Divine Nature

Since becoming a mother I have become even more away of God's calling to women to raise and nurture children. I recently was pondering over the young women values and my mind kept coming back to Divine Nature. I have always known that I wanted to be a mom, but through this past year I know with out a doubt it is my calling and there is nothing else I would rather be doing.
Being a wife and mother is the greatest blessing I could ask for. I know that I have a great responsibility to my family and the children that will join our family in the future. I have been thinking a lot about how I will begin to teach Breckyn about the church and Christ. I know that a lot is done by example and Family Home Evening is very important. I feel like I have been striving even more and more this past year to get to know my Savior on a different level and striving harder in my calling. How can I teach my children to live the gospel if I do not live my life in great accordance with the gospel? I am reminded about Alma 56:47-48 and the Strippling Warriors. "They had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them...We do not doubt our mothers new it." That is such a strong example to me. I want my children to not doubt that I know that the gospel of Christ is true!
I was reading Elder Cook's talk from April last year. It is entitled LDS Women are Incredible! Every woman needs to read that talk every once in a while. It gave me such a boost of energy and an even greater desire to strive higher for my potential as a woman, wife, and mother. One thing he said that really stuck out to me was when he said "God placed within women divine qualities of strength, virtue, love, and the willingness to sacrifice to raise future generations of His spirit children...Sisters have key roles in the Church, in family life, and as individuals that are essential in Heavenly Father's plan. Many of these responsibilities do not provide economic compensation but do provide satisfaction and are eternally significant." That is such a powerful statement to me. I can't remember the number but in an article recenlty someone added up what a stay at home mom would make if she were paid. I think it was about $100 grand a year. I have heard some mother's joke about that, but I must be honest...that has never once occured to me. (although one things that has is that when I worked out of the home I did get sick days ;) but not as a mom). I truly find it an incredible blessing and calling of God that I get to stay home and be a mother. I find joy in every day. Maybe not at the moment of different trials during the day but at the end of it all I am beyond grateful. What a powerful calling myself, and other women, have been given. The opportunity to raise generations of our Father's spirit children. It is not a task I take lightly. I am so grateful for Breckyn and the future children that Tanner and I will be able to welcome in our home and the blessings that will fill our home. I love my Heavenly Father and Savior. I love this gospel and the joy and purpose that it brings into my life!

Breckyn is ten months...where has this year gone.

Once again I can't believe how fast Breckyn is grwoing! She is so sweet, sassy and bubbly! We love having her sweet spirit in our home. She makes every day worth it! We took a few photos out in Grandma Dayna's yard the other day. We had a lot of fun! Breckyn had a few milestones this month...

• She now has two teeth. A couple of weeks ago a felt one tooth one day and then two days later I felt one coming up right next to it So we now how our two front bottom teeth.
• She stands up and uses the couch, or anything, to walk all day long.
• She is into everything. We have had to baby proof our entertainment system and lots of other things around the house.
• She sleeps like an angel. And I am loving it.

The other day I had a primary meeting and my friend Heather's boy Camden is two months other than Breckyn and he can go up stairs and walks and I think that put Breckyn's brain into high gear because she tried to figure the stairs out(didn't work). And she now she balances alot and will take three or four steps on her own...I am not ready for her to walk.

She climbs in and out of her saucer all day long. At least she is entertained by it :)

I love her sweet smile! I have to watch her very closely these days!!

Breckyn got to experience her first South Eastern Idaho State Fair :) We walked through the livestock and saw tons of animals. I think she was in awe of everything around her. What a different world!

She LOVES the piano! I canned pears and peaches at my mom's the other day and she kept crawling into the piano room. We would find her one her tip toes reaching to the keys. So we decided to help her out :) I love how she is turning the pages.

Friends and Cousins

We are so sad that Marcus, Hailey, and Brynlee are moving to Boise :( It has been so much fun having them here and for Breckyn to have a friend! We were so set on them going to kindergarten together but I know this will be a great adventure for them! We got together at Hailey's while Heather was down and Brittney and Morgan joined us. There were a lot of cute kids running around that day:)

It was so fun having Heather here for a few days! We helped my mom freeze some of corn one day and it brought back so many memories of when all the girls were home and we would have our assembly line and bring a TV into the kitchen and watch Doris Day classics and have a great time chatting away.

Cousins are the best! We loved having Riley and Grace to play with for a few days!

Heather and I kept saying that we can't wait to see what these two are like in a year. I have a feeling they will give us a run for our money. And Breckyn needs to start growing some hair...look at Gracie's locks!

And I am proud to announce that I am once again and aunt to this sweet angel! Hannah Jo Driscoll was born on Aug. 17!! I love her so much already!

Summer Days

Summer is coming and going all too quickly, although I will be the first to me amit 90+ degrees is WAY too hot for me! But I am enjoying the family time we get to spend outside and get to enjoy our nice Idaho weather for 3 short months.

Breckyn was able to take in her very first Aberdeen Daze Parade with Grandpa Karl! We LOVE Aberdeen Daze! I seriously look forward to it all year round.

I could not resist getting Breckyn all dressed up for the fourth. I love the fourth of July! It is one of my favorite holidays! I love the red, white and blue and wanted to make sure my daughter was all dressed up in her patriotic colors!

On the fourth we also went out on the boat with Stephanie and Lincoln's family.

I love this picture! After the fourth we headed up to Island Park for a reunion with my family. My mom was playing with Breckyn on the porch and snapped this funny picture!

We've gotten to spend lots of time with great friends this summer! We've gone to the park for lunch and swimming to Indian Springs and to Brynlee's pool :) Hailey, Brittney and I got togther one hot afternoon and let the girls splash in the pool. Poor Kennedy didn't find the babies too thrilling :)

We've spent lots of time in the tractor with daddy. I beliebe this girl is going to love the farm life :)

We're going to miss summer when it leaves but we will welcome fall with open arms!