Jeffrey R. Holland | The Ministry of Angels | October 04, 2008 | BYU Broadcasting

I was listening to this talk this morning and I thought it was a perfect talk to hear this Christmas season. Elder Holland talks about how we have angels around us both immortal and mortal. He gives examples of some of those mortal angels when he says,"Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me." I'm so grateful for the angels in my life; my mother who gave me life and sacrificed so much for me, family, friends, neighbors and all who have touched me in some way or another. We all have angels in our lives and can be angels to each other this Christmas season and always. Hope you enjoy the talk!!
Jeffrey R. Holland | The Ministry of Angels | October 04, 2008 | BYU Broadcasting

A miracle on my doorstep...

So this last week was very eventful. Our furnace went out on the coldest night we've had so far, I crashed our van 50 feet from our house, and then when we took our van in to get fixed Taylor forgot to give me back our keys so I was locked out of the house with my kids. I eventually got desperate and broke in our back window. I can't say that I didn't have any stress from it all, but a lot of good came from it. I was able to be reminded of how great and understanding my husband is. He came home from school early and took care of all the insurance stuff the day of the accident. He helped me to realize that it was just a piece of metal and we would get through this. The day I was locked out of my house I had the opportunity to get to know my sweet neighbor. We had such a great visit as she told me of some of her experiences in life and about her family. She even got down on the floor with Brody and played blocks with him. I really appreciated that especially since it wasn't an easy task to get up and down for her. Today I expressed to my Father in Heaven how grateful I was for these experiences, for the lessons I learned and the blessing that came from these trials. Now this brings me to our miracle on the doorstep. Tonight I got a call and I was told that it was an unanimous call and to check outside for something on my doorstep. I asked who it was, but she said that she just wanted to make sure I got it. Well, it was an envelope with $500 in it which is the exact amount of our deductible for the van. I have no idea who it was, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love for that person. How Christlike was that act; I will forever remember this miracle!!!

Don't get me wrong, I love our American people here, but look at the influence they are having on our Canadian children. But you have to admit, It sure is cute!!

Happy Halloween!!

The kids had a great Halloween, although they didn't end up with as much of candy as last year. So now the parents feel guilty if we snitch any. I guess its for the best. This year we went with the King family; the kids had a lot of fun with their cousins.

New calling...

So I got a new calling in my church, I'm an assistant Webelos leader. For all my fellow Canadian readers, a Webelo is the older kid cub scouts. I have to admit that I was a little intimidated in accepting this call, as I grew up with 5 younger sisters and am overall pretty girly. I know girls!!!! (even though I do have 3 young boys myself). But with each week, I love the challenge and getting to know those young boys. I love their energy and they make me laugh. Tonight I was reading the scriptures and read Doctrine and Covenant 64:33. It says: "Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great". It really made me reflect on the the supposedly "lesser" roles in life. For example, parenthood, a role that is often undermined. Yet we are laying a foundation for our kids to accomplish all that they desire and experience a life full of happiness. What a great work! I'm so grateful to be involved in that work and for all the people; family(grandparents, uncles and aunts), primary teachers, school teachers, great neighbors and friends who help along the way. Often I feel that it is those things we do that aren't publicly noticed and seem so simple, that make the greatest difference in lives of others. "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

Happy Birthday Brody!!!

So one of my favorite shows is cake challenge on food network, they make the most beautiful cakes. I know I'm not even close to cake challenge level, but I thought a football cake would be easy enough to pull together. Well after hours spent and my kitchen completely destroyed, I came up with this cake. The problem was that the cake I made was light and fluffy and so when I cut out the football shape, it was really crumbly and the icing wouldn't stick to the sides. Good thing over the years of not being a perfect homemaker, I have learned to fix and cover up mistakes. Anyways, he's 3 and loved it and that's all that matters!!!

3 Months already!!!

I can't believe Brock is 3 months already. He is such a good baby, so content and happy. The kids are really starting to enjoy him more now that he is smiling and more interactive. It's crazy how fast they change, he is looking a lot more like Ashton did when he was a baby. Well, really, all my boys look like Taylor!

