Rachael's 4th B-day

Amber's First Picnic

Amber has asked a couple of times to go on a picnic. I have always planned on taking her but, just hadn’t yet. So this morning I figured today is as good as any. When I told her we were going to have a picnic today she started running around the house asking for her shoes and saying "Get ready Mommy!" You really can't imagine how excited she was unless you were here to see her. I told her we had to wait till lunch time but she could help me pack for the picnic until it was time to go. So there we sat on the kitchen floor making sandwiches. Around 11 I couldn't make her wait any longer. We loaded up the car and went to the park. She didn't even want to play first. All she wanted to do was sit on the blanket and have the picnic. It was so cute and fun. We will have a lot more picnics when it starts getting cooler out side.

The Temple

Amber is so adorable. At Grandma Debbie's house, Amber was playing with blocks while I was cleaning. She came running up to me saying Mommy look, Temple. I figured she saw a picture of the Temple in the house or something. I followed her and she pointed to what she had just built with the blocks. It was so cute to see how proud she was of herself for building the Temple with the blocks. It also made me very proud of her. It's amazing how Amber already understands the Temple is special. She has such a strong spirit and she blows me away every day at how close she is with Heavenly Father. When we drive in the car she points out the window and says look Mommy, Jesus is hiding in the clouds. She loves saying the prayers and can almost say them without help. She just turned TWO!! She is so smart. I could go on and on about things she does that just melt my heart. I love her so much and I know she brings joy to all those she is around.

Proud to be an American

I am proud to be an American. I love my country and am thankful for my freedoms. Both my grandfathers served in the armed forces. And my dad always taught me to be proud of our Country. I am thankful for my knowledge of the Gospel and knowing that Heavenly Father had a direct hand in helping our Founding Fathers set up our government and laws. Reflecting on what today means... I thought of times in my life when I have felt the power of my patriotism. One time that really sticks in my mind was on a vacation. Billy, Debbie, Don, my Mom, and I all went to New York in May of 2007. We went to ground Zero and the fire Station across the street. We saw the memorials; on top of the Empire State building we saw the Twin Tower Memorial lights. We saw the damage and we also saw the rebuilding in that area. There is a very interesting story my Father in Law told me was of the church directly across from the Twin towers. As we all know MANY buildings were damaged and destroyed on that day, not just the Twin Towers. Well there is a church DIRECTLLY across the street that didn't get any damage... WOW!! Bet you can't guess why... Well President Washington prayed in that church and prayed for our Country's protection. Coincident... probably not. When the chaos of 9/11 was happening fire fighters, police officers, volinteers went to that church for refuge and to pray. What a blessing.
On that same trip I felt the spirit and deep love for my Country when we were leaving New York for the start of our Cruise. The Ship played very loud one of my absolute favorite songs. It is the song that reminds me of my Papa. We played this song at his funeral... I am proud to be and American. As the song played we passed by the Statue of Liberty. I was deeply touched by the spirit and even thinking of it now brings tears to my eyes. I am truly Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that right to me... There is no doubt I love this land. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

Sleeping Babies

I found my kids both sleeping soundly. Aren't they soooo cute?

My daughter the sponge

I have a rule that each day Amber goes out side to play. During the summer months this is a little more difficult to keep up with. I usually like to get up and take her down to the park at like 6am. But, when I'm to tired or it just doesn't happen we play in our back yard. So anyways, that's what we did today. We were having a good time playing with bubbles and the football. I had Brigham out there in his bouncer chair. He was sliding down a little bit so I turned my back from Amber to sit him back up. In those few seconds Amber decided to put her face in Bridget's face (our cat). Not a good idea Amber... Bridget got spooked and clawed her face. My poor baby girl. She screamed and cried "Bridget got me Mommy!" I swooped Amber up to comfort her and I was a little upset with Bridget. Now I know, I know, Bridget was doing what was natural for her. But when your child has claw marks on her beautiful face and is crying probably from fear and pain you can't help but feel a little upset. So, without thinking I said loudly... "Stupid Bridget!" And without missing a beat Amber started saying "stupid Bridget" over and over again. I brought the kids back inside and cleaned Amber up. The whole time she is saying stupid Bridget, stupid Bridget. I laughed because it was funny hearing her sweet little voice say something so ugly. I then told her I was sorry for saying those mean words and that she shouldn't say them either. She seems to have understood because she repeated we don't say ugly words and hasn't said stupid Bridget since. Instead she is just saying "My scratch, Bridget." Or in other words here are my scratches from Bridget. It is so true that our children are listening and watching our actions all the time. We really have to think about what we are subjecting them to.

Brigham's Baby blessing

Billy blessed Brigham
yesterday and did a
wonderful job. The spirit was really strong. I could tell he was feeling what he should say through the Holy Ghost and not just talking. He blessed Brigham with a strong body, to be a light unto those he will come to know, to help spread the gospel. Brigham was blessed to find refuge in the holy scriptures, to study them. Then he was blessed to find a worthy companion to be sealed to in the temple. There was a lot of family there to support us and others who wanted to be there but couldn't. I feel really blessed to have a husband who is worthy to use the priesthood to bless our family and others in need. The priesthood is truly the power of God on earth. Through it all things good come to past. I am happy to have this knowledge and to have it's power leading and directing my family every day.

(side note) - I wish I would have written down what was said at Amber's blessing. I can remember some things but, not them all. I am glad to have a way to share the special event with those who couldn't make it. And also this gives me something to look back on to remember.