Laundry Day

Nathan's favorite day of the week? Laundry day.

Love,

At the Park With Daddy

     Sam had the day off on Wednesday (Pioneer Day - gotta love working for the Church!) so we decided to go to the park in the afternoon.

Most of the time she preferred to sit on the bench and drink water.

Dad is cool, and he lets her go on the rings. 

Clearly, she enjoyed herself.

And he is content to hang out in the stroller and play with the straps.

     I can't believe it's already almost August. Park days are quickly coming to an end, so we better take advantage of them!

Love,

There Is Not One Perfect Way

     There is something that has been on my mind a lot lately, and I came across a quote today that said it perfectly.

     "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family."

- M. Russell Ballard, Daughters of God

(Read the entire talk here.)

     I often hear women talking negatively about choices they see other moms making. Being a mom is already hard, and nobody wants to hear criticism on the way they choose to do it. Just assume all moms are doing their best. They may do some things differently than you do, but that's ok - their children are different than yours, and maybe that is the best thing for them.

     Moms need encouragement, rather than criticism. Be the one to tell a mom you know that she is doing a great job. I'm sure it will make her day.

Love,

8 Months Old

     This handsome little boy is 8 months old today. I can't believe how big he is getting! He pulls himself up to stand on everything he can get his hands on, he babbles like crazy, and he LOVES to eat! He dances whenever he hears music, and he loves to follow his big sister around. He's the happiest baby ever. 

I'm so glad he's mine.

Love,

Pictures From This Weekend

Nathan fell asleep on the walk home from a friend's house. He has been teething like crazy for the past week - notice the ridiculous amount of drool on his shirt?

Ellie put this comb in her hair and left it like that all day. Silly girl!

Fun at the park. This little boy pulls himself up on everything!

He enjoyed his first time in the swing. He couldn't stop laughing and smiling! Well, until we wanted to take a picture, of course. Isn't that always the case?

This is Ellie's reaction when I told her to smile for a picture...

     Have I mentioned how much I love summer in Rexburg?

Love,

4th of July

     Let it be known that we did, indeed, celebrate Independence Day around here. This is the only picture I took. Lame, I know. But it's a good thing other people take pictures of my children for me... Otherwise they may not have photographic evidence of some of their childhood.

In the morning our friends came over with their two cute kiddos for breakfast. Yep, these four are adorable.

Then we went to the parade. Of course. What is the 4th of July in Rexburg without the parade?

 Nathan enjoyed eating playing with the confetti.

It was really hot! Good thing Sam was willing to haul Ellie around on his shoulders.

Waving at one of the floats.

Ellie and Sam each year at the parade. It's crazy how much she has changed! His brother took the 2012 and 2013 pictures. Like I said, good thing other people take pictures of my children.

After the parade we were all tired. We took naps, and when we woke up we hung out in the basement where it was cool. That evening we decided to walk to the nature park. On the way there Sam's brother called and decided to meet us there. We fed the ducks and let the kids play. We were planning on putting the kids to bed early since they were so tired, but then family decided spur-of-the-moment to do fireworks at our house. You can't have the 4th of July without fireworks, right?

They were in awe. And surprisingly, nobody cried even though they were so loud and it was late.

And of course there were sparklers. I'm kind of a weirdo about sparklers. I don't know why, but they've always scared me a little bit. I guess I just don't like getting that close to burning metal? But hey, they make for cute pictures.

     I love Independence Day in Rexburg because it's the one holiday where it's warm enough to be outside all day long. Sunburn is a given, but it means summer is here!

     I'm so grateful for those who sacrificed their lives so that we could enjoy all the silly things we enjoy on the 4th of July.

Until next year,

Mormon Temples

     I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some people call us "Mormons" after The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a book of scripture unique to our religion. The Book of Mormon is a record of ancient times in the Americas. Learn more about The Book of Mormon here. You can request a free copy here, or read it online here.

     Chances are if you have heard of the "Mormons," you have heard of our temples. There are 141 operating temples throughout the world. This is a picture of the Rexburg, Idaho Temple that is a few miles from my house.

Picture found here.

     Many people wonder what goes on in these temples. Today I found a video online that explains our Sunday worship, what goes on in Mormon temples, and why temples are important to us.

     This video is an interview with Elder William R. Walker, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that oversees temples worldwide. It takes you through a virtual tour of a few temples, and describes what goes on in each area.

      If you want to learn even more about temples, visit this website. 

      I am so grateful that I live close to a temple, and that I have received the blessings that are offered there. Because my husband and I were married by the sealing power discussed in the video, we can be together forever - as a couple and with our children. I know that the Spirit of the Lord dwells in these holy temples.

    If you want to know more about what Mormons believe, request a time to speak with your local missionaries - wherever you are - here.

     If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask me!
   
Love,