






This year I want to copy something my friend does and say all the reasons I love my kids and spouse on their birthdays. So here goes.












When she's not wearing it, she's usually carrying it.
She often wants everyone else to wear their coats too and cries until we, if not put them on, at least hold them. Grant, of course, thinks it's because she's too cold. Or because she's bored and wants to go outside. I keep telling him that I don't think one-year-olds think this way; I think she just likes it. It's just like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. It hasn't been a problem so far since it has been nothing but freezing cold here. But, come summer I hope we aren't having to carry around a winter coat everywhere. Maybe she'll be attached to her flip flops by then.



When they started singing, he started yelling, "Blah, blah, blah" which is why his tongue is sticking out in two of those shots. For some reason, he was determined to not particpate the way he was supposed to. After the first song I whispered to him that he wouldn't get anymore Valentine's candy if he didn't sing normally. So, for one brief moment he had a pleasant face:
But then, he laid down on the floor for the rest of the song. It was his way of still not cooperating, even though he "technically" sang the song "normally" because he was singing all the words. Does anyone else think I might have a problem on my hands when he's a teenager?
At least he cooperated for a picture with Ava:

This is Claire with her favorite Valentine from school - a Superman tattoo (she and Cole have been obsessed with superheroes lately).
And here's Ava with the two suckers she fought tooth and nail for from Claire's candy stash. Claire finally gave up trying to take them from her and just got herself another one - she's a good sport.

Hope you all had a love-filled day!
The leader of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons), passed away last Sunday. I would like to pay whatever small tribute I can to this great man. He has been a strong influence in my life and on my testimony. President Hinckley has been the prophet as long as I have been truly active in the church. For some of those years he wasn't the actual prophet, but the prophets that he was under were so ill that he was the only leader I really saw. I loved his sense of humor, as did everyone. He always seemed to brighten the somewhat serious mood of General Conference and anything else I ever saw him speak at. I think that's part of what made me love him so. I often take life and the gospel, in particular, way too seriously. President Hinckley would change my perspective, lighten my load, make me feel loved and accepted by him and by God. Nothing could have been more helpful or meaningful to me. He helped me to feel and believe in God's love for me, something with which I have always struggled. As I've been watching his funeral and memorial on t.v., I've been filled with deep love and gratitude for this man who gave so much to me and to all members of this church. His life makes me want to be a better person, more loving, more humble, more focused on what matters, more committed to the gospel. I love the description of him used today, "He wore out his life in service to the church." I hope I can become more of what his life exemplified.