My Jewels

This was our family portrait this year. I was pleased with how it turned out. For the first time since kids came into the picture (literally), we finally had a relatively calm family portrait experience. Usually, it's such an exhausting ordeal getting everyone ready... and nearly impossible to get everyone to smile, let alone look in the same direction. But we actually pulled it off this time, and it was quite painless. This was even the very first picture she took!! We bribed the kids with the opportunity to meet Santa after we were done. We'll definitely have to remember that trick for next year.

And here was their reward... (although it looks like it was a bit of a letdown for them, haha!)


Even though no one is smiling, I just love this picture. It was a special night for us... Jon and I were walking around the mall side by side, one of the kids up on his shoulders, laughing and playing. We were all taking in the sights and sounds of the season, the kids were cooperating, and we were all just happy to be together. All was right with the world. So this will always be a special picture to me and a reminder of the goodness of God. He has blessed me with much more than I deserve. I love this story shared by President Hinckley:

In ancient Rome a group of women were, with vanity, showing their jewels one to another. Among them was Cornelia, the mother of two boys. One of the women said to her, “And where are your jewels?” To which Cornelia responded, pointing to her sons, “These are my jewels.” Under her tutelage and walking after the virtues of her life, they grew to become Gaius and Tiberius Gracchus—the Gracchi, as they were called—two of the most persuasive and effective reformers in Roman history.

My children are the jewels of my life. I am richly blessed to have the opportunity to raise them with a faithful husband by my side leading us through this world and putting his trust in the Lord. I truly couldn't ask for more.

Pictures behind the scenes

I was hoping to get a nice picture of the kiddos in front of our new tree tonight. It wasn't the best timing because they were all over-tired, but I was determined to get a good one. What an ordeal! I'm frequently posting cute pictures of the kids, and it must look like they're complete angels because they're always smiling so sweetly. So I thought I'd post a few throw-away pics, before I post the single decent one. Because let's get real... getting a good picture of kids these ages is nearly impossible!

So here are a few photo mishaps... (or should we say, reality!)

Umm... I don't think so.


Nope. Uh-uh.
No way!

So after soliciting a little help from Daddy (he's much more amusing than me) we finally got a cute one! So now it's bedtime... for ALL of us!

Family Portrait

So yesterday Celeste brought this picture to us and seemed quite pleased with her work. She pointed everyone out... "This is Charity, Baby Jakey, Benny, Me, Mommy... and Daddy!" Daddy pointed to the large circle on his abdomen and asked, "What's that?" She matter-of factly stated, "That's your big belly!" We busted up laughing. Jon said, "I guess that's when you know you need to diet!"