Teaching the Gospel in our home...

to our sweet little girl, that is! I just wanted to document this because it was so special to me...

Aric taught our Family Home Evening lesson tonight, we do it Friday night because it is the one night Aric is always home. The lesson was about the very beginning of the Plan of Salvation, it was amazing to see Jasper's response to it. She started out answering the simple questions about where we were before coming to the Earth, and then as Aric went on explaining the two different Plans and what they each entailed, it was amazing how she just wanted to KNOW everything. She started asking really great questions, and Aric not wanting to get ahead and confuse her would say, you have to wait to hear about that later (making it like a story). She was just enthralled, and quickly grasped that everyone here on the earth accepted Jesus' plan (or they wouldn't be here) and that we were all fighting ("Were you fighting, Mom?") for the freedom to make choices. It was so fun to watch and hear from her words this new understanding and testimony she gained.
The best part for me was when she chose 'I am a Child of God' as the closing song. She sang it so beautifully and at the end she broke into tears, I gathered her into my arms and said, "When you feel the Spirit really strongly, sometimes it makes you cry... It's okay, it feels good and that is the Holy Ghost telling you that the things you hear are true." She nodded her head and told me "Do you know why I love Heavenly Father? Because he helps us so much." After we said the closing pray she told me, "Mom, the 'teary' thing is getting me again." My heart was so full after this experience. I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life and being able to teach it to my children is a joy unlike any other I've felt. I never want to forget this.

Naughty boys need school!

Last night my children found a game to play together, and let me just say,... CUTE!

Jasper heard Aram whining at me, so she came out of her room and said, "Are you being naughty? Naughty boys have to go to school!" then turning to me she asked "Is it okay if I take brother to my room and play school with him?"

Okay? It was GREAT! The game went on for several hours throughout the house and I kept hearing her calling Aram, "Student", and herself "Teacher".

Then I was presented with a piece of paper by teacher who said that it was my "Note to the parent" of the student. (I think it is hilarious how grown-up this little girl talks) The note had my name, the teachers name (Branda Ban Bat), weird, I know. It said

"He did gud of lirning. We had a sho. Aram!"

So, apparently he learns good, and they had a show. It made me happy to see my children enjoying one another, and I got some Mom time! How great is life?

Anyway, here are some videos of the naughty boy and his newest tricks.

By the way, I took him to the doctor today for his 9 month check-up. Here are his stats:

Height: 27 inches/12th percentile

Weight: 17 lbs. 11 oz./ 10th percentile

Head: 44.3 cm/ 23rd percentile

I guess my little boy is no longer proportionate!

More easter fun...

I forgot to import these pictures earlier...

We went on a 'mock' easter egg hunt Saturday morning (it was too snowy to do the real thing) This easter bunny is a little creepy, isn't he?

We dyed easter eggs on Friday night, Aram put the egg in his mouth long enough to turn it blue, and then proceded to smash the egg to bits.

Jasper and Aric had a ball coloring the eggs with crayons and then dying them... they were quite creative, making a jack o lantern egg, a watermelon egg, and lots of fun designs.

Easter morning...

The latest (sometimes not so) greatest achievments of my 8 month old Wild Thing...

Being a huge Momma's boy... He whines and cries if I walk by him without picking him up, he throws a fit if his dad takes him away from me and he REALLY doesn't like strangers (he scowls at most people who try to talk to him). Its a good thing he's cute!

Born to stand... He will tolerate standing in his jumper or excer-saucer for short amounts of time, but what he loves best is to stand up like a big boy with his hands being held. (This is very time consuming for Mom, but you do what you must for a happy child!) When I go to get him after a nap, I usually find him standing up and bouncing up and down with excitement at getting out of his cage.

Big time Biter... He actually drew blood the other day,.. through my clothes. I think it is his convoluted way of showing affection. He leans in to give me a kiss and bites my lips instead, he nuzzles his face against me and I know I'm gonna get it if I'm not fast enough in escaping. Hopefully someday, he will just be loving in a nice way.

Backwards crawler... He could crawl all over if he was a little more patient (and less whiny). As it is, he goes from sitting to hands and knees and he can turn, scoot and lunge, but ends up going backwards more often than not when really crawling. The minute his tummy touches the floor though,.. he is mad and wants to be "fixed". Jasper is a great big sister, she is constantly picking him up and setting him back down so he will be happy. I love to watch their interaction, even though she is more a mother to him than a playmate.

Aram is the most motivated when a breakable electronic device is involved. (Toys are not fun,.. but phones, computers, cameras, remotes... LOOK OUT!)

He is going after my computer in this one.

Last week was Jasper's spring break and though we were looking forward to being outside and having friends over to jump on her new trampoline... the weather thought otherwise. (It was cold, windy and even snowy ALL week) So, Jasper made her own fun (and mess) while being cooped up in the house. The fun game she found to play with Bruddy (her brother) was climbing in his crib, jumping around and hiding in blankets. I'm not sure he thought it was as much fun,.. he just wanted me to get him OUT!

My kids are an absolute joy and I am so greatful for them. They complete me, challenge me, make me feel special and needed. I love being able to stay at home with them!

Your future is only as bright as your Faith!

President Monson's talk during the morning session of our Church's general conference was so powerful it brought me to sobs and then gave me so much hope that I want to share his message with those who may not have heard it.
He starts out by talking about all the concerns and struggles that the country's state of affairs is bringing us. He knows that it would be easy for us to become discouraged and cynical about what the future holds. (This for me hits quite close to home as I am one for feeling afraid of the future, afraid of major trials, and depressed by my lack of control over situations.)
President Monson then told several story's about finding joy through severe trials. One was of a woman living in East Prussia during WWII and being forced to travel to Germany alone (her husband having just died) with her 4 children ranging in age from an infant to a 7 year old. Along the way (over 1000 miles on foot), they suffered from the cold, starvation and one by one each one of her children died. She buried each one using a teaspoon (the only thing she had). While listening I started out teary and ended up having to leave the room to attend to my sobs. (Losing a child is one of my biggest fears.) Still listening to the talk from the other room, I heard how this woman wanted to end her life to escape her misery. After turning to the Lord in prayer with nothing left but her faith, she was able to carry on. Once she had arrived in Germany (now childless) she was emaciated but triumphant. She later stated that of all the people in her saddened land she was the happiest, because she knew that God lived and Jesus is the Christ and he died and was resurrected that we may live again, and she would be with her family again someday if she could carry on.
So, even though this story was very devastating to me at first, I will take from it the message I feel like I very much needed...

"There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us"

"The future is as bright as your faith"

Wow! The future can have hope, no matter the state of affairs in our country. No matter the trials we each suffer. WE decide how bright our future is. This left me KNOWING that I could handle whatever I must... my future will be bright, it will get better, maybe not on this earth, but in the future I KNOW will come if I can stay faithful.