Valentine's Day

Cali and Bella's classes had parties so the baby boys and I strolled over (and interrupted!) Here are some pictures of Valentine's Day or around Valentine's Day :D

Misunderstanding?

So, we've been reading in the Book of Mormon (family edition) together and we've been learning about Lehi's dream. It's a really great parable about holding on to the "iron rod" (word of God) and how it leads to eternal life and the love of God. The dream he had also tells about some people who are of the world who mock and point fingers and laugh at those who are following the path. This is the picture that artist, Greg Olsen, has created to portray the dream.

Last night we were talking about how Lehi's family reacted to this dream/vision and Isabella said "mom, I want to see the picture of the people putting their middle fingers up." I was like "what??", then it dawned on me what she was referring to and I quickly told her that they (most certainly) do not have their middle fingers up in this painting (in real life, yes!) but that they are pointing and making fun of the others. She said "oh" then proceeded to tell me about her classmate at lunch who put his finger up and got sent to the principal's office. Well, I told her, maybe he didn't know what that meant and she assured me he did. So, awesome!! My baby girl is exposed to this in 2nd grade and thinks that there are R rated pictures in the scriptures. ;)

Super Bowl Party

We were supposed to be up in Dallas this weekend, which so happened to be Super Bowl weekend (in Dallas) but the roads were too icy to travel on, especially up North of us so we pushed back our trip by a week. Since we were staying home we were invited over to Angela and Kurt's house for a Super Bowl Party. It was really fun! I am totally uplifted when I'm with my friends. There was lots of good food and conversation. If only the Cowboys were in the game then it would have been LOTS better!!! Seriously, the house was full of serious Cowboy Fans!!!

Follow this link to see my photo album of the party:

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=91722&id=1080489001&l=ef422210e2

Band-Aids Are Not A Necessity!

Braelyn had a friend over for a few minutes yesterday and that friend skinned her knee on the way to our house. So, Braelyn said "mom, we don't have any band-aids, do we?" To which I said no we don't. (They are not a necessity right now). She looked to her friend and said: "That's the only area my mom isn't cool in." Well, hey! I will take that. If having no band-aids is the area I'm not cool in I think I can handle that. Easy fix too.

 Band-aids aren't a necessity around the house but they are a necessity to be cool. :)

Randoms

These are fun...

One of our favorite missionaries from church!

Kensy and her friend, Becca

Blind makeovers:

Reaching for the camera

Two kids per class get the Character award each quarter. Cali got one first and Bella was chosen for second. They get them for showing integrity. I love that they teach integrity in school- the choices we make when no one is watching!! Always been a big thing with me.

Cousin Time

We were so happy to learn Monday that Curtis was in Houston this week on business. He came over Wednesday night and spent time with us. The girls ate up all the attention! It was great. I am crazy about him and we were the closest growing up out of all my cousins. I am so thankful for the most opportune visit and for his help this week.

The girls have nicknames for him! Currently they call him "Coconut Head" but he requested that by next visit they have a new name. Braelyn is Furball, Kensy is Rathead (names from a long car trip years and years ago) and I don't think Cali and Bella have one. Or Bentley. :)

Buds. See the similarity??

I love this guy

Thanks Curtis for the laughs, tears, good advice and most importantly for introducing me to Chick-Fil-A's special sauce! I'm hooked!

Angels Among Us

The past couple weeks have been really hard. Emotionally. Financially. It's draining. I am astonished at how the Lord blesses me with his tender mercies every single day. I look back from the separation until now and He has been beside me every step of the way. He has protected me and my family and has provided for us all along. Every step of the way. This week has been a hard week. I am learning a lot about myself and others. I am needy of my friends and family's advice and help. I am buoyed up constantly by their words. They carry me. They fill the void my heart feels. Last night I was able to visit with my cousin, Curtis for a long time. He had good words of advice that sunk in deep to my heart. He helped me to see that often times I see things that aren't reality. Why do I do that? Why does my heart grasp things so often and doesn't choose to see the reality- in relationships. He helped me to learn to run with what I get and not what I want and also to focus on what I need and not what I want. Huh... this tends to center around not getting what I want. Isn't that the hardest thing in life- when we have to deal with disappointment and not getting what we want. Even when what we want is righteous and good. When I was growing up my sister and I were spoiled. I felt like when we moved out into the real world that we didn't know how to deal with disappointment. It was harsh to have the world teach that to me. I have been cautious and mindful of that as I parent my kids. I want them to learn to deal with disappointment while in the home so they can handle it when the world lets them down and life in general. I'm still learning how to deal myself. I can't even express how thankful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and my situation and has blessed me everyday with friends, family, kind words, truthful words, an awakening of my soul to what is real and what is conjured up by my heart to be some fantasy, the joy of my kids and their unconditional love, our home, the peace that come from only Him, and how he always takes care of us.

Last night I received another anonymous gift from someone who knows me and "loves me" as the card stated. It had cash in it and came at the most opportune time. I am so thankful (and humbled). I am so fortunate for the angels that walk among me and are God's hands. My heart is so full today.