moms take Tombstone

These three!! They came to visit for the weekend and I was so thrilled to have them here! The whole weekend was just surreal. It was nice to relax and talk and laugh with some of my favorite people. I only wish that everyone else from washington could've made it too! Next time we will have to gather even more of us together.

Oh wait, I think I counted wrong. There was actually 5 of us together for the weekend--Poldark wanted to hang out, too. :) :)

The first thing we did when they arrived was put Heidi to work as our official selfie taker.

It was really late, but we ate at Cheesecake Factory and had some good laughs with Poldark.

I guess I should say that Poldark didn't fly down from Washington. But somehow he ended up in a gift bag I gave the girls with welcome to Arizona water bottles. I must say though, he was a pleasant addition to the group. Haha.

I printed out these waterbottle labels and stuck them on costco water.

The next day we headed down to the town to tough to die--Tombstone, AZ. Our first stop was Boothill Graveyard.

Heidi touched her first cactus.

And we met John Wayne--the cowboy of all cowboys.

We ate lunch in a saloon while being serenaded by a cowboy with some real fine country music (also while covering my eyes to avoid the majority of the pictures).

Sarsaparilla! The waiter let us order our drinks, but when I tried to order a hamburger he told me I couldn't order it because it wasn't really good there. He suggested the ribeye sandwiches. Everyone else changed their orders to that. But I'm so picky and I knew it was something I wouldn't eat so I changed to a pulled pork sandwich. But then that waiter told me that he wouldn't let me order that either because it was gross. So I asked him what I could order and I ended up with a philly cheesesteak. And that was the strangest cowboy waiter experience I have ever had.

We decided to dress up for some old time pictures.

Shannon and I made some good outlaws while Heidi and Lorane were proper Tombstone ladies.

We bought ourselves some "friendship" bracelets.

And enjoyed the history of the town.

After the gunfight, we found us some cowboys.

I would say that we definitely embraced the wild wild west that day! And this was also the first day (and probably last) that I used a hashtag on social media. And oh did we come up with some good hashtags. I was quite proud.

We ended the day with a late dinner at Oregano's. Yum!

It was a perfect start to our girls weekend. Love these ladies so much!

These days

Layla just won't stop with the selfies.

 

 

So if you can't beat 'em , join 'em .

 

Check out Kyler's new hair style. Long enough for a ponytail. Hahaha.

The most exciting thing happened last week. Some workers got started on our christmas/birthday/christmas and birthdays for the next ten years present--a backyard pool! It was quite fascinating watching the work progress from the windows.

We are so excited for this to be finished. So excited for swim parties and a place to stay cool this summer.

Kacin and I went to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Hale theater. What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas Spirit. I especially loved having this sweet boy in the seat next to me.

 

Kacin's school had a sock hop. Layla showed off her moves for us.

Kacin has been working with a partner on his science fair project this year. They made three different lego bridges to determine the weight each bridge will hold before collapsing. They have done a lot of research on bridges. Interesting stuff!

Layla girl performed in her Kindergarten play as Curly Locks. She had her part memorized for weeks and played her role well. Before we left for the performance, it was her idea to do a little photoshoot.

 

 

 

Santa surprised everyone with a visit at the end of the play. But Layla was frightened and this is as close she would get. Hopefully, we will make it a bit closer when we see him tomorrow!

 

o christmas tree

There was a big debate this year about fake tree or real tree. We thought we decided to go with a fake pre-lit tree. Eric and I went to costco to get one. And then we impulsively bought a real tree instead.

I instantly had buyers remorse (E will testify to this). Because the magic of a real tree is looking over all of the trees and inspecting and sizing them up to find the "perfect one." The last few years that process has even included getting out the saw and cutting one down. At costco, the trees were all wrapped up so you couldn't really even tell what you were getting. The allure and excitement of bringing home the christmas tree just wasn't there without all of our kids deciding with us and running around asking for candy canes and cocoa.

We got the tree home and set up. And the magic of the christmas tree was restored once we pulled out all of the lights and ornaments and got to work.

It was Perry's honor to place the first ornament on the Christmas tree.

 
 
 
Then the decorating mayhem commenced.

 

 

 

Once the ornaments adorned the tree to the kids liking, Kacin placed the final piece atop the tree--the Star.

 

 

 

 

 

And so the Christmas season has begun in our home.

 

 

 

Gilbert Temple

I'm sad we didn't get there sooner with this boy, but I am so glad we eventually got there.

 

He was ready and prepared to enter the temple  to perform baptisms for the dead for the first time. 

 

There is such a strong feeling of peace and joy that permeates throughout the temple. It is so incredible to get to serve there. And we are so blessed to have this beautiful temple just ten minutes from our house!

 

Now that he has been once, Kyler is looking forward to more temple visits. He went with the young men in our ward a few days later and is excited to go with Kacin when he turns 12 at the end of this month.

 

We love the temple!

in the service of your fellow beings

This was the very first picture we hung up on the wall of our new home.




It is an absolute favorite of mine.

Jesus, the greatest of all, humbly washing the feet of his disciples. So simple. Such love. Taking the time for each individual.

Every time I stop in front of this painting I feel closer to my savior and I am reminded of how I want to live my life.

Just like our Savior has shown, it is the simple, every day, small ways we serve that make such a difference. Each person around us is significant and worth our time and effort. The service we give does not need to be on display for all the world, but can be done in quiet ways without recognition and with humility. We are never "too good" or "too high up" to serve. It does not even matter where we serve, but how we serve. Serve in our homes, serve in our neighborhoods, serve in our church and community. But serve with love. Serve with charity--the pure love of Christ.  

It is so easy for me to get caught up in myself and life and forget all that.

One of the big reasons Eric and I decided to move back to arizona was to allow ourselves and our family more opportunities to serve. Not that we couldn't have done that back in washington! There are opportunities to serve no matter where you are (and always in our own homes especially). But, Eric was working and commuting so many hours each day and we were in "survival" mode for so long after the adoption that we knew we needed to make some changes. Moving is a natural time to break some habits and start some new ones. Plus, truly, life is less stressful here now that Eric is around more and the kids have a little more space and their own bedrooms in our new house. Which means we all feel a little bit more loving. Which helps us keep "serve" in the front of our minds and show more kindness and service, even when it's not the most convenient.

And I've learned this. When you choose to enjoy opportunities to serve your heart swells with love and joy. If we are willing to serve, God will use us. And don't ever underestimate prayer.

So I love that picture hanging in our home and the daily reminder it is (one that I so need!) to be a little more like our Savior.

With all of these thoughts on my mind lately, I was thrilled when I learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints initiative to Light the World this holiday season in 25 ways over 25 days. When we serve, like He did, we are bringing light to those around us and to the world. I LOVE that truth. I'm excited for our family to do our part to Light the World this month!