Helpers

I seriously need to stop saying I want to paint my walls around these two!

Christmas 2011

Trouble times Two Equals...

McKinlee decided that she wanted to paint so she went to the basement got the bucket of acrylic paint brought it upstairs and changed her mind. Look who found it

An Evening out of Jail

Since we have had Ryken Josh and I have found it difficult to go and do anything. Don't get me wrong we have tried...we have gone out to dinner as a family, we have gone shopping, and have found it to start out promising and it ends miserably. So I have come to accept that I am serving about a 2 to 3 year sentence in stuck at home with 4 kids 3 of whom are 3 and under jail.
Last Friday I was feeling particularly antsy to break out. I thought about taking the kids to the park, but it's too cold. I didn't want to spend another evening watching cartoons and sports, and I was determined to find a place where we could go to get the kids out, where they could run, be kids, and burn off some energy. I came up with the perfect solution...Phipps Conservatory. Josh and I had wanted to go at night since we purchased our membership. So we loaded the kids in the car and off we went.
It was magical, I will admit it was no Temple Square at Christmas time, but we loved it! My particular favorite was the glass sculpture in the Desert Room...it reminded me of the sun, something we Pittsburgers miss this time of year. We also loved the 6 piece orchestra playing Christmas music, Josh loved the Chinese themed tree with a dragon garland and chopstick star, and the girls loved the train room...We may have a new Holiday Tradition

A Special Day

3 weeks

I Love how indifferent he is...its a whole new world to us

Back off Mrs. Claus...that's my baby

At the Jefferson Hill's Light Up Night, Mrs. Claus held Ryken for about 10 minutes when she kindly informed me that she had no intention of giving him back with out force. Luckily a crowd showed up for her story time, I was afraid Iwas going to have to Kung Fu Chop her...

The Song

I may sound a little crazy but I believe in letting my new born children choose the songs we sing to them, I feel like even at a tender age they know the melody that they find soothing, or perhaps it is the Spirit of the song that they find comforting.
I begin by praying and then I start singing any hymn that I can think of, while watching my baby, and usually when I find it, I know it. With Mia her song became I am a Child of God. McKinlee to no surprise followed in Mia's footsteps and chose the same song. I started to think it was going to become the song for all of my kids until Wynter changed things up, her song is Teach me to Walk in the Light.

After Ryken was born I began the process of finding his song, I thought a missionary song would be appropriate, he didn't like them, I tried his sister's songs, he didn't like them either. After a few more failed attempts, I had a thought, a little whispering from the spirit...I began to quietly sing I Feel my Savior's Love. Ryken calmed down and I knew he had chosen his song.

I feel my Savior's Love In all the world around me. His Spirit warms my Soul through everything I see. He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to Him. I feel my Savior's Love, the Love he freely gives me.

I feel my Savior's Love it's gentleness enfolds me. And when I kneel to Pray my heart is filled with Peace. He knows I will follow Him, Give all my life to Him. I feel my Savior's Love, the Love he freely gives me.

I feel my Savior's Love and know he will bless me. I offer him my heart; my shepherd he will be. He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to Him. I feel My Savior's Love, The Love he freely gives me.

I can't sing it to him without tearing up. Such amazing words of comfort, during a time that has been so difficult for our family, and what a special spirit our little Ryken is.

I feel my Savor's Love as I look in the beautiful faces of my children, and I know that my Savior loves and blesses me.