Thank you quilt

There is a family in our church that has given us a ton lately-- a couch, a carseat, and lots of clothes for my girls. I wanted to do something nice for them in return, so I made them this quilt. It's a surprise and I can't wait to give it to them! (And I really hope they don't read my blog! :) I don't think they do.)

I do think I need to make another one just like it for us to keep though, because it looks mighty good in the quilt stack on our blanket chest. :)

Storybook cottage

Every once in a while I get house-envy when I drive into neighborhoods where all the homes look like fairy-tale castles. But I recently realized that I don't need a fairy-tale castle. I am perfectly content with my "storybook cottage."

The other side of Chloe

A few days ago I scrolled through my blog and noticed that all of the pictures I have posted of Chloe are of her in a dress with her hair done. She does look like that sometimes. But she is also a big mess sometimes.

We love her both ways.

Always remember Him

Like most people, I struggle with feelings of discouragement and frustration-- maybe even mild depression. And during a recent episode I explained to David that I felt like I was in a bit of a tailspin. I felt out of control emotionally, and while I recognized that I was on a downward spiral, I didn't know what to do to stop myself. Negative thoughts kept flooding my mind, and no matter what I did, I felt pulled further and further into my "tunnel." 

David wisely responded that when pilots are in a tailspin they pick one spot to focus on until they are able to regain their bearings and bring the airplane back in control. And then he suggested that I use that tactic in order to bring myself out of my emotional tailspin. I should focus on one thing until I regained the proper perspective. He asked, "What do you think you should focus on?"

Immediately I knew. I needed to focus on my Savior. I put a picture of Him in the forefront of my mind and everything else I did came secondary to remembering Him. As I experimented on this technique I was able to regain control and things came back into focus.

Since my conversation with David I have thought a lot about how amazing it was that as soon as I focused on my Savior, I felt better. And then in my scripture study I read 3 Nephi 18, where Christ instituted the sacrament to the Nephites. It hit me that one of my baptismal covenants is to "always remember Him." And I should have been focusing on my Savior all along instead of getting caught up in my never-ending list of responsibilities and things to do. The Lord knows that we need to focus on the Savior in order to maintain a clear perspective on life. And he has given us the opportunity to renew that covenant every Sunday as we partake of the sacrament. What genius!!! And to go even further, as we do remember Him and keep His commandments, we are promised to have the Lord's Spirit with us. The Spirit will comfort us, teach us, guide us, and lead us along the path back to our Heavenly Father. It's the gospel plan I have been taught since infancy! And it works.

There are some instances of depression or other emotional disorders that require medical treatment and outside help, but for most of us, the answer is to always remember Him.

Chloe is Two!!!

Here are some things you may not know about Chloe:

• She likes to have her nails painted.
• She refuses to go to bed until she gives everyone in the family kisses and hugs.
• Her favorite foods are pizza and spaghetti. She also loves raisins and cheese.
• She has a repertoire of a few favorite songs that we sing over and over and over. (Popcorn Popping, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Thumpkin, Jesus wants Me for a Sunbeam, If You're Happy and You Know It, There was a little House in the Middle of the Woods, and I am a Child of God)
• Every time she hears the garage door she comes running saying, "Daddy!!"
• She loves going to her "nursery class" at church.
• She has opinions about what she wears. Her favorite shirts are her "Teddy Bear" London shirt and her "Cougar" BYU shirt.
• She was a very fussy baby. But she has made up for it in the second year of her life. She brings so much fun and joy to our family. We love her to pieces.

Happy Birthday, Chloe!!!

Summer is Six!!!

Here are some things you may not know about Summer:

• She has gorgeous long, silky hair and wants me to cut it short. But I just can't do it.
• She loves to cuddle and gives the best hugs and kisses!
• Her best "buddy" is her sister Emily.
• She loves to play and loves to be in charge.
• She is learning to play soccer and is excited for her first game on Saturday.
• She usually wears dresses or skirts.
• When she gets in the mood she is an awesome little worker!!! She especially likes yard work.
• Riding the bus is one of her favorite things about going to school. She always waves at me as the bus drives away.
• She is great at recognizing movie lines.

Happy Birthday, Summer!!

We love you!

Cousins

One of the best things about living where we do is that my girls get to grow up with their cousins. We get together with Audra's boys regularly and on David's side of the family there are 36 grandkids-- and almost all of them live within 20 minutes of us. A lot of them go to school together and sometimes even get to be in the same class at school. (McKenna was in the same class as her cousin, Madison, three years in a row!) This weekend McKenna and Lydia invited Avery to spend the weekend with them and they had so much fun together. On Sunday night I took them out for a little photo shoot. Someday when they are old and grown they will look back at these pictures with fond memories. Because not only are they cousins, they are FRIENDS.

Tallulah Gorge

Yesterday we took a trip into north Georgia and met Adam & Jessie, Abbi & Chad, and Mike & Audra and their family for some hiking around Tallulah Gorge.

We hiked the north rim trail and then went down onto the Hurricane Loop trail. The views were spectacular!!

But the best part of the day was getting to spend time with the family. This was the first of hopefully many P* family get-togethers. (Adam just started his MBA at the University of Tennessee, so now he and Jessie are within visiting distance!!!)

Mom & Dad-- We MISSED you!!!

The hike was not for the faint of heart and the kids were amazing. We climbed down heaven knows how many stairs to the bottom of the gorge. And them climbed back UP. We all arrived back at the top a little out of breath. But I don't think I heard any whining!

This picture below is a view from the bottom of the gorge. The kids were a little disappointed that they could not climb down into the water and swim. Only hikers with permits are allowed down into the bottom of the gorge and we got there too late to get a permit. Someday we will have to go back and hike the Gorge Floor trail.

Chloe was a trooper in her little hiking pack. And David was amazing carrying her up and down the stairs. (Did I mention there were A LOT of stairs?)

We hope you all had a great Labor Day, too!

If you are a Mother...

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

It is a message from Elder Holland that will give you hope and inspiration. He acknowledges the struggles and difficulties mothers face and teaches of the eternal significance of the work we do. After watching it I feel validated, understood, and motivated to go forward and be the best mother I can be.

Portrait

Lately I have had a great desire to improve my photography skills. My kids are growing up so fast. I feel an almost desperate need to preserve them in time--to capture this stage of their lives before it escapes. And since I can't afford to take them to a nice photography studio, the job is left up to me. :) I am still a total beginner and have a lot to learn. (A LOT to learn.) But it is exciting to learn a new skill.

Soccer Star

Summer started soccer this week. She was very excited! And she did an awesome job at her practice. I'm thinking her go-getter attitude will serve her well on the field.