The Peacegiver

All of those who know me, know that I am an avid reader. I pretty much inhale everything that strikes my fancy, and in most cases I read the book twice. Generally I read books that are more for entertainment purposes, not too intense but have a good story line. From time to time I read books that are more for mental stimulation or serve a more spiritual purpose.

I have just completed reading The Peacegiver by James Ferrell for the 3rd time. This book is absolutely amazing. It really is thought provoking and makes me reflect on things in my life. Essentially its a long parable about a man who is struggling in his personal relationships, how he finds healing through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and finds about who he really is by connecting to biblical stories such as the story of Abigail and David or Jonah and the whale. Every time I read it I come to a new understanding of myself and who I am and also gain a greater appreciation for the scriptures.

The relationship that is in trouble in this book is that of a husband and wife, but I think that this refers to any relationships fathers, sons, sisters, brothers pretty much anyone that you may find a strain with.

Here are a few bullet points I pulled out of the book...

• "There are ways to be right on the surface and entirely mistake beneath"


• "Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends upon how we view those who mistreat us"


• A war begins when you start seeking revenge in your heart.


• "We sin when our hearts are sinful, no matter what we do on the surface"


• In context of the story of Abigail and David..."Abigail asked for forgiveness not because she need to be forgiven but because David needed to forgive"


• When you think to yourself how something can be possible why not think "why is it impossible"


• Do we ever flee to Tarshish and run from the Lord as Jonah did?


• "Love and Salvation are gifts"


• "You discover love by learning to love others"


• "By choosing to engage in sinful acts our hearts become sinful"


• In Gethsemane Christ overcame the captivity of our hearts.


• "No weapon is as devastating to a home then a heart that has stopped loving"


• "The failing to receive an apology is something that needs repenting of as fully as failing to give one"

OK so that was more than a few, and there are so many more things in this book that are great. If you have read it I would like to hear your thoughts, if you have not I recommend it to you because it will change you and your perception of the people around you.

Thanksgiving

Another Cell phone pic

Thanksgiving is generally not the most popular holiday in my book. I love the food and visiting with friends and family but it is not something I look forward to. However I always end up enjoying it when it does come around. This Thanksgiving we picked up Seth's grandma and headed over to Seth's brothers wife's family. But it was fine since I have known them longer than I have known my sister in law, I feel like they are family. We had great food, good laughs and of course some good football watching. I made the stupid mistake of leaving my camera at home so the only picture I have (above) is from my cell. This was really only the 2nd time Francis (Seth's grandma) has met the kids and really the first time she has been able to spend time with them. It was fun to watch her interact with them. Overall we are very thankful to our gracious hosts and our waistlines give proof to that. We have a lot to be thankful for this year and we are grateful that we have a lot of wonderful people in our lives.

What not to do...

Last Saturday Seth and I decided to walk to the park with the kids. Its a little over a mile there so we had to load them in the stroller, but they did (well mostly Abby) better than expected. Once we got there Abby quickly demonstrated the proper use of the park equipment.Climb up the slide...Hang from structural elements...Swing as high as you possibly can....and Swing on your belly....

All the while Brigham looks on wondering when it will be his turn.

Getting Older

I have really come to know that Abby is getting older lately. Just her attitude and all around growth has been more prevalent. But the other day it really sunk in.
The door bell rang and a little neighbor girl was standing there asking if Abby could play. What?? Is my baby old enough where kids ask her to come out and play? I guess so. Tear. The girl is 9 and very sweet and as I looked out the window to "spy" they were walking around holding hands, or kicking the ball together. She was outside for about an hour. I would go outside every 10-15 minutes to check up on her. One time I asked her if she was having fun and her reply was "go inside mom". I was a bit taken aback by that, but what can you do? What a little stinker.
Where does the time go?

For sale

We are selling one of our cars. If you know anyone who is looking please check it out on Craigs List ...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/1472441724.html
Thanks

Milestones

I cannot believe how the time does fly. I have two kids and they are old, well at least to me. I figured since they were both at somewhat significant ages I would record a few things about them, their likes, dislikes and whatever else suites my fancy.Abigail...2 and 1/2 years old.

*When she wants to be she is as sweet as can be.

*She is fading from her Backyardigans days and moving into a obsession craze for Lazy Town.

*She sleeps in a big girl bed and reminds us of that fact every time she wakes up.

*Thanks to her father she now thinks candy heals all pain.

*She is a good eater, she loves salad, cucumbers, carrots and pretty much anything we put in front of her for dinner.

*She makes me sing her Happy Birthday before she goes to bed every night. This has happened every day since her second birthday.

*She behaves really well for everyone except her mother.

*She loves to go to the Library.

*She loves her babies and has them all in a row next to her when she sleeps.

*She loves the park, she would live there if she could.

*She sings all the time, usually a medley of some sort.

*She is so smart and surprises me all the time with the things she does.

*She is a daddy's girl deluxe.

*She loves to dance to Lazy town.

*She can kick really well and likes to play sports outside.

*She loves to go to church and play in the Nursery.

*She is the most loved girl in the world.



Brigham...2 months old (or 9 weeks depending how you look at it.)

Stats: 13lbs 4 ounces (95%)
25 inches (greater than 95%)
41cm Head size (75%)

*He is a cuddler.

*He eats a lot a grows accordingly.

*He smiles all the time.

*He hates being in his car seat if it is still.

*He loves to take baths and almost always pees in the tub.

*He really likes his hair being washed and his scalp rubbed.

*He makes really funny cooing noises.

*He sometimes reminds me of an old man.

*He can hold his head up for long periods of time before crashing.

*He only really cries or fusses if he is hungry, poopy or tired.

*He loves to sleep on his stomach (yes I know you are not supposed to do that, but he sleeps great like that.)

*For the first time he slept for 7 hours straight at night.

*He is very curious and is always looking around.

*He is the most loved boy in the world.

Love Bugs

Just a few random pics because sometimes I think my kids are too cute to keep to myself.

Quiet Contemplation

Trick or Treat

I was unsure of what Abby was going to be this year. Honestly with so much going on I almost did not do anything. But alas, guilt kicked in and she and Brigham dressed up. I found Brigham's outfit at Carters at a good price so that's how his costume came about. However, Abigail's was a bit harder. I looked at a few stores and was not thrilled about anything. Then I saw the Devil horns at Walmart and I thought it was a fitting costume. Cindy had the idea to make the tutu and add lettering which made the outfit. So she and I made the tutu and I came up with what it said. Overall I think she turned out pretty darn cute, the little devil. I only added this picture because I thought it looked so much like me, what do you think?

Who knew? The Devil wears a tutu...

The cousins. Incredababy, a she devil and a dinosaur/lizard/dragon ( i have no idea what it actually is.) What a cute bunch of kids.

The Pumpkin Patch

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch. I have been wanting to go for some time but just could not seem to find the time. So when talking to my sister in law Natalie we decided to go. It was fun to go with our families and take hundreds of pictures of our kids. Here a just a few...Ready to goAbby was excited to see the backyardigans

The Hay MazeStrike a poseCute cousinsToo Heavy Family Picture time

Hmmm whats with all the pumpkins?

Izzy