Gaining Assurance of the Father's Love

"Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. . . . As we understand this doctrine, we gain greater assurance of our Father's love."
~James B. Martino~

I subscribe to the emails sent from the church called "Daily Gems" which is inspirational thoughts and quotes given by our church leaders. These are sent on a daily basis and I love reading them simply because of the strength and testimony it allows me to develop but what is so incredible about it all is how many times these simple emails have pertained to my personal experience(s) and situation(s).

We have had a rough few weeks with many challenges come our way all at once. On more than one occassion I have felt like crawling in a hole but remember that as long as I turn myself toward the Lord and turn everything over to him in Faith I will make it through, although it might be difficult to endure. I say this now because during the difficulty it has been hard for me to really recogninze His hand in it all but through little things, such as this quote...sent in an email, I am reminded that He IS mindful and ever present during these times and that He is allowing me to have situations that allow for growth in truly becoming like my Savior.

Labor Day Weekend

Since Mike was going to be gone for Labor Day weekend, the kids and I decided to pack up the car and drive to Pittsburgh to visit my sister and her cute kids!. My bro-in-law just start dental school and now that they are a lot closer than a 24 hour drive (8-10 hrs.) we will be able to visit more often!! I wasn't quite sure how long it would actually take since it was just me in the car to help with the kids needs....books, movies and food and we were good to go. Z had a small cooler packed in the back with him with all sorts of goodies and another cooler was up by me so I could help A & S. It was quite fun and tiring by the time we got back home but well worth the visit!!

Thanks for a fun time :o)

XOXO

Let Them be Little....

....and do all the things we tried and did when we were that age :o) And of course I know there is so much more to come. Oh how I remember those days!

Summer days chillin' on the front porch....(no not really, actually @ Cracker Barrell)

Loooves to be a Ballerina....she is quite graceful!

Trying to be like her big sister...give her a little time and she will have it! She also loves to run around in a diaper only.....what kid doesn't?!

Completely parallel to the ground! What talent :o)

They took the cushions off the couch and used them as landing "pads"

She got more brave each time....started out landing on her feet then to her knees!

Check out that technique! He is definitely "All Boy"

County Fair

For the last 2 years we have gone to the County Fair with some friends, the Pence family, and it is kind of our tradition now. We always have a great time. This year the kids enjoyed being scientists and farmers! Not to mention riding their 1st roller coaster and listening/dancing @ their 1st concert :o)

And so it Begins....

School is back in session

Z started Kindergarten this year. I have mixed emotions about that. I am excited but today was hard to drop him off. He will be going from 8:30-3:20, yep no 1/2 day schedules here! Even though we will miss him during the day it will be good for him to be involved with other kids on a regular basis and not to mention all the learning he will be doing and fun he will be having. He has a great teacher, Ms. Smithson. She has been teaching Kindergarten for 32 years, she is wonderful and I know Z will grow to love her so much. He told me "Mom, I don't want you to take me, I want to ride the bus." So, this week I drove him but starting Monday he will get to ride the bus :o)

A started Preschool this week! She has two teachers, Ms. Laurel and Ms. Betsy. She is excited to be back and even more so because two kids from her class last year are with her again this year! She keeps asking, "When do I get to go to Kindergarten and ride the bus?" She wants to be big just like her brother. Her turn will come soon enough :o)

S is all over the place and tries to get where she is going quicker by running. She is also trying to use a spoon at the table but at times still decides her fingers work better :o)

Not only have the summer activities ended but we are also getting a little break in the weather....Finally!! We have enjoyed being outside riding bikes and playing at the park since it hasn't been too hot. The kids have been waiting a long time to be outside...fall is definitely around the corner.

>

So what to do with this extra time?...Well I will finally be able to put my jogging stroller to use!! Running at the park and of course since we're already there....play a little too!

Annual Beach Trip

We decided to go to NC to visit the fam....and of course when we go we like to make a trip to the beach! Talk about complete change (reaction wise) with the kids. They "loooved" the wind, waves and not to mention the sand. It definitely shows that my "babies" aren't so little anymore....they are growing up too fast!

Swim lessons apparantely paid off!

Ready, set...hike!

Not quite sure if she is liking the sand all over her!

Our little beach babe!

Last year S was only a couple of months old and couldn't do much but this year she didn't hesitate one bit...in the sand or H2O

She slid straight through and got her "booty" stuck :o)

Trying to figure this stuff out!

Like Father, like Son....all work and no play! ;o)

A whole head shorter.....just for a moment!

Aunt Sis burying them in the sand

Jumpin' the waves