Special Visitors

Christmas Time

We started the preparations for Christmas! Everyone helped put the Christmas lights on the house. Kaiya was extremely worried about mom falling off. 

Breakfast in Bed

I was awakened by Bug this morning to pull a bacon strata out of the oven. This cute girl made us all breakfast. She sent me back to bed and brought it to me in bed! 

The Family Is of God 

Our Father has a family. It’s me!

It’s you, all others too: we are His children.

He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,

To live and learn here in fam’lies.

 

A father’s place is to preside, provide,

To love and teach the gospel to his children.

A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share

Their love for Father in Heaven.

 

A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,

To nurture and to strengthen all her children.

She teaches children to obey, to pray,

To love and serve in the fam’ly.

 

 I’ll love and serve my family and be

A good example to each fam’ly member.

And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,

I’ll help my fam’ly remember:

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—

This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

Text:  Matthew Neeley

This song moved me to tears today during the primary program. I had never heard it before and it touched my soul. 

I hope I am presiding, providing, teaching the Gospel, leading in famy prayer, nurturing, nurturing, loving, teaching to obey and pray, strengthening, and to love and serve.  My heart aches to do all these things perfect, but my heart, mind, and hands grow weary at times. I hope the Lord is pleased even when the most I can give is meager. 

Shoot your tooth out

Forget shooting your eye out - lets shoot your tooth out! Kaiya lost a tooth on Sunday, and the one next door was extremely loose - but was really hanging on. We tried all day long to get it out too. It did not work. So, Monday our friend made a great recommendation - pull it out the redneck way - shoot it out with a bow. Kaiya was not game initially. However, she warmed up to trying to shoot it out with the toy bow. It took her 3 shots and it was out.

Tilting her head back for a straight pull. 

Realizing it was out - funny faces

Proudly displaying her arrow and bloody floss with Willie. 

Phoenix Temple Openhouse

We woke up early and headed to North Phoenix for the Temple Open House. We arrived and were able to board a bus to the temple immediately. We enjoyed the movie about eternal families. Then, went for our tour. The girls loved the Temple. 

Kaiya asked so many good questions about the purpose of rooms. When we entered the baptism font, she said, "Mom, I can't wait to be old enough to come do baptisms." Makes a mom's heart melt that she already has her eyes and heart set upon the Temple and doing the work of eternal salvation there! 

 Kaelani loved it as well. She too loved the baptism font. The most amazing part of our tour was realizing how much Kaelani is learning. I often feel like it is far more a fight than a gain in doing family prayer, scripture study, and home evening.  Today, the Lord sent a tender sweet mercy. In addition to reminding us twice this past week to do prayers, she said several things while in the temple. In the baptistry before anyone said a word, Kaelani said,

"Mama, I get baptized. I go under. My hair get wet. I baptized. Mama, you watch me."

She repeatedly stated she'd get baptized, she'd go under the water, and her hair would get wet. Every time we passed a picture of the Savior, she would point and say, "Jesus Christ" and point it out. "Jesus Christ talking to boy."

I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven extending the sweet mercies to me, and letting me know that while I feel like my efforts may be in vain - and at times I struggle - they really are paying off. There is nothing sweeter than hearing your children openly and freely talk about their hopes and their desire in choosing righteous activities.

Halloween

We had a very low key unusual Halloween. The girls had dance. our regular tradition, Schnepf Farms, we never were able to make it too. Mama had a bad accident. We cut quick pumpkins - start to finish fast - and shipped Kaiya out the door. We never even lit them. Mama tried calling and calling Dada - but was unable to catch him. We just need some Halloween Cheer this year - 

Halloween night Kaiya went with her dad. Kaelani and I were not fast movers and shakers. We made a few stops.  Aunt Becki's, Unlce Cary's, and Grammy to see Great Aunt Maureen down for a funeral. Gizzy had a great time playing with Skit at Aunt Becki's. Skit was so cute and played Frozen Vampires to Kaelani hearts content. She did not want to leave!  When we did she leave she ran back to give "hugs" and shouted as she "I'll come back!" 

We got home and did not hand out any Halloween candy! Mama has a ton of it!!! 

This is one of the fun holidays and this year it was just a bust. I guess it is good we got to Disneyland Trick or Treat; otherwise, Mama would be Im sad. Here are a few pictures. Mama even forgot her camera (probably has to do with no sleep and not being able to eat for 2 days)! 

Pictures as Kaiya was leaving. 

That was Halloween. :-(