Some pretty amazing women!

I know many wonderful, talented, beautiful women.  The Lord must have known I would need lots of examples, in my friends and family. I am truly blessed to have been born into family full of so many amazing women!  Each is unique, super talented,and have taught me so much.  They each make me want to be a better woman, wife, daughter, sister, mom, and daughter of God. 

This is my youngest sister, Tiffany.  She is so passionate about her hobbies.  When she decides to do something she attacks it with a vengeance.  She is very loving and gentle.

My sis in law, Debbie.  She is such a hard-working, patient Mom.   I'm so glad Jared chose to bring her into our family!



The girl on the right is my sister, Sheri.  No one is allowed to take her picture...so this one will have to do!  Sheri gives everything she has to those she loves.  Even if it means she will be making huge sacrifices.



My oldest sister, Valerie.  She is an example of faith, strength and service.  Even during a very difficult time in her own life she looks for ways to serve others. 



My mom, Stella.  There are no words to tell all I've learned from her.  I know she doesn't always think much of her mothering skills... but if I can be half the mom she's been I'll be grateful!  She has made so many sacrifices on behalf of her children.  She has taught me to love the Gospel and to hold tightly to it, in sunshine or shadows.

I pray that I can be more like the wonderful women in my family.  I love you all very, very much!



Aileah's real besties!

I watch my friend's two kids, Korbin and Chloe.  Aileah loves these kids to death!  It is fun to see her with other kids.  She talks to them all the time.  She is such a good sharer.  She adores Korbin.  She thinks he's the funniest thing ever!  He's taught her to love trains, helicopters, airplanes,and trucks.  They are too funny together.  Aileah hit her head on the table, which she likes to do when she's angry, and Korbin gave her a kiss on her forehead to help her feel better.  Aileah giggled.  Oh man.... we are in trouble already!

Playing Tom's guitar.

Aileah, with her bed-head, and Chloe

Aileah and Korbin were taking turns combing/ brushing each other's hair.
It was really cute!

Aileah's new best friend!

We'd like to thank Macey's for introducing these two to each other today!

So much fun to play games together!

They have been inseparable all day!

Growing up, we did lots of fun things as a family. One thing I've always remembered is taking a trip to Calico Ghost Town. I remember the house made out of glass bottles, the name on the side of the mountain, and most of all drinking Sunkist (my favorite at the time). We had a fun family picture taken in old time clothes. I've always loved this picture.
So, in May, while in California I really wanted to go to Calico again and have a picture of my little family taken. They told us to look serious. I have been told by many family members that I just look mad. It is a great photo of my 2 loves, anyway.

The Refiner

I received this thought a few months after Tom and I got married. I have been thinking about this thought for the last few weeks. I pray that I can remember it as I face the trials the Lord has trusted me with.

Malachi 3:3 says "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study group and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next study session.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the refining of silver

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver of the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees his reflection in you. Reminds me of an old saying I keep reminding myself of : "God doesn't put tin foil in the fire (it only last a second). If you're feeling the fire, you must be gold or silver!

Battle Creek hike

Ok... this has nothing to do with our hike. I just wanted to include it. A funny face (enhanced by allergies) but it shows her top teeth. 3 of them!!!

Yesterday was so nice out that Tom decided we were due for a hike. We were going to do Stewart Falls but decided we wouldn't have enough time. I'm so glad we did this hike instead. It is our first hike in a year...and boy am I out of shape! I think Stewart Falls would have killed me- and I wasn't even carrying Aileah!

Setting out on our hike!

We made it! My smile is still very crooked :>

Aileah LOVES water... but this was too cold for her to stand for long.

Aileah's war wound. She and Daddy had a collision and she got a bloody nose. What a trooper!

The falls were beautiful. It was a short hike but it sure showed me how much work I need to do on myself. We plan on doing more hikes this summer. We have such a happy, outdoor-loving girl!

Aileah's first ice cream cone!

My dad bought a box of Drumsticks, thinking they were normal sized. But... luckily for Aileah they were Mini Drumsticks. She loved it! She sure does have a sweet tooth.

This was her reaction when I told her it was all gone.

Too funny!