Back to School

The kids are back at it. Hallie is in 3rd grade and Ashton is now in Kindergarten. They are both are doing great so far. We live really close to the school, so the kids get to walk together to school along with the neighborhood kids. I love our neighborhood, a lot of families and really good people. On Hallie's first day of school I watched her in her classroom for a few minutes and they were singing the American national anthem, poor girl looked so lost. We do really like it here, but we sure miss our Canada! It's a little weird that our kids will be learning American history. We will just have to teach them on the side their Canadian heritage.

Best Buds!!!

I have been waiting for this day where the boys would play together. Lately they have been the best of friends. I think Ashton finally realized that he could have a little more say it what they do and do all the boy stuff that Hallie is not into. They are so cute together, I can't wait til Brock can tag along too!

A Special Thanks!!!

So we made it down here and we had so much help to send us on our way. We had a lot of help from family, friends and our ward. We appreciate and miss all of you so much. I had just had Brock a month and a half previous to the big move, so the extra help was such a blessing. We had meals after meals, family and neighbors taking care of the kids, help with packing the trailer, and help with the drive down. Not to mention the re-packing of the trailer late the night before the drive down. Everyone has been so good to us and made it so hard for us to leave. I learned a lot a with this whole experience and how equally important it is to accept help as it is to give it. My love and appreciation grew even more for you all. Thank you all so much. We love you all!!

The best years of my life...

I have loved every moment being married to Taylor. It was our anniversary on the 15th of August. We weren't able to celebrate because Taylor is up in Canada finishing up work. Having him gone has only made me love and appreciate him even more in my life. He has always seen the best in me and has loved me unconditionally. I'm so grateful to have him,a loving husband and father!

Our 10 year Reunions!!!!

Wow, where has the time gone!!! We had a lot of fun seeing everyone. For my reunion we had a backyard party out in Raymond. It was good to catch up with everyone, although most of us knew what was going on with each other with facebook. Taylors reunion was at some hall in Lethbridge, they had a DJ and a lot of yummy food. It was nice cause a lot of my good friends are wifes of the guys Tay graduated with. The DJ played a lot of the oldies like Brittney Spears and Backstreet Boys and Tay actually broke out some old dance moves. We had a great time at both of our reunions!!!

So my sister took these pics. She has always had knack for photography, she did an amazing job!!! Thanks Suz!!

One Busy Weekend!!!!

Our first event was Ashton's Preschool Graduation. Ashton loved his Jumpstart class and made a lot of friends and memories over the year. Friday was my baby sisters grad, although she not so much a baby anymore. We are so proud of her and the awesome girl she is! Congrats Serena!!! Then on Saturday Hallie was baptized. Hallie was so excited for this day and had organized the program and everything. It was a very special day for us parents as well. To be able to have someone you love so much make that choice to be baptized. Being a member in the church has brought us so much joy in our lives and we were so excited for Hallie's decision! Our last event was baby Brock blessing on Sunday. Though it was a very busy weekend, it was every bit worth any effort made. We had a great weekend and are grateful for all the family that could make it out!

July 1st Parade

I couldn't ask for a better father for my kids. Someone who is so unselfish and so patient with the kids. Love you Tay.. Happy Fathers Day!!!!

More baby Brock pictures

Happy Birthday Ashton!!!!!

Ashton Loves pizza, so we made him a pizza cake!I don't think he actually ate it, but he thought it was pretty cool. I cant believe he is 5 already!! Lately he is always saying how he wants to be an adult and big like daddy. He does his own version of push-ups in hopes to grow bigger, it's so cute!

Brock is finally here!!!!

Baby Brock was born on the 11th of June, he weighed 6 Lbs 14oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. I started having contractions around 12:35am. We rushed to the hospital and within the hour delivered. Doctor Dave made it over just in time! I knew that it was going to go fast, just cause my last labor was an hour and a half with Brody. Thank goodness my sister lived so close.. thanks Tammi! All in all, things went well (as well as labor can be). We all love Brock and are excited to have him a part of our family.