Baby Girl!

Once:

Now:

She's all grown up!

Happy birthday, Baby Girl!!!

Keeping Christ in Christmas!

I love Christmas! I love spending time with family, enjoying the lights on Temple Square, my Christ tree & all my different nativities, and I love spending time pondering on Christ, His life, and what He means in my life!

We were fortunate enough to pick a semi-warm night to see the lights! So fun!

A week later, my camel had 'grown' an icicle beard!

My Christ tree- thanks, Charly, for helping me decorate!

New nativity from Mexico- Char & Ben gave it to me- too cute!

My favorite because of the sacrifice of Char & Jon...

LOVE this one- all the kids w/ tennis shoes!

Luke, Jon and I were able to go to Tooele for Christmas Eve! It was so much fun to visit with family- especially those that now live in California and my dear MIL! She is so thoughtful and kind!

And Luke and I got to talk with Sister Call (AKA Abby)!!! Yes, we were in the bathroom due to the crazy fun party going on- but Abby looked and sounded so peaceful and happy!

Then there were the other family get togethers- at my parents, at the Smith's (for the Doctor Who Christmas special, of course) and for our kids just yesterday- missed the boys, though!

And Jeremy's homecoming today! As he comes home from serving the Lord, it is a perfect time to reflect upon why we are here on this earth!

I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Always Mom

Twenty-four years ago today, I became a mother...

The years between then and now have been the best years ever! So many wonderful memories, so many yet to come...

But being a mom also has so many challenges. And as your children grow, being a mother can be filled with heartache for their decisions. I am so grateful that my own mother lived long enough for me to be a mom during her lifetime. Because I was also a mother, my mom shared her thoughts and feelings on choices I myself and my siblings made- I got to see being a mom from my mom's eyes.

That helps now when I need the reassurances that other's choices place in our lives... I have hope that things will get better, that people will choose differently in the future...

And I get to savor the wonderful moments of being Mom.