"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley


"None of us come to this earth to gain our worth; we brought it with us."

--Sheri L. Dew

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Baby's Memory

Yesterday Madelyn had to get 2 immunizations.  The nurse was really nice and gave her 2 stickers afterward.  Today when we got into the car after an errand she was kinda mad at me and I saw one of the stickers on the floor so I grabbed it and handed it to her.  She automatically started making this sad sound and pointed to her legs.  :(  I know she won't remember forever, but it made me a little sad for her!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Pictures of our past life....

In no particular order :)
 

Grace's First Day! 
 

 
Madelyn figured our how to yell at the kids through the back window.


 
Grant finishing his marathon.  He did so well!


One of 3 nice crash marks on Thaddeus.  We went on a family home evening bike ride.....
 

 
Madelyn picking her own raspberries.

 
Grace's fairy house.

 
Madelyn's mad toe skills.  That is a chip she put in between her toes.

Monday, September 9, 2013

And another thing.....

I wrote in my last post about how we lost a wonderful nephew a couple weeks ago.  I think it is interesting that not 2 days before we lost him, we found out that another boy would be joining our family. 
 
I don't think I have ever divulged this information publicly, but between Thaddeus and Madelyn we miss-carried.  It made me very cautious to tell anyone I was pregnant.  I never actually told that many people I was pregnant with Madelyn, afraid I would have to turn around and tell them I wasn't anymore.  I kinda just grew and grew until some of the girls in my ward started asking me questions :)  I started telling people a little sooner with this guy.  Anyway, he is due December 28 and my oldest two are so excited for a brother.  Grace, from the beginning has said we needed a boy, since she already has a sister, Thaddeus needed a brother.  How selfless of her :)  Everything is just fine and I am just tired, as is every mother of 3, pregnant or not.......

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Happy things, Sad things

There are two exciting things to talk about.  Grace had her first day of first grade today!  Grant completed his first full marathon on Saturday and finished with a time of 3:49, not too bad for a rookie! 
 
 
 
And, one very sad thing.  See that cute family?  That is my oldest sister and her family.  Despite what the picture says, those two got along a lot better than that :)  Friday before last, August 23, early in the morning before 8am, the boy on the far right, the seemingly annoying one bothering his sister, was taken from this world in an instant.  He was on his way to work, all alone on the highway, and somehow rolled his car, was ejected and died at the scene.  He was only 18.  We've had a sad week.  But, despite it all, the gospel is still true, and that is the beautiful thing!  He was a great kid and I know exactly where he is right now and, the best part, I know he is still my little nephew!  He will be forever and ever and ever! 
He was a very sweet boy, he loved to read and to his mother's dismay, probably read more than slept!  He was kind and included everyone.  He knew when to laugh.  He got good grades and could figure just about anything out.  He could argue a point, and well.  When he was little he loved Blue's Clues, the Spot dog series and, like any boy, airplanes and trucks and trains.  He was the oldest grandchild on both sides and this year, turned one year older than my dad!! (his birthday is leap year day)  He played lacrosse, sang in 3 different choirs, ran cross country and earned his Eagle Scout award.  He knew how to work hard and he didn't shirk his duties, just sometimes his chores :)  He was ordained an Elder a little while back and was working to earn money to serve an LDS mission.  He will be missed greatly, and I can't wait for him to greet me when my time is up here on earth.