Sleeping Beauty & private... again

Isn't she a chubby little beauty?! We're just LOVING our Lucy lou!

Well..................  I've been debating whether or not to go back... I think it's best for a few reasons. Most of us have to sign in anyway, so it's not that big of a deal. Why am I SO long-winded?! We are going private around Kate's birthday (Aug. 16th) so leave me your e-mail address in a comment if you want "continued access" to peek at us via our blog. Thanks!!!

Love. Them.

Seriously, head over heals! These two are practically inseparable and they're already including their littlest sister in everything they can. I love how much they love each other!

The sweet sand/water table that Grandma & Grandpa Breshears sent to Kate for her birthday (which is still a couple weeks away, but we couldn't just let that fun thing sit in a box!)

Yay for popsicles!

Yay again for silly faces and uncontrollable giggles!!





Love!

Love!

Triple LOVE!!! Love the crazy hair, love the messy, orphan face, LOVE this little girl!!

Snakes

We were up in Portland for a trip to the temple + Parker's Dad had his annual company BBQ and his Mom requested months ago that we attend... to make them look good... hopefully we did a good job. Anyway, that afternoon we snuck away to Grandpa's work and chased snakes in the tall grass. Jackson was even brave enough to hold a small one. Kate and I were okay with just looking at HIS accomplishment.

Later, as we were driving home and talking about his experience, Jackson said: Yeah, Dad... I think snakes are really just for boys to hold. Girls are a little afraid of snakes, huh.

I went along with that. Hopefully he's always kind to me and doesn't ever go through a "let's see what we can do to scare Mom stage". I don't think it would be too difficult for them to find things!

Kate's 2 year old BIKE

Poor Kate has had to wait longer than the average Joe (or Jackson) to get her very own bike. We ordered it online (because it was on sale online and NOT in the store + free shipping). Her birthday isn't until August 16th, but we just didn't see any reason to wait. Since she doesn't really know when her actual birthday is anyway, this didn't cause any confusion.

Is it that obvious what her 2 favorite colors may be? (Although she HAS been somewhat influenced...)



Cute to see the 2 of them zipping all over the place. (Jackson's about ready for a "big boy" bike, as you can tell from the pictures... but we made a deal with him that he could get one when he mastered using the petals.)



Kate's helmet seems to be a little on the big side... or maybe we just need to adjust it better. But she would NOT let us take it off.



Look at those eyes! Is she difficult to discipline? ...yes, very often YES! But she's pretty sweet too.

And can't leave Jackson out. He may have possibly been even more excited about Kate's new bike than she was. He spent the afternoon/evening telling all of the neighbors that his sister, Katie, got a new pink bike for her birthday.

Typical little kid... bruises up and down his knees... cute though, huh?!

Tummy Time/ Sleeping

Played her little heart out!

Sweet Lucy!

So many faces!! She is just so animated these days... and still looking a lot like her handsome Daddy!

Such a doll!

Can't get enough of this sweet angel!

Princess Potty Trained

Elder Tyson Knowles serving in Albania

This is my (not so little anymore) cousin Tyson who is serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. He just arrived in Tirana, Albania where he will be serving the Lord full time to bring the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet had the opportunity to hear & accept it. This is his Mission President, President Neil & Sister Neil

This is the district (group) he spent months with in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) learning as much as they could of how to teach the Gospel in Albanian. Isn't it beautiful there?!

In front of Lady Albania. Oh, this brings back so many memories and I almost physically ache as I think about the incredible experiences I had in Brasil and how I didn't want it to end. Raising children is the only thing I have yet experienced that can compare at all to being a full-time missionary for the Lord. There is a power that we are allowed to have that is indescribable. In these last days, this certainly is a message of urgency. Reminds me of the Standard of Truth...

“Our missionaries are going forth to different nations . . . the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning about this great message, let me know. I will feel terrible if the day comes when one of my friends or colleagues comes to me and says, I wish you would have shared what you knew with me. I would love to. There is nothing more comforting or reassuring or that brings more peace to our lives than understanding the basic Gospel truths.

We have a Heavenly Father who loves us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to Earth to live a perfect life--to serve as our example in all things; Christ suffered and atoned for our sins, our sorrows, grief, pain, heartache & so that we may have the power to overcome our own weaknesses. I know that the power of the Atonement is real and the more I learn of my Savior and strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, my life improves and I am able to put my trust in Them. I know God has a plan for me--for each of us. He knows my name. He knows what I am going through. He knows the things I struggle with and the things I need to improve upon. He also knows my strengths and my potential, better than I do. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to be an instrument in His hands. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have that I will live with my family for all eternity through the sealing power of the priesthood and in His holy temple. I am grateful for a living prophet who guides Christ's Church. God has always spoken through His chosen prophet to let His children know what was expected of them and since He is unchanging, He continues to speak through His prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. I am so grateful for the peace I feel when I follow the commandments and live my life the way my Father in Heaven has asked me to. I'm not perfect (not even close), but I'm trying my best to improve little by little and live my life the way Christ lived His. It's not always easy, but it's worth it!

legos

Bottom line: It's just too hot to wear clothes!

aren't legos the best?! They keep you busy for hours (okay, maybe more like AN hour, but still; that's a significant amount of time!)

Cute kids

We're doing our best to stay cool right now. It is pretty HOT outside and without AC, our house heats up too, especially in the afternoon. But the kids have smiles on their faces. We spend the mornings, early afternoon & evening outside (basically if we're not napping, we're outside) playing in the water, eating popsicles...

Kate is getting SO big!



Jackson too! Still kind of weird to think he'll be in preschool this Fall.

Swim Lessons 2010

(Jackson is on the left, on the rt. is his new friend Aiden)

He is absolutely LOVING swimming lessons. Last year (@ 2-1/2 yrs) he was getting better about being comfortable in the water and blowing bubbles, etc.

Now @ 3-1/2 yrs old, it's hard to keep him out of the water... amazing how they can change in such a short period of time!



Jackson's teacher's name is Katelyn... so it's easy for him to remember  ;-) She is so great with the kids. Jackson is in a class with Ella (7), Aiden (5), Alisa (6). He's definitely the smallest/youngest, but seems to be keeping up just fine!

Kate & Jackson after swim lessons all ready to go to the park!