Catch Up

Nothing too eventful happening lately, but life in general has been pretty busy! We're getting into the swing of things with school, piano, scouts, baseball, etc., but everyone's happy and healthy and life's good.

Bud celebrated his 36th birthday earlier in Sept. We had a little family party and he got the same cake I think he's had every year with the exception of the two years he was on his mission. Baskin Robbins Mint Chip with Chocolate cake. Right before his birthday he was put on the high council at church and that has kept him really busy speaking and teaching. We got to go to Beatty last week and attend their branch together as a family. It was a great experience and the nicest people!

I've been working really hard on losing the baby weight (+ 20lbs). I actually joined Weight Watchers online and have been exercising 5-7 times a week with Insanity workouts, running, and volleyball. I've lost 30lbs since the baby was born (I only lost 10 from delivering her) and have another 20 to go. I don't know how I'm going to do though with Halloween and the holidays coming. I love sweets!

Jake and Jo have been able to keep up with school really well in addition to their other activities. Elle took the picture below of Jonah doing homework and it's one of my all time favorites! Baseball is a little painful to watch since they have a very beginner team, but they enjoy it. Nana even got them some private lessons at the batting cages to help out. They've put Jake in as a pitcher a few games and that kid is working really hard at getting the ball to the plate. : )

Elle and Mae are loving school and playing with friends all the time. I've decided to have the boys in something in the fall, and the girls can do something in the spring. It makes life a little easier. The other day I noticed that the girls had taken almost 100 pictures of themselves. Here are a couple of them.

Miss Caroline is now 5 months old and just keeps getting cuter and cuter. I had some pics taken of her about a month ago which are beautiful, but her candid ones are so fun too. She started rolling over a few weeks ago and she just started rice cereal this week. She kept it down really well and got fussy when I stopped feeding her. That's a good sign. We're still working on sleeping through the night, but she's given me a few promising nights, I just need to sleep train her to be more consistent. It's just so much easier to feed her though when I'm so tired. : )

Stay tuned for Halloween and Thanksgiving posts! We've got a cow, two butterfly fairies, a skeleton, and a Clone Tropper coming. Guess who's what. We've also decided to head to Houston for Thanksgiving to visit the Fontanos! They've only lived there for 5 years, it's about time we come visit. : )

A Peculiar People

There are two Mormons running for president in our country right now. As always, our religion is being dissected, ridiculed, questioned, researched. No other candidates religion is being spoken of, but ours is. I'm always baffled to hear of people that speak out against us. We do no harm to anyone else. Why should any person mock any religion that teaches peace, hard-work, sacrifice, and love?

I know as a strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am a "peculiar person". I understand that my religion is unlike any other in the world. I understand that there are many things that are difficult to comprehend about its history and its teachings. However, it is the only religion on the earth today that is organized just as Jesus Christ's gospel was when he lived on the earth 2000 years ago. Because Jesus Christ is not on the earth today, we have a living prophet that receives revelation to guide us, just as prophets of old did. Because the priesthood has been restored, ours is the only religion that provides a way to be married and connected to our family not only in this life, but in the eternities as well. There were people in other areas of the earth in ancient times and they recorded their history, were visited by Christ after his death, and received his teachings as well, because Christ does not forget His people. This is the Book of Mormon.

Why would we make up that a 14-year old boy was visited by God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ, upon asking for sincere help in discovering which religion was true? We know it sounds hard to believe, but it happened. Joseph Smith was pure in heart and humble. He asked a divine question and received a divine answer, which is what I have done and what anyone can do.

Please don't tell me that I am not a Christian. I know with my whole heart that Jesus Christ died for my sins and because of that amazing sacrifice I can repent and live with Him again. Mormons are a "peculiar people", but we are a good people. I have been mocked for my beliefs, but I have never waivered in them. I believe in this religion because of the reasons stated above and so many more. I love this religion for its promises, strength, and structure and know that because of it I am a better woman, wife, and mother.