Kids say the darnedest things..

Some children are not meant to grow up fast..nor will anyone make them. You would think June, at 5 and a half, and in Kindergarten, would know that you don't really turn into a cat if you drink out of the cat bowl. She continued to ask us how she could become a cat yesterday, and that was the answer we gave her. She thought about this all evening as we were out running errands. At one point she even shouted hopefully, "that means I get to stay up! Phoebe and Lizzie always get to stay up with you and Daddy!"
When we arrived home, and the rest of us had forgotten the "cat talk", she ran into the laundry/mud room, knelt down, and sipped (like a cat) two slurps out of the bowl (yuck!) before Dayne yelled at her to "get outta there!" And she was quite upset that she didn't magically transform right the and there!
...and we want our children to grow up faster?! No way.

Worth listening to while you fold laundry

I've had the privilege of meeting this couple and I've been so impressed with them both. They recently wrote a book titled, "The God Who Weeps" and were interviewed on a podcast and gave some insight on why they wrote the book and of course, their personal experience with it. I can't wait to read it. Please take the time to listen to this podcast and if you like it, then here's a few others WELL WORTH the time you invest.

It has opened my mind and my heart to areas of Mormonism that I was struggling with and needed answers..and peace. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

VA Christmas

Geof. just informed me that I need to go take some pictures for him for work..so this'll be quick-not much narrative..., and most of these pics you might have already seen, anyway. Hopefully Le Anne will post her "Virginia Christmas Story" on here so you'll have a better idea of what we did. And "did" we did DO! There's always a handful of things to do while in Richmond and its surrounding areas.., but I'm coming to appreciate more and more the quiet (and not so quiet) time in our home.., reading books, doing puzzles (we decided to leave the card table out for a few months to do puzzles on while watching movies), enjoying meals together, etc. Le Anne and Ellery spoiled us rotten with not only gifts (can't wait to use the leaf blower!), but just their undivided attention. They're always so good at that. They're good listeners and make you feel special and important...even if you're not feeling too great about yourself. :) We dragged them all over and they were good sports about it.

 The kids loved the "tickle monster", Gma's goodies (and Pa's, of course!), movies, staying up late(r), trying on GOBS of new clothes (Yay!Thank you Meags and Hazel!), receiving gifts, buying gifts (Cole surprised Geof. and me with some things he picked out with Gma from Costco), going on walks in the rain, hearing stories of Pa and Dana's growing up years. Lucky kids. That's what Geof. said after we dropped them off at the airport. He was "so happy his kids could have this experience with their grandparents".  Thank you, Ellery and Le Anne for ALWAYS MAKING LIFE SPECIAL.