In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I found this video Sunday while Steven and I were browsing through our favorite Mormon Messages. It is so pertinent for this time of our lives. First, Thanksgiving is coming up and I am beyond blessed. Second, I find the words Elder Oaks speaks to be especially true, just what I need to hear.

"We should thank God for our adversities and pray for guidance in meeting them. It is all part of the plan. ... Let us give thanks for what we are and for the circumstances God has given us for our personal journey through mortality."

I love in the video that some people give answers we don't always think of. Like getting a seat on the train, simple intelligent conversation, or a bed. It makes me realize just how blessed I am, there are SO many things to be thankful for:

Laughter, my husband singing to my boys, a clean home, the smell of dinner cooking, Christopher blowing bubbles, Steven saying, "There it is" in the cutest voice possible, Jacob's hand in mine, 25 cent donuts at Macey's, walking around the block on a warmish afternoon, hot showers, a washer/dryer in my home, great finds at a thrift store.

The list is endless and that's only the "smaller" things, what about my health, family, friends, temples, a living prophet, my Savior, the scriptures, a roof over my head, money in the bank account, the priesthood in my home, tithing, and prayer?

How can I not be thankful?

"When we understand this principle, that God offers us opportunities for blessings and blesses us through our own adversities and the adversities of others, we can understand why He has commanded us again and again to “thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7)."
Elder Oaks

Chinese

It's fitting that Christopher's first real experience with a restaurant was a Chinese restaurant, since he was born on the Chinese New Year. We've eaten out before, but this is the first time he's sat with us at the table and sampled some of the food.

It started out with Steven spilling all of his water then trying to clean it up with some sugar. But it ended really well, Christopher had all the waiters captivated. He's a definite people person!

Love this little face!

Bedtime

Jacob was putting Steven to bed and before I put Christopher to bed, he asked to give Christopher a hug. So all three boys were in bed, and I made a comment about how cute it was and Steven said, "Take a picture, mommy." Well alright sir.

"I hug him"

Obviously Christopher wanted some space

My favorite sight

A Child's Prayer

This was my favorite song in primary, and I started singing it to Christopher shortly after he was born. As I was singing it to him today before nap time, my mind wandered to when he was first born. Christopher has not been the easiest baby. He wears his emotions on his sleeves, which is good when he's happy, but oh so bad when he's not. He had a hard time getting into a sleeping schedule, so as I would sing this song to him I often couldn't keep back my emotions. Pleading with my Father to help me into the transition of two children.

As I sang it today, I felt similar emotions arise. This last little while has been a challenge, we've all been sick. We are overwhelmed by the non-stability of Jacob's many jobs. I've been tired and not ever getting on top of the house cleaning, nose wiping, and really just life. So these thoughts were in my head as I sang these words: "Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child’s prayer?...Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee."

Then comes the sweet second verse that resonates with truth in my heart. "Pray, he is here;

Speak, he is listening. You are his child; His love now surrounds you." It makes me think of being in the car with one of my children; they need something (food, diaper change, sleep) and are crying desperately for it. We are on the final stretch home and they need to last just a little bit longer. So I try and comfort them by talking to them, reassuring them I know what they need and I'd love to give it to them in just a little bit. And when that doesn't work, I distract them with music, whatever I can to get their minds off of it until we can get home and meet their needs.

I can't help but think this is how my Father in Heaven feels about me. I know we need to just hang in there and it will be better soon, and I'm so thankful for music to help calm me and reassure me that I have a Father who knows my struggles. I am His child and His love now surrounds me.

Halloween Happennings

Halloween was a not a favorite holiday for Jacob nor I until we got married. Now we love this holiday, not the satanic side but the fun wholesome side. We did quite a bit to celebrate it as well.

On Thursday our ward had a party complete with a trunk-or-treat. Steven LOVED it, although I didn't get any pictures of that. But here are some random pictures from the night.


They had a fishing pond that Steven was quite excited about. He got a spooky straw, it was perfect for him!
Friday we had some friends over for chili and the pumpkin drop game. Then Saturday the boys and I went to Spanish Fork to meet up with some of my family for a lunch then a trick-or-treat down Main Street.

We love cousins!

All the trick-or-treaters. I love karate Madi's face in the front right!

We were suppose to have our own little family's party, but Jacob was sick all day, so we decided to party at the Instant Care instead. He got medicine for his strep throat and was mostly better a week later.

Monday night we went to Jacob's parents house for the traditional chili and root beer, trick-or-treating through the old neighborhood; which I love because it's just as fun for Jacob to see his old neighbors as it is for Steven to get candy. Ok maybe not quite, Steven LOVED to get that candy. In fact he got quite the reputation of not holding back when it came to getting that candy; at one house he managed to get 4 pieces, by pretending to be a new trick-or-treater!

Morrise trick-or-treaters

A cute superman and his daddy

How does Superman fly? On his daddy's shoulders of course!

And of course I couldn't get a good shot of these two together, but their still adorable!

He knows

Yesterday was rough. I had no patience for my children AT ALL! Christopher needed to be held constantly and Steven had a hard time doing ANYthing I asked him to do. There was multiple times when I fell to my knees and begged my Father for the patience and strength that I needed to be a good mom, to really just make it through the day. It was hard. This being said, we had a break through with potty training. After a week of cleaning up Steven's underwear distasters, yesterday was the first day, in a long time, with no accidents. My little man went #2 six times in the toilet and one of those was at Macey's! It was wonderful, but like I said, it was a rough day for other reasons. It helped me realize though, He knows. He knew I wouldn't be able to deal with poopy underwear. My Heavenly Father is aware of my needs and loves me enough to help me.

Then it made me think of other things that have happened recently that helped me know He cares. And I thought of this friend.

Holly Decker really welcomed me into our new ward. I'm not sure why this happened, but Holly become one of my closest friends I've had in a ward after only being in the ward for a month. And I have learned SO much from her. Unfortunatly she moved to Arizona about a week ago. (Thank heavens for modern technology so I can continue to learn from her!) This is my point: I feel like I've gone through a HUGE growth spurt mentally and spiritually becuase of Holly. I'm (for the most part) a better wife, mother, and person in general because of her. I have no doubt that my Father in Heaven knew I would learn a ton from Holly, so he sped up our friendship so I could learn as much as I could while she lived in Provo.

I know our Father in Heaven cares for all of us in our different curcumstances that change daily. He cares for us so much He sent His perfect Son to suffer and die for us. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, I can make it through my days. I can better myself through the help of friends and family members. Because of Jesus Christ I can live with my family FOREVER. And this fact brings me insurmountable joy. I really do have so much to be grateful for and all becuase He knows and cares.

What fall looks like

A warm day with cool breeze outside. Snow on the mountains and leaves are starting to turn colors. And a magical day at the park with my boys.

Steven found a bug!

I love it when Christopher does this. He tries to pick something up,
then looks at his hand to see if he actually got anything.

Then slowly walking home looking and crunching all the leaves.

I LOVE fall.