Bryson's 1st Haircut

After much deliberation we cut Bryson's hair. Yes, I almost cried the first shave. He looks totally different, don't you think? We did it on Oct. 1st, so it would still make it in his first year scrapbook, sad I know.
He was laughing at first, but then he didn't want me to shave the back, thus the sad picture.

Bryson's Party

I just wanted to tell all our family thank you one more time! It was so nice of you all to travel so far to support us. Thanks also to those of you who put in a little extra effort to make the party happen, you know who you are.

Go Grandpa Gray!

Don's Grandpa Gray ran his 21st St. George Marathon this last weekend. The family goes from place to place along the route to cheer him on. He was really tired this year and as he came across the finish line volunteers were there to make sure he didn't fall. This concerned our tender hearted Jaron. He was really worried that Grandpa Gray couldn't walk by himself. We talked to him about it and he has been practicing his own running since. He claims he is going to run like Grandpa Gray.
It was a really great thing to see him accomplish this. Here is all of us that were there to see him finish.
As I thought about Grandpa I had some things I wanted to share about him. Grandpa is a man of very few words, but as I was thinking about him I realized that words aren't always needed to convey a very powerful message and influence lives. Grandpa is a VERY hard worker, he is a testament to me that you don't give up. Just reading that he has ran 21 marathons should give that away. But then there is still more to learn from him. He is very wise with his money, determined, and loves his family. This last one I really feel from him as traditions and things we do as a family bring joy to him. Yet again he does not say this, but you can feel it from him. I look at Grandpa and think ya, actions do speak louder than words. Even little Jaron is learning from his example.

Bryson's 1st Birthday

Yep, it is true my baby was 1 on October 2nd. He is walking more and more every day. We had his check up today. He is 22 lbs. and 30 1/2 inches longs. That puts him at average for weight and between the 75-90 % for height. He is right on schedule for his development which we are happy about. He tries to say new words and mom is learning what the sounds and gestures mean. I haven't been as good about using signs as I was with Jaron so he hasn't picked up on those, but we seem to be communicating okay. He has started into tantrums, which I try so hard not to laugh at. He also has started talking back when I tell him no or take something from him; he does his grunts in a loud voice, and gets that puppy dog face. It also takes everything I have not to laugh at this one. He is a very friendly baby and prefers the stranger to mom a lot of times. But then he is still my cuddle bug too. He is easy going and so cute it just makes me smile to think of him. He is a great addition to our family.

Children of the Promise

The Children of the Promise by Dean Hughes was wonderful!! I found myself reading and reading I finished the series in just a few weeks. It covers the time span of just before World War II broke out through the end of the war and some post war. Great history and interesting to see what the church did during that time.

It also had many gospel concepts that were great to reflect on and learn more about. Two that have stuck with me since I finished. First that I have a great heritage. In the books the father was constantly saying that we are Snow's & Thomas', we can do this, kind of stuff. It made me appreciate and think about what my heritage is and what my ancestors fought for so I can be were I am and have what I do. Also that I can do it! and I really believe that I can.
Second there was something that was said to Alex, the son, that applies to post war trauma, but I still liked it. They talked about taking small steps at a time. Decided what the next thing is in life and when that is accomplish go from there. I always have the tendency to try and plan out my entire life on earth, and we all know that doesn't work! As we complete one season of our life, following the guidance of the Lord, opportunities and situations we never could have imagined are opened to us. It has helped me tons! So my next plan for action in life is to support Don through this year of school. He is applying for PT school and once we know about that we can make some more decisions but there is no point in stressing myself about all that could be one day . . .

Anyway, loved the books. Yes, all of them.

Happy Birthday Don!

