Nursery Graduate

Today marks a huge milestone for our family. Nicole has graduated nursery and is a SUNBEAM! Not only does that leave us with one in nursery, but it also means we have no more children crying for us to stay with them during the second and third hour of church. Cameron never cries because he is usually busy trying to wrestle his darling friend, Andrew Higginson. Nicole doesn't need us now that she can sit with all her siblings and cousins in Primary. Plus, Nicole loves her singing time with her Aunt Sarah, who even entertains me when I stop in. She did great with her new teacher Sister Dixon as did Mary with the Daltons and Noah with the Robinsons. We are so blessed with fabulous prepared talented and loving Sunday teachers.

"God is love"

I saw the latest version of Les Miserables at the theater last night. The music, the story, the words, the principles of mercy and justice...they always move me and ring such hope and truth in my heart. I left feeling so grateful and motivated to love more like God.

I loved one of the final scenes when the words "to love another person is to see the face of God" were sung. Jean Val Jean, now deceased, walks towards the priest who helped him come to know God, and treat him with love. He was Jean Val Jean's catalyst for a whole new life and relationship with God.

These scriptures connect these thoughts for me...

1 John 4:12 "No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe (JST), God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."
And in 1 John 4: 7-8 "Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

Ski Bunnies

Aaron took Mary and Noah skiing today for the first time. They couldn't stop talking about how fun it was the entire evening. Next time I am going to join them on the bunny slopes and learn for myself,
especially with that gorgeous Portuguese-speaking ski instructor by my side.

Sisters

I walked in on these two cuddling today and talking sweetly to each other. I am so grateful to have two girls... I am sure they will be best friends through out their lives, especially when they will have to take care of their aging Alzheimer's mother.

Hermie

Meet Hermie our one and only (I hope) pet. This was Aaron's little Christmas gift for the family and boy is it exciting! I had no idea that Hermit crabs were so interesting and the pet store they went to sells them with these cute decorated shell. As long as you keep your hand straight it should crawl on you and not give you a pinch. Pretty cool. The kids loved creating it's little home and our author Mary ran and made a sign for it's home (Hermie's Home) upon arrival . It was so darling.

(ssshhhh...and it may have made me want a little puppy or kitten...only a little)

UPDATE: No one has played with Hermie past day two of his arrival. I'm glad he doesn't require any attention on my end.

A New Year

With the new year comes some resolutions...some new, most the same as last year's. Keeping record of my Littles has moved to the forefront. Time is passing so quickly and my Littles aren't so little anymore. I wanted to put these two pictures up to help me remember each day I check my blog to keep updating, even if it's brief. 

The "normal" picture above reminds me of each of their personalities so much...

Cameron with the excited and ready to go expression, Nikki with the big hearty laugh, 

Noah with a happy smile, and Mary posed like the sweet little angel she is. I feel so blessed.

This "not-so-normal" picture reminds me to enjoy the moments, even though they may drive you a little bonkers. 

So, Happy New Year and I hope come next January there may be one resolution to check off the list.

Merry Christmas 2012

We were planning on going to Utah this Christmas, but the roads were pretty bad this year and the idea of a 18 hour car ride with four little ones did not sound fun. So we celebrated with the Idiarts at home, which was wonderful.

I love this time of year to think more about the Savior and how to be more like him.

Nicole loved Santa...Cameron, not so much.