Miracle day!!!

I didn't think that moving here so close to my family would be a hard thing. I was super excited about living down the street from all of them, but I didn't realize that our lifestyle differences would cause me such heartache. My brother Darren is the oldest in our family and he fell away from the church about 20 years ago. This has always been a tough thing for our family, but got even tougher when we moved close and were right in the middle of it. My cousin Dustin has a similar story, and him and Darren are like best friends. They both married non members and have cute little families. When Wayne got the job out here I was so glad that we would be moving to a place where we had some family. We moved right down the street from both these families so that I could do daycare for all the cousins.

This year was full of so much growth for our family. I've felt so much that we were sent here for a reason to help these families come back into the gospel. Having them around helped me be on my very best behavior and has helped me to be a better person. I have had the opportunity to bear my testimony to them many times and it has increased my faith so much. I can't pretend like it was always positive though, we almost gave up a couple times. I think missionary work is extra hard when it involves your own family.

I can't even express the emotions that I have felt the last month, as both families have made huge changes in their lives. The best way to describe might be, constant tears. I swear the tears comes every time I just think about it. My sister-in-law and cousin were both baptized the same day (July 10, 2010) along with my 8 year old cousin. I had the opportunity to speak about baptism on their special day and I will never forget the spirit that was in that room. Our family has witnessed a miracle and it has made all of the moves to get here so worth it. We are so happy for these families and can't wait to see what the future will bring for them.

Here are some pictures from their baptism. So sad that I don't have any of Lizzy and Jen. Hopefully someone will send me one soon.

(This is some of the grandchildren of my mother and her sister Colleen)

(All of my mother's and Aunt Colleen's children, we're pretty much all siblings:)

(Aunt Colleen's kids, my cousins)

(All my sibs, this hasn't happened for a few years)

(Our fam before the baptism)

(Brother-in-law Josh with Preston)

(me and 2 of my sisters, isn't jules hair so cute, She got it cut that morning)

One special 1st birthday!!!!!

Noah's birthday was on the same day as my cuzn and sis-in-law's baptism so we celebrated it the day before. We had a yummy dinner of pork tacos and corn on the cob from the ranch down the road. We had brownie cupcakes for dessert, and I made Noah a giant one to dig into. It was so special to have so much family in town and able to celebrate his day with us.

Noah is 1

I can't believe my little Nono is already 1 year old. It seems like just yesterday that we drove 12 hours home from the Salt Lake City hospital. Words can not even express how much I adore this little boy. He brings so much joy and happiness to our family. Things that I am loving about him right now are:
His wobbleness as he walks around the house.
He points at anything and everything.
He is always trying to put his sister's headbands on his own head.
He climbs on whatever he can find.
He still loves to bear crawl, even though he can walk.
He shakes his head at me when I tell him no.
He try to mimic what we say.
He gives forehead kisses.
He loves to throw everything.
He loves his outdoor push car.
He bear crawls to the back door everytime he hears it open.
he puts his sucky in his own mouth.

Fun in Montana!!!