She's a Gift

A Girl! Day #1

Before

During

Maybe the coolest head picture alive. 

After -

It's a Girl!!!

Feeling blessed. She's perfect.

Introductions

The Baby with the new Baby :)

Moo

Little C

Ruckus

Lou

The Fun

She won't stop pooping :)

Holding hands with my #3 Baby who gifted me beautiful artwork along with his brothers.

Daddy's in heaven.

Me and my eldest Baby

I love her.

Because who doesn't love a great face mask picture of two adorable munchkins?

Just in case you were wondering- I have an amazing uterus with super power healing strength. 

After 6 babies and 5 c-sections it's still going strong.

I make it sound silly, but I feel really blessed with this body of mine that has been able to continue to be a vessel to these sweet spirits our Heavenly Father has granted to our family.

Plus The Beloved loves a good uterus photo. 

Our Sweet Angel Baby.

Dear Little One,

Do you know how blessed I feel that you were sent to our home? Another little girl? I didn't think it was in the stars. You are precious and perfect and look like your brother Lou. In my competitive heart I am thrilled about his because there are finally two of you that look like my side of the family! Yes! 

We didn't find out whether you were a boy or girl before you arrived and when Daddy announced you were a girl upon delivery I was shocked and over joyed. You see, I have 3 wonderful sisters who are my best friends  and I so wanted your older sister to experience the joy of having a sister. Your brothers are awesome siblings and will protect you both like no nobody's business, but there's something about having a sister when you're a girl that is irreplaceable. 

I'm also excited to get to know you, to show you how much I care, and see the wonderful woman you become. In your baby blessing you received, at only 11 days old, Dad said you would be blessed with extraordinary talents. He said you would be humble about them and use them for good. What wonders await you in this world!

I could stare at you all day and sometimes I do. I love you sweet little girl! Thank you for choosing to come to our home and bless our family. 

Your brothers want to hold you non-stop. Lou gets nervous any time the car seat cover is sheltering you from the cold because he's afraid you can't breathe. He's always asking if you're okay and how much longer we have to cover your face. 

Ruckus always announces that he's washed his hands and it's time to cuddle and Moo may smother you to death in hugs and kisses. Little C holds you like a veteran and adores you so. Seeing his confidence in taking care of a new born is fabulous and I know he will be a wonderful, thoughtful father one day.

Your older sister just looks at you and says, "so cute!" She's a lover of clothes and has tried putting on yours but is constantly disappointed when they don't fit. 

And that dad of yours is smitten. He has two arms to hold his two little girls in and it makes him the happiest man alive. He looks at you and says, "I love her so much" over and over again.

Sweet little baby - I love you. 

I am blessed to be your mother.

Love,

Mom

Halloween 2015

The Baby was a disappointed Elsa. She really just wanted to dress up in cool super hero costumes like her brothers. 

Ruckus was the gold Power Ranger
Moo was a Ninja
Lou was Link from Zelda

Of What Fold are Ye?

