There must be a little boy living at our house...

Benjamin will be 3 in just a couple of weeks (Can't believe it... that little adage about motherhood-- "the days are long, but the years go FAST" is so true!). He's at that stage where he is constantly narrating his life ("Mommy, I eating... Mommy, I going potty... Mommy, I playing..." etc. etc. etc.) and he repeats everything at least three times ("Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I eating, I eating crackers, Mommy, I eating...etc.) and then needs me to repeat it at least twice as well ("Wow, yes, son, you're eating, good job eating your crackers..." etc. etc. etc.). Naturally, it just about drives me crazy, except that he's genuinely excited about everything he does and his grin and laugh and childlike pride in everything he "accomplishes" does make me feel happy for him... well, and not to mention the earnest prayers each morning pleading for patience... :). Anyways, he's also at that age where he is determined to be independent, which leads into our current serious potty training (yes, serious this time... I shall spare you the nasty details). What I am loving about this age, though, is his developing imagination and creative play. He's been playing pretend (with his cars, with his animals, with his "guys", with his blankets and pillows, with his food, with the piano--- pretty much everything) for awhile now. I love seeing him totally engaged in his own world of, well, I'm not really sure, but it looks fun. He's totally all boy and we sure love him! Here's some evidences we see almost daily that remind us there is a little boy living at our house...

Ah, yes... thank heavens for little boys... :)

In Loving Memory of President Gordon B. Hinckley

Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away Sunday night. We mourn with the millions of Church members and non-members alike who have been blessed to be influenced and strengthened by the exceptional work, wisdom, love, and optimism of this amazing man. How we will miss his loving spirit, his cheerful wit, and direct, yet encouraging counsel. His pure, immovable, vibrant testimony of our Savior and His work has meant so much to us! President Hinckley is the prophet of Dustin's and my youth. His prophetic counsel, undying optimism, smiling cleverness, loving encouragement, and absolute, unfaltering testimony had a very deeply profound influence on our developing testimonies as teenagers and has truly buoyed us up and guided us through our young adult years. Even our young son has recognized the prophetic mantle President Hinckley upheld as he gets excited when he sees a picture of him and happily exclaims, "It's Prez-dent Hinckey!" :)

Though we will miss him, we are grateful to know he is released from the limitations of old age and has rejoined his sweet wife and, we are sure, is still in partnership with the Lord working ceaselessly and steadfastly to further His work even beyond the veil.

We add our witness that Gordon B. Hinckley was a man of God, even our prophet, seer, and revelator. We know it is not by his own devices that he led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but by the inspiration and guidance of the Lord. We are so grateful for this great man and the divine Work he has accomplished and the legacy and example he has left behind to guide and strengthen us. We are ever more determined to follow his example, do our part to build the Lord's Kingdom here on earth, and, in President's Hinckley's encouraging words, "Carry on!"

Brotherly Love

It's the best finding your kids playing together happily! We love our sweet boys!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008! We had a wonderful Christmas break at my family's house in Mississippi. My parents will be moving to Missouri in a couple of months, so it was our last hurrah in the Delta. I love our MS home, but Missouri will be a very exciting adventure.

Though it's time to get back into the "real life" swing of things, we loved having some precious family time with my parents, my brother and sister at home, and my sister and her new husband (though missing my bro on a mission in Spain). Benjamin and Jonathan were completely adored (which was a pretty sweet break for Dustin & me). Christmas morning was a lot of fun, too-- Benjamin FINALLY got his Spiderman toy-- and loves it. :) We were spoiled (especially our boys) as we brought home a full extra suitcase of gifts. We had some good times together, playing games by the fire, the traditional Christmas program, out to a couple of movies, our day trip to the Jackson Zoo and a yummy Southern BBQ dinner at Corky's, outing to the park, and just hanging out and enjoying being together. We are so blessed with a loving, fun, and tight family! Can't wait till next Christmas! ;)