To be four

Happy fourth birthday to my darling daughter Kathryn.

You are such a joy to us. We love you so, so much.

This morning, while we snuggled in bed, I told you about the day you were born.

It seems like a lifetime ago, but then, it also feels like just a moment ago.

You make me want to be a better person. A better wife and a better mother.

You are sweet, caring, thoughtful loving, kind and obedient.

You are smart. Oh you are so smart, and I hope you continue to learn and grow.

You are friendly. You make friends in the blink of an eye, and you are blessed to have so many.

You have a tender heart and you love and care for people.

You are creative. You have such an imagination and I always wonder how your little mind works.

You constantly remind me what is important in life. What really matters most.

I love you so, so much my little munch!

Walking boy

I love watching this little boy walk.

He has skinny little legs and tiny feet, but he gets where he wants to go.

It's hard to believe that he can even be walking yet (despite his age).

I love to see his little legs and feet move.  

The movement is still a little stiff, and he has to work at each step.

But he is getting better, faster and braver.  

And he picks himself up every time he falls.  That's a good quality to have:)

Fall

Just enjoying the beautiful fall leaves before they are all gone.

 

A Living Prophet

As a young college student, I remember sitting in that same sacred grove
that Joseph Smith knelt and prayed in nearly 200 years ago.
He prayed to know which church he should join.
And after a struggle with darkness, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.
They told him not to join any, that the true church was not on the earth at that time.
(Joseph Smith-History, Pearl of Great Price)
And thus began the restoration of Jesus Christ's church to the earth.

It was almost ten years ago, when I sat in the sacred grove in Palmyra New York.
I prayed and read my scriptures there.  I saw and felt the sunlight filtering through the thick trees.
And the holy ghost reaffirmed to me that Joseph Smith was indeed a latter-day prophet.
Through the power of God, he had restored the true church to the earth.
And 200 years later, we still have a living prophet on the earth.  He leads, guides and directs us.
President Thomas S. Monson is the mouthpiece of God here on earth.

A few weekends ago

A few weekends ago, we spent some time visiting family and friends.

We had a few checkups with Maxwell's doctors and did some winter shopping.

Michael went hunting with our brother in-law and to a BSU game with a friend.

And we went to a touring Broadway production of Les Miserables with some family.

The show was amazing and we loved every minute of our weekend.

 

Fire Chief

 We visited the fire station today during library story time.

It was a big hit with some of the children.

One of the firemen made Kathryn a little nervous.  He was all dressed up in his gear, mask included.

She was also unwilling to go in the ambulance and get her heart checked out. 

That was nothing new for Max though.  He said, "hey, didn't I do this last year?"

Despite some nerves, they both came away with some pretty cool hats to put in the dress-up drawer!

Walking for pudding

While watching general conference this afternoon, Maxwell took his first real steps.
It was a matter of bribery that helped this little boy walk.
And it wasn't intentional on either of our parts.  He just really wanted that snack pack I had.
He chased me around the living room, a few steps at a time, for chocolate puddling.
It was absolutely adorable.  I guess we know how to motivate this kid in the future.

Since his walking discovery, he's been practicing all over the house.
He thinks he's pretty cool stuff now.  Which he is!