San Diego Zoo

My husband works for BYU athletics and this year we were blessed with the opportunity to go to Poinsettia bowl to watch the football team play San Diego State. 

This trip was a tender mercy from heaven...my heart was so tender during our first holiday season without Caleb.  We drove out of the snow into the sunshine and brought sweet Caleb with us.  It was such a blessing to create sunny and happy memories together during a tender time. 

We watched the game on a Thursday night, then spent Friday at the San Diego Zoo and Old Town.  

Mitchell's 6th Birthday

Mitchell just celebrated his 6th birthday! We celebrated a few days early since we were driving to California on his real birthday!  Dallan and I took Mitchell out for his birthday, lunch and he chose to go to Carl's Junior.  :)  

Mitchell loves super hero's and he especially loves HULK so he chose to have a hulk birthday cake.  For his birthday dinner he chose chicken noodle soup and home made bread.  

The other day I walked into Mitchell's room and found him on his knees.  He looked at me with wonder in his eyes and quietly said "I just had a miracle." He explained he couldn't find one of his super heroes and so he prayed that Heavenly Father would help him find it.  When he opened his eyes he immediately found it.  I walked in just as he realized his prayer had been answered.  

Seeing Mitchell pray was especially touching to me because Mitchell recently asked me "Why do Heavenly Father and Jesus choose families to do mean things to?" When I asked him what he meant he said "Why did Heavenly Father choose to have Caleb die?  If he loves us, then why would he want to make us sad?" I explained that Heavenly Father doesn't necessarily make sad things happen, but He promises to always be there to help us, comfort us, and give us strength when they do.  Mitchell believes in miracles. He knows Heavenly Father can do anything, so it's been hard for him to understand why sometimes God allows sad things to happen.  He said, "Sometimes I don't feel like praying because I don't feel very happy with Him."   

Mitchell's little heart has had to deal with great big feelings this year... He's really been missing Caleb.  I'm so thankful for those moments when Heavenly Father shows Mitchell He knows him and that He will always be there to help him... even when he needs help finding a super hero.

After dinner, Grandpa found his own super hero outfit and read Mitchell a "Super Hero Creed" that grandma wrote.  You can read the special creed here!  

Happy birthday my sweet Mitchell.  

You will always be my favorite super hero!

Christmas Recital

Last weekend Josh and Matthew had a piano recital. Josh played Silent Night and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, and Matthew played Carol of the Bells and Oh Christmas Tree. 

The boys were instructed to introduce themselves and introduce the song they were playing. When Josh got up he said... "I'm Josh Moody and I'll be playing Silent Night-- and we don't care if there are any mistakes right?..." The next time he got up he said I don't need to introduce myself you all know who I am. I know you! You're the guy who messed up his first song!"  He got a good chuckle out of everyone.  

I could have been embarrassed that he was being such a ham, but even last year, if Josh had made a few mistakes he would have been mortified. I know how much courage it takes for him to perform, and I know he doesn't like to make mistakes in front of people.  So seeing him develop the ability to tease himself made me so proud- even more proud than a perfect piano performance.  

A Visit From the North Pole

A few weeks ago we had a surprise visitor knock on our door! Mitchell answered to a "HO HO HO Hi MITCHELL!" Mitchell could hardly believe Santa had found our house and knew his name! Santa took some time with each one of us and called his elf "Pete" to make sure we were all on the nice list. When Matthew asked him for a cat he said he didn't take requests for pets.  He explained he leaves pets up to parents because they make too big of a mess in his sleigh, and Mrs. Clause doesn't like that :) Santa left us with a candy cane, and we all promised to keep being good so he could come back on Christmas Eve!

Our December Happenings

I love December and the traditions that fill each day! 
Some of our favorite December happenings so far include: 
* Decking our halls!
* Countdown Advent Calendars 
* The Festival of Lights 
* Reading Christmas stories and Christmas scriptures before bedtime 
* Christmas movie nights! We watched ELF for the first time this year! 
* Caroling with our neighbors and enjoying treats and hot chocolate afterwards 
* Decorating our gingerbread house 
* Delivering little gifts around the neighborhood
* Reading a Christmas story to Mitchell's kindergarten class and sharing a treat to go with it. 
* A fun Christmas party with my little preschool class "Polar Express" style
* Decorating sweet Caleb's grave for Christmas time

Happy December!

Gingerbread "field"

At the BYU athletic department Christmas party each table had a gingerbread house to create! Our house came out of the box in broken pieces so we got creative and made the BYU soccer field, complete with goals and a crowd in the stands! The women's soccer team made it to the elite 8 so our creation was a winner and even won it's category! Go team!

Matthew is 11!

Matthew recently turned 11! I love being Matthew's mom- he charmed me from the minute he was born. He has a tender heart, a quick mind and a smile that melts us all. For his birthday he really wanted a kitty... The kitty he got wasn't quite what he had in mind but he loves it anyway!

I checked Matthew out from school to take him to lunch and he chose "all you can eat!"  

It made Dallan and I laugh to see him load up his plate with mac and cheese and french fries!  

Matthew chose pizza and chocolate cake for his birthday dinner.

We were all touched by Grandma's birthday story.  You can read it here.  (Thanks Mom!)

Matthew had a wonderful birthday surrounded by people he loves.  I know Caleb was with us as we celebrated his special buddy. 

Happy birthday my sweet Matthew.  

The past couple of months Matthew has been most proud of:

Being the chess champion of the whole school! (he even has an awesome trophy!)

Earning his arrow of light in cub scouts!

Winning the reflections contest with a photograph he took!

Getting 100% on his states and capitals test!