How babies are born.

Last night we were having Family Home Evening and for some reason babies got mentioned. Carter decided to educate us on how babies are born. He said that you eat a seed and then the baby grows inside of you. When it is time for the baby to come out the doctor cuts open a hole in the belly button and takes out the baby. Brian and I just laughed. Where do kids come up with these ideas? It's funny too because not too long ago Carter was asking me some questions and I was very honest with him. Katrina was also asking so I thought this to be a good opportunity to talk to them about the birds and the bees. I only told what I felt appropriate at the time. Anyway Carter said, "Can we stop talking about this". He's obviously forgotten the whole conversation because he thinks we eat a seed to have a baby. Of course I can't complain because I still love the innocence. I love when kids have their own theory about where babies come from. It just reminds me of how innocent children are and we should keep them that way as long as we can. Before we know it they will know too much and have heard too much.

Faith

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I work with the Young Women (12-18) in my Ward. We have a program called Personal Progress where the girls work on a value. Our values are:Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue. I've started doing Personal Progress again. We as a leadership in the YW program thought it would be good for us to do Personal Progress again (we did it as youth). I have started on Faith. For three weeks I am to focus on praying morning and night. Of course I do that anyway, but it's much harder to forget when you are challenging yourself. I also have been reading some articles and scriptures to better understand faith. Just by focusing on that, I have learned so much. There are still those challenging days where I have not been so good about having faith. When I really think about it, in life we need to have faith. Faith is what keeps us going each day. Without faith I believe we would be lost. I wrote this down in my journel, Elder Hales says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Just because we can't see something does not mean it isn't there. We do not see Christ, but through faith we know he is there. I have a testimony of faith. Faith is what gets us through this life and gets us through the trials we face. Faith is what helps us know that Christ is there and that we have a Father in heaven who wants us to live with Him again. We are so blessed to have the knowledge to have faith in all we do. Faith will keep us strong as long as we work at it. Always remember to ask in faith when in doubt to know what is true. I am gratful for faith.

My husband: I Just Call Him Mine

There is a new song by Martina McBrida called I Just Call You Mine. It reminds me so much of Brian. He is someone that everyone likes. Brian goes anywhere and people just want to know him. I remember when he was serving a mission (that's how we met) and he was liked by all. He would speak to everyone and he was so dedicated. I remember thinking, I have got to stay intouch with this guy. His smile just lights up a room. We were in church one Sunday and someone came up to Brian and said, "I love your smile, when I see you smile it makes me smile". Everyone at Brian's work love him. They tell me what a great guy he is and what a hard worker he is. Last night another person was telling Brian and I about the time when Brian was getting ready to go over to Greece. Someone in the shop said if you ever need a designated driver, Brian's your man. She said to this guy that was telling us, "Brian doesn't drink, he never swears, he's a clean cute guy". Well it happened so that the guy was LDS, he just new Brian must be LDS to have such a record like that. I think it's so great that Brian can be loved by so many different types of people. People respect him because he is not affraid to let people know who he is up front. He really doesn't even have to say a anything, people notice. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with a great man to be my companion and father to our children (they worship the ground he walks on). I love those moments when he's talking to someone or just doing something with the kids and I just get that wonderful feeling of falling in love all over again. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on him that I wasn't letting him go. Of all the things people say about him, I have something to say, "He's Mine" and I love him.

Fall and Halloween Memories

I love this time of year when the leaves are changing into beautiful colors of orange, red, and yellow. I love the coolness and being able to turn off the A/C and open the windows to feel the cool breeze of the fall weather. This is the most perfect weather. I love the anticipation and excitement of Halloween and candy(not my favorite part) for my children. The wonderful aroma of pumpkin spices. The houses beingdecorated with beautiful fall colors for the upcoming season and getting all spooky for Halloween. The birds are chirping outside, a pleasant sound that I love to hear. It's just so peaceful. Halloween is fun too because you can dress up and make up your own costume. I always enjoyed making up my own costume when I was growing up. One memorable costume was something my friend and I did we wore trash bags. We were white trash. I know that was pretty silly but it was creative for 7th graders. My parents' never bought our costumes so we had to come up with something. Another time was another friend and I dressed up as porcelain dolls. Her mom had some old dresses and we made our faces look like porcelain. It was fun. I was a senior in high school then. We wanted to make our senior year fun and memorable. I would love to hear what everyone loves about the fall and their most memorable Halloween. Please share IF YOU DARE!!

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Starting School

School started yesterday for Katrina and Carter. Katrina is in 4th and Carter is in 2nd. They like their teachers and like the school. Katrina was very excited for school to start. She couldn't stop talking about it. Carter on the other hand was not. He was scared. Brian and I picked them up at the end of the day. Katrina was so excited to talk about her new friends she made. Carter was so happy that he new someone in his class. He seemed to be more excited about school. At least that's what I thought until today. Carter comes to me and tells me that he was crying last night because he does not want to go to school. He is also mad at everyone. He says school is boring and they never have any fun. Oh boy with this attitude he is in for a long journey. It's just funny how Katrina just loves school and loves learning. I just wish Carter wasn't so down about school. He just mopes around all sad. I'm really not sure what to do about it. Hopefully he'll grow out of it and like school better when he gets more used to things there. He does have a harder time than Katrina adjusting to new places.

Fun! Fun!

In July we had great things going on. We went to a really fun 4th of July celebration with the White family. We played games, had a picnic, and watched the fireworks. My brother Adam and his wife had a baby girl. She is just so cute! I can't wait to see her! My parents drove out here to visit. They were driving to NY as well to visit my brothers and spend time with them. Katrina turned 9 July 28 and Carter turned 7 August 2. They both got bikes for their birthdays. They are growing too fast and it seems like yesterday that they were just babies. Everytime I see a toddler I think of when they were that age. Oh how I miss it. I'm trying to not think of the future just enjoying the now with them.
Katrina has been animal sitting. She is taking care of two hamsters and a turtle (I am taking care of the turtle). It's been fun. Neela (cat) does not mind having them here. She really could care less about them.
My parents came back on their way home from NY and stayed two days. We were so happy they came. They left today to get back to their cats and cows and of course, jobs. We'll miss them, but they aren't that far away anymore. YAY!!! Tonight we'll go pick up Brian's mom. She's staying for almost 2 weeks. The kids have been so excited to have all their Grandparents come and visit. Actually not all, Brian's dad will not be coming this time. We are having a great summer. The kids are registered at their new school and they are a little bummed about returning, but they'll change. Katrina is worried that she will not know her 12 times tables. Katrina is one of those people that has to make good grades or she'll just die. She is so determined and that is why she will do just fine. We got a piano for free and it is in good condition. Katrina is already breaking it in. She loves playing the piano. She taught herself to play Mary's Lullaby. I am so amazed at what talent she has. She just listens to the song and tries to figure out the keys on the piano to match up. She does not get that from me. Carter is so excited to start soccer. He is ready to get out there and kick some goals ( is what he says). He is such a trooper and is so funny. He and Katrina both got spoiled while Grandma and Papa were here. My dad loves to take them to McDonalds for breakfast and lets them get as many apple pies as they want. Carter loves going especially. OH! Almost forgot that Carter lost one of his front teeth. He looks so cute.