The Fold of God

"...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

  Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

  Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"

Mosiah 18: 8-10

On January 16th, 2010

Isabella was baptized and became a member of 

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  

When we arrived to see the font filling with water, the steamed mirror held the promise of a toasty warm baptismal experience.  Unfortunately, the warm water gave way to cold after only a few minutes!

  

We have all looked forward to this day, but perhaps none more so than her younger brothers and sisters.  They LOVE watching children be baptized, but seeing their big sister enter the water was especially exciting.

  

Our beautiful girls.

Isabella and our handsome sons.

  

Isabella, we love you so.

We are all strengthened by your faith and testimony!

  

  

Isabella and her dad, Samuel.

  

  

And of course, with mom-whose already crying!

  

These are the moments you live for.  

These are the treasures you lay up in heaven...

  

Our beloved missionaries.

 

Isabella and her grandparents, Rose & Jesus, and her aunt Julia.

  

Isabella and great-grandma Lopez.

  

After the baptism we had a luncheon at our home.  

Per Isabella's special request, we served egg salad sandwiches!

We love you Isabella!

  

And your father and I know that as you keep these sacred covenants 

that you've made with Heavenly Father, 

your life will unfold in a 

beautiful, beautiful way.

White Dresses...

 

 My beautiful Isabella trying on her baptismal dress.

  

 Is it really possible that this is my child?

Eight years old, gorgeous, supremely intelligent, kind, loving...

  

This proud mama could go on and on!

  

 Isabella loves posing for pictures and is notorious for her "camera smile"!

  

 We try to break her by making her laugh, and as you can see...

  

 We are ALWAYS successful!

  

 Congratulations Isabella!

Your big day will soon be here and 

we are so happy to see it come to pass.

You are a lovely girl, 

and we are grateful you are apart of our family!

What a wonderful example you are 

to your younger brothers and sisters, 

and your parents!

We love you!

Water Babies!

 

 Gabriel is growing so fast now!  I can't even remember the last time I took photos of him in the tub.  Now he's finally sturdy enough to be held by his sister, who thankfully loves to hold him in her lap while I snap away!

  

 At this point in time, he's mostly just in awe of the water.  He doesn't really move around much.  He's more or less content to grab onto a toy and then just watch.

  

 He's a handsome little guy, and our home was definitely not complete without him.  I'm grateful for prayer, promptings, and yes, chubby blessings! 

  

Fast Sunday Walks

 This year we've made it a goal to walk the temple grounds every Fast Sunday.

Since our Sacrament meeting doesn't start until 1 PM, it's the perfect way to start the day.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 I love how excited the kids are to come.  

This is something the whole family looks forward to.

  

  

 They cannot resist the water, no matter how icy!

  

 I love this girl!

  

  

  

  

  

 I'm grateful to be sealed to my sweetheart.  

He is a good man, 

and I love him very much.

  

 Isabella, with only days left before her baptism.

We are all looking forward to that special day!

Spoonin' It Up!

 

Who says you can't have frozen goodness in 40 degree weather? 

Not us!

(Nice goin', Owen!)

  

Gabriel, missing out on so much!  

Don't worry, he's got some tasty peas waiting for him at home...

  

  

What Does Your Wii Face Look Like?

In reviewing my pictures for our families annual New Years Eve Party, that's the question you absolutely have to ask.

Take a peek below and you'll see some good ones...

 

Rachel & Houston

 

Joe & Rachel

 

Clista & Jacob

 

Bill & Ava

And then there was the non-Wii player, Jessica, who took a blessed night off thanks to the bun in her toasty oven!

The kids did their own Lord of the Flies thing that they usually do.

Sword-fighting and what-not is a must!

And of course then there's the midnight movie feature, complete with stadium seating.

 After the big countdown it's outside for some fireworks action!  Oddly enough, this year it wasn't too cold for being as late as it was.

  

 My beautiful Bella...

 

 My sweetheart Ava...

 

 Princess Iris...

  

 ...and of course, our Rascally Owen!

  

 And then, the biggest goober of the bunch, my heart, my love

...my Samuel.

  

 After all the hoopla everyone finally heads home for a few hours of sleep before we're back at it again with a hearty breakfast composed of everyone's favorites.

Here you see the kiddie table...

  

 ...and the adult table.

  

 The meal is always amazing!

  

 I think everything tastes better after a super-late night.

  

 Houston determined to make faces in EVERY photo...or is that just how he really looks all the time?

You judge!

  

  

Families are such a blessing.  And as I stand at the close of yet another year, poised to start a new one, I am grateful for new beginnings.  

Elder Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to this effect in his talk entitled:  

The Best is Yet to Be

Regarding the past, he encourages us to:

"Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors."

"This is an important matter to consider at the start of the a new year-and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life.  Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

"Faith is for the future.  Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there.  Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high priest of good things to come."

"Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever.  That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep."

Truly words to live by!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!