Gratitude.

I love reading the Book of Mormon. My favorite scripture is: 2 Nephi 31:20

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

With school starting up again, the wind blowing, the long cold dark days ahead this scripture reminds me of the reality of what life is truly about....Alrighty tough miserable lonely frustrating days ahead...come at me. I'm ready. Arg!!!  

Source: gatherlove.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

not so recently...

we went to SD to visit my family back in nov 2010. i was just recently going through all of my pics from my phone and i came across these awesome photos. first off let me explain to you that i once went to hair school so i've always cut my boys' hair. but i thought since all of my nephews needed some haircuts i figured it would be a fun outing! as you can see henry's hair was a long mop.

i love henry's smile here. it's so fake. he hates getting his haircut and i mean HATES. so i promised him a slurpee if he sat really still and did his best not to cry....

there are two funny things here. the first is obvious: henry cannot fake it. i was probably telling him over and over to smile. that was the best he could do. the second is, why, can someone tell me, why my boys who are growing up in the pnw are wearing long sleeves and pants? and their cousins are in short sleeve shirts and shorts?

i'm sure it was warm, it had to be! it's SAN DIEGO for crying out loud. geesh anna.

the after photo of handsome B.

this was of course during the cut. he had tears streaming down his face, but not a peep. not one sound. he didn't even move. he asked a million times if he was done yet. "no not yet henry, you're doing so good though". i just stood close rubbed his leg and wiped his tears. funny what a slurpee can do to a boy. it was the sweetest thing ever. i didn't get an after photo cause he just wanted me to hold him. i love my sweet little brave boy.

stages and weight

it's funny how much i love this stage of discovery.

it's so fun to see what they can find and where they can fit.

she's discovered that she can fit perfectly in the bottom drawer in our kitchen.

but sadly, if you notice in the pic there are some little feet in the background.

yeah, there's no way i would allow the 3 year old in there.

you can't see him wailing and screaming that he wants a turn.

you can't hear me saying to him, your to big! your to heavy! stop crying!

i'm taking pics of the baby, no you can't see them, wait, til' i'm done!

i just don't think it's as cute to see a hefty toddler sitting in a drawer...

enjoy it now sista friend....

soccer mom

henry is finally old enough to play with the 'big' kids

...but not big enough for his jersey

he loved it the first time we went.

then the excitement wore off...

sweet boy, he'll get into it again, hopefully someday.

he hasn't asked to go back...

i heart pigtails

i'm so giddy.

Bryndee's hair is long enough now!

she won't hold still for a pic, but she sits perfectly still for her hair to get done!

She LOVES it.

Brycen is 5!

we went to chuck e cheese.

it was way crowded.

we picked up cousins

austin & jesse

ate some pizza, played games, & danced with a mouse

Henry was scared.

They made quite the spectacle of him. He was into it until they said

he needed to go up front with Chuck E.

He ran over to me & whispered in my ear "mom, I don't want to hug that mouse."

I told him he did not have to do anything he didn't want to do. He then immediately ran over and hugged "that mouse"

I love that kid.

don't you love it?

Don't you wish you could eat a delish meal,

then crash in your high chair?

babies are so cool.

especially the cute sleepy ones...

day 102 of 365

this is the only pic that was taken today.

i wanted to see if that shirt looked good with the dress from the camera's perspective.

It's the bride's maid dress I'll be wearing to my BF's wedding.

(i didn't keep it, it didn't look right. + it was 36 bucks!! the shirt HAD to be returned.)

day 101 of 365

bryndee's tuft of hair flapping in the wind

day 100 of 365

henry learned to ride the scooter today..

but doesn't know that the handles are backwards

day 99 of 365

sold.

good-bye

we didn't know each other very well, but we had some good laughs

day 98 of 365

henry refused to take a nap today.....

then later found him asleep with the blanket pulled up & all

day 97 of 365

played all day with sidewalk chalk

day 96 of 365

Bryndee wearing her brother's overalls

day 95 of 365

house for sale

...by owner

333 front st sumas, wa

it's time.

i posted an ad today..

ben just finished building it

you can see it on craigslist

day 94 of 365

it's so haarrrd to say good-bye to yesterday

(sung in my best 'boys to men' impression)

henry wouldn't look at me...

cause we know how much he's going to miss his auntie

thank you for coming holly

we love you!

day 93 of 365

HAPPY EASTER!

conference was good....

i learned some things i'd like (need) to work on

the whole fam came to amma's

all of the food was so yummy

the easter bunny hid some eggs

he was a little cruel

...one of the eggs was on top of the stinging ants nest

grrr...