Tender Mercies

I had been dreading this week. T-man went out of town early Wednesday morning and will return late Sunday night (tonight). I just was not excited to be going solo. T-man used to travel with his old job and I just hated it every time he left.

I just had to write today and share my tender mercies. The whole week has been so much easier than I thought it would be. We have had some fun "girl" times, and they have enjoyed getting to do some special things. As I sat in church today I felt so strongly that the Lord was watching over me and helping me this week. They were super good in church (better than normal). Gracie did have two #2's that needed to be taken care of but other than that smooth sailings. Letty has been extra helpful, and Gracie has been happy. I think so often I look for "BIG" things to happen; and forget that we have countless tender mercies daily that testify that God lives and Jesus Christ is our Savior. I am grateful for the small moments in my life that make my heart swell and renew my strength.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Wow, my baby is two! Two, (sigh...) she seems to remind me of this fact daily by her strong will and preferences, especially towards clothes. But on the other hand she is talking so much more and says funny things. For example, all snow is "snowman" and all chocolate is "chocolate milk" I guess two of her favorite things. She loves her sister and they play well together most of the time. Although having her own opinion has created a damper in Letty's style of playing. We love our Gracie! What would we do without her? She is a snuggler and is quick to hug and say sorry. She enjoys wrestling and plopping on people. She LOVES dress-up and getting into mommies make-up. Her favorites are yogurt and treats. Thanks Gracie babe for being you and sharing your light with us. You makes our lives richer.

unusual behavior

I was working on some things today while Letty was at school and realized that I hadn't heard from Gracie in a while. So I went to investigate what kind of trouble she had gotten into. I discovered her in her crib with paci, blanket and on her way to dream land. She didn't see me so I snuck out and a few minutes later she was fast asleep.

1. This alarmed me that she is climbing into her crib by herself and

2. What almost two year old does that? Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining if she wants to put herself down for naps/ bed whatever I'll take what I can get. I just wish I would have taken a picture of it.

Christmas Celebrations

Happy New Year! We feel so blessed to have had a wonderful Holiday season spent with lots family. We enjoyed several Woodbury gatherings full of games, chatting, and plenty of food. We spent Christmas in California which was nice since it had been four years since we spent Christmas there. The arrival of Gracie impeded our last scheduled Christmas trip to Cali. We started from SLC and decided to try a night drive. It wouldn't have been too bad but we hit a LOT of fog. Who knew Nevada could be foggy? T-man did a great job staying away thanks to Dr. Pepper, which kept his unaccustomed body quite alert. We feel happy to be within driving distance of everyone this year, realizing that traveling home from NYC will not be a hop, skip and jump. We love you all! Thank you for filling our year with your light and love.

Letty's dance recital. She was a magistrate this year. Poor thing had suffered from the stomach flu most of the day. She was feeling better by the evening but not great, but I knew if she didn't go she would regret it in the morning.

Santa visiting Letty's classroom.

The Woodbury party, almost complete in attendance.

Uncle N had the magic touch and Gracie fell asleep in his arms.

Curly and Letty singing frosty the snowman (the complete song), they did great!

Mom and baby J (so cute).

Letty gave us our first gifts from her that she got all on her own. Her school had a store where she bought Christmas gifts. She was so excited to give them to us. It was torture for her to wait until Christmas. I received a little Kitten/saucer figurine, not the typical thing I would pick out for myself but I will treasure it forever.

Close family friends. It seems like each year Christmas just keeps expanding into little present parties everywhere.


The Lingerfelt clan in my sister's yard.

A favorite spot of theirs at Grandma's house.

Uncle D protecting Letty from the scary parts of "Night at the Museum" (Letty loved that movie while we were there and watched it more than once :)

The BIG gift, complete with a traditional treasure hunt to find it.


Just checkin on cousin J. Gracie and Letty both loved her. Gracie was also fixated on the boy's green frog boots.

Grandma time.

I have a picture just like this almost in the same part of the house. There is something special about Grandpa's work boots.

Thanksgiving and more...

Thanksgiving...where to begin? So much fun! Many, many things to be grateful for. We took a family trip down to Arizona to visit the Lakes (their first Thanksgiving in their new home). It was worth every minute of travel time to be almost all together (minus big brother N). We had a great time. Thanks everyone!


Enjoying one of many delicious meals.

Time to relax, and enjoy some reading.
Grandpa and his girls.

A friendly game of Thanksgiving day football.

Loving the Arizona weather... fun yard games (red rover, fruit basket upset, missionary tag)

Not everyone gets to wear skirts and play in the sand in November.
An awesome trip to the zoo!

They LOVE each other.
Farm girls at heart.

Letty's dentist had a complimentary party at the ice rink. I was surprised Gracie sat with Santa.




First time on ice skates.

One of her FAVORITE things to do.


Our first snow fall came this morning.

Family Pictures

My friend Kelli took these, a big thank you. I love fall!!

We enjoyed an evening of bowling with some fellow MBAers on Monday night. I enjoy bowling with T-man since it is one of the few things I usually beat him at (31 points this game, but I'm not bragging).

Last weekend we joined family to celebrate Grandma W. birthday, so fun. It was followed by a play starring a cousin, she did awesome!

The last couple of weeks have been a little hum drum. School and doing the things that make life run smoothly. Last night we took the kids to play at the mall and followed it by a trip to the Temple at night to see the water fountains. It was a good time.

Letty excitedly went up to the fountain to feel the water and didn't see the crevice on the lower fountain and stuck part of her arm in it. She was a little sad (she saw this pictures and didn't want me to put it in, how is she big enough to care?) I told her sad moments are a part of life to.

A few minutes later she looked like this.

Letty Said....

I will help my family now so that we can all be together again.

She did a great job during our Primary Program today. She only picked her nose a couple of times and only put her hand over her neighbors mouth to quiet her LOUD singing once. We won't mention how often she covered her ears (she actually had TWO loud singers by her). She is still a little wiggly but I can tell she has improved from last year. Way to go Letty!

I rarely think to take a picture when I see something like this. But when time goes by and I take a walk down memory lane I want to remember them in ALL of their glory. I did feel a little guilty about it since she wanted to be picked up NOW but oh well, I got over it.

Enjoying some awesome weather while we can.