A goal/need for me

I am having a desire to better understand my role as woman and wife. I want to know what it means to nurture. I want to know what the prophets have taught and I want to live these teachings. I have lots of my own ideas but for Christmas I got a new book that I want to truly learn from and let it change me. It is a book about The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I want to let it change me for the better.

In an effort to learn I am hoping to share here some of the things I am learning as well as many other sources that keep coming into my life. It is time I figured out who I am and what I am suppose to be doing and how I can help the sisters in my life do the same. I am not here to preach to anyone but just to share my ideas, discoveries, hopes, thoughts, and questions.

So now that I have made my goal out loud and written down I hope I will be better at following through and please know that I would love to hear your thoughts, know your sources, and grow together.

A real January

This is the first winter in so very long that has continued to feel like winter. We have had continual snow since before Christmas. The ice on the roads is only finally breaking up. I really like the beauty of white. It is pretty and clean. It makes me want to eat soup, read books, curl up with my children on the couch sipping cocoa, and just stay home.

This is the view from my balcony. We have never had so many icicles. Today Mr. O is trying to break up the ice and get it off the balcony. The water goes right down the wall and often seeps inside the house. It is a frustrating situation. He has tried several different fixes but nothing works yet.

If anyone has any helpful solutions, we would love to hear them. Happy winter day!

I have a dear friend whose son got married this week. I was able to go to the reception last night. This friend is an inspiration to me. She has had more than her share of troubles and challenges yet she is cheerful and always reaching out to others.

One of the most important things I am learning from her is to look for and recognize blessings. She is feeling very blessed and loved as she has been carried through this wedding with love and so many little miracles coming together to make everything just right. What I really appreciate is that she is quick to share the stories, the miracles, the joy that they bring, with me and everyone who might be interested. She is in her own sweet way bearing testimony of the love of her Savior in her life.

Last night she was just glowing with beauty inside and out. I was seeing His reflection in her countenance. I know she will downplay her beauty but she is truly becoming the graceful, beautiful woman that she wants to be and she is a lot closer than she thinks.

PS 359 days until Christmas! Although I think with loving family, great friends, and recognizing the Savior in our life each day, it is Christmas everyday.

more family fun

Here are the instigators. Shooting each other is fun but takes on a whole new perspective when you get organized,

have teams,

and are seeking to protect or rescue this beautiful princess.

Thank you John for being so much fun.

sleigh riding

My kids are hooked on this kind of sleigh riding. The truck takes you up and you have a long fast ride down.

Happy Birthday Tall One

Tall One is now 14 years old. He celebrated with cherry pie, homemade ice cream and snow boarding. Tomorrow he will be ordained a teacher in the Aaronic priesthood. I am so please with the fine young man he is. I love you!

Our New Year's Celebrating

With such a gorgeous edifice it is hard not to get a good picture.

We spent New Year's Eve picking up Jacob and visiting temple square.  We got there early enough to see the Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration movie and then walked out into a wonderland of lights. It was so beautiful.   Jarle had wanted to see the lights and I am so grateful we were able to fit it all in.

New Years day was spent with my side of the family.  Amber is visiting from Maryland with her family and got to help with the planning.  Her little family is so cute.

This is the the crew that enjoyed breakfast at Golden Corral

Another temple square picture.

We welcomed the New Year in with all my inlaws at Kristen's house.  We played games, ate food, and watched movies (or napped) until midnight.

These are the great instigators and providers of our New Year's Day fun.  Mom and Dad, thanks for breakfast, gifts, and family time.  You are wonderful.

Here are a bunch of the boy cousins. 

These little princess cousins sure had a good time together.

Once again the new blog editor has confused me and my post.  Sorry.  Hope it makes some sense and I think I'll go back to the old one again.  Apparently change is not always progress.