouble."

Lord, I Love the Way You Hold Me.

I am really loving this new Christian song.

I pulled into a parking slot at Walmart with Reagan, Rylan, and James.  I said, "You guys need to be good in the store.  That means you need to behave." 
Rylan replied, "Mom, we are bein' havin."
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"I'm gunna over-splode!"  Aubryn said while trying to do homework with her little brothers distracting her.
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"I wanna treat, Mom."  Reagan said.
"What do you want?"  I asked.
"Hmm.  Something not good for me."

Attempting To Take My Kid's Photos



After we went to a cute fruit stand where I had planned to take their photos and we had to leave because Reagan and Rylan started throwing peaches into the road, we stopped at the empty church peach orchard.  There was no one around, so I knew we couldn't make too big of a scene.  It was getting dark, and my good dusk light was gone.  Regardless of lighting, I think it might be worth paying someone else to take my kids pictures.  What a JOKE!  But I did come wout with a few decent ones, mostly of Aubryn.





Wondering why I even tried.




Work it!





"I AM smiling."



Brian got the camera!

Brad's Conference Choir

My little point-and-shoot camera could really zoom in, but I couldn't hold it steady!  Brad was looking good up there.

Brad had the wonderful opportunity to sing in the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference. He had a great experience. He did not get a lot of camera time, but you can see him at 1 hour, 58 min, and 20 seconds into THIS LINK of the broadcast. Listen to them sing!  They are wonderful.  There were also some amazing messages shared.  Brian and I were able to be there live. This will definitly be something we will always cherish.