Joy

Today my heart is full of gratitude and love.

Recently I told Jake that I love him, and he responded with a cute grin, "love you too."  Wow.  For a boy who just learned to put two words together recently, that's a big deal.  His first sentence with 3 words.

I've been thinking today about how he picked up on saying "love you too."  Everything else Jake has learned to say, we've taught him, saying it over and over and encouraging him to mimic us.  This time was different, though.  We hadn't taught him to respond to us telling him that we love him.

I'm so thankful to have a family full of so much love that even our little man has clearly noticed.  I'm so grateful to have a husband that constantly tells me how much he loves me.  I'm grateful to have so much love for the amazing man I married and for our beautiful children.

I'm also incredibly grateful to know that God loves me.  He loves each of His children no matter what.  No matter what we do, what we look like, or the mistakes that we make.  He loves us perfectly; more than we can possibly fathom or imagine.  I'm thankful to know that He loves me and to feel that love in my life every day.

My heart is overflowing with joy!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a great Thanksgiving.  Aside from McKenna, who was stuck with the same old formula, we all ate VERY well.  We had a relaxing morning and a fun afternoon and evening with my mom's side of the family at my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Tom's house.

Jake was quite the handful for Andrew, who followed him around to keep him out of trouble all day.  McKenna may have even topped the turkey in popularity and enjoyed being held the entire time.

While this has been our poorest Thanksgiving to date, we have more to be thankful for this year than ever.  We have 2 beautiful, healthy children, so much to hope for and to look forward to, and more love than I could have ever imagined.   I enjoy this time of year because everyone's hearts are filled with more love and gratitude, especially for family and for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

It was a perfect first Thanksgiving for McKenna and 2nd Thanksgiving for Jake.

Boo!

(First of all, I realize this post is WAY outdated already- sorry!)

Holiday's are starting to be more and more fun as Jake begins to understand traditions and can participate.  Halloween was no exception (aside from the fit he threw prior to going out when we tried to take pictures of him).  He didn't quite get the dressing up and was not thrilled about the pouring rain during trick-or-treat, but boy did he enjoy the spoils he gained!  The boy LOVES chocolate!

We dressed Jake up as a cute monster, which seems to fit him quite well.  He can be quite the stinker, but he is adorable.

We put McKenna in a cute "first halloween" shirt, but didn't subject her to any crazy costumes since she was barely a month old.  We did bring her out in the rain to trick-or-treat with her brother, but covered in blankets and with an umbrella.  She had no idea we even went since she slept the entire time, and luckily no idea on the candy she missed out on.  Next year she'll enjoy it more!

I'm already excited for next Halloween- I even have the kid's costumes already!  McKenna will be Belle and Jake has his choice between Woody and Buzz.  Hopefully the next time we trick-or-treat there will be no rain and no temper tantrums, but even with the elements against us, it was a great day!