Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fall is here!!

Okay, so this is actually a picture from the Internet--San Antonio is looking much greener these days! However, I must admit that as much as I love the perfect San Antonio fall/winter weather, I do miss the fall! I just love the crackling color-changing leaves, the nippy smell of the air at harvest time, warm spiced cider, pumpkin pie, cinnamon spice candles, wearing mittens and jackets, going to football games, sitting on bales of hay, and just enjoying the change in weather. Well, yesterday I got goose bumps when I went outside and Tyson and I have both worn jeans or long pants for the past two days in a row! I just thought we had to commemorate! It's a beautiful day!

Here is Provo Canyon after the leaves have changed and yes, it is even more breath-taking when you're there! So to all of you who are dreading the onset of the cold winter...at least enjoy it now! It's so beautiful!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Beautiful Music!


So at my church each Sunday all of the children get together and have what's called Singing Time. My mom was always the conductor growing up and I loved it. Even now I still sing some of the songs and here are two of my favorites:

I am a child of God,
And He has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
with parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday

Another one of my favorites is:
My life is a gift;
My life has a plan.
My life has a purpose;
in Heav'n it began.

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.

I will follow God's plan for me,
Holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, and I will pray;
I will always walk in his way.

Then I will be happy on earth
And in my home above.

So I thought I knew all of the songs until I heard this one...it is beautiful! I guess it came out last December and I love it! Here are the lyrics:

Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

A father’s place is to preside, provide,
To love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share
Their love for Father in Heaven.

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,
To nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray,
To love and serve in the fam’ly.

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

I’ll love and serve my family and be
A good example to each fam’ly member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,
I’ll help my fam’ly remember:

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

Anyway, I just know that this is true! I know the family is of God and that we can feel His love as we serve and love each other in our families. I am so grateful for music and its power in teaching simple truths to children and adults alike.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The elephant walk

Here he is with his new talent of "walking" :)


Monday we dressed in our favorite sports gear and got free chicken from chik-fil-a! It was absolutely delicious and it was so fun to see Christian playing with Tyson in the jungle gym area. I love them both so much!! On a side note, Tyson can now say "Duck" and everything is now a duck. When you try and tell him something is a ball or a fish, he will loudly correct you by saying, "Duck!" It's too cute! :)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Thanks everyone for a wonderful day!!


This weekend was awesome! Saturday, Christian brought me home flowers and we went out to eat. Then we came home and watched BYU stomp Oklahoma in the Cowboy's stadium (we should have been there!) Way to go BYU!!

Sunday was wonderful, too. We went to church and so many people remembered my birthday...some people I had no idea even knew! I got a card and an awesome handmade pot holder from the Bingham kids--who knew a seven year old could make something like that?

We woke up to some chalky coolness outside our door and in our driveway!

After dinner we had some friends over for cake (home made by Lyndsay Riggs--how awesome is that?)
We also got delectable fried ice cream by Bill Shipley-yummo!

The Hills brought over cinnamon rolls and regular rolls (I know Kim knows I'm trying to lose weight but she plays every time to my weaknesses!)

The Luffs brought over the absolute best brownies I have ever had (and yes I did eat most of them!)

Our family trying to to pose for a birthday photo!

Christian did a tremendous job on presents, which is crazy since I'm still not sure if he's spent his own birthday money from this year yet! He made me a CD with all of my favorite songs, picked me out some awesome new running shoes, won me a T-shirt that Nichole pretty much re-sewed to fit me perfectly, and we got jelly bellys from Aunt Laurs! Our Grandparents sent us beautiful cards and everyone called. Overall it was a perfect day! Thanks everyone!

Here's a picture of our cute boy who is the best gift of all!!