Stand Tall

So my mother being the amazing grandma that she is made these adorable quilts for all the mother's in the family, along with this sweet letter. 

To my favorite daughter, Kelsi,

When a new child is born into a family, the question comes to mind, "What are the most important things we can teach this sweet little child?" The new parents in the video presentation, "God's Plan for His Children", felt it was important to teach their brand new baby girl that she was loved, that she was a daughter of our Heavenly Father and that families can be together forever. I would agree that those are some of the most important things we can teach our children while they are in our care. I would like to add another item to that list. We need to teach them to STAND TALL. 

Standing tall means to be courageous in decision making, not compromising principles, not violating spiritual values and not shrinking from responsibility. Basically, standing tall is doing what is right. Jesus Christ is our perfect example of one who always stood tall. He is the one who personifies integrity, strength, and courage.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Every one of us needs to STAND TALL and be strong and faithful and walk in the footsteps of the Master. We need to examine our own lives to see that they radiate the Spirit of the Lord who taught us the great saving principles of the gospel."

Teach those little children tot STAND TALL. They can be someone to look up to no matter their height. They can learn to stand tall for righteousness. 

Pres David O. Mckay said, "What the sunshine is to the field and to the flowers the Holy Spirit is to the life of man." Teach your children to always "reach for the sunshine". Words of truth from the scriptures and from the apostles and prophets can be that sunshine. 

"Read to your children from the scriptures. They will not understand all that you read, but they will ahve a feeling in their hearts of something good and true and precious." (Pres. Hinckley) That is sunshine!

May the giraffe always be a reminder to "stand tall" and "reach for the sunshine."

I am now obsessed with giraffes and I know exactly what I want do with my little boy's room. :)

Heading into the WILD!!!

I had a family baby shower this last weekend and it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen! Lorraine Knox...(My 2nd mother and good family friend) and my mom and sisters put it on. She's amazing as you can see. She did my wedding too. It was "sophisticated" jungle theme. Seriously too cute. 

Her food is always to die for!

I love the animal print water bottles :)

We played a game where they got a picture of me and one of caleb and groups cut them up and put together what our child will look like using different parts of our faces. It was pure comedy! Such a fun game I highly recommend it. Some were actually quite handsome..

Others...not so much!! hahahah! Can't you see the resemblance? 

This was the winner that I picked. Melanie did a good job! He could be cute! :) 

My mom made this quilt...the story behind it will come in a future post. She's amazing. 

All of this was made possible by this lovely Lorraine. She traveled all the way from vegas and she always blows me away. I just love her!

And these ladies. I have the best mom and sisters a girl could ask for. They sure spoiled me!

Tiff and I were reunited at last! I had not seen her for 2 years! She is now a mother of 1 and has another on the way!

My 1st college roommate and forever friend Jaynee.

Baby showers are just too much fun. I am so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends who are supporting us as we are starting our little family. We were too spoiled. If any of you look at this blog. Thank you THANK YOU!!!

34 Weeks!! and feeling great!!

Girl's Weekend 2011=Best New Tradition Ever

For the past few years the boys in our family have always done a boy's weekend where they go up to Island Park in the winter for a weekend as well as a backpacking trip in the summer. So this year we decided to start a annual hopefully semiannual girl's weekend. We headed up to Utah...no kids...I repeat no kids. Unfortunately 2 of our lovely sister-in-laws couldn't come but they will make sure they make it next time! I love my sisters and to get them away from their everyday life of motherhood was rejuvenating and fun to see. They felt like kids again! 

The temple, Ikea shopping, lots of food, laughter, girl talk, temple square, late nights, inside jokes, and much needed time with my mom and sisters!

Oh and Aunt Shelli of course! but she's like one of the sisters. 

Can't wait till the next one!

If you ever go to Temple Square again please go see "God's Plan for the Family" at the visitors center. Just ask the sister missionaries about it. It is a walk through video. You will cry but it is AMAZING!