MCDONALD's with the NEFF's

We got to go to McDonald's with the Neff's this morning. The boys were so excited to play with their friends. Ashton made it to the top and went down the slide all by himself for the first time. I guess he doesn't need me to climb around in the playground with him anymore. My babies are growing up. James was so enamored by sweet Jordan, Jenn's new baby. He kept say, "Mom don't you want a baby like this one? You could have a baby like this one. Okay, well let's get one in your tummy. It will grow bigger and bigger and then pop out. Isn't she sweet? Don't you want a baby girl just like this?" Yes, Buddy I would love to have another baby girl.

BARBARA's PARTY

Barbara had her annual Vietnamese party. I love her eggrolls so much. It is always fun to hang out with her girls. Lindsay watched my kids a few weeks later while Nate and I went to the temple. It was so great to have that quiet time with him. We has such a great time going there and back. We talked and laughed and we had a nice lunch. James loves Lindsay so much. For days afterward, he would say, "Do you want to go somewhere again? Okay, then call Lindsay." Barbara's girls have been such a blessing in my life. They have been the only girls my kids have love and I have trusted. 

VALENTINE's DAY

Nate sent all of us girls flowers on Valentines. He sent the girls flowers to their schools. They both walked in the door, from school, with big grins on their faces. Literally the sweetest thing he has done in thirteen years of marriage. Even topping last year when he ordered me chocolates from the chocolate place we went to on our honeymoon for our anniversary, which made me cry like a baby. I don't talk about this a lot or ever on social media but about seven years ago I almost threw in the towel. I knew if I stayed married I would never be happy. (We just couldn't get along.) My sister read me an article from BYU that said couples that were on the verge of the big D, that stayed married reported that ten years later they were happy. I clung to that hope. I told her I can wait ten years. I could wait ten years if I knew I would be happy eventually. I spent a lot of time on my knees over the years. I have spent a lot of time clinging to the scriptures. I have spent time fasting and at the temple. I testify miracles happen, people change. Things that feel broken can be mended. There is a lot of happiness to be had ahead. I catch my breath sometimes as I look into my boys faces and think they wouldn't exist, our beautiful family in our beautiful, tiny, country, crooked home wouldn't exist. My beautiful life and those beautiful flowers on that table is a testimony that He Lives and that the Atonement heals and that marriages can be rescued and repaired. I could praise His name forever.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO GET OUTSIDE

MARBLE RUN

My boys love this marble run. It is really the only toy and I can sit on the floor and play and build with them over and over again and never get bored. There is something so entrancing about marble runs. 

WALK in WINTER

This winter has felt too long and my friend Kay has encouraged me to get out and take my kids for a walk. I did and I think we all needed it. We have all been cooped up in the house for entirely too long.