Rumors

There have been some rumors going around lately that I might be pregnant...well, I just wanted the clear the air about that rumor. Yes, it is true, I am pregnant again! We are super excited, especially James. We went to the doctor today and got our first ultra-sound. James loved being able to see the baby's head and heartbeat. He was so proud that he said he wanted to keep the pictures so that he could show the whole world...so in a effort to "show the whole world" or at least the whole world that wants to tune in- here is our precious little baby!

Our trip to Granny Franny and Grandpa Red's

When we told James that we were going to visit our grandparents in Idaho he couldn't wait. He wanted nothing more to see snow and to make a snowball! When we got there the weather was wonderful It was like we brought Las Vegas weather to Burley...it stayed in the 50ies most of our visit. Finally on the day before we left James got his wish, and it started to snow. I wish you could have seen the look on his face as he pressed his nose to the window and watched the flakes magically fall to the ground. Isn't it wonderful how seeing things through your children's eyes makes them new and inspiring all over again? So we bundled up and Daddy took the kids outside to play in their new found wonder. They only lasted a few minutes out there before deciding the wind and the cold were not as much fun as they thought, but the still enjoyed it, and James did eventually get to make a snowball and throw it with Daddy!

New Insights

So I think I learned something new about parenting. Since having two wonderful little boys one of my favorite scripture stories is the story from the Book of Mormon about the Army of Helaman. For those who don't know the story. It is about young boys who choose to fight for the freedom of their father's against fierce warriors at the tender age of 13. As they marched out toward the conflicts ahead of them they had no training; only Faith in God and the knowledge that their mother's knew that if they had faith in God, He would help them fight their battles and protect them. They fought fiercely in their first big battle, and thousands were killed on both sides of the conflict, but as their army was accounted for, not a single of these choice young boys were slain. This story brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it. In the scriptures one of the versus says that they often rehearsed the words of their mothers saying "...we do not doubt our mothers knew it."

This phrase plays through my mind often as I think of my precious little boys, and worry over all the good and bad things that the world today has to offer. I want such good things for them, as do all mothers for their children. I often pray and think about what things I need to do for my boys that will help me to be like the mothers in the story, that I can give my boys that kind of gift- to know that if you have faith in Him, He will help you fight your battles. Not that He won't expect you to fight hard right along with Him, but He will be there supporting you in the good and the bad! Well, last night I attended a class on learning to love ourselves as much as we love others. The teacher talked about how we need to reject the lies of Satan that pull us down and belittle ourselves, and start listening to Gods simple truth that he loves us and each one of us is of great worth to him, regardless of the mistakes we make, or how many times we may make that same mistake, or how we think we look- God really does LOVE us! Further more, if we will listen to the spirit when He tells us of God's love, we can feel that love for ourselves through Him.

So to bring this full circle my little Ben fell asleep on my lap today and I was cherishing the few moments of quiet cuddle time I got to have with him. As I looked at him so sweet and innocent I wondered again what I could do to help him weather through this life, and the thought occurred to me- "they did not doubt that their mothers knew it." One of the best gifts I can give to my sons is the knowledge that God loves them even when they mess up, because they will, in one way or another. If I want them to know and believe in the Savior's love and in the opportunity for repentance, I need to believe and know it too. I need to love myself so my children can learn to love themselves enough to turn to God to help buffer the storms of life.