To be a kid again

I have to share a couple of things Macy has said recently.
While at Grandma's house last week, Macy enjoyed playing with a tea set. One day as we were getting ready to go to the store,
Macy said, "I want to buy a tea set."
Mom replied, "But you don't have any money."
Macy pointed to grandma and said "I use she's money."

This morning Macy was talking about the wise men. We set up some of our Christmas things yesterday so I thought she was talking about the Wise men who gave gifts to the baby Jesus.
She picked up a play phone and started talking.
Mom, "Who's on the phone?"
Macy, "The wise man."
Mom, "Who are the wise men?"
She said something about nursery so I asked her if the wise men were in her nursery.
Macy said, "probably...the wise men built his house upon a rock." Then she wanted to sing the song.
Never assume you know what your kids are talking about until you hear the whole story. I realize this with the older kids too. They are learning to communicate and think and it is so fun to watch the process but I must be patient, and get the whole story!

Thoughts on women

I re-read Sister Allred's talk from the General Relief Society meeting and wanted to share what I liked.
She quoted President Kimball saying this: "Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more conerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility.... Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth of the Church in the last days."
I loved this! What a great reminder of the work that can and need to be doing. Women need women. Let us reach out to all of our friends and neighbors. Christmas time is a great time to share with people our beliefs, our service, and our love for Jesus Christ. I challenge you to do something... I will too and I'll try to remember to share it on my blog.

Travel

The kids and I took a road trip to Gma and Gpa Wright's house last week. We had an excellent time. The kids were in heaven playing with their cousins. I was happy to spend time with my family, do some sewing, and not have to worry about cleaning my house. It's always easier to help others, although I didn't clean much there either. My sister-in-law and mom did most of the work for the girls' Christmas dresses. They turned out really cute. I'll post pictures after they put them on and get all fixed up for Church. They are VERY excited to wear them.
After visiting family, we always wished we lived closer but it isn't to be.

November 8

This post is in honor of what would have been my official due date for this last pregnancy.
A handful of friends and family members have given birth to beautiful and healthy babies in the last couple of months and I'm so happy and excited for them! So naturally I was thinking about what I would be feeling like as I anticipated the arrival of my baby. I can honestly say that I'm not too sad. I really think I've been blessed with a miracle. The blessings and lessons I've learned from the whole experience far outweigh the sadness of it all. It's OK to feel sad and cry and sometimes I do. But I really thought it would be so much harder. Here's a little of what I've learned:
-You can't go through an experience like this alone!
-So many women have lost babies! My new circle of friends includes a few of them. I have had constant support of these women who have lost and it really makes a difference.
-gratitude for amazing and supportive friends and family.
-My love and appreciation for the Book of Mormon has increased. It's really come alive more to me this year.
-I have a greater desire to be worthy of the Holy Ghost's constant companionship and can more easily recognize when it is not present.
-Love for my 3 kids in my home has greatly increased. I have appreciated them so much more and really enjoyed spending time with them and trying to make fun memories with them.
-I have been able to more easily recognize blessings in my life. I've learned that the spiritual blessings seem to be the most common and the ones that I need the most. This is probably true for others too.
-I've learned to trust in the Lord more and especially His timing. I wish I knew what He knows but I can't handle it all at once and so I must be patient as I learn line upon line...
-I have felt God's love for me way more than I have before and my relationship with Him and with the Savior has been strengthened.
And so, do I sometimes wish I was hugely pregnant and about to give birth to a precious little spirit of Heavenly Father? Of course, but I know it's all for the best. I have faith in the promises I have received through priesthood blessings and I'll strive to enjoy my 3 healthy and growing kiddos! (They are finally feeling better from their illness).

A few pictures

Our family doesn't really enjoy eating the traditional birthday cake. So instead of wasting my time and energy to make a cute cake, that I'll eat for the next week, the birthday person chooses a dessert. Sometimes it's tricky for blowing out candles. This was my choice, caramel apples. I've always wanted to make them. They were so yummy!

I had to post this one because of Brynn's face. She is a happy and and energetic girl but recently we see this face more. Almost every time we ask her to do something we get this face and "do I have to?" I do believe we've hit a new phase. But we'll love her anyway. I'm sure I was way worse!

Here's the kiddos on their way out the door to trick-or-treat. I didn't get a very good shot. They were in a hurry. Joel only lasted 30 minutes. (The kids were still sick). He went in our little culdesac and wanted Stan to bring him home after that. He went straight to bed while the girls were out for almost another hour.