Well, today Brady and I have been asked to speak in church on a "Christ-centered home". It was a talk given in the April 2011 General Conference by Elder Maynes. Find it here . (click on the word here) So good! You never know though when asked to speak, if they picked you because you are really good at the topic already or if they think you stink and need to focus on it for a while. Hmm....wish us luck!

Time Flies

Wow! Time flies when you are busy and have zero time for anything besides the neccessities. School, homeschool, piano lessons, and the girl's activities keep my head spinning so fast that I hardly have time to think straight. Brady has been so busy as well between working at UOP, teaching at SMCC, and the Young Men's program at church. I barely have time to shower or clean house these days; it is like having a baby, but my baby is life. I have missed stalking some of my favorite blog sites! It is amazing to me how blessings that we pray to have suddenly can become trials that we work our way through. Life is hard and fast right now, but it is so good to have a good husband who works so hard to provide for our needs, and beautiful children who are growing so fast.

Christmas

I love Christmas! I love watching the tree when all of the lights are off. I love seeing my girls examining and admiring the presents under the tree. I love hearing Catherine playing Christmas carols on the piano. I am so excited for this time of year! Two of my dearest friends have their birthdays this week, as well as my birthday this week; it leaves me feeling so giddy and festive to have more people to suprise and to celebrate. We are staying home this year and doing our own little family thing. I am excited to start creating traditions and memories of our own. School is done for me for two weeks and I can hardly wait to get everything cleaned up and ready so that I can relax and enjoy. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays as a parent, as a person I enjoy it for a whole different reason. I love the feelings that people get during the holiday season. Goodwill is abundant and I wish that the feelings and spirit of Christmas would remain all year in people's heart. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and that I can feel of his love and sacrifice everyday of the year and not just when we celebrate his birth.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday! I love that there is a holiday built around food. The first Thanksgiving was centered around having enough food to eat and being thankful for all that had been given. I am still thankful to have food to eat and I am also grateful for the many blessings that I have been given. I have two wonderful children and a fantastic husband. I am clothed, fed, and have a beautiful home in progress. I am loved on a regular basis and have good friends who love me as well. I complain often over "injustices" that I face in my life. I am grateful to have such petty injustices to remind me that I am blessed to live in a free country. I am grateful for all that I have and hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Going Home

I have lived in my house for three and a half years now, but when I speak about driving from Phoenix to Washington to visit my parents, I say that I am "going home". What is it about going to a specific place that makes it home? Is it the feelings that place evokes, the memories, or even the aromas associated with it? I don't know. I love my home and work hard to make it a place that my family wants to come back to. When I think of my parent's house, it also is home for me. I am excited to sit on the front porch of my parent's house and watch the huge maple tree across the street loose it's brightly colored leaves. I am excited to escape the heat and have to bundle up for a while. I am excited to wake up to my kids excited squeals as my Dad makes them the biggest breakfast full of treats. These are the memories that I have of my ancestral home, and these are the memories that I hope my kids will remember, not only about their grandparents home, but about my home as well.

My sweet sister Anna

My darling sister-in-law Anna Davies passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2011. She valiantly fought cancer and was finally called home. Her husband Rick and children, Caleb and Emma have been strong and courageous this week. Keep them in your prayers please. We love and miss Anna already!

Purple

We all know how much I love purple, but I have found so many cool ideas for purple lately! These cakes are to die for!






Snippet and Ink is a favorite blog of mine. Here are some of her collages. This on is lilac and lemonade. So pretty!

This is called purple hydrangea.

This one is lilac and lavender. Love it!

Sneak Peak!

First Day of School! First Day of School!

Back from the "Other Side"

So, for the last two weeks I have been near death sick. We went on vacation to San Diego and Provo and it about killed me. I got home and managed to catch the flu, which then unleashed a dormant virus that caused me to have canker sores in my mouth and on my lips. I literally didn't eat for over a week and lost more than 10lbs. Not fun! I am back to eating now and feeling and looking good. Finished the class from Hades and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things on Tuesday. The girls start school on the 15th and get to meet their teachers on the 8th. They both already know their teachers, but it is fun none the less. We are crazy busy as always and trying to keep up with life.