love this!

This is the quote I am giving to my Laurels for this Sunday's lesson. Amazing.

rocks in my garden

This will be my seventh year of having a garden, and I am constantly amazed that no matter how much time I spend getting all the rocks out of my garden, eventually there will always be more. I have wondered if the rain brings them up from the surface, or just time and use? Either way, they hinder the soil and consequently the growth of my vegetables.

So it has rained the last few days, and yesteday I was admiring the garden and sure enough...more rocks.

It really had me thinking how this could be a simple analogy for my life. What are the "rocks" that may be hindering my spiritual growth? Where have they come from? Do I work hard at tossing these away to make room for the fertile ground needed to learn and grow spiritually? Could I self evalute more often and make sure that any new rocks are quickly discarded?

I will be the first to admit that there are emotional rocks that I need to discard; I'm grateful that Heavenly Father makes it possible.

"Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories." ~John Wilmot

We are excited to announce that we are expecting our sixth child!

I just turned 35 last month, and am feeling great...I can do this one more time! Well, that's my mantra, anyway.

When we told our chidren last November; they were absolutely thrilled! Even Nate and Jack are excited and pray for the "baby" every day. Christmas was pretty rough because I was quite sick, but now that I'm far enough into the second trimester I'm feeling fabulous!

We have an ultrasound next Friday to find out whether this little one is a boy or girl. We'll keep you posted.

"cute" is a bad word!

For the last six months or so, Jack and Nathaniel have decided that when they are called "cute" that it is a bad thing. They think that only puppies and babies are cute; big boys are definitely not cute! They get quite upset and demand to be called "cool" instead (in a very serious face). I'm sure it has something to do with having a few older siblings, but it just cracks me up! So, be warned...if you call them cute you might get quite a nasty look your way.

Pinewood Derby

Nicholas had a great time at the Pinewood Derby, racing his car, "Doom". He won the prize for Best Metallic Paint Job!

Our trip to the East Coast

Dave and I had a wonderful opportunity to head out to the East
Coast last week. We went to "Colonial Williamsburg" in Virginia for a few days, visited Washington DC, and spent a night in Philadelphia.

This is the Governor's Palace where after the American Revolution, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson both resided at different times as governors.

This is an example of what people ate in colonial times...notice the delicious calf's head in the center? Makes you hungry doesn't it?

The people who work and live here are so knowledgable about the history of this nation. There is just this amazing feeling when you're there, realizing all the sacrifice from our forefathers
to bring to pass our freedom in this country; and to be able to stand where they once stood.

Okay, I just had to show you how green Viginia is even in the dead of winter, which was about 45 degrees. Surprisingly it doesn't get that cold out there. This is the garden behind the Governor's Palace.

I just loved this picture; there are two people sitting outside dressed in Colonial times.

Dave and I were surprised at how much smaller the White House is in person. Washington DC is amazing, and the next time we're taking the whole family for at least a week...

there is so much to do and see.

Okay, well you can't go to Philly and not get an authentic Cheesesteak from Geno's!

We had an absolute blast being together and came home on my birthday to find our wonderful children and their awesome grandparents waiting for us. I have to say, absence does make the heart grow fonder.. Jack snuggled with me for a long time the next day and said, "Mom, I just need you." Just what I needed!

Brothers

Mmmm... makes me sleepy just looking at this picture. I love it! I love that in a family, your oldest child can still snuggle up and fall asleep with the youngest one.