Answer

I will give you the answer, you were all right! When I saw the pictures, I realized they don't look quite as similar as in person. Sometimes I think Benjamin looks just like Rebecca, then other times he looks just like David. So I guess all our children look a lot like each other. They sure are cute and sweet (most the time). I am so thankful for my family.

Guessing Game

Here are our three children, can you guess who is who?

A:

B:

C:
Aren't the similarities amazing?

Fall at Last!

I love this time of year. My thoughts are turned to years gone by of hikes through the cool mountains, seeing all the trees change colors. The sprinkling of red, yellow, and orange across the mountains. Seeing pumpkins in all the stores and getting to go to farms for festivals. Finding my way through corn mazes. I love this time of year! The first day of Fall marks the beginning of all the fun. Next to come is my birthday, and all the other fun holidays!

I wish that I could be in Utah to have the Autumn experience that I am used to, but will satisfy my desire with decorating around my home to make it feel more like Fall and the chance to visit a farm still exists too!

Happy Autumn!!!

Two Peas in a Pod

"Farther Up and Further In"

I just recently finished the last book in "The Chronicles of Narnia--The Last Battle" and have had it on my mind. I love how C.S. Lewis has twisted religion into this story by making parallels that are sometimes hidden and sometimes very obvious.

Aslan, the lion, says something in this last book that I have been thinking about. He says and then it is repeated a number of times, "Farther up and further in." As I contemplated this meaning in our devotion to God and our desire to return to him, I realize that I need to press on in my life and go "farther up and further in". In order to find the peace and happiness Heavenly Father wants me to have, I need to go further in my efforts. Further in my devotion of serving and loving others, further in reading the scriptures, further in doing the will of my Father and following Christ's example. Farther up in going to the temple, since the temple is compared to a hill or mountain in the scriptures. As I go "up" to the temple and "in" to the scriptures, there I will find that the Lord can make more of my life than I could ever imagine, and the glory of being in the presence of my Father again will be the awesome reward.

So, go "farther up and further in"!

The Little Gentleman

I decided I wanted to share a little about my biggest, little man, David. Yesterday we went to pick some pizza up that we wanted to share with a family and while I was getting out of the car (David had already jumped out of the car) the woman was getting in her car next to me and started saying something about how nice our little boy was. Then I realized that David had run up to the door and held it open for her. She kept on saying how nice that was, and really she seemed shocked about it.

As I was thinking about this experience I remembered that when we go anywhere with doors David rushes up and opens it and stands there holding it to let me and anyone else through. He is such a little gentleman, but he didn't just come up with this on his own. I remember how people always say, "it was my angel mother who taught me". Well, with David, all the sweet things he does is because he saw his "angel daddy" do it. He is always finding flowers to give me, because he sees Clark give me flowers. He helps in so many things because he sees his sweet daddy always serving and doing kind deeds.

I am so thankful for my sweet husband who really does more for my family than I have ever seen one person do for anyone! He rides his bicycle to work (~8 miles) because he doesn't want to leave me without a vehicle. When we have an appointment where I need to pick him up from work, he will actually run (at least to the bus stop, which I don't know how far away that is, but it isn't just a walk down the street). From the time we were dating up to now he has kept a vase of fresh flowers for me. When he comes home he keeps himself busy doing things for us like cooking, dishes, and anything he sees that needs to be done. Yet, he also seems to have time to play with us, read books, and do fun things. He is the hardest worker I have ever seen and I am thankful that this amazing man is my best friend and husband. I know that our Father in Heaven guided us to be together because of our miraculous meeting (you can read a little part of that Here), although I don't understand why I was blessed with such an amazing man for a husband. I really had no idea that he was so amazing, and I am still learning about how amazing he is!

After all is said and done, I am sure our children will say that they learned all good things from their "angel father", Clark. I love him so much and am thankful for him.

I love you, Clark!

Kids

Isn't the language we use now days funny?

First Day

We had our first official day of Preschool yesterday. I am teaching them at home, and we had fun learning together. I have had fun arranging it so that David can continue in his learning of the alphabet, and also trying to help Rebecca learn the alphabet. I am afraid that we haven't done a very good job in helping her recognize letters. (although I think she recognizes a few, just not very many)

I hope that they will enjoy learning and also the time we spend together doing activities and reading. I felt it would give me a chance to interact with them in a fun way. I am surprised at how much David knows! For family home evening we had an activity of reading this from the Friend Magazine (here is the link):

David had so much fun reading the pictures, but I was most impressed by how he quickly figured out the ones with letters on them. I really think he is learning quickly how to read! My little boy is growing so much!

Hopefully Rebecca will have fun this preschool year and learn a little more about colors, shapes, letters, and such! :-) We will have fun! That's is for sure!