First day of school for Case and Morgan. This was Case's 3rd grade year and Morgan's kindergarden year. Tommy felt so sad and left out, so we were sure to load his backpack with school stuff. The picture tells that Morgan was more excited than Case because Case understands all the homework that awaits him and Morgan is clueless! Love it.

Case baptism

This day was wonderful. Case has a large support group who loves him. The Spirit was the strongest when he was encircled by the men holding the Lord's priesthood power to pronounce upon him the Lord's gift of the Holy Ghost. I marvel at the much symbolism in these ordinances. One that came to mind at this experience was how powerful it is for the young and unlearned to be surrounded by men of honor to help teach, love, and mentor his personal journey. I think of the hymn, "Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy" when it speaks of the sacred duty of Priesthood holders. Tom tells me that Case during the blessing decided to look up. Tom thought to himself of how typical that was of Case's personality and also expressed how funny it was to have his hands and the rest of the priesthood holders hands resting on his Case's face rather than the top of his head. I love those memories and I love the gift of the Priesthood and I love worthy holders of God's power. It is my deepest hope that my boys will develop to be worthy holders of God's power and therefore anxiously engaged in rescuing and saving.   

Christmas Morning of 2011

Our boys always get a big soda and the most unhealthy cereal by their stocking on Christmas morning because mom never buys that type of stuff any other time because it just not good for the body. They were also able to drink right out of the big soda bottle with a straw, which to this day, 11 months later they still think was the most awesome thing in the world. Christmas of 2011 was on a Sunday. I made a SUPER yummy breakfast. Texas toast french toast with homemade yummy syrup, whooping cream, strawberries, pineapple, and everyone got their choice of drink. Mine was orange juice with lots of pulp. Toms was martinellies and the boys was their soda. I was so wicked and sinful and ate soooo much. We waited until after church to open the gifts. It was a good day.

Christmas Ginger Bread Houses 2011

Candy saved from Halloween is awesome for our yearly gingerbread house activities in December. The boys always are so excited to pull out all the junk, me not so much. They had fun mostly eating the house before it was made.

Tom has a hairy face

Maybe more than 12 months ago Tom's work was doing some type of facial hair growing extravaganza for men's health. I am not sure how those two things are related but its about having fun and remembering. Tom participated and was going crazy. He hates the way hair feels on his face. His facial hair grows so fast and thick. Before he shaved this he asked me to take a picture because the likelihood of him doing this again is slim to none. We did discover that he is getting old in that he has several big fat gray hairs on his chin. He is still drop dead beautiful with a hairy face.

Family Home Evening

This is a family home evening picture from about 12 months ago. My strength is not being on top of all this, at least at this stage of life when I am pulled in 1000 directions. In this f.h.e we were acting out a story in the scriptures. Case and Tom decided to act the 2000 stripling warriors. They did a good job at making us laugh.

sleep

This is what I look like when I am sleeping. Tom took the picture.