We want spring...we want spring!!!!

Last week when it wasn't SNOWING..... Brooklyn was finally able to ride her new bike outside! She has been waiting patiently since her birthday to try it.

She is slowly getting the idea how to pedal, and has a little advantage to the tiny slope of our driveway!

Addison was just excited to be outside too!! She has been cooped up in the house just like the rest of us! It was fun to be outside for a little while before it SNOWED again.....

I have THE BEST visiting teachers.....
Today Liz visited with me, and what a great friend she is! She found a talk that came from the Ensign almost 3 years ago, and thought she would share it! Perfect! :) I am sure we can all apply it to something in our lives! I know I can! :)

Nancy M. Christensen, “My Personal Parable for Peace,” Ensign, July 9, 2006

I had always fretted about “what if?” As a child, I worried, “What if I don’t get picked?” As a young adult, I agonized, “What if I don’t get asked?” As an adult, I panicked, “What if I’m not good enough?” No matter how much success I had enjoyed earlier in my life, each time I faced a new challenge, my head would ache, my stomach would twist into knots, and I couldn’t eat. I knew it had gotten out of hand when I started having anxiety attacks. I never knew when the attacks would come. As a result I didn’t want to be alone, leave home, or drive the car—not exactly reasonable expectations for a mother of four young children. What could I do? Where could I find relief?
One hot summer Sunday afternoon, these questions were weighing heavily on my mind. It was fast Sunday, and our Church meetings were over. My two sons, aged five and seven, raced to see who could get inside the house and out of the heat first. They stood on the step next to the door, jostling each other for position, each grabbing the door handle and trying to turn the knob and push the door open. The door was locked. I caught up with them, slid my key into the lock, and tried to turn the handle, but the boys were each holding it so tightly that I could not turn the key.
The words “If you would just let go for a minute, I could turn the key and let you in” tumbled out of my mouth. Almost immediately, my sons relaxed their grip. I turned the key, and we were inside the house.
As I said those words, an image popped into my mind. I imagined the Savior standing next to me, repeating my own words back to me: “If you would just let go for a minute, I could turn the key for you. Let go. Let me help.”
I had my answer. I realized that by letting go of the fear and worry, I could open myself up to the love of the Savior. My fears may or may not materialize, but when I trust in the Lord, somehow things work out for the best.
As I let go of my worries and put my trust in the Savior, I have gained a testimony that through the Atonement, our most difficult burdens can be lifted.

Thanks again Liz! :)

Happy Birthday, Anniversary & St. Patrick's Day!!!

Yesterday my family had a big bash at my Dad's to celebrate his and Polly's 19th Anniversary, Heidi's birthday, and threw in a little St. Patrick's Day. We had dinner, and then went outside because it felt FANTASTIC and played with the kids. We started playing Red-rover, and by our surprise, pretty much the whole family joined in. It was so much fun! We sang a few Happy Birthday songs to Heidi, and Dad and Polly had some cookies baked for the kids to frost. It's always fun when we can get the whole family together. :)

Picture Happy!

I wish I could just put a camera on my kids all day long. They are so cute! The next best thing is to take a picture every chance I can. Of course, then I have trouble picking which ones to share, so I do them all. Addison will be 9 months in a few weeks and has two teeth, and is scooting to get where she wants to go. She just started saying "mama", and my guess will be crawling anytime now. Brooklyn is 3, still working on the potty training, but doing very well! She still loves dancing, singing, and playing with her sister. One of her new favorites is playing the computer. Her cousin Savannah taught her how to play games on pbs.org, and also loves nickjr.com. She is so smart, and will start preschool this fall. I love my girls!

Last week I was able to take pictures of my niece, Abigail. She just turned 9 months, and is such a doll. While I had everything out I decided to take some of Addison too, since I hadn't taken her pictures yet. I think they turned out pretty cute! :)