from the children...

...two stories of Christmas told by children...

so cute...funny...and true...well mostly!

if you're feeling weak...

busy, but...

...good

never-ending, but, right

monotonous, but, fulfilling

enjoy this time...

...she has this autistic way of thinking...

...right now my daughter has a doll buckled into a booster seat. she just asked the doll a question. then, she made the doll say, "I don't like this buckle, mommy." I've never heard her doll talk to her before..the sound of imagination! my daughter reassured her doll that it was just a head-band she's wearing...the quick, random shift in topic...then she gave her a toy cupcake to eat. then she turned to her sister and asked if she would make some more cupcakes...interaction!

...after every question statement my daughter makes to her doll, she jumps several times and flaps her arms. she's just happy. her statements are usually repeated several times...but look, now she's hugging and reassuring her dolly...empathy, love! she just asked her sister if she could please have a pink cupcake...looking down at the table as she asks...always looking just below the chin or down at the ground...just a glance now and then at the eyes...that wonderful glance.. immediately at me just now as I tell her dolly is going to get a tummy ache eating that icing. this is special icing she explains. letting me into her play...

...a different normal...autism...shy...personality type...a way of thinking...fascinating...as are all my kids personalities...to me...

"Here are some things you will not find in your research on autism:
....You will not be told how it may fundamentally alter your perceptions of what is "normal," how it may change your view of human beings, how it can force you to question small talk and why we behave the way we do, how it will transform your outlook on life, how it will change you..." Read the whole article

Happy Autumn :)

 we're still here...

...most of us anyway...

"our first day of school, we're eager little learners..."

L is for...Looking good

 ...Loving it!

M is for...Maybe it will be fun?

H is for...Having it her way all day!

S is for...Soo ready for a break from his kingly treatment!

summertime fun...

we've had a good summer

a busy summer

I just luvvvv the summertime

baby boy growing up so fast

ballet recital

 hubby falls of a mountain...and we make new friends!

races, visitors, camping trips.....family!



Family Night

...for family home evening this whole summer we have gone on adventures!

we might be tracking down lost Nephites,

running from arrows as Samuel the Lamanite,

following the trail signs as we Follow the Prophet,

all in all we've had a grand time

and always in nature

hiking

tracking

hiding

climbing 

picnicing

 we spent no money, travelled no more than 15-20min from home, and

we became the Book of Mormon stories

so loved...

...so thankful to all who shared in his blessing day...

blessings...

 ...we sure love this little guy...

wrapped in love...

...he loves it...

 ...it's a collaboration made by some friends with a little bit of Texas and Utah in it...

...i love it...thank you :)

happy spring

happy Easter

mom, pink bunny ears? please, i'm a little BOY...

 happy Earth Day
plant something!

hey! kiddos...

quiet moments...

...just enjoying...

 ...each in our own way...

 ...looking and looking...



hello new soul...

 proud sisters...they made him this blanket while i was in the hospital...

 ...all 5 lbs12oz, 17.5in of him...

 ...my two babies...

...thank you everyone for all your support! If you want an email announcement with babies name and all, send me your email address...

you are loved

I went through a depression recently...

I think it was to learn...

lately, some people close to me are also going through some hard times...

for whatever reason...

life is hard...

I got through it with support...

listening...

blessings...

and I know they will too...

but it's still very hard...

so I want them to know...

you are loved...

this Josh Groben song touched me...

because when it was hard for me, a close friend and sister said

"I love you and we are thinking about you and praying for you"

and it really made a difference...

so to you who are having a hard time...

you are loved and my prayers are with you!