Nature Babies

Each footstep down the thin, dirt path leads you further and further away from any cares you may carry. Each breeze that makes it's way across your skin and through your hair carries off with it responsibility and burden. The sunlight that filters down through green, leafy treetops warms your very soul. You breathe in deeply and in that moment... you become transformed. Once again as a little child. One who relishes the possibility of getting dirty and to whom wet toes really don't matter. Gone is the hurriedness of passing life by as you pause to marvel at a leaf, a stick, a seed, a bubbling stream. You feel small and at the same time connected to something much bigger than yourself. Down that thin, dirt path contentment is found.

So much to see.

Armed with sticks to dig for bugs.She loved it and I couldn't have been prouder.

Sunday Series: Who I Am

This is Jeffrey R. Holland. He is one of the twelve living apostles on the earth today. Just as Christ had apostles on the earth in his time, He has appointed them in our time as well. I love to hear the words of inspired leaders of Christ's restored gospel on the earth today. Here is just one of many statements that has touched my heart...

"First of all, I want you to be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him."

More St. Patty's Fun!

I know I have said I am spoiled with love on here many a time... but it's the truth! Yesterday the girls and I came home from the park and there waiting for us on our front porch was a cute, festive St. Patty's Day basket from the Ensign's! I have to say that Tracy and Ansley are just SO stinkin' good to us! Tracy and I have laughed many times over not knowing exactly what to call each other. Technically, she is my sister-in-law's mother, but what does that make her to me? The English language hasn't come up with a good name yet, but I know to me Tracy is a dear friend and thanks to Aaron and Megan, family to boot! And don't even get me started on how loved Ansley is in this house! She is simply adored by us all, especially my girls! I am so grateful to have the Ensign's in our life. Thank you so much for making our St. Patrick's Day an extra special one! We love you!

O'Malley's Return!

Last year on St. Patrick's Day our family received a visit from a little leprechaun, O'Malley. There has been some discussion all year long as to whether or not O'Malley would come back to our house this year. Knowing O'Malley loves green, the girls and I decided to make him some green M&M cookies, hoping that would lure him in. By dinner time though, we hadn't seen him and the cookies sat untouched on the kitchen table. Since my busy, working-momma self had failed to adequately plan a festive St. Patty's Day meal we decided to pile in the car and head to O'Charley's to share some little burgers and fries.

By the time we got home the kids were getting pretty tired and we were wondering if we had missed O'Malley by going out to dinner. But as soon as we walked through the front door, Maryn saw a note on the stairs! O'Malley had returned! As Maryn passed the plate of cookies we had left for him on the way to the deck, we noticed it looked like a little, leprechaun mouth had been nibbling on it! He couldn't have gone too far! The girls followed his clues all over the house until they discovered the treasure he had left hidden in a corner in Lauryn's closet! Chocolate gold coins and another note! This one said (Lauryn chewed up the original!)...

AH, YOU FOUND ME SPECIAL GOLD! I HOPE IT TASTES GOOD!

BRUSH WHEN YOU'RE DONE, LIKE GOOD LASSES SHOULD!

NOW GO TO THE KITCHEN, AND GO THERE QUICK!

LOOK ON THE TABLE AND YOU'LL SEE ME TRICK!

What was he talking about? The girls were nervous now. What kind of trick was he going to play on us? We all cautiously headed downstairs to the kitchen table and this is what we found!

We had no idea how he could have done that so quick! We had only been upstairs a few minutes! The girls decided that with O'Malley's leprechaun magic, all he had to do was point at the cookies and they would turn green! Daddy picked up the cookie O'Malley had been nibbling on and started eating it. Brynna got really nervous and said "Dad, O'Malley was eating that one. Are you going to turn green now?!" Maryn quickly told her that leprechauns in fact do not have any germs and that Daddy would be just fine sharing O'Malley's cookie. Brynna was still a little cautious and wanted to know if O'Malley was still around, would he play any more tricks? She protectively held onto Coco and said "I don't want him to turn my monkey green! I just like him brown!" I explained that I thought O'Malley had left already, and besides he only played nice tricks. I told her that he was probably already on the other end of the rainbow by now. She asked "How?" Maryn then added "Well Brynna, he is magic. So he probably held up his hand and a rainbow shot out that had a little seat on it. So he sat down and buckled up and rode the little seat like, you know, how you ride a roller coaster, all the way to the end of the rainbow!" That satisfied Brynna just fine and they proceeded to eat their green treats. It was a lot of fun and I love hearing some of the things the girls come up with when O'Malley comes a visiting! We hope that all of you also had a very fun and very magical St. Patrick's Day too!

A New Branch

A new branch is about to be formed on our family tree. It started with a cold morning on the top of Kennesaw Mountain. A bent knee. An earnest plea. A ring. And most importantly, a yes. We are so very happy for Adam and Amanda as they begin to plan their new life together. We also are so excited to welcome Amanda into our family and hearts. We love you both and look forward to being with you in Mesa as you join your lives together in love.

Sunday Series: WOMANHOOD

I have had people come to me before with false assumptions that women in our church are somehow considered second to the men since we do not hold the Priesthood. This couldn't be further from the truth. Women and men were created as equals, each with divine and different roles. I love these inspiring words from President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was our living prophet until his passing last year.

“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”

I am so very thankful to be a woman. I am grateful for my membership in a church that inspires me in my role as a woman. It helps me to be reminded of my purpose for good, of my many abilities and what the Lord would want for me. When I begin to doubt myself, I remember that I am a daughter of God. That I am beautiful and that I have a purpose.... and so do you.

For Laura...

I took this video on a day at the park with my friend Laura and it made me just smile. Why? Because it just defines what I love most about my dear friend. She is fun and casual and so very real. We don't need a fancy-schmancy outing to have a good time. It could be as simple as meatballs at Ikea or a big piece of cardboard at the park. Hanging out with her never fails to bring a smile to my face. My kids consider her more of a mom than me when we are together and her Thatchy knows Miss Sarah will give him the business if he's naughty. She does funny things like how she beats her chest when she feels strongly about things or will throw her gum on the sidewalk inches from a garbage can. She is endlessly giving and I know I could call on her day or night for something and she would bend over backwards to help me out. I've never known her mind not to be in constant motion about something, kind of like a certain someone I know. And all those feelings or thoughts that you think no one else has... Laura does. Well except for dying on vacation and wanting your house to be clean so when people come in to sort your personal effects you aren't embarrassed from the grave... apparently that's just me! ;) She is no drama, all heart. When she hasn't heard from me, she picks up the phone and calls. Because she knows I'm crappy at it and she doesn't hold it against me. I know with her I'm never getting anything sugarcoated. The girl's a straight shooter and I love that about her. She's stubborn like me too and I love myself some tenacity. We were laughing the other day at how we've rubbed off on each other. I am more willing to drop what I'm doing and go off in search of a spontaneous adventure and she's started feeling the thrill of a bargain hunt! Life with a good friend is so much more rewarding and I am so very thankful to have found one in her!