Family Pictures 2016

Nate has had dreams of taking family pictures in front the University of Virginia Rotunda. Last Friday we made his dreams come true :). Thank you Eliza Lyons for being our photographer again for the day! As always - I am not good at cutting down my pictures, so if you can help me decide which one to choose for our family pic let me know ;). Thanks guys!

this boy is obsessed with gum. i am learning not to even buy it anymore :)

Stan had his arms up, so naturally I put mine up as well. life is a celebration, right little man?

Mason likes gum, too! I didn't even know he had it in his mouth. ha!

spontaneity here.

Stan likes to do everything that Mason does. He looks up to his big brother a lot I think.

true love :).

Mason Turns 5

I cannot believe my Mason is already five years old. Celebrating him is so easy because I just love him so much. He is kind and good, and someone who I am so grateful to get to associate with every day. It is the greatest blessing being his Mom - and the greatest privilege helping him take his first steps through life.

On Friday we had a party for him  the day before his birthday (November 11th). It was just a beautiful day, and we couldn't have asked for a better setting. Mason has some of the sweetest friends you can imagine so it was so much fun to celebrate him with everyone. We had relay races, apple bobbing, donut bobbing, fishing for treats in whipped cream, and apple pops (caramel apple slices dipped in chocolate and caramel with treats on them) for dessert. I heard a lot of giggles and saw a lot of smiles. Mason felt so loved so in my mind it was a success.

crafts on cold days

Mason and Stanley have really been getting into this fun crafts book we have. It has been so much fun for us since lately, it has been getting a little colder outside. We especially love it when little Miss O comes to join us, too! It's especially fun when you eat popcorn while crafting. Try it sometime :).

you see that Stanley couldn't help but dip his little finger into the sprinkles we glued onto his name :). love that sweet boy!

a new era in our Country

This has been one of the most dramatic weeks in any election history I can remember. Leading up to this election has felt intense to me. We've never had such interesting options, and I mean that in the very worst sense of the word. I have had almost zero interest in following this campaign, because I have been so unimpressed with our candidates. Last night I fell asleep about 11 pm, and woke up at 2 am when Nate came upstairs. I watched the thirty minutes leading up to CNN's announcement of Donald Trump taking the title of president elect in shock. No one saw this coming, except for one pole maybe.

As some are elated at the news, many are horrified and even scared. I am not all together surprised by the outcome. I have however been deeply saddened and troubled that someone with such low moral character or consideration of minorities and women could get so much approval and absolute devotion by so many. Republicans are more loyal to their party than I gave them credit for.

My prayer going into this new era, is for our leaders to be guided in such troubled times. I pray that Donald Trump will be better than he has said he would be. I pray that we as Americans will somehow find a way to come together, to strengthen one another in truth and right.

I have felt amazing peace during this time. It is a fulfillment to me of President Nelson's talk - finding peace even in troubled times. I find peace because I know what the ultimate outcome will be. Christ will reign on the earth one day, and evil will fail. Until then my job is to do the best I can to stay on the side of Christ, to help others, to love, to be inclusive, to reach out as He would if He were here. I want to be His hands. That in my opinion is the job of every American citizen. Come what may.

I am so grateful to live in this blessed land. It is still the greatest country on earth, and this country's greatness is not based on only its leaders - what matters is what happens in the homes of our country.

This quote my Mom taught me as a girl helps me in times like these:

I Saw the Morning Break




(author unknown)

Ye that have faith shall look with fearless eyes 

Beyond the tragedy of a world at strife, 

And know that out of death and night shall rise 

The dawn of ampler life 

Rejoice, whatever anguish rend the heart, 

That God hath given to you the priceless dower 

To live in these great times, and have your part 

In Freedom's crowning hour. 


That ye may tell your sons who see the light 


High in the heavens, and their high heritage take 

I saw the powers of darkness take their flight, 

I saw the morning break.

Enjoy the beauty you find all around you even more this week! I will try to be even kinder than I was before - especially to those who might feel alone or afraid.

post voting picture at the Alumni house. We were in and out. It was a great experience

a very disgruntled future voter

Stan would not let go over those mock ballots

leaping forward with faith in the future