God Knows Everything

Sweet cat, sweet kid, right? So why have I wanted to send Ned back to the frozen north (a.k.a. Camp Bullfrog)? Let me put it this way: Two weeks ago I found myself poring over the different rake options at Lowe's. I finally decided that the garden variety rake with strong, solid tines was my best option for raking cat POOP out of the decomposed granite path and the GRASS. I have garden beds, I have sand piles, I have paths, I have another sand pile, I have grow boxes--so why was the cat POOPING on the lawn?!!!

Every day found me outside scouring our vast lawn for POOP. Have you seen the baby? I have enough POOP to deal with, thank you very much. Remember when I was buying Immodium last year for the other cat? No thanks. I was feeling very done with excrement. Nobody had any ideas for me (that means Mom and Steve) and I was ready to pitch a real fit. Here we were with weeks, endless weeks, of 82 degree weather, and I couldn't send the kids outside to play unless I went first and raked up the POOP. (Did I mention one of the cats sometimes needs Immodium? Fun.)

Then I remembered: "Cry unto him when ye are in your [backyard], yea, over all your [pets]." Alma 34:20. I prayed mightily to God. I told him that I knew he could inspire the cats to poop (yes, I used that word) in far more appropriate places as per the list above. I told him that I love the darn animals, and so do the kids, so please, please, please I didn't want to have to give them away.

Today, three days later, I went outside. He truly is a God of miracles.

Playing Library-January 12

by Liffy


Me and my tow sisters Like to play Library in our Library/dining room. I like to be the libraryin. Whene we play Library in Library/dining room we make the rules like asaktly like a reel Library. We keep all kins of books in the Library/dining room. Like moms and dads books also history books to like Abraham Linkin and Ronold Ragin book of history and Lots of other kind of books in the Library/dining room. Like in a real Library in our prutend.

Walking

The cutest little walking nine-month-old I've ever seen (except for that other one, of course!) He practices all day long. By the end of the day he walks better than he did that morning. Just as a matter of record-keeping, his first step was taken at Camp Bullfrog on November 26, and full walking was achieved on December 31 at Grandma Pickle's.

Oh, I do!

I had no idea I would love a boy this much! I'm so glad I was given a chance to find out just how sweet a little boy could be. The way this guy lights up a room is just incredible. Whenever James sees a familiar face he breaks into this grin (see above) and holds out his arms (again, see above). He does this for Mom, sisters, Dad, grandmas, grandpas, neighbors, kitties: you get the idea. He has a special gift for love and good cheer. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Baby James!

It's Christmas Time in the City

How do I know? The tree is twinkling, the carols are playing, there is waaay to much chocolate in my kitchen, and the girls are frantically making gifts into the wee sma's. When they get up in the morning their eyes are drooping from lack of sleep, but I think they are having a great time. They are so delightfully clever and sweet.

Baptism

Lauren is now an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: baptized and confirmed. We are so proud of her decision to follow Jesus Christ's example. The baptism did not go off without a hitch (in fact it had a couple), but she was a real trooper, even when she had to put her wet dress back on for a second round of dunking from her immersion-happy dad. In the car on the way home she said, "I feel different." When I turned to look at her I was shocked to see that she actually LOOKED different. The glow of the Spirit lit her entire face. She is so beautiful. Here are some pictures that capture the spirit of the day.

Lauren and Steve before the baptism

Lauren after her baptism: can you see a difference? Well, I sure do!