Incriminating Photo of the Day . . .

Think this gives away the fact that we had brownies for breakfast while we watched the Disney Channel? I think Jack liked it . . .

Bea and Bawh

Right now Jack sure loves his "bea and bawh."

Last week I lied to Jack's pediatrician.

He asked if Jack was off the bottles.

I lied and said, "Of course!"

The truth however, is that I don't wanna let that go yet.

Jack could care less what he drinks from.

But it's the only time he sits still with us.

Drinking from what Jack calls his "bawh" and cuddling with what he calls his "bea" is too special to give up on yet.

Maybe just one more week? . . .

Tupperware-Head-Man

Perhaps this is the early aspirations of a young astronaut in the works . . . or maybe it is just tupperware-head-man.

Jack thought is was pretty great getting mom and dad to laugh at him!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

I just finished another great book club read.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini was so inspiring. It is about the lives of two women in Afghanistan during the Taliban rule. Reading this made me so grateful for the many blessings I have living in America - and although our country is not perfect - we are truly blessed to live here.

If your looking for an inspiring and bold novel - I would definitely recommend this one!

Dear Gavin

Dear Gavin,

Tonight we came to visit you for family home evening. It was so fun to watch Jack recognize your picture. He knows you.

Yesterday I taught a lesson in church about eternal families. I talked about you. All morning I stressed over making sure the message I wanted to give was clear. I worried my emotions would take over and I wouldn't be able to say what I wanted to. However, telling your story is so natural when it comes to talking about eternal families. You are what helped me gain my testimony in that.

I am so grateful for our time with you Gav. You taught me more than you will ever understand. I love you. Everything about you.

Love,

Momma

Grandpa Dave's Office

Today we went for a visit to Grandpa Dave's office and Aunt Kelley took this picture. How cute Jack posing as his Grandpa Dave - otherwise known as DJM?

Trial Or Opportunity?

Days like today still happen. That familiar pit in my stomach has returned to share the day with me. It colors the way I see things. It reiterates the importance of life, and in a way it rejuvenates my soul. I am reminded of things I have learned and things I continue to learn.

Last night Jason and I were reading from the March 2010 Ensign. In the article "Learning Through Life's Trials" a paragraph jumped out at me. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all day. I figured it was something I needed to write down.

Trials give us opportunities to show the Lord and ourselves that we will be faithful. We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves and ask, "Why me?" or we can grow from our trials, increase our faith in the Lord and ask, "How can I be faithful in the midst of this trial?" We can let adversity break us down and make us bitter, or we can let it refine us and make us stronger. We can allow adversity to lead us to drift away from things that matter most, or we can use it as a stepping-stone to grow closer to things of eternal worth.

President Harold B. Lee once remarked: "Sometimes when we are going through the most severe tests, we will be nearer to God than we have any idea."

So, on days like today where the grief is raw and real - I am trying to remember to prove myself and let it refine me.

Happy Easter

We had been anxiously awaiting a long, relaxing Easter weekend with my family at the cabin in Utah. Jack had a great time playing with Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Dave and his aunts and uncles.

Grandma Cindy loved showing Jack the snow. He just couldn't understand why the "ball" kept melting. HA! We did decorate Easter eggs and gave Jack stickers to put on his egg. He tried to eat the egg and the stickers ended up on his face . . . and later on they were found in the toilet. Sneaky kid.
Lots of time was spend playing old video games.

And of course, Jack had a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Jack seemed a little more interested in this Easter Egg Hunt. Perhaps it was all the attention he received from the 10 adults when he picked up each egg.