A Mother's Love

Dear Mary,

We have never met, but every year at this time we sing countless songs about you. I carefully place a figurine of you in the center of my precious nativity, with baby Jesus directly in front of you.

I have often wondered how you could endure riding on the back of a donkey, 9 months pregnant, so many miles as you and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. It must have crushed you to realize you would bring the Savior of the world, into the world in a lowly stable.

This year, as a new mother, I have thought about you a lot more. I feel like I have gained new perspective and understanding as to a mother’s love. Everyday I pray for guidance to be the best mother to my son. Am I being the best mother I can be? Am I teaching him the things he needs to know? Do I have the Spirit strong enough in my heart to teach him how to feel it? Will I be able to instill in him the power of prayer? Will I be able to teach him the things he needs to know to be a responsible, kind, loving adult?

As I snuggle my little boy and dote on his every move my thoughts have gone to you during this Christmas season. I’m sure that each ‘coo’ from your little one pleased you with delight. I’m sure you sang him countless lullabies. I’m sure you prayed for strength to raise him in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. Did you know all that your son would be required to bear? Even, knowing that he was the Son of God, could you comprehend at the time all that meant to every living person that would ever walk earth?

I feel the responsibility to raise my little one in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I cannot even begin to comprehend the weight of your task… to know that you were raising your little one to save every member of mankind as long as they accept Him and the sacrifice He made for them.

I love you and appreciate you in a whole new light.

Thank you for sharing your son with the world.

What an honor it is to celebrate His birth.

All he wants for Christmas...

Yep! Cal is getting his two front teeth.

He started sticking out his tongue- which is adorable- but when the drool increased almost 100% we knew something was up. (Can you see it coming down the front of his little santa suit?:)

He is very protective of his new little assets. When his bottom teeth were coming in he liked to chew on our fingers any chance he could. But not now. If I get my fingers anywhere near his mouth he buttons his lips- sealed shut!

The right one has completely broken through, but the left still has a little ways to go.

I would include a picture of his new teeth, but it is impossible.

He is so cute we could eat-him-up!!

Our little boy sure is growing up!

We're seeing RED!!!

Anyone who knows us well know that we are true blue BYU fans. In fact, I'm pretty sure Patrick bleeds blue! We both graduated from BYU so it goes reason that we would be loyal Cougars... but it goes deeper than that!

In fact, I will share a little secret... we shop at Costco pretty regularly. (that's not the secret:) At Costco they used to have blue grocery carts and red carts. Patrick would only use the blue carts, even if it meant searching a bit for it... I would say 1/2 of his casual wardrobe dons the BYU logo. Yeah, they man is loyal!

I have a good friend in my ward and she is perfect in EVERY way... except one. She is a Ute fan. We just don't understand.

Every year right before the big BYU- U of U football game we can expect some kind of surprise from Becca. The banter back and forth is awesome and makes the rivalry extra fun.

This year she got us... she got us good. In fact, so good I don't think we can ever, in a million years, top it.

We drove back from Cali for Thanksgiving just in time to make it to the big game. As we pulled into our drive way we got the shock of our life...
Here is a close up...

How did she get these picture of Cal in the crimson red?? We were so confused!

And then it hit me.

Almost 2 months before she offered to babysit Cal for us. I thought she was so kind to offer- but really her evil plot was about to unfold. She dressed him up, snapped the photos and then had our other good friend photoshop them into this poster.

But wait, it gets worse.

When I called Becca (I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe) she said something to this affect... "I made a FEW extra copies into a postcard size and put them on our neighbors doors"

At church on Sunday friends came up to us the entire time questioning the postcard taped to their door. We said just one word... "BECCA" and they started to laugh.

This year the Cougars won on the field. But really Becca, you win!! :) Good job!

Thanks for making us smile!

So much to be thankful for...

We are so blessed.

As I think about my life I feel overwhelmed with gratitude...

Pure thankfulness.
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Thanksgiving is always a wonderful time to reflect on the things that are most precious and dear.

I have to start off with my sweet husband.
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Patrick is an amazing husband. He supports me in all that I do. He really is my very best friend. He is a wonderful father. I have had SO much joy this year watching him with our little one.

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Patrick makes life fun!

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I love this picture. When I heard my boys laughing during bath time I had to come and see what was going on. I'm not quite sure how, but Cal just knew it was funny!

His tummy says, "Cal loves Mom" How cute it that?

I am so thankful for our little Cal. Words cannot express the joy he brings into our life. At such a young age his little personality shines through. We are grateful to his birth-mother... again, words cannot express.

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I am so thankful for my parents.

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We were able to travel to California this Thanksgiving to be with them. My mom is the best hostess in the whole wide world! There is always delicious homemade food ready for our arrival. But the truth is, she plans and prepares for her family to arrive for WEEKS- probably over a month! Every room is decorated in a festive way. I love it!

Cal LOVED my mom's homemade split pea soup- but hey, who wouldn't?

These are her buffet tables all ready for the Thanksgiving feast! Beautiful!

My Dad sure makes me smile. He is such a great Grampy!

We walked around his orchards, ate anything that was ripe and enjoyed the warm weather.
Heaven on earth!

I am thankful for all of my family. I suppose I could have added the formal Thanksgiving picture my mom took of us sitting at the table with our best manners, but this is the picture I like the most. This was after dinner and even after dessert. Sitting around enjoying each other's company. I just had to sneak out the camera to capture the moment.

I am so thankful for family. We have so much fun together. They are such a blessing in my life.

I am rich with blessings!

Happy Halloween!

We have approached so many "firsts" with our little Cal. As he is getting older and more aware, each "first" has become more and more fun!

For the last SEVERAL years Halloween has been spent at my sister's house with her cute family. For the last couple of years she has organized a pot luck soup dinner with family and friends. Yum! What a perfect way to warm up before tackling the outdoor chill.

Cal was so funny in his costume. When I put it on him he would turn his head quickly from side to side. I'm sure he could feel the horns on his head...

Our cute little blue monster

Cal just stared at Johnny... he wasn't scared... but the look on his face said, "Johnny, what's up with the make-up?"

Monster vs. the Skeleton Man

I was a Gypsy and Patrick was a BYU Fan (ha ha)

We walked around with the kids to trick or treat, but Cal and I only went up to one door. Poor little guy, he only got to suck the outside of the wrapper. He loved it just the same!

Next year buddy, just wait till next year!

Such a fun night and another check on Cal's list of "firsts"