Quotable Quotes

I was given a copy of a portion of an article by Elder Holland today that was perfect for me, and for this new year. I'd love to share:

"The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions, but I do want to talk about the past and the future, with an eye toward any time of transition and change in our lives -- and those moments come virtually every day.

As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.

Forgive and Forget - There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life -- either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. It is not good. It is not Christian. It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ. To be tied to earlier mistakes is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist.

Perhaps at this beginning of a new year there is no greater requirement for us than to do as the Lord Himself said He does: "He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more" (D&C 58:42).

The Best Is Yet To Be - This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year -- and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?

To all such of every generation, I call our, "Remember Lot's wife." Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that Gad has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high priest of good things to come" (Hebrews 9:11).

Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep."

Now. The trick for me is learning how to do that! :)

Testimony

Oh to have the faith of a child! Listen to what my sweet, three year old son, Noah, said this afternoon. The kids were all sitting around the kitchen table making a Halloween window scene during conference:

"I believe in Jesus. He is real! And Satan is not nice. If I ever see him I’m gonna say “If you EVER say that again (referring to Jesus not being real, apparently!) I’m gonna karate chop you!” I’m gonna stand up to him and tell him he’s WRONG! Jesus IS real and alive. He is in HEAVEN."

To his sweet, simple testimony, I add my own: Jesus is the Christ, He is my redeemer, my savior, my friend. He is most definitely real and suffered, bled and gave His life for me, that I might be free from my multitude of sins. His Father, our Heavenly Father, is real. He knows me by name and counts me as one of His fold. He sent His beloved son to die for me, a sacrifice and pain so deep, no parent should have to withstand it. But because He knew me and knew of my faults, He allowed the price to be paid, that I might one day regain the gift of His presence. I hope and pray that through my continuing efforts to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that my children might grow to know Him. That they may feel His love for them, that they might understand that sacrifice, the atonement, in a way that can never be denied. That they might become disciples of Christ and live their lives in a manner pleasing to the Father, that they too, might return to His presence and live for eternity surrounded by the love and tenderness of their Father in Heaven. I pray for His continued patience with me as I navigate through this life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, that I might strive to be the pillar of light that they will so desperately need to illuminate the darkness and wiles of the Adversary. That they can turn to me in times of trouble, times of despair and feel of their Savior’s love through that which I have taught them. That I can stand strong and fervent in my heart, my mind and my deeds, that they will one day be able to stand on their own, with their own fervent faith and testimony, that they too will be a light to their families, to those around them and all that might look upon them as examples in the Gospel. These things I so desperately pray, in the name of my Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Noah Isn't Amused

We decided to take some photos this afternoon after Isaac's cut, and I suggested to Noah that we cut his hair too. He was not amused!!!

Isaac's New Do

If anyone has seen Matthew and Isaac lately, their hair is shaggeriffic! Yikes! So we decided to give Isaac a little make-over. In comparison to the Heart Pox post, its not much different, but that was an old pic, and his hair these days was out of control!! So check him out... Our new stylin' boy!!

Heart Pox!!

Imagine my surprise when Isaac came down with a raging case of the Heart Pox!! He came in to me on Valentine's Day, the morning after working on his class valentines, only to exclaim that he'd contracted the HEART POX!! I was mortified! Luckily, they cleared up very nicely on their own and they left few lasting effects and even fewer scars. He is a very lucky boy. Please parents, wash your hands carefully after every Valentine you create. Don't let this happen to someone you love!!

Noah's Sweet-Awesome New Do...

Addie thought it would be fun to pimp Noah's hair and these were the results! I'd like to introduce you to Coolio Jr.! Too funny!!

A work in progress. Noah actually sat really still for her. What a trooper!

"What are dese fings, Mom?"

The amount of hair this child has is just not fair!

Oh yeah, baby. I'm so cool and I know it!

I can't get enough of this kid! He is SOOO awesome! :) What a lucky mommy I am!

Our growing baby...

I can't believe Ava is 4 weeks old today! Time has FLOWN by and she is growing by leaps and bounds! She doesn't even seem like new born to me anymore, which is so sad!! She was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago for some emergency testing... More on that later (I even have some sad little pictures...). She is doing great now, no major problems were found, thank goodness! Now we are just trying to keep her away from all 3 of her very sick big brothers! I can't until everyone is healthy!!

I thought I'd just pop in really quickly to show you a more current picture of our sweet babe. This photo was taken by Josh on Mother's Day. It's one of my favorites! Thanks, Josh! :)


Isn't she the sweetest little thing?! I know, I know, I'm biased, but I can't help it! She's my first and only girl and I think she's perfect! :) hehehe!