“. . . the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation . . . and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy⁠“

— Pres. Russell M. Nelson

Latest Posts


  • On “Tooth-watch”

     I can't believe it, but I felt sharp little teeth under his gums yesterday!!  You can't really tell in the picture, but his gums have been pretty puffy and swollen, and if you look close, you can actually see the… Continue reading

  • Crepes . . . what more can I say?

    Okay, so I am a sucker for breakfast food, but I love to have it for dinner.  Crepes, or "Swedish Pancakes" as we called them growing up, have a place near and dear to my heart.  This is because my… Continue reading

  • Attack of the Turtles

    Something is going on with our turtles!!  I don't know if you remember my earlier obsession with them, but they used to disappear if we got 50 feet from the pond.  Well, yesterday it all changed.  They were swarming us… Continue reading

  • A Day at the Beach

    We had the greatest family outing today!  We had been promising Lily that she could go to the aquarium and the beach as soon as she had potty power, and so we took advantage of our gorgeous weather and went… Continue reading

  • Haircuts and other adventures . . .

    Our weekend was pretty low key, especially with Kevin at work, but we always manage to have a little excitement with Lily and Derek around :).  We had Stake Conference, which is always an adventure with young children.  I learned… Continue reading

  • He’s at it again . . .

    Well, that silly boy of mine is at it again.  He is trying his best to walk, and although it may take another month or two to master, that would still mean he would be walking at 10 months.  Craziness! … Continue reading

  • Take 2!

    Well, being that I am too much of a perfectionist at times, and that my friends were doing it for free, I decided to try another round of family pictures.  I loved so many things about the ones that Amber… Continue reading

  • The Georgia Rain

    This was how we took our daily walk to the mailbox a couple days ago.  I got a little wet, since I realized that it was much easier to use the umbrella this way, than to hold it while pushing… Continue reading

  • A Huge Sigh of Relief

    Well, it is over – the Primary Program, that is.  And can I tell you what a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I know next years program will sneak up on me before I know it, but… Continue reading

  • A Reluctant Good Bye to the Pacifier

    I don't know about you, but I love pacifiers.  I think that a baby who will take a pacifier is a special gift from heaven.  They sleep better, it is a simple way to quiet them in church, keep them… Continue reading