Light and Love

 Another week of an opposite upload.  

Maisie received tickets to Bocelli's concert in Phoenix.  She was delighted.  She sang at the right moments, laughed, cooed and was her darling self.  

We had such a fun evening together.  I love that this girl loves Italian opera music.  I love that this boy does, too.

Ryan scored three touchdowns and his two football games on Saturday.  The coach has figured out that he's fast.

The past three Fridays Austin has taken these kids hiking all over Sedona.  This week they hiked Bell Rock.  I stayed home to hem my pants suit and put a Costco puzzle together (the last piece was never found) whilst I watched three Disney movies from the 90's.

Eddie and Ryan take turns sending pictures to Maisie during the school day.  I found this cute one.

I made that lovely dinner and used Maldon finishing salt.

I was sent tanning lotion for my legs -- it kind of worked.

Natalie made me the most beautiful quilt for my birthday, and it arrived this week.  The theme is Anne of Green Gables, and some of the fabric have actual sections from the book.  It's so sweet.

Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks -- she really does love me.

Wednesday I took the youth the to the temple.  The seven hour even was spiritually sensational.  I love serving in God's holy house; and my. heart is full when my children are with me.  I feel His light and His love when we are there.

Monday night we gathered around the fire pit for smores.

Molly captured me almost stretching -- I sure need to straighten my legs.

Karen gave these children sensory boxes, they spend hours creating games and hiding tokens.  

Maddie was buried.

Molly drew Gerald!

Monday was Valentine's Day!  I worked hard the night prior setting a darling table in hopes that my children would feel my love.  Oh, how my heart beats for my husband and children.  I do love them, and I want so badly for them to find my love as a place where they can progress and become just as God intends.

Austin and I didn't take one picture together -- at least we did at Bocelli's concert.

Sunday was New Beginnings.  Here is our event space.

Meg was sick this week, Ale diagnosed her correctly, so she's on the mend.

Andy spent the week learning and growing in Mexico, Elder Renlund came to speak to them.  He said he's excited to head out next week.

February Finds Us Fortunate

Molly kisses this boy to death.  He rarely minds, and even reciprocates by sitting on her belly while she talk and talks and talks.

I found this scripture for Elder Babcock.  He's doing just as the Savior asked -- he's bringing the souls of men unto Him.

Morning girls.

Wednesday night was a valentine's box creation and note exchange.  The event was super.

Nick and I worked together.

"This is what advanced art looks like."

Maddie's has a spire?

Karen Julian came for a visit!  She loved the children and added so happines to our world.  We had a picnic at the park, played with sensory boxes and ate lovely food.

Saturday we ate waffles with cream and strawberries.  We watched Ryan's winning football game -- he caught the ball and ran to the five yard line.

Boys riding bikes.

 We spent the evening in Phoenix with the Julians.  We ate food and laughed about life's adventures.  We will miss our dear friend, Karen.  I hope she comes again in the summer.

January Jumps into February

I found this gem of a picture.  The date is April 2000, when I went to Seattle to spend with week with my fiance and his family. My hair billowed, my legs were still short, and I was already damaging my skin with extreme sun exposure.  Ah, youth.

Maddie planned FHE this week.  We had an epic UNO tourney, wherein Maddie won it all.  Look at Maisie throwing her head back as Nick plays his final card.

I really want to cut my hair like this girl's -- she's a Walmart photo.  Be assured, that I will not walk into the Walmart salon to make that happen.

Molly and Eddie invent a new game most days.  Today Molly was the queen of everything during most moments, but Maddie generously filled in when Molly got tired.

Eddie made, yet, another new game: shrink wrap.

Ryan and I play a game first thing most mornings.  He's a very nice winner and a very nice loser.  

Twinning brothers.

Molly finished all 100 lessons in her book.

Nick's room has the best morning light.  We often chase the sun and read piles of books.  

These two boys attend activity days juntos.  Rain sticks -- clever CFM Noah nod.

Friday morning I flew to Utah to spend the weekend with my mother and sisters.  At 7:45 am she picked up me, wherein we ate a warm breakfast and the spent the morning at Ricky's house.

Home again to be an aunt to the Standy children.  I was fun!  We played, laughed and chased.  Utah -- home with my mother -- is such a sacred place, because as we share the good and the best, I rest in her love.

Friday evening we picked up Natalie from the airport.  We spent some time at Gygi's.

Large Stock Pot -- $450

Saturday we shopped.

Together.  L-R: Cousin Meg, Cousin Emma, Aunt/Mother Emily

We took mother shopping for her birthday, and we had the grandest time.

Drop It

Evening came so quickly -- but we found ourselves loved at Campbells' and relaxing on mother's bed.

Sunday morning Natalie pulled out her puzzle and away these girls flew.  They memorized every piece and had that thing solved within a few hours -- that we even stopping several times.

All my sisters and mother exchanged gifts and spent a very blessed hour together.  Here is Kimmie wondering what she would look like with darker hair.  Emily provided the wig.

These two love birds came for the day.  I sure love them.

Monday I traveled home and was greeted by lovely children, warm dinner, a clean house and a very handsome husband.

It's a very daunting and rewarding identity as a daughter of God with ancestry like mine.  I love my mother, her mother and her mother.  One day I will meet all my mothers, and I will thank them for showing me how to joyfully choose my role as obedient daughter, beloved sister, valiant mother, and eternal wife.  (That's pretty boastful, but I boast in my Savior and Redeemer because I know that He ensured my abilty to choose this much happiness.)