Thomas' voice mail

"Hi Mom. It's me, Thomas. Um, I'm thinking can you pick me up from school now? Please, I don't feel so well today. Kay, thank you."

You can hear it for yourself!! (Oh, if you email me, I'll send you the sound file.)  I LOVE it. (And I checked with his teacher, she didn't even help him!)

Becca's 12th

Rebecca turned 12!  Here she is on her birthday... I think it's the first birthday she's had where she had to go to.... (duh, duh, duh)... school!  She was a good sport about it, though- of course.

12th Birthday highlights:

No more Primary! (She's happy about that.:)
Beehive in Young Women's (oh ya!)

Team USA Soccer shirt
Shopping at Kohl's with gift cards

Here are some Becca highlights from this summer, she's a sweet & beautiful daughter that we all adore.

Thomas' best friend

Spontaneous Chick-fil-A cow costumes for a Free meal. :)

Pet sitter extraordinaire!  That's our old neighbor's dog "Buster."

She's not afraid to wear matching aprons with me.

Wicked in July-- girls night & we loved it!

Super Soccer player!  She decided to take up the sport again and played on a city league team. John helped out as the assistant coach and we watched as Becca got better and better as her confidence exploded.

At the last game of the season, there were 2 goals scored.  The first goal she assisted on and the 2nd she scored!!  Way to go cutie.

Doting on my sister's overweight dog, Pepper. 

Her "top secret" Reflections painting (at least until Thursday)... the Disney castle

She drew & painted this one is just 2 days.  Pretty amazing!

We can't tell you how much we love you, Rebecca- there just aren't any words for it!  

Thank you for being who you are... wonderful.  Love, Mom & Dad

Men and women are....

....that they might have joy.

A few weeks ago, our lesson in Relief Society was on "The Why of the Gospel" from President Uchtdorf's address to the sisters of the church.

This made me think again of the scripture I have been pondering lately. "Men are that they might have joy." Lately I've been thinking, "That's it?! That's really the whole reason for pretty much... everything?"

The short answer is "yes"- it truly is! We are that we might have joy. Joy even though things are not perfect. Joy even when the people around you are not perfect (and neither am I...). Joy- even during the hard times when it seems like everything is falling apart. Joy because we chose the right and were protected from consequences.

The answer to my "why of the gospel" was just that and was burning in my heart but I didn't have the chance to comment. :)

So, our bishop asked me to be a Relief Society instructor last week so I'll be able to share (almost) every comment burning in my heart in the future. :) :)

Just for fun.... Thomas writing down Lego prices at Walmart.