If you follow me on Instagram, then you already saw this photo/drawing. Sorry, but I love it! My brother, Ian, who is on an LDS mission, sent this in the mail to Elanor! Elanor often sends Ian her artwork (we only send her best pieces) and he usually sends her a drawing back. It is often just a funny little sketch, so it was wonderful to get this beautiful water color. Ian wrote that it is his dream tree house. Elanor and I have had a fun time looking at it and exploring all the little areas. Can you spot the tire swing?
Siblings! (minus Ian, who is on a mission in Iowa.)
We went home for the weekend for my youngest brother, Erik's farewell party. He is leaving on a mission for our church tomorrow! He starts off at the MTC (missionary training center) to learn the language, learn how to teach, etc. and then he heads off to Sweden in January!
It was wonderful to be back and spend time with family and especially, Erik, as we won't see him for two years!
I made Elanor an Easter dress! Let me say that again, I made Elanor an Easter dress!! I am surprising myself just as much as most of family members are surprised by my new found sewing abilities (they really aren't much). I have mentioned several times on here, just how bad of a seamstress I used to be. My Young Women's leaders can attest to this! I was so bad at sewing and understanding what I was supposed to do, they would often have to sew a lot of my project for me. Oh, and cutting straight lines. Yeah, I am pretty much the worst cutter in the world (that might not be entirely true).
I have sewn Elanor a few little shift type dresses, a skirt (so easy!) and her halloween costume, but this was the first time I gathered a skirt and attached it to a bodice. It was quite easy actually. This was also the first time I made a peter pan collar, and it went pretty well, but next time I will do it much better. My next dress I do want to try sleeves out, but for some reason I have been a bit nervous to try.
I also made a little bow for her hair.
Also, this whole dress did not cost me anything to make! My friend, Becky, gave me some fabric that her Grandma has given her. So, this was a cheap project for me!
I also took way too many pictures of Elanor in her dress (I knew I would not get much of a chance to on Sunday morning), so enjoy if you have not seen Elanor in awhile!
Pase!
This picture cracks me up!
She also really loves her dress, which make me happy!
Since it is Easter this week, we have been reading about Jesus' life and watching the corresponding Bible videos . It has been wonderful and great prep for this weekend. If you feel the need to get into the Easter spirit, then watch this beautiful little video. It will do your heart and soul good.
As everyone knows it is Easter this Sunday! I am exited, as I love this holiday, both the spiritual and temporal aspects. I love Spring, new life, blossoms, spring flowers, baby animals, etc., so I enjoy celebrating that. More importantly, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the new life and new beginnings we can have because of Him. To get you started on some Easter prep, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has some great resources. Check out the Seven Days Till Easter activity/scriptures you can do with your kids, here.
We have been pretty busy, but also having a wonderful Christmas time. It feels like it is going so fast this year.
Elanor and I went and saw a local production of The Nutcracker ballet. It was so fun to take her, but made me miss ballet so much.
Elanor is all ready to go into the theatre. She would not make any normal faces....
Cute little outfit, all from my mom.
Elanor just waiting for the show to start.
We went and saw Santa down at the Gateway and it was very fun and relaxed. We loved this Santa, he was tiny, super old and adorable.
If you live in Utah, seeing the Temple Square lights is a must.
Elanor's birthday was last week, but she had her party this week, so Tyler could be there. She had a Charlie and Lola party. Charlie and Lola are books by the British author, Lauren Child. It was also made into an adorable children's show in Britain (almost all of the episodes are on youtube fyi). Elanor is pretty much really, really into them (as she would said).
I made a chocolate cake with peppermint frosting (Elanor's request).
Tyler drew this awesome Charlie and Lola backdrop. Elanor is wearing some "Lola" bows I made for her.
We had a coloring table.
We watched one 10 minute Charlie and Lola episode while drinking some homemade pink milk.
Elanor opening gifts!
We have had a fun and busy week. It is not over yet! My mother-in-law got in last night. She came to see Elanor's recital, which is tonight! Then, tomorrow we are driving to Oregon!
to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). I do not often talk about it here, though I clearly state so in the "About Us" section. I suppose I don't because not many people read this little blog and many of the people that do are already LDS (Mormon). However, for those of you are not Mormon and do not know much, if anything about this church then I invite you to watch General Conference tomorrow. General Conference is basically like a church meeting being broadcast to all of the members of the church (or anyone interested) all around the world, but we are listening to talks given by the leaders of our church, both male and female. There were already two sessions today, but don't worry there are two more tomorrow! They are broadcast live at 10 am and then another session at 2 pm (mountain standard time). You can watch it here.
In case there was any doubt, I want everyone to know that I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. While there is truth is most churches and religions this is the only true church with a prophet who speaks from God just the same as in biblical times, because God does not change even if the rest of the world does. My testimony is simple. I know God lives and loves me, along with every single person that ever was, is and will be. I know Jesus Christ saved all of us because He and God loved us so incredibly much. I know that the Gospel left the earth when the last of Christ's apostles died, but was restored to the earth in its fullness in the 1800s through Joseph Smith. I also know family is central to pretty much everything and that God wants us to be happy and to be the best possible version of ourselves just like our parents do here on earth.
You can watch this little intro to conference video here:
My friend, Becky, also wrote a very good post on the same topic here.
To many people, believing in God may seem like that person is so very hopeful or simply uneducated. However, I am aware of the world, aware of science and I know that everything makes sense because of God and because of this Gospel. It really makes sense and that is why I believe it. It does make me happy, but more than anything, I know and have felt how true it is and cannot deny it.
