Capitol Reef.

I have this whole week off for vacation. We were going to go to Disneyland. I tried to convince LJ that it would be great because we could go to the front of every line since he is in a wheelchair, but he didn't go for it. So we settled for something a little closer to home and more low-key - Capitol Reef. It was super fun. We listened to everything from Handel's Messiah to Pearl Jam, talked, read good books, and saw beautiful scenery. The best part was just being together without worrying about anything else.

Grant and Ellie and some beautiful scenery.

The swimming pool at the hotel was one of the highlights for the kids. Ellie kept calling the hotel "our new home." She didn't want to come back to our "old home."

Grant being super brave. This is the kid who wouldn't even play at McDonalds Playland by himself until he was six.

Addie enjoying our breakfast on the road.

Some cool petroglyphs.

On one of our little hikes, this little stroller barely made it through!

This is how Macie spent most of the trip - happy on Dad's lap. It was actually really nice not having to haul the double stroller around.

A funny story about from trip - we got to our hotel around 7:30 pm. We checked in, unpacked, and got dinner at a local cafe. We left and went to buy some milk for Macie and could not find a gas station or grocery store open within a 20 mile radius! So we gave Macie a bottle of water for bedtime. She was not impressed. So she didn't fall asleep easily like she normally does. Instead she crawled around on our bed for TWO hours - in the dark - saying the only 'word' she can say - "Uh-oh!" (like what you say when something falls). She literally said that over and over for two hours while crawling all over me and LJ while we were trying to sleep. She finally sacked out on a bottom corner of the bed with her bum up in the air and didn't move an inch until she woke up the next morning.

SO much fun!

Learning.

The other day as I was holding Addie, an overwhelming concept just randomly hit me. Hard. About the worth of a soul and my incredible responsibility as a mom. I'm amazed by the reaction it creates within me by simply thinking about the possibility of someone mistreating my kids or teaching them bad things. I'm definitely a mamma bear. Don't mess with my babies. I thank God everyday for these little miracles. Then I plead for Him to help me know what to give them and teach them so they can make it through the filth of this world with their integrity still intact. The thought of bringing up such precious and wonderfully innocent little people in this world full of filth and selfishness is enough to bring me to my knees over and over. I believe that is the key to doing the best I can. The Lord knows what they need. I need to keep myself in a place where I can feel His promptings. If I tried to do this on my own I would end up with serious regrets. It's a mistake I cannot afford to make; they would ultimately pay. I won't know every little thing that is happening in their lives, but He will. Suddenly the counsel given over and over that doing things halfway isn't going to cut it really sinks in. What do I want most for my kids? I want them to have joy and peace in their lives. Both of those can only be obtained through following the Savior and living as He would. Everything the world has to offer is temporary and ultimately leaves one empty. Whether people will admit it or not they are ultimately looking for joy and peace. The ones looking the wrong direction seem to think the next leap in the wrong direction is somehow going to be the means to an end and always end up disappointed. Satan is clever isn't he? The more he can keep you jumping off into the dark the harder it will be to know which way is back. There are examples everywhere. Morality has taken a dive off the deep end. So many have beaten down the light of Christ to a point they can't see past the nose on their own face. Once they have shut out the spirit from their lives, seemingly intelligent people will believe and say things that leave common sense on it's death bed. I can't afford to underestimate Satan. Which means doing everything I can to keep the Savior close. The right choices are so much more obvious and troubles less insurmountable when I'm looking the right direction. I think about how to get my girls through adolescence intact a lot. It's something I don't want to figure out when it's too late. Ultimately I always come back to humbly recognizing that what I need is divine intervention.
Thanks for listening. :)

Grant Ready.

Grant got here last Sunday from Arkansas. He will be here for 5 weeks. We are SO happy to have him here! I just wanted to post some pictures of his room we got ready the day before he came (although it's been in the works for a while).

(Hi Addie). I got this headboard for a killer deal and we kind of worked around it for the rest of the room.

The awesome crown molding and casing job (notice the rope lighting) - done by LJ before the broken leg.

My dresser-in-a-day. I picked this up at the D.I. for $15 Friday morning, slapped some new paint, glaze, and handles on it, and it was done that night.

(before)

So it's fun having just a part time boy to buy stuff and decorate for. Girl stuff is still more fun (sorry to those of you who have all boys, but it's true) but it adds some nice variety. :) This room is totally Grant - sports bedspread, Star Wars, Superman, and Ironman posters on the walls, and BYU picture frames I made. And this morning he arranged all of his 42 Marvel action figures on the headboard and threatened anyone who touches them. :) We sure love this dude!

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago our lives were changed forever as we became parents for the first time to this little girl.

Since that time, we have just loved her more and more everyday. She really is the most giving, kind-hearted little girl I know. She is a peacemaker and wants everyone to be happy. She will give her toy to Addie if she wants it, or offer to help with whatever you are doing. She loves snuggles, yogurt, dressing up like a princess, and helping daddy in the garage. She sings all day and her favorites are 'I Love to See the Temple' and 'Little Mermaid Where are You?' (written by Ellie). We love this beautiful, amazing little girl and we are SO blessed that she is part of our family.

Happy Birthday Ellie!