"And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?" (Alma 5:39)
Years before Alma the Younger, as High Priest, posed this question to the people in Zarahemla he himself was a sheep of a very different fold. He is described in Mosiah 27 as being wicked and idolatrous, "stealing away the hearts of the people.... giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise power over them." 
So, what changed for Alma the Younger? What pushed him toward repentance and a desire to be numbered among the sheep of the good shepherd? 
We know he, along with the sons of Mosiah, were visited by an angel, but his transformation wasn't as simple as that. 
Firstly, we know that his father never gave up hope that his son would return to the fold. I believe he "spoke plainly" to Alma about the gospel even at the height of his son's wickedness. In Alma 36:17 Years after the angel appeared, Alma the Younger himself explains to his son that he remembered the words of his father, testifying of, "the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." This memory allowed him to cling to the idea of repentance and a hope for a better life. 
Our kids are listening even if we can't tell and sometimes when they don't even know it themselves. Our diligence in teaching the gospel, speaking plainly of God's commandments, won't be for naught. 
Two, Alma the Younger wasn't visited by an angel based upon his own merits. He wasn't granted this rare appointment because he was special. The angel said to Alma that he had come to, "convince thee (him) of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith." (Mosiah 27:14) The angel appeared to Alma and the sons of Mosiah because of the prayers of the righteous on their behalf. The prayers of their parents, brothers, sisters, family and friends. Alma was blessed with this mighty life changing event because of the prayers of the faithful centered around him. He was also granted this gift due to the mercy of the Lord. Alma gave full credit to Him when he said, "the Lord in his mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
Finally, Alma the Younger didn't hold on to this one testimony building moment and then lean back in his recliner to take a breather, giving someone else the opportunity to share the blessings of the gospel. The scriptures say "And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people.... traveling round about through out the land.... preaching the word of God." (Mosiah 27:32)
Alma the Younger continued to LIVE the gospel the remainder of his days. This is what fortified him in sustaining his great transformation for life. This is why He knew how glorious it was to be a sheep, being watched over by the good shepherd.

I hope we all desire to be sheep of the good shepherd because -

"And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?" (Alma 5:39)

Do You Pray for ISIS?

While attending my religion class last Thursday I made the following observation to my discussion group, "Isn't it inspiring how diligent the men in the Book of Mormon were in preserving a record that wouldn't be saved for their immediate posterity to read, but for those of their enemy? All the work and sacrifice to engrave and maintain the history of your people, to benefit another people who hate you." A fellow classmate responded, "it's kind of like us going out of our way to bless ISIS' lives."
What? ISIS?
Am I capable of wanting the best for ISIS? 
Do I desire their salvation?  
With these thoughts in mind my scripture study became a little more focused. 
In Enos 1: 13, Enos prays for the Lamanites' salvation and he's not just thinking of the now but future generations to come. He's praying for a people who he describes in verse 20 as, "their hatred being fixed (against the Nephites), and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people...". The Lamanites are constantly going to war with the Nephites, desiring to exterminate them no matter the cost. The Lamanites have been indoctrinated with such hate from the beginning, directly from the mouths of their fathers, that this loathing becomes an obsession. 
Sound familiar?
Yet again, in Jarom 1:2 we find another obedient man informing us that, "these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites...".
Their actions remind me of the verses in Matthew 5:44 and 3 Nephi 12:44 where it states: "...love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you."
Ashamedly, I have never thought to pray for ISIS. Ever. I've prayed for the innocent Syrian refugees and for the other victims inflicted upon but not once have I thought to consider the salvation of the enemy. Not once have I felt the "pain and anguish for their souls" as described in Mosiah 25:11. 
And I still have a hard time wanting to.
But I also know that prayer is powerful. Prayers and obedience to the Lord's commandments can change the world. I believe with all my heart that, "...Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." (Enos 1:15)
It sounds so simple doesn't it? And maybe we won't see the benefits for hundreds of years to come, but tonight I am going to pray for our Enemy. 

Strike a Pose

So, remember how we mimic the paused picture on the television? -

this may be the best pose ever. 

Way to brave it Lou and Moo!

Fall Fun

The Zoo

Just in case you needed a picture of my pal the anteater,

 here he is. :)

This is the female anteater - we don't know each other as well because she's been on maternity leave. Do you see the little baby on her back? Adorable.

 Here are my boys trying their hardest to lay their own babies in this giant nest.

Just another day being tough, standing on a komodo dragon. 

The Annual Lap-a-thon at school

Little C - eager as always to have his picture taken :)

The Lou-Dog working hard but still looking fly.

Ruckus multitasking while eating a hot dog and walking at the same time.

Moo forgot he liked to participate in the lap-a-thon so he just practiced his balancing near the playground.

The baby doing headstands in the middle of the field. 

Then she went on to socialize with a new girlfriend.

She basically owned the joint. She's cool like that. :)