I am grateful for the snow

We so funny, we are never happy the way things are. 
So instead of complaining about the snow, I am going to look at the positive.

Provo Temple in the Snow by Temples by Tyler

Snow is beautiful
Snow is peaceful
Snow is refreshing
Snow is cleansing
Snow is a miracle
Snow is bright
Snow is reflective of light
The snow brings us much needed water
I am grateful to live where it snows.

 

Another Grand baby on the way!!

As much as I love my children (all 9 of them) there is nothing better than being a Grandma. Age is a funny thing, for the most part we never feel any older and yet it shows in everything around us.

Each stage of life both has it pros and cons. As a young mother there were days I thought I would not survive, the sleepless nights, the messes, homework, dishes and laundry.  As a mother of teenagers the emotional drain, the heartaches, the joys in accomplishments, the busy schedules. As a mother of young adults, trying to guide and yet not push too hard, and the with the range of age of my children I still deal with most of that, it’s complex, a balancing act with at times I have failed miserably at it.

There are those “you’re doing a great job” parent moments in the midst of the craziness and busyness that you realize these children have been entrusted into my care, I can only hope I have taught them what they need to know.

Number three is on the way (due in July)!! What joy this brings me. Really being a Grandma is the best gig in town. We are very Happy for Alissa and Trevor.      

Lying | Justin Williams | (feat. Lindsey Stirling)

...with full purpose of heart

But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

                                                                                                                                                                                Mosiah 7:33

Whenever You're in Trouble

The Williams Family - Jan 2012

Jocelyn's List of the Best Christmas Books for Young Children 2011

I have so enjoyed Jocelyn's List of books from past few years and have made it a tradition in our family to read books with the kids each night, even my older kids have enjoyed this. We have added to our collection each year, it has been so so fun. Thank you Jocelyn.

Jocelyn's List 

of the 

Best Christmas Books for Young Children

2011

Christmas is Here (Words from the King James Bible), Illustrated by Lauren Castillo

The Last Chimney of Christmas Eve by Linda Oatman High

A Shepherd's Whisper (A Christmas Classic)

The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider

A Small Miracle by Peter Collington

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell

The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer

Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

The Christmas Orange (I like the version shared here best.)

This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. More

Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.

The Animals' Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum

My First Story of the First Christmas by Deanna Draper Buck

We Were There: A Nativity Story by Eve Bunting

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger

A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson

Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer

The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs 

(We love the wordless DVD with its amazingly peaceful soundtrack!)

Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon

Santa and the Christ Child by Nicholas Bakewell

Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells

From her blog:
We Talk of Christ We Rejoice in Christ

CLICK HERE TO READ THE 2010 CHRISTMAS BOOK and CRAFT LIST

AND THE 2009 CHRISTMAS BOOK  and CRAFT LIST!

A Gift to the World

Halloween JibJab

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

My kids have so much fun doing these on JibJab. Shelby put this one together.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

2 lbs hamburger meat

1 medium chopped onion (can use dehydrated onions)

2 cans kidney beans

2 cans black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans whole kernel corn

2 large cans stewed diced tomatoes (can use Mexican style)

2 small cans tomato sauce or 1 large

1 package taco seasoning mix (optional)

1 can black olives, sliced or quartered

Brown hamburger and onion in large soup pot or crock pot

    

Add all the other ingredients, do not drain the vegetables

     

Simmer for an hour or two

Serve over Fritos corn chip or crushed tortilla chips

with shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa on the side

Recipe freezes well