This little man is such a stud

Missing her something fierce the last several days

Nate's first piano recital

These darling boys had their Christmas piano recital Monday night (Nate's first) and did
such a tremendous job. And sweet waffles, we love their incredible piano teacher a
whole lot. She truly is the best and we feel so grateful she is willing to teach these two.

Feeling festive

Festive Christmas headwear at the elementary school today.

Three more

Three bonus pictures from Saturday night when I was taking dance photos for Annie's group.

On the way to meeting the kids, I pulled over to the side of the road and snapped this beautiful sunset
with my nice camera. Seriously friends, are you kidding me? Good grief, God really loves me.

Right in the middle of taking individual photos of each couple, I caught this orange sunset out
of the corner of my eye. And made the cute high schoolers wait while I grabbed a quick picture.

And my little helper during the photo shoot. Well, kind of helpful. But what she
couldn't muster in assistance, she made up with this cute little posed photo.
Posed by herself, not her mother. Sure love this little firecracker a whole lot.

My darling boy

This little sweetheart met with our bishop this morning in preparation for his baptism
in just over a month. He decided long ago that he would wait to be baptized until Jacob's
parents returned from Ghana and could attend. It is only a few more weeks now and he
is so excited, happy and ready. Oh I love this sweet boy. He really is something else.

Christmas dance

My darling girl went to her last high school Christmas Dance tonight and I was so
happy to be asked to take the group pictures. I'm so grateful for how they turned out.

I adore that oldest girl of mine like a crazy person. She is brilliant and beautiful and kind and
good. And her handsome date is as nice as they come. They are so fun to be around. Oh, and if
you couldn't already tell from one of their hilarious photos, they performed in Matilda together.
.
Good grief, time is a flying. I'm just trying to hang on for the ride and be as present
as possible during these sacred days. I just really, really love being a mom.

One of my favorites—Christmas cards and human beings

Just sitting here staring at our Christmas card from President
and Mrs. Bush. No big deal.

Okay, huge deal to me because
I adore this man and he has been nothing but kind and hilarious toward Jacob and grandfatherly and lovely toward me (I mean he hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and told Jacob he had
a sweetheart on his hands).
I'm kind of a huge fan.

Okay, carry on. I'm done bragging. Annoying, yet giddy, lady...out.

Your Great Adventure

"Long, long ago, even before we were born, in an age dimmed by time
and clouded from memory, we too were invited to embark on an adventure.
It was proposed by God, our Heavenly Father. Accepting this adventure would
mean leaving the comfort and security of His immediate presence. It would
mean coming to earth for a journey filled with unknown danger and trial.

We knew it would not be easy.

But we also knew that we would gain precious treasures,
including a physical body and experiencing the intense joys and
sorrows of mortality. We would learn to strive, to seek, and to
struggle. We would discover truths about God and ourselves.

Of course, we knew we would make many mistakes along the way.
But we also had a promise: that because of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
we could be cleansed of our transgressions, refined and purified in
our spirits, and one day resurrected and reunited with those we love.

We learned how much God loves us. He gave us life, and He wants
us to succeed. Therefore, He prepared a Savior for us.

And so, trusting the promises and power of God
and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge." 

~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Snowy days and cute cousins

Remembering time off of school, fun in the snow and two of our
littlest cousins spending a couple of days playing at our house.

Grandma Dawn

This sweetest lady included Jacob and me in the Christmas dinner she held last night,
since my in-laws are still living in another country. Unfortunately, Jacob is currently
on the other side of our own country, so I went and enjoyed being with her and my
mother-in-law's siblings and spouses a whole lot. They are tremendous people.

I really love Grandma Dawn and am so thankful for her
and the sweet relationship we have. She sure means a lot to me.

An African safari

My incredibly kind husband insisted that before I left Zambia, I needed to go on
a safari. And so I did. And it was one of the neatest experiences I have ever had.

I was so thankful to join two wonderful friends that I had met during the
previous days in Zambia. They are also associated with Mary's Meals and
are from the Czech Republic and just really fabulous people to be around.

Thanks Dominik and Lucy for letting me join your safari adventure!

As far as sharing about the experience, I will just let the photos speak for me. They do
a much better job than I could and I don't even have the proper words to express what a
cool experience I had. It made me feel closer to my Dad, knowing years ago he had seen
so many of the same animals on the same continent. It also made me feel so thankful
for what the Savior created for us to enjoy. It was a really wonderful couple of days.