Testimony of the Book of Mormon

I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Click HERE to find out more about what we believe.) I am thankful that my family and I can be together forever! And I am so thankful that Joseph Smith did not deny that he saw the Father and the Son when he knelt in prayer seeking answers to his questions. I know he was an instrument in the Lord's hands in restoring the gospel in these latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. And I know that those who have not read the Book of Mormon can know of it's truthfulness if they will read it and ask in prayer. I am thankful that Heavenly Father speaks to a living prophet here upon the earth and that we are able to receive guidance and direction. I know the Savior lives! I know He wants us to be happy! Words cannot describe the way I feel about the sacrifice He made so that I can return to the presence of my Father in Heaven one day.

You Go Girl!

Gracie really wants to walk! She pulls up on everything! She still isn't cruising along furniture but today she stood up to the dining room chair and started pushing it. Earlier in the day, I had gone to Target and bought a baby stroller for her to push around. I loaded it with weights and tried to get her to walk with it. It took a while but she finally started getting it. Then she surprised me with this while I was doing dishes. Soon, she will be getting some SMO braces for her feet. Hopefully that will make it a bit easier for her to walk and I am sure she will enjoy not having the inside of her ankles touch the ground when she stands! She'll be cruisin' around the house before we know it!

Grace At The Window

Gracie has recently learned how to pull to standing and she loves practicing this new skill. Here is a little video of her at the window yelling outside. I think she was yelling at the bird that was on the lawn with a few "Bruh, Bruh's" in there just to make sure Grant was watching (which he was not). Pardon the horrible lighting, the fact that Grace looks like Raggedy Ann (she had just woken up from a nap), and that the end of the video is a series of crashes, etc. Enjoy!

Pushover?

I am pretty sure that I am a pushover.
push·o·ver (pshvr)n.

1. One that is easily defeated or taken advantage of.

2. Something that is easily done or attained.

Why do I say that? Because I cannot resist the cute faces of my children and the cute wiggling nose of a baby bunny. You've got it folks...we bought ANOTHER pet! I am pretty sure Adam isn't too happy with us. :-) But honestly, it was all very innocent. The kids and I are visiting my parents in Georgia and we had to go to a farm supply store to pick up some things. Those dirty bounders had a trough filled with adorable baby bunnies. Grant was in heaven and Gracie was in heaven. We held a few and then we picked up Socks. And like I said, there was much pleading, many giggles, and bright smiles so I became a pushover and bought the bunny. He has the cutest little white feet and he is so good with the kids. He doesn't try to run away and LOVES to chase Grant. We put him in with Patchedees (after checking with a Vet to make sure that was okay) but quickly learned that they would need separate cages. Patchedees thought Socks was pretty cute and just couldn't stay away! (wink, wink)And for your viewing pleasure...here are a few pictures (okay like a million of Grace) of the adorable children who have turned me into a pushover.At what age will I be able to get a normal smile out of my child? Regardless, he is blasted cute!
He asked to use the camera so he could take some pictures to put on the blog to show daddy. I am quite impressed with his photography skills...now let's just train him on photoshop. Grant's photo of SocksCute little piggies (by Grant)
Grant pretending to sleep on the couch.
And sister--I told her to take out her binkie and was surprised she listened.
Now what mom?This is her face she pulls when she does something she thinks is funny and that she knows she is not supposed to do...like throwing things out of the basket while shopping, putting tape and random papers in her mouth, ripping off her glasses, trying to put a bottle of hairspray in her mouth (which she had just started to do)...you name it!Gracie LOVES to take things out of cabinets!Then she carefully puts them back in.I've been caught!

Patchedees

One of the first things Grant spotted when we moved here was PETCO. He spelled it out for me and asked if we could go. I agreed and boy was that a mistake! He decided he wanted a guinea pig and would talk about it continually. We went to PETCO almost every other day just to see the animals. Well, about 2 weeks ago he had me count some of his money and he had around 30 dollars he had pulled out of the piggy bank. He asked if he could go see how much the guinea pig was. We got there and he had enough money so he called to ask daddy. What do you think daddy said? No! Grant tried to hold back the tears and daddy said that when he had enough money to buy the guinea pig and the cage then he could get it. Once we got home, Grant ran upstairs and dumped out his piggy bank and started trying to count money (he has no idea how to do that). I put Grace down for a nap and we counted most of the money. It added up to around 96 dollars which was enough to buy the guinea pig and the cage. Grant was so excited! He drew a picture of the guinea pig he wanted and decided he would name it Patchedees. He then called daddy and Grant's wish came true. He has been great at taking care of Patchedees. He give him new food every morning, always wants to hold him and play with him and even helps clean out his cage. He is also a professional pooper scooper. Welcome to the family Patchedees!

World Down Syndrome Day

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Today’s date, 3/21, represents 3 copies of the 21st chromosome: the genetic condition known as “trisomy 21,” or “Down syndrome.” We are so thankful for our precious Gracie. There is not one thing we would change about her! She is more perfect than we will ever be! Every day, she teaches us so much about life and what is truly important. Because of Grace, we have learned to appreciate the little stuff, to slow down and enjoy the journey, to love unconditionally, to stop being judgemental, to always smile, the list goes on. She captivates the hearts of all she meets and has made each member of our family a better person. She is also very lucky to have a loving brother who would go to the ends of the earth for her. She truly has taught us that life is an occasion--and we should rise to it! We love you Butterfly!

I typed a "novel". I erased it. I posted these pictures. I smiled. I am blessed!