Olivia is Ten!

Olivia is the best way to chase the after Christmas blues! She is the perfect kid to have after Christmas, she is not demanding  and she is an excellent gift receiver  She invited her girl cousins who live here to the movies and to a slumber party. We saw Hotel Tranylvania, afterward she said that was the best movie. They played games and watched TV. She loved it. Two days later Benjamin took her to buy a bike, two days. She didn't care that it was late she was so grateful to get one. I love that Olivia like to watch movies for her birthday it is the perfect way to relax after the sometimes stressful holiday season.

Love this girl! She is very smart and always impresses me with her vocabulary. She is beautiful, I love her little nose and perfect eyebrows. She is unpredictable, I can never guess what she will say, so consequently she is very fun to be around. She is motivating. when she is down she does not stay their long, she motivates herself and me to try to do/be better. Just last night something made her sad so she left the family room to go to her room. I went to check on her and she wasn't sulking she was making a 2013 resolution list. She inspires me. One of her best qualities is she forgives freely, she doesn't hold grudges she lets it go and moves on. A great quality in a friend and family member. I love you Olivia Jane you have been a joy from the start. You provide spice to the family and are a great help to me personally. Your momma Jane loves you more than words.

Holman 8 is great!

Holman turned 8. In our church that is when we feel children are accountable for knowing the difference between  right and wrong choices. Before 8 they are learning the difference and finding out the consequences of their choices, making mistakes as they go, not sins. But before 8 they are not sinning, they are learning. Benjamin was doing one of his daddy chats with Holman when he asked him who he would like to baptize him, Holman thought about it and asked who was eligible to preform that ordinance. Benjamin listed all the priesthood family members available and he thought about it and wanted his Uncle Danny. He asked Danny and Holman was very glad that he accepted. There were eight kids who got baptized the same day as Holman, lucky for Holman the Stake Baptism fell on his birthday December 1. Even more lucky his Katie Lady, Clark cousin and one of his favorite friends Lyndsay Mendell were apart of that baptism group. The Clark and Mendell and Howe kids all sang a musical number and I was asked to give a talk. I teach this age group at church so I was thrilled. The baptism's and blessings were all beautiful and we all had a giant family/friend dinner afterword. It was a great day. Benjamin performed the ordinance of Holman to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and he said he was really struck by the glimpse of what a fine man Holman would grow into. It was a beautiful day made better by the family and friends celebrating the same event in their families.

Holman I love you. You are such a good boy. You are helpful and HARDWORKING, and obedient  And you are crazy funny, you make us all roll with laughter with your witty remarks. I love holding your hands, they are little boy hands that I know will grow into man hands. You are an excellent big brother who looks out for your brother and sister. You have two older sisters who think you are handsome and fun. You are athletic, an excellent swimmer, I love to watch you win, I mean swim. I am so glad that I get to be your mom on this journey. I love you so very much.

Adrianna Joycee turns 3

My little Angel turned three on November 27, she is such a little joy. She loves all things pink, but when you ask her what her favorite color is she will say "I like all colors." She is very smart and has a great memory

This was a conversation we had at dinner with Adrianna just before her 3rd birthday.year old: "Anna what did you learn about at nursery today?" Anna: "We learned about animals." Dad: "Who made all the animals?" Anna: "Jesus did. I like palaeobatrachus" Dad: "Whats that? Anna: "An amphibian, a frog." We all stared blankly at Anna as Bella went to Google it, sure enough it is true. My daughter is a genius! Later she called in the kids to come look at her "conifer." She has a lit up Christmas tree in her room, which is a "cone bearing evergreen tree." Dinosaur train is really providing a top notch education. She loves all things dinosaur, dolls and princess. She is  her own lady she will love when she wants to love and get you to do things for her when she wants you to DO THINGS FOR HER! She is very independent, but thankfully loves to snuggles with her mommy and doggy. She loves her brothers and sisters severely, but in her way. She loves her "frankinblankie" her blanket has been patched up more times than any one blanket should. She is a little mother to all things smaller than her, she doesn't want to boss them but to truly love on them and be their nurse.

Adrianna your mommy loves you so much  and is so grateful to have your lively spirit in our home. You are smart, beautiful and fun. You maybe the youngest in our family but you act like your brothers and sisters are your same age only taller. You are so excited to become a sun beam and leave the nursery behind, we are excited with you and look forward to seeing you learn and grow even more. Much love my pretty little Adrianna, you complete us.