Catching up

I have been trying to catch up my blogging with all the photos I took over the holidays. Here they are for all to see. I also posted several other posts today, so keep scrolling and take a look.

 I love my family!

Pet page

This page is purely for Sarah. She was busy taking pictures of the critters while we visited my sister and her family. Sorry Jon, some how we didn't get any pictures of Stella and Finn. 

Elbows, the African Python

Another view

Elbows' tank

Hope or as Luke calls her, Hopey

Sarah and Hope

Sarah did try to get a picture of their other snake, but he would come out of the wood shavings.

New Year's Day

Here are some pictures from our play day. The kids had fun down at the playground while several of us adults took turns hitting a bucket of baseballs. There are few things more fun than playing ball for me. I love it! We followed it up with grilling some hotdogs and playing a game of kickball with the entire crew. We had a lot of fun even if it was 40* outside. For those of you who aren't family, I have put names and some ages to the faces.

Liam-5, son of Mike & Erin

Garrett-13, son of Laura & Bryant

Erin-s-i-l, super seamstress & mom; Sutton-3, daugther of Erin & Mike; Leah-6

Ezra-2.5 months?, son of Mike & Erin

Jen-s-i-l, married to Jon; Dad-wicked old

Paul-he's eating a hot dog, not smoking a cigar.

Kate-sister, the one attending that school in Idaho

Laura-sister, otherwise known as Aunt La La or super mom

Mike-brother, the computer guy

Jon-brother, the builder guy; Andy-brother, the musician

This isn't the entire crew. If you check out other posts and see boys you don't recognize, they would be Laura and Bryant's sons. The girls of course are mine.

Our New Year's Party

The kids partied hard with their cousins on New Year Eve. They rang in the New Year with Brazil at 9 p.m. Eastern time. The kids even got to try some sparkling apple cider. I don't think they liked it though. Check out the moves! 

Luke's 4th Birthday

This year we celebrated Luke's birthday with my family in North Carolina. It was a Thomas the Tank Engine/Bob the Builder/whatever party. 

Yes, that's me. I'm usually taking the pictures, so this is a rarity. I thought I'd post it for posterity's sake.

Sarah, Evan, Elijah & Luke

My Mom

Thank you Mom for making the cake. It was cute and yummy!

A new chapter

Yesterday ended another chapter in our lives. Paul was released from his calling as the branch president of our congregation. When he was called to serve nearly seven years ago, I was three months pregnant with Leah and still sickly. Eliza was a three-year-old drama queen, and Sarah was a busy one year old. We knew his church service would require a lot of sacrifice, but we never imagined the blessings and the strength of the Spirit that would come to our family. I loved my husband before, but as I watched him serve others, my love for him has grown. I am so grateful that he was willing and able to serve the Lord in such a capacity.

With the responsibility of two counties worth of people lifted off his shoulders, he was a little giddy yesterday. Today he is in a daze as his brain tries to find its bearings. We are sure that a new call to serve will come soon. He has his eye set on teaching the 9-11 year olds' Sunday school class. What the Lord has in store is probably something entirely different. When Paul was released, our branch boundaries were changed as well, and we now have enough members in our congregation to form a ward. Our friend and Paul's former second counselor, Wayne, is serving as our Bishop. The Lord couldn't have chosen a better man. It is evident that he has been prepared for this call. I am also confident that he won't let Paul be a bench warmer for long. 

And so it begins . . .

As we returned from North Carolina last Sunday evening, the real New Year began for us. This is how it went:

Sunday night, stomach viruses.

Monday, lying around sick.

Tuesday, the washing machine broke.

Wednesday, Great Grandma apologized for not introducing me to Great Grandpa.

Thursday, I don't remember anymore.

Friday, got new washing machine and Great Grandma freaked out and wanted to kill herself.

Today, the new washing machine nearly took flight (it is the loudest machine!) and Great Grandma told me she and Great Grandpa decided not to get married. 

To clarify, Great Grandma has officially lost her mind, the rest of us are desperately trying to keep ours', and the washing machine is going back.

Old goals, new goals

Last year I finished my first children's story . . . . This year I want to publish it.

Last year I began writing for the newspaper again . . . . This year I want to write MORE cheesy stories for the pet page!

Last year I tried to be more organized (I know it was a sad attempt) . . . . This year I will be more organized by putting an object in its place when I walk in the door. No more piles (by the entrance anyway!)

Last year I gave up on exercise . . . . This year will make friends with exercise again.

Last year I began (again) to write letters and notes on real paper with a pen . . . . This year I will continue this Sunday tradition.

Last year I set a goal for my temple attendance and didn't even come close . . . . This year I will visit the temple at least monthly. 

Last year I focused on feeding my family regular meals . . . . This year I will focus on feeding my family healthier meals (Please send me all your yummy, healthy recipes!)

Last year I quit practicing the piano . . . . This year I will practice 20 mins./day.

I love the verse in Ether that says the Lord can make our weaknesses our strengths. It gives me hope for the coming year.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27