Brothers

I have been taking these guys pictures for a couple of years now and I love it! They are so much fun :)

Christmas

I have so much to catch up on,  I think I've been gone so long I am a bit discouraged and don't know where to start!!!

We had a great Christmas, this was our Christmas card. I wasn't going to do one because I didn't have a good fam pic yet but I started on this one and it turned out to be really therapeutic. This was a really tough year, but looking at it from this perspective kind of changed my view of it and made me appreciate more all the wonderful blessings we received. And I realize that even though some of it was really hard... some of it was really great too.

Well, I'll start now trying to catch up on everything from Dec- Jan, maybe I'll be done by Feb!

Speaking Out on Mormons

I received this by email and it was so well written I decided to share it here, however I do feel I should point out this little bit of confusion, as I searched the web to verify I learned this:
The letter to the editor (quoted below) by one Paul Allen was indeed published on the opinion page of the Santa Clarita Valley (California) Signal on 24 November 2000. Within five months, someone had re-typed the letter (because the Signal didn't then publish letters to the editor on its web site) and started it circulating on the Internet via e-mail forwards (most of which erroneously stated that it had first been published on 25 April 2002). However, the Paul Allen who wrote this piece was not (as claimed in the example above) the Paul Allen who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates (and regularly ranks high on lists of the world's wealthiest people) — he was simply a local resident with the same name. Don't get me wrong, still worth reading so please do if you haven't seen it already!

"I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law. I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has.

They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in. The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.

I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself. What a surprise! What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.

They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find. Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them.

At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder. I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon. What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country?

They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes. You never see them on TV begging for money.

What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class?

They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month. They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us.

The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths. (Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised. When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right."

To learn more about what us "Mormons" REALLY believe, click here.

Christmas Packages!

Who doesn't love getting mail?! Packages from grammies are even better, and this week we got 3!  They were for Christmas and Lyndon's birthday and we had to open them all this week because we can't take them with us to Utah, it was so exciting.  

First came Grammie and Grandpa Biggs and Great Granny's box.  This is a pic of Madelyn fallen asleep with her new dollies.  I wish she had on the cute pjs Grammie sent her too :)  Lyndon got 2 Shrek movies and would watch them nonstop if I let him!  And the spiderman shoes were a big hit too!

Then we got a box from my Mom.

(He is singing in his 'Backyarigans' mic.- jacket, hat, mittens and binoculars all new too!)


She got Madelyn new toys too and look at this adorable little outfit!  Now they are both ready for Utah and the snow!!!
Speaking of our trip to Utah, Grammie LeeRaye sent a card with money which was perfect timing because I have really been wanting a double stroller, especially for the airport, and I found this one on craigslist for the exact amount! 


THANK YOU GRAMMIES!!!!!!!

A Very Warm Thanksgiving!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year in the beautiful, warm and yes, humid San Antonio.
It was a full house, probably the biggest Thanksgiving we've ever had (since we live so far from the rest of our family.) My Dad's brother and his crew flew out from ID which was so cool. I wish we saw them more.
Our family has been so blessed over the years but this year we are especially grateful for the many miracles we witnessed since my Dad was diagnosed with cancer this summer. Everything was (and is) so uncertain with his prognosis, but all the time I get to spend with him is a blessing. I am thankful for the faith that has sustained our whole family through all of this, I know that because of that faith he is here and we remain hopeful.
I tried to help Lyndon understand what thanksgiving was by drawing what we were thankful for and making it into a little banner. When I asked him what he was thankful for very sweetly, the first thing he said was Jesus, then Madi, then his bike! Then he fell asleep just before we ate! His cousins really wore him out. He called them his brothers and he was so excited every time he saw them! I was very impressed by them, I imagined most teenage boys wouldn't give a 2 year old the time of day, but not these guys, they're awesome!
The next day we all went to Sea World (except for Dad) and it was the perfect day to go. It was kind of cloudy and looked like it was going to rain so there weren't a lot of crowds. We saw some shows and road some rides and Lyndon was spoiled ROTTEN by his Great Uncle Dave, and being the wonderful baby that she is, Madelyn just hung out in her sling as I packed her around everywhere.
Now we are back home and I miss everyone so much, I love Dallas but sometimes I wish we all lived just a little closer!

Oh, and I apologize the photos aren't better, my flash was acting up.

Beautiful Blue Eyed Family

Tag your it!!!

A fun tag, tag your it if you look at my blog.
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold and italicize all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (none of your business!)
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason 
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving 
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job 
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car 
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper 
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox 
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous 
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument
Have fun!