Noises in the Night

 

One night I was sitting in my room getting some nightly tasks done when I heard some noises on the deck.  I tried to ignore it and imagine it was the wind or an animal.  Then I went to bed and asleep.

I woke in the night to hear more noises on the deck.  It sounded really close and I have to admit that I got nervous.  I started to imagine scary things.  So I snooped around to see out another window, but couldn't see anything.  I concluded to turn the porch light on to scare the suspect away, but I still couldn't see anything and could hear the noises still.

Finally, I decided to peak out the sliding window where I heard the noises, and there against the window was a frog that was stuck between the screen and the window.  

After I set it free, and had to laugh a little before going back to bed.  All that slinking around and being sly, for a frog.

Everglades Adventures

Can you see the cougar (panther) in the weeds?

Alligator through bridge planks

Lurking. Would you rather run into
a troll under a bridge or this guy?

Vultures were everywhere, and they like rubber apparently

Sleek swimmer

One of the only bugs we saw, which was a pleasant surprise for us!

Overlooking the Everglades

Our campsite--you can see the water a stone's throw away

Geocaching! (link)

Happy to see the keys

Picturesque

Enjoying a hike

Exploring the debris

Learning that the bald especially need sunblock

Sunbeams

Sunbeaming

A fellow redhead

Ruined dock is evidence of past hurricanes

My daughter's favorite flower on the hike

Sharing binoculars on a boat trip around the bay

Wildlife watching

Dolphins!

Waving at waves

Boating

Telling about the dolphins she saw

The Florida crocodile (not alligator)

Moonlight walk (so they wouldn't stay awake all night again)

Reflected moonlight on the bay

Being Watched Over

We have had a few experiences lately that have resulted in a very thankful heart.  We had a fun adventure planned to play at the beach over Thanksgiving break with our relatives.  However there was a red flag indicating that the ocean was treacherous.  We decided to play on the shore instead, but the beach we chose happened to have a pretty small beach.

David and the giant waves

As long as we stayed behind the rocks the water didn't seem to get us.  Some of the waves would spray over the rocks and make little pools the children loved to play in.

Rebecca playing in the sand, unaware of the giant wave.

We had a fun time playing for a little while; then Andrew started getting cold and we decided it was about time to leave.  I took Andrew over to the little pools to rinse his hands and feet when to our surprise a huge swell of a wave came over the rocks and quickly came up the my knees.  In all our confusion to get away from the water, poor little Benjamin was about to be covered by the waves.  We are so thankful that Clark saw his danger and ran to him quickly.

Poor Benjamin after the big wave.  I don't think he will want to play in the ocean for a long time.

That is just one example of feeling watched over.  I know that God watches over us and if we turn to him in all things he will bless us, guide us, and protect us.  I am thankful to know that my life is being watched over and it is not completely up to me.

Now and Forever

Autumn is here and we are loving paradise!  We visited the building site of the new Ft. Lauderdale Temple and we are anxiously watching as it gets closer to being finished.  (still probably a year away, but it is progressing!)

I love thinking of this as "our" temple.  It is beautiful!  The temple truly is the a place that puts life into perspective for me, a symbol of eternity.

If you would like to see our October pictures you can click here, or on the picture.  Enjoy our adorable munchkins. 

Come Listen to the Prophet

Each year we prepare to listen to conference we try different ways of helping our children listen. As our children have grown older, it is a lot of fun that they will actually listen just because they are excited to listen to the Prophet!  This year we set everything up like this:

The children liked having their own little tables to sit at and do activities and eat snacks.  They also enjoy listening for keywords (such as "love") and they get to eat a candy. 

Sustaining the church leaders

On a walk before another session of conference

What are the benefits of sitting and watching five two-hour sessions of conference?  We have a chance to listen to the Prophet and other church leaders, who teach us the word of God.  I will occasionally be asked what the prophet taught most recently.  The message I received as I listened is to see our blessings, both large and small; our prayers are answered; follow the promptings we get from the Holy Ghost to do good.  I especially liked his quote, "He [Christ] is always on our side when we do what is right."  Which reminds me of a quote from a previous conference, "You can't be right by doing wrong, and you can't be wrong by doing right."

Now we can take what we have learned and do our best to be what God wants us to be, and do what he wants us to do.

I love Conference, and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (here is a link where you can view conference)  I know these traditions strengthen our family.  We are a happier family because of the gospel.

Strength Through Tradition

We have had the tradition of attending the temple as a family each month for about six years now. That isn't to say that we have made it exactly every month for six years, but we have done pretty well at keeping it as a tradition. The other day I was actually imagining what it might be like to have children old enough that they could baby-sit while Clark and I go to the temple and I surprisingly felt sad.  I have enjoyed making this a family tradition, even if it is tiring and hard.  I am also reminded every time we make this trip that the family really is what the temple is all about.  We are doing our best to build a strong, faithful, loving family; and attending the temple reminds me of my goals to keep our family strong.

Out for a walk while at the temple.

I am certain that these sweet children I am blessed with are better friends with each other because we have kept this a tradition.  We are better able to handle the challenges that come with having a family because of this tradition.

Exploring while at the temple.

I know that the temple blesses our lives with power and strength to remain faithful through all the trials of life.  In the temple we can draw closer to God and have better perspective.  I really do "love to see the temple"!  (Link to Song)

Slide-tastic!

Our local Toys "R" Us is moving, so they're having a sale. We finally gave in and bought Andrew and Benjamin a new toy--instead of simply letting them play with worn out hand-me-downs. They sure love their new slide, as this picture (of Andrew fresh from a bath, not wanting to slow down to even get dressed) and video attest: