Moody Monsters

Check out our Moody Monster Mash here!
Don't get too spooked by Dallan!

Discovering Fall

I think if I saw the world through those big brown eyes of his, it would probably look this magical all the time...

A touch of Autumn

I hope there is Autumn in Heaven

Because I just can't imagine

anything being more beautiful

than this.

Thank Heaven for Autumn

Masterpiece

For our Relief Society meeting this week the theme was create.
Each sister was asked to bring something she created to display.
I decided to bring a picture of my boys with a note attached that said
"I create really cute little boys."
As I've been reflecting on that note,
I think I had it all wrong.
I don't think I can take any credit for my beautiful boys.
Each one was a work of art when he was first placed in my arms.
As I've reflected on the process of raising boys I've realized
I am not the artist.
They are creating me-
and the privilege of loving them
is my greatest masterpiece.

"The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love someone." Vincent Van Vogh

Lifting Burdens

The wishing Tower

It was magic from the time we stepped through the doors!

Caleb was the star of the evening!

We explored the grounds,

and spent some time at the wishing pond.

We each got to make a wish and throw a special coin in the fountain. They even gave us each another coin to save as a keepsake!

Our wish granters took us on a tour of the building, and we spent some time talking about Caleb's wish. They were great sports to entertain my boys' wiggles and short attention spans! We wrote down Caleb's wish, and then we all got to write our own wishes for Caleb to be read in the wishing room.

The boys could hardly wait...

There was a special lock for our special key

Matthew helped Caleb put it in the keyole.

Caleb was full of smiles as we stepped inside. There were beautiful lights and a magic waterfall in the center of the room!

We all got to read the wishes we wrote for Caleb.

Caleb's wishes from us were put in a knight for us to keep, and his special wish was put in a golden case!

We all helped send Caleb's wish to the wishing wizard!

It was magical!

Our wish granters were wonderful!

The evening was full of magic.

My boys will never doubt that wishes really do come true!

Caleb loves to be with his brothers so we helped him wish for a way that he can be more involved in play time with them! We are hoping to use some magic to conjure up something they can all enjoy and that will be adapted to meet Caleb's needs! We will likely wait to finalize our plans for a few more months... so that the wishing wizard will have time to think of something just right!

The magic key

We got a special package in the mail from the "Make a Wish Foundation!"

Inside it had a special key...

that will open the door to the wishing room!

Sending kisses to Make a Wish!

We're excited to meet you at the wishing tower tomorrow!

Recent Moody Ramblings

Josh: "Mom, why do your arms jiggle like that? I'll bet a couple of laps around the track would take care of that!" (Thanks Calvin:)

Mitchell: "Mamma, you are the best boy in the world!"

Mitchell: (Who can't wait for Halloween) says "I'll knock on all the doors and say MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Matthew: "I have a secret weapon! First I lick my finger, put it in my ear, then in my nose- and then no girls will want to come near me!

6 words

I decided to try chocolate on my Cranium's challenge to describe my life in six words. I came up with a few, but I've edited down to this one:

Hands full with what matters most


Interesting to think about isn't it?

Wishes really do come true

Caleb is going to have a wish granted by the "Make a Wish" Foundation! We are so excited! The foundation contacted me a few days ago to see if we'd be willing to be the featured family for an upcoming "Family Fun Run" in our area since Caleb will be getting a wish granted soon! The Fun Run is being sponsored by local schools in conjunction with Utah Family Month in November, and all of the money gathered goes directly to the foundation!

The "Make a Wish" foundation grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. It has been a wonderful experience to work with a foundation that focuses on creating magic for children like Caleb and their families! You can check out their website here to learn more about them!

Here is the information for the Family Fun Run:

Family Fun Run
Saturday, November 7th at Orem Elementary
9:00 Registration, Warm up, Meet Make-A-Wish child (That's US!)
10:00 Run Begins
1 Mile/5k Run/Walk
$5.00 by October 29th includes T-shirt
$7.00 after October 29th does not include T-shirt
There will be refreshments and prizes afterwards!
If you are interested in participating, just let me know and I'll e mail you the registration form. If you return them to me with your $5 registration fee I'm happy to turn them in for you!

Monster Mom

What kind of mom am I
if I can lumber into my boys room wearing this

and they barely bat an eyelash?


At least I spooked Dallan when he walked around the corner and met me sporting this little beauty.

And he's the one who sees me first thing in the morning!

General Conference

Conference weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year! I grew up listening to conference with my family. I have fond memories listening to conference while turning the applesauce crank. I remember lining up all of my dolls and stuffed animals so that they could listen too. I also remember making my dad laugh by mimicking the Mormon Tabernacle choir in my best opera voice.
I was so touched by the messages and testimonies that were shared this weekend, and I can't wait to start reading the text on Thursday when they are printed on lds.org. I'm going to start by studying a few of my early favorites:

Elder David A Bednar: He taught us how to strengthen home and family by reminding us to:
1) Express love and show it.
2) Bear testimony and live it.
3) Be consistent

Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf: He said of all the things we want to be known for, we should desire to be known as disciples of Christ. He reminded us that love is the key and should be our "walk and our talk." He said that God loves us whether we live in a castle or in a cottage, whether we are handsome or homely and even when we are flawed or broken...

Elder Henry B Erying: Encouraged us to "try to be like Jesus" He reminded us to pray to see the strengths in our spouse and children. He reminded us that the Lord has made it possible for us to be like him!

President Thomas S Monson: Invited us to ask ourselves "What did I do for someone today?" He reminded us that service to others gives us purpose. We grow and flourish when we lose ourselves in the service of others. We often live side by side but fail to connect heart to heart. We are happy when we serve others! "Have I done any good in the word today, have I helped any one in need? Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad...?"

Jeffrey R Holland: His testimony about the book of Mormon touched me in the deepest parts of my heart. Anyone who heard that talk will know that words can't describe the power of his testimony. It took my breath away.

I can't wait to read every message that was shared. There are treasures to be found in each message!... It truly is a rich experience!
What were some of your favorite treasures from conference?

Another Testament

Eleven!

11 years ago today...
I was waiting for a herd of cattle to cross the road
while on my way to Manti
to get MARRIED!
We chose the Manti temple for it's pioneer heritage.
We loved our home grown temple sealer who told Dallan,
"If you treat her like a Thoroughbred,
she'll never be a nag..."

Happy Anniversary Dallan!
I love you more than Reese's peanut butter cup shakes
and strawberry cheese cake waffle cones
I love you more than orange berry blitz Jamba Juice
and Red Mango frozen yogurt
I love you more than homemade chocolate chip cookies
and brownies with sprinkles on top
I love you even more than WARM cinnamon rolls.
YOU are my sweetest blessing!

eternity isn't long enough.

I LOVE YOU

Can you feel it?

It's coming...

The sunshine is turning to gold as it touches the tops of my toe-head boys.
The leaves are preparing swirl along side when I drive down the street!
Pumpkins are making their way to my porch and plan to stay for a spell!
Nutmeg and cinnamon are begging to be added to my recipes,
and the crisp air kisses my cheeks whenever I walk outside!

Welcome Fall!
I missed you, too!



"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne