[balloons]

.the banner was hung while red & white balloons bounced inside the living room.

as we anxiously awaited...
.elder A.
he's home! he's home! hooray! hooray!





my ever so handsome brother returned home from serving his LDS mission in winnipeg!

the long awaited hugs!

.apparently it was a long day for more than just me.



scott gave his mission report yesterday at church and did an outstanding job!
he was glowing! the spirit felt in that chapel did not go unrecognized.
he delivered a beautiful message speaking of his amazing conversion experiences, the people of canada, faith, charity, and invited all to come unto Christ.
"what do we have to loose?" he asked.
if we don't have faith, start with hope.
thank you brother for your stellar example!
.i love you.

[teaching our children to work]

lulu helping paint her new bedroom pink '05


i've been realizing lately how i tend to "just do it myself" around this joint.
i knew i signed up to be a maid when i got married... OUCH!
but in all actuality we take on certain roles as partners, and mine would be the homemaker.

i seriously could not wait to prepare menus, plump the pillows, oh so carefully fold our clothing and dote over my new hot little provider.
i even copied my mothers recipes on crisp new 5X7 sized cards with dainty deliberate handwriting while i was still engaged.

why do i look at my role differently now?
i don't need to think twice about this question... after three children, it's not so easy to stay a float!

what i need to be doing is teaching my daughters to be little my little worker bees.
in all reality, children want to learn.
.they are capable.
it's up to us to teach them how to take care of things, fix things, and take ownership and pride in their work.

my dear husband is so good at teaching our girls new tricks.
he takes the time (this is key) to explain, help and instruct them on all kinds of projects.
.this is what i need to work on.
instead of patiently tutoring them, i just do it myself.
this is a disservice to these little girls of mine.


The best time to begin teaching a child the value of working hard is in their youth. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

“Teach your young children to work, and teach them that honest labor develops dignity and self-respect. Help them to find pleasure in work and to feel the satisfaction that comes from a job well done” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Spiritually Strong Homes and Families,” Ensign, May 1993).

these quotes were found in this great article: teaching Kids a Good Work Ethic

[baby shower bliss]

.celebrating life.

.the lovely new mommy.








.family . friends . food.

.it can't get much better than this.

.thank you kate for welcoming us to your incredible home.

.the first time new grandma.









oh, there is nothing like having a baby!
to experience childbirth for the first time is a once in a lifetime event that is unlike any other!
.i am a little bit jealous i have to admit, if i could only hit rewind.
the pure miracle is absolutely remarkable!
.that sweet little spirit you helped create.
.the emotions.
.the bond.

we're so excited for you sis!
good luck and best wishes with you and your new little family!

[self portrait]

okay maria, this picture is for you!

maria started self portrait sunday
she encourages all the women out there, like herself who are always "behind the camera" or who generally dislike their own photo to find ones they like and/or have more taken of themselves.

.our posterity will thank us later.

i think this is a beautiful idea & i completely agree with her...
i don't have very many photos of myself either.


as for my sunday spiritual spruce-up, prayer has been coming up a lot in my mind & heart lately.
i feel like i am being prompted to share this with you today.
no matter what religion we belong to or don't belong to, there is always prayer.
our lives and our world are full of so many obstacles.
i cannot fathom my life or my family's existence without hope, prayer, repentance and eternity.
i think i would be scared and depressed every single day by all the doom and gloom that surrounds us without my knowledge of the gospel.
may this be an enlightenment.

.the first verse of a favorite hymn.

Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ, our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor As a shield today?
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don't forget to pray.

Did you think to Pray?


after visiting the church's website i was quickly reminded that june's ensign theme is all about prayer.
the first presidency's message is entitled, Prayer and the Blue Horizon, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

here are a few quotes i loved:

Prayer is one of the principles of the gospel that provides lift. Prayer has the power to elevate us from our worldly cares, to lift us up through clouds of despair and darkness into a bright and clear horizon.

One of the greatest blessings and privileges and opportunities we have as children of our Heavenly Father is that we can communicate with Him. We can speak to Him of our life experiences, trials, and blessings. We can listen for and receive celestial guidance from the Holy Spirit. We can offer our petitions to heaven and receive an assurance that our prayers have been heard and that He will answer them as a loving and wise Father.

Prayer, if given in faith, is acceptable to God at all times. If you ever feel you cannot pray, that is the time you definitely need to pray, exercising faith. entire article

. say a prayer today . be comforted .

[bridal head band]

. love . love .