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Cutest one year old.  Ever.

Last night at dinner

The Ten Leopards: a biblical tale told by L

'One time a long time ago there were ten leopards. They wanted to be human. They found Jesus and he turned them human. The leopards were really happy to be human. Then only one leopard came back to say thank you to Jesus. He was a really good leopard.'


Having a five year old boy is so awesome.

It is great to be eight

I don't know how it happened, but Zoey Jill turned eight.  Her baptism is Saturday.  This is such an amazing thing to experience as a mother.

In other news, 'The Joey' is leaving on his mission tomorrow.  He will be the best missionary ever.

Date Night

We have fun. I love my man. I'm always excited to hang out with him.

TMI

This post is a bit personal- and may be classified TMI- Fair warning.

Josslynn is done nursing.  Bittersweet.  I love nursing.  Lets just say 'She's a biter', and leave it at that.

The inevitable consequence to stopping is that my glorious pregnant/nursing, ahem, 'ladies', seem to disappear overnight.  

Yes.  Tragic.

So last week I took myself out shopping to a lovely lady named Victoria who apparently has a lot of secrets to find a suitable arrangement.  

They measured me.  They measured me again.  The manager came out and measured me.  She looked puzzled and sighed, then finally said- "I think we might make some in your size..."

Two.  Two 'sister slings' that would fit my wide ribcage and lack of endowment...in the entire store.

So I did what any self respecting woman would do.

I bought the leopard print one.  With rhinestones.

Bathing Beauty

Joss went swimming today. It wasn't her favorite. We will have to work on that.

I love to see the Temple

Our wonderful ward put on a Primary Temple Day. 

  The Primary Presidency and the Youth watched the children while the parents did a session, so I didn't  actually get to go do a session, but I loved it.  It was a lot of work, but it was a big success.  

The San Antonio Temple is Beautiful, and the excitement of my children to see the temple was worth all the work.  We are so blessed to have temples.

Mini Olympics

Check out Toaster's sweet new skills...

She did her routines in public for the first time last weekend.  It was a great experience for her.  She left feeling accomplished and "not so scared to do that in front of a judge", as she put it.  We are so proud of out little Toaster.  Gymnastics has been such a blessing for her.  At the beginning of the school year, and through the whole first semester, she really struggled academically.  We were seriously thinking moving her back to first grade.  Then she made the team, and it was like something switched on for her.  It was the confidence boost she needed.  Now she is reading in the top of her class, her writing has greatly improved, and she is placed into the pace math program.  All in 4 months.  She  did all that in school WHILE training 8 hours a week after school.  She is amazing.   I love her so much and am so proud of her.  Go Toaster Go.

Photo Update

Wipes: Best baby toy ever.

 

Baby really likes the camera.  

Angry Birds Commentary

Liam : (making exploding noises) "YEAH!! I got em!!! Those pigs were so scared that they pooped!! Boo ya!!!"


... Where does he learn this stuff?!?

Things that matter

Lately I have found myself frustrated and annoyed. Over really silly things. Really silly. It got to me so bad that yesterday I was so distraught that Damon rescheduled his trip to stay with the children so I could have a few hours to 're-center' myself. I wish I could say I did something fabulous, but mostly I drove. I pulled over at some point on a dirt road and prayed. I needed peace in my mind, and my heart. I wanted a big 'ah HA!!' moment, but instead I thought of Zoey. It was like a flash back to earlier in the day, she had been trying to tell me something that afternoon and I was too preoccupied to listen. That is when the the lightbulb went on. There are things in this life that matter. That REALLY matter. And there are things that don't. It was like the clouds and fog had lifted from my mind and I could see clearly for the first time in too long. The things that matter are my priority. Those are the things that will take up my time and energy. My husband, my children, my relationship with God and my Savior, my family, my home. Those things matter. They will always matter. Even in the eternal perspective, those things always matter.

Today I feel like I've been walking on air. It is as if someone has breathed new life into me. I have new direction and purpose. All the things that were bothering me so much before have just seemed to be 'put into their place'.

Life is good. I have a wonderful husband who loves and takes such amazing care of me, three beautiful, healthy, funny children. A silly dog, a lively home, and a testimony that has been re-affirmed that my Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me. He knows what I need to hear and when I need to hear it. He is always there. He is always ready to listen. He wants me to tell Him what's going on in my life. I am so grateful for prayer. I'm grateful for the spirit. I'm so grateful He hears and answers my prayers. I'm grateful for the reminder I had last night to remember and focus on the things that really matter.

With Love,

Rachael

Easter Sunday

One of my favorite things about Easter is dressing up 'a la spring'. It is one of those simple pleasures I have as a mother. I love the girls dresses, and, after much persuasion, Liam even donned his vest.

Zoey made me the proudest mommy in the world when she decided that she needed a sweater over her dress because she needed to be modest. She is getting baptized soon, after all.

This year I decided to make and extra effort to talk to the kids about the Savior. I was so happily surprised when they could tell me all about what they learned in Primary. (I have to say how amazed I am at the amazing Primary teachers they have. Sis Crus and Bro. and Sis. Vance- you are AWESOME) It was such a wonderful experience to me to really tell my children that I have a testimony of my Savior, and what he did for me and every single person. It made me excited to continue sharing with them my experiences on a personal level with all principles of the gospel.

Now that the photos done, I am going to make my sweet family an Easter feast.

With much love,

Rachael

Garden Bunch

Happy Easter.

Siblings

I miss them.

School Carnival

Friday was the highly anticipated Spring Carnival at Zoey's school. The children had a blast, and the 'hamster ball' was the big hit of the night. Liam went on and on about how rock and roll he is for doing the hamster ball TWICE. That kid makes me laugh. Zoey had a lot of fun with her friends, and I was so happy when Damon joined us! He had been gone all week!! All in all, a very successful spring carnival.

Nasher Basher

It's been almost 2 years since Nash became part of the family. I don't know many dogs that will allow a 4 year old to sit on his head for an entire movie, or slowly follow a little crawling baby out of concern. Happy Birthday Nash! You are the goofiest dog I've ever had. And the best.

-R


Nash staring at the floor hoping there will be a remnant of dinner on it soon.

Laguna Beach

Damon and I had a little get a way earlier this month. Hooray for corporate retreats!! Grandma came out to watch the kids- and this was my first time leaving the babe- and it was great! Five perfect days in Laguna Beach. At the Surf and Sand Resort, no less. Again, hooray for corporate retreats!

I love my husband. Spending time with him is such a treat.

-R