I'm lovin' it!

Okay, I'm not quite sure why, but I am LOVING this time of the year.

~Maybe it's because the weather is finally cooling off and I can spend time outside with my children. Caleb loves going to the park and we have gone three days in a row! I also go walking with a friend three times a week and it is beautiful in the mornings right now. Both of my boys enjoy the outdoors too.


~Maybe it's because Jared doesn't have any night classes this semester! He gets to just come home after work every day and spend time with us. Ever since Caleb was born Jared has had a lot of classes at night. This semester he only has one class and it's in the morning. It is wonderful!

~Maybe it's because the Holidays are just around the corner and that means spending time with family and friends. I have to admit that when Jared and I were driving to his brother's house on Sunday I pulled out my Josh Groban Christmas CD to listen to. I thought Jared would object since it's not even Halloween yet, but he didn't mind. I just can't help it, I'm so excited for Christmas this year!

~It's also because I love baking and making fun treats and since it's getting cooler outside I can turn on my oven more! I made zucchini cookies a few days ago and last night we made hot dog mummies for dinner. I just made my own bread sticks and wrapped them around hot dogs. I got the idea from the website picky palate and it was fun. I think Caleb enjoyed them the most!



~And probably the biggest reason I am so happy is because I get to see these smiles every single day! I am excited to spend time together as a family this Holiday season.

It's raffle time for a great cause!

Check this out! There is a raffle going on at a blog called Our Happy Nest for a little girl named Callie Butler. She is from Show Low where I grew up and I know some of her siblings. She has been at PCH for a long time recovering from an accident. If you are interested in donating to help her family out and at the same time enter the raffle for some awesome prizes click HERE!

What's your favorite Primary song?

Growing up I had a favorite primary song. Here are the words:

Families Can Be Together Forever
I have a family here on earth.
They are so good to me.
I want to share my life with them through all eternity.

Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can.

While I am in my early years,
I'll prepare most carefully,
So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.

Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father's plan
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can.

I remember even as a child having these words touch me and I knew they were true. Yesterday I was singing this song to Kyson and I couldn't help but think about the meaning of these words. I thought about how simple they are yet so profound. I thought how different the world would be if everyone understood and believed the words to this song.

No matter what happens with Proposition 102 and others that are sure to follow, I know this will always be an issue that will be confusing to children. I will never stop singing this song to my children, as I hope they can also develop strong testimonies of these words at an early age. Families ARE forever and as the song says, "I always want to be with my own family!"

How can you not LOVE this little man?

Last Friday night Jared watched the kids while I was went out with a friend. (Isn't he wonderful!) Anyway, he took these pictures of Kyson and when I got home he showed them to me. I just started laughing when I saw them and now every time I look at them I can't help but laugh. They seriously crack me up! He is always making the funniest faces and I'm so glad Jared caught them on camera.




Kyson has a funny side but he also has a very loving side. I often refer to him as my little cuddle bug. When we went to Show Low for Conference weekend, he seemed so content to just snuggle with whoever was holding him. My little brother Stephen really enjoyed it.


I have to say that I can't get enough of his snuggles either. I love him so much.

Cowboy Kid Raffle

My husband recieved a really neat idea from his sister Allison. To get his name out, he is holding a raffle for his next project. Take a look at his flyer. Be sure to make a comment on Perfect Pencil once you have made a post about his site so that you can be entered. This is a really cool photo from Holly Brimhall Photography. He has already started it.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Happy Anniversary to me! Well, actually Jared and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on August 15th. Jared presented this picture to me that day but said he wasn't quite finished with it. He got busy with school and I have been pestering him to complete it ever since. It is finally complete and hanging on our wall in our bedroom. Can I just say "I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!" I also love where it's hanging because every night as I lay down in bed I look at it and it makes me so happy and so grateful for my children. I am so impressed with this talent Jared has. It is amazing what he can do with just a paper and pencil. Anyway I just wanted to share this picture with all of you.


Jared and I also just put together a blog containing a lot of the work he has completed. If you are interested in taking a look at the website click HERE.

Growing up!

Last week I took this little man...

to see his surgeon, Dr. A. He seemed to be very pleased with the progress Kyson has made. We are now hoping we won't have to see Dr. A again (no offense to him, because he is great!) for at least 2 1/2 years. Kyson will have his last surgery when he is around 30 pounds. At the rate he is growing now that might not be very far away...he is already almost 17 lbs!

Caleb loves his little brother and can't WAIT for the day he will get up and run around the house with him. He tries so hard to get him to play with him and is always trying to share his cars, balls, trains, books, and more with him. He loves to hold him although he doesn't quite get the "being soft" part of it. Here is a picture of the two of them together. I love the look on Caleb's face as if to say, "Look at me! I'm so big holding my brother!"