Marissa's Baptism Announcement

Just thought I would put this pic I found of 1 year ago tonight...Christmas Eve 2007 at Grandma Suzi's house in St. George. What a year, the Lord has blessed our CLAN! Wow, it has been a long hard year, but we have all grown...spiritually, physically, and emotionally! I am so grateful for my Savior, the Atonement, and my knowledge that He has a plan for me!

Make a Smilebox postcard

A mother's prayer

This song is to my daughter today. Things have been kinda crazy for our family lately. My heart has been softened and turned to my 11 year old Chambray as she is facing a difficult time in life. Middle school has brought many challenges academically and in terms of time management with homework and gymnastics. Chambray has been faced with a tough decision. She plays the flute in 6th grade and has her Christmas concert on the 16th of December. Attendance and participation in the performance is 1/3 of her grade in the class! She also has her dance recital that same night where she has been asked to lead a 3 and 4 yr. old ballet class as well as perform several numbers with her teammates. The numbers have already been coreographed and rehearsed! I know she has a committment and responsibility to her team and to her sport, but she also has a committment to put her education above anything outside of it, and to earn her best grades. She can however choose to write a 5 page essay on a classical composer if she does not play in the concert. As a mom, I want to make the decision for her, to make it all better and to relieve her stress, uncomfortableness, and pressure from teachers, coaches, and peers. At the same time, I know she has to practice self-reliance and to learn to make difficult decisions on her own. I told her that she needed to pray and to consult with her Father in Heaven. "You decide what you think is best, and then ask Him", I told her. I know she is only 11, but it seems as though the kids today are dealing with so much more, more adult issues, than we ever had to! I prayed night and day for her, and came to the conclusion that this was something that needed to be used as a testimony builder for her. She would have to deal with the decision and its consequences. I am so scared to watch this! Anyway, Tuesday night we prayed together before bed. She said "mom, I want to pray about it tomorrow too, and then we can talk after school." When she got home, I was so nervous for her I remember my hands were sweaty! I asked her on the way to gymnastics, do you have an answer? She said, "yes, I think so, but how do I know for sure?" We talked about how the Holy Ghost speaks to each of us differently, and then she shuffled off to gym. Last night driving home from her workout, she proceeded to tell me about how the coreographer and head dance coach just chewed her out and yelled at her in front of all the teams, when she told them she was not going to be performing. Normally, I think she would have been in tears about it, but it was almost as though their opposition to her decision (which she knew would come) had strengthened her in her decision. Almost as if she was unsure, but knew for sure now, that what she wanted was to play her flute in the band concert. There were many recitals to come, and many had passed.....this opportunity to play her flute was a newfound talent she wanted to display. I am so proud of my Bray Bear. I love her more than life itself, she is my gift from God, SHE is the reason I am here. Even though she drives me crazy most days, she is the what gives my soul breath! I thank my Heavenly Father for gifting her to me in this life. My mother's prayer is always to keep her safe and warm, but today I saw her stretch and fly!

Attitude of Gratitude! Thanksgiving Memories

Grateful This Week For:
- positive power of prayer
- family and friends
- my Savior Jesus Christ
- little Munk noses that have dripped all week
- penicillin shots! (best thing for strep throat)
- protection from harm (discovered garage door had been opened all night long)
- my little man "mom, I'm the man of the house when dad is gone"
- the big beautiful fire and ice pink rose outside my kitchen window!
- our country and our freedoms
- humor
- the policeman only giving me 2 tickets instead of 3!
- our home, food, education, and ability to earn a living
- Attitude of Gratitude!


They got me! "One, two, three"....then I got the bird!

Check out our growing bunch of handsome kids!

We even got to visit with Ya Ya in St. George

Soccer Season Ends