Seen On T-Shirt Today

We have nothing to fear but fear itself....
and spiders.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Little Miss P: "Does ______ go to church?"

Miss R: "No. She wants to, but her mom & dad won't let her. They don't believe in God."

Little Miss P (with a look of disbelief and a dropped jaw): "What?"

Miss R: "I KNOW! It is very upsetting."

Little Miss P: "But God is real."

It is conversations like this that cause my heart to swell with love - for my children and for my Heavenly Father. I am so glad that they are learning at a young age to follow the Lord and know that He is real. I'm grateful for the blessing and experience He has given me of being able to raise children and participate in a vital part of this great plan He has for us.

When I struggle with the challenges of parenting and fear of letting my children go out on their own into the world, I find comfort in the scripture verse in Proverbs that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Likewise I also love a children's song at church that speaks on the same message.


We'll Bring the World His Truth

"We have been born, as Nephi of old, to goodly parents who love the Lord. We have been taught, and we understand, that we must do as the Lord commands.

Chorus: We are as the army of Helaman. We have been taught in our youth. And we will be the Lord’s missionaries, to bring the world his truth.

We have been saved for these latter days, to build the kingdom in righteous ways. We hear the words our prophet declares: “Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”

We know his plan, and we will prepare, increase our knowledge through study and prayer. Daily we’ll learn until we are called, to take the gospel to all the world."


When I attended church as a child, this song was one of my favorites. As I started to attend church again as an adult, it moved me deeply once again. A few weeks ago in church, some of the seminary students sang this song in sacrament meeting. I could hardly hold back the tears as I felt the Spirit speak to me of the great importance of raising my children correctly, when they came to the line, "We have been taught in our youth." It spoke to me again today as I overheard my children's conversation. I am so grateful for experiences like these that strengthen me and uplift me. And that I can return to memories like these when times are hard and I am discouraged.

Mon Frere

Check this out! This is my brother and a friend climbing Colchuck Peak. Guess which one is my brother....

Seen on T-Shirt Today

Haikus are easy
But sometimes they don't make sense
Refrigerator

Sunday Thoughts.

Family Portrait

Burn, Baby, Burn...

One of my favorite things to do at my parents' house is to roast Christmas Trees. I like this above almost all other things I get to do while there, including eating my mom's yummy food, playing 37-Dice Yahtzee and sleeping in. Seriously enjoyable things, I might add, but they pale in comparison to tree roasting. I tried to convince my dad to go down their street after Christmas and collect the neighbor's trees so we could have fun all year round. Needless to say, my request was not granted.

So, how do you roast a Christmas tree? All you have to do is take one extra-crispy tree and light it up. No starter-fluids necessary, although we had a fire started already. The flamage is huge! One year it almost reached the branches above the fire pit which were at least 15 feet up. Sadly, it also is a great reminder to me about how dangerous Christmas trees can be. Keep them watered people!




About 30 seconds on the fire.

Maybe another 30 seconds, if that.

I love this picture because it reminds me of Godzilla. Check out those flames!!

The tree toppled over and sent stuff flying everywhere, so everyone scattered. Not to mention the flames were seriously huge. Note for next year - create a better stand so the tree stays up.

Me and the girls.

The event wouldn't be complete without Little Miss P and her crazy, contortionist expressions!

Me and Mr. Hudson Mack, who is turning 1 this weekend! Yet another excuse to run away for the weekend...