So it is a little late I know, but I did get to it. Don turned 26 on the 10th.
So I feel super bad that I didn't do anything grand or great. I made his a good dinner and tried to make a cake twice, but that ended up not working out either. I even still went to my institute class. But this is the very thing that makes me so thankful he is in my life. He honestly could care less if I don't do all the extra things. He doesn't expect me to bake a cake, or have a party. If I do things for him he appreciates them, but they are never expected. I expect enough out of myself I think and he realizes that more than me. We complement each other so well. I love the way he can make me laugh, no matter how mad I am. I love the way he tries so dang hard to please me! The greatest thing is he keeps trying even when I tell him he is a little short (not in height). He is slow at changing, but that only teaches me patience. He is so good with the boys and those few weeks that his knee was hurt I was really struggling since he couldn't play as much. We sure love you Don and wish you a late happy birthday!

D&C 76:72

Yet again I came home this Sunday searching for the answer. I really feel right now I am learning to be humble and still maintain confidence in myself. That is something I have always had a hard time with. How can you be both at the same time. I am slowly learning how that can work, it is great! So I didn't know something about the gospel again.
D&C 76:72 "Behold, these are they who died without law;" - referring to who will inherit the terrestrial kingdom. This posed the question in Relief Society; How then does temple work, work? Isn't this saying those without ordinances done (so baptism, endowment, marriage sealing) go to the terrestrial kingdom and have no chance of making it to the celestial? I Mormon Doctrine under Terrestrial Kingdom it states: "To the terrestrial kingdom will go: 1. Accountable persons who die without law (and who, of course, do not accept the gospel in the spirit world under those particular circumstances which would make them heirs of the celestial kingdom). So that answered it for me. The footnotes for the scripture also helped. So really all the scripture was saying is that you have to have made the covenants necessary to enter the celestial kingdom. I was also thinking that Section 137 (about redemption for the dead) had not yet been revealed. I don't know if this makes sense, but I wanted to write it down for me.

I Don't Know Everything

So first I have been feeling a lot lately like I often come off to other as if I know everything. So to those of you who feel like I think I know everything, or think I act like I do I want you to know I know I don't. Today's Relief Society lesson can prove that and I am grateful for these humbling moments that remind me, I am still learning.
In Lesson 17 of the Joseph Smith Manuel I was concerned about something, but only because I didn't understand. It said "Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be." Okay so with that and next several paragraphs of the lesson left me feeling very uneasy. What I understood from what I heard and read was that we have no beginning or end. Then with that came the concern, but aren't I a spirit daughter of my Heavenly Father, who was actually born of him? If I have no beginning then how can he possibly have created me? Enter Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie. "All men in pre-existence were the spirit children of God our Father, . . . the offspring born to him in that primeval sphere had bodies of spirit element." So that only prefaced what I read under "Spirit Element," "There is no such thing as immaterial matter," You know how we learn that in science class, matter can neither be created nor destroyed. I love science and this only added to that. "All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; . . . This spirit element has always existed; it is co-eternal with God. It is also called intelligence or the light of truth. . ." So the spirit element has always existed it was just organized by our Heavenly Father to make spirit children. Anyway let me know what you think.

Keeping Busy

So as Bryson gets older I am getting the hang of having two kids more and more. I found myself not being busy all day and getting board. I get board fast with things, but that is another story in and of itself. Last time the answer to my boredom was another baby. But this time that IS NOT the answer.
As many of you know Don switched jobs and is now working for Canyon Rim Physical Therapy. That was a change much needed, but it does pay slightly less and he works less hours.
So skipping ahead, I decided to take up watching kids again. I will only watch McKinley for about 8-10 hours a week. But then another bigger thing I have taken up is helping my brother out around his house. I do that about 16 hours a week. So my life is super busy again. Don't forget I am on Resident Council as well which has a BIG event coming up this month with the Activity's R.C. member out with a baby most likely. Also this is the busy month for finances. So my 3 part-time jobs are really keeping me busy. I just wanted to jot down what I was up to, in case you wonder why I look sooo tired and worn out all the time. As if being a mother isn't enough to do that.