Sunshine on my Shoulders

Of course I take about a billion pictures each day. For some reason it never seems to be enough.  I want to bottle up this time and never forget it! Each day I have one or two special, sweet moments when a wave of gratitude hits me and engulfs me in warm fuzzies. Usually it's when I'm looking in to the faces of one of my 3 perfect children. I am so thankful for this beautiful family. Not a day goes by that I take it for granted. I wouldn't change any of it.

I was recently reading about the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. His parents enjoyed a life of good fortune when they were young but the Lord had plans for one of their children. And because they needed to be in a certain place at a certain time the Lord saw fit to use His hand and force the situation. The Smith's faced tragedy and misfortune just to get to Palmyra- and we all know the heart ache didn't end there. Why would they leave a prosperous life in Vermont to suffer and start over in a place far from home? But the world was forever changed because they followed the Spirit as they made their most serious decisions.

It made me reflect on my own life so far. I'm a planner and have without a doubt I've tried my best to create plans for myself and my family that would ensure the most pleasurable outcomes for us. But sometimes the plans we make for ourselves are not what the Lord has planned for us at all. Sometimes we fight against what the Lord would have us do and we get a "painful kick in the pants" until we arrive at the destination where the Lord wants and needs us. We all come to forks in the road of life. It doesn't mean that one path leads to eternal salvation while the other leads to eternal damnation. Both paths are usually fine! But the fork is not normally where we want to be. We want to be back home where it's safe, and warm, and familiar. The Lord is there to guide and lift us and sometimes He needs to take us by the hand and drag us. But if we follow His ways and keep the commandments, even when the trials and tribulations come, we can find happiness and peace. With the Savior as our Shepherd, He will lead us to where we need to be- where He needs us to be.

Jack is 3 and a half months old!

Where's Jack? This kid has become quite the mover and shaker lately!

It's been so hot and I've been the most terrible mom. I have such a hard time taking my 3 kids anywhere! Jack is still a newbie, Rayleigh runs off everywhere we go or screams because she can't run away, and poor Parker is in school. Luckily we have a pretty great backyard. Even still, we don't go back there as much as we should. The other day though we spent some good time back there and Rayleigh swam and played in the dirt. This dirt kept her entertained for about a half an hour!

I busted out the bonnets Sister Anderson made on Pioneer Day. Sweet Parker chose to go to my parents for his special birthday dinner (on Monday, his actual birthday). The ward was having a Pioneer Day picnic at the park so we went to that and it was so fun! I had the opportunity and pleasure of following Rayleigh around the park as she wandered this way and that. To see the world through her eyes is certainly a special gift. I rarely get to focus all my attention on her and I loved every second of it. 

Playing in big brother's room is a treat. She always goes for his marble collection.

Playing airplane- my only form of yoga lately.

The newest addition to our home. We love it!!!

Before the picnic at the park we took Rayleigh to We Play Loud (Parker wanted to be with Nanny) It was fantastic! She loved it and so did we!!!

Baby Einstein lovers...

This is how we do it...

Play hard/ sleep hard.

We set a goal to study Preach my Gospel before Parker gets baptized. We need to be diligent and finish!

She's mad because I wouldn't let her play with the lighter....

Diva

She loves fresh, warm laundry! And also messing up my tidy, folded piles...

Kassidy was home on Friday night so we got a much needed date night! We went to dinner and never took a breath because we talked so much! 

Jack was the perfect third wheel!

So yummy!

Food coma...

We were actually able to have a date the following night as well! Sophie Flora babysat while we shopped and took my parents to dinner. I could get used to weekends like these!!!!