Since October...

I know it's been a long, long time since I've posted anything on our blog and I think it's probably because I have such horrific memories of last time and trying to include photos and make them go where I wanted them to go and decided it wasn't a healthy past time for me (I'm sure my blood pressure surged...).  After much prodding and pressure and help tonight from Kate and Cory, I thought I'd give it another try.  

In October Dad and I went to California for Papa's 90th birthday.  This is a photo of Grammie on the afternoon we got there.  She was all "gussied" up with a new perm, rosy cheeks, and pink lipstick.  This picture really doesn't do justice - but she did look really cute.     

We started our Christmas holidays with another trip to California.  We enjoyed some quiet time with Grammie and Papa and helped them get the house decorated and some shopping done.

It wasn't too long after we got home that Kate and Jonathan, and Kim, Chris and family came into town.  We went to the dog park one afternoon and Spencer had a great time and made made many new friends of the canine variety ~

 

Who's really into the Nintendo DS?  

Jonathan tried to be jolly but alas...the flu bug bit him hard!!!  

 The boys were great and we had a really fun visit that went by way to fast ~

Kim and Baby Blythe off to Disneyland!

 (Okay, so I did lose a couple of pictures somewhere, but I guess that's just incentive to try again next week.)

 Aside from the pictures there are some things I wanted to share with you so here are some "Mom" notes that I hope you'll think about.

As we began the new year studying the Doctrine and Covenants in Gospel Doctrine I really loved the very 1st lesson and the emphasis that was placed on counsel we receive from the prophets.  They speak for our Heavenly Father - so, if the prophet is telling us at conference to have our food storage, get out of debt, read the Book of Mormon, etc., - it should be as Heavenly Father is speaking to us directly.  I know this is something we've all been told many times, but for some reason it really hit home to me during this lesson.

Mom note #2 - I read an article the other day by Elder Hafen and one of the quotes which I'll paraphrase is that we can't have one hand on the Temple and one hand on anything that would take the Spirit away from us.  We must live with both hands on the Temple.

(Do you all have current Temple recommends?  If not, get them now!!)

Mom note #3 - If you haven't had a recent review of your budgets, now might be a good time.  With the economy as it is I think it would be prudent to sacrifice if need be so that you all have some savings to fall back on if needed.  Dad and I are doing the same.  I think this is something we should really be serious about.

Mom and Dad note - WE LOVE YOU ALL