It has been awhile since I updated this blog...need to be better about that. We are still getting settled in our home...bit by bit, piece by piece. Our home is still not completely finished, hoping that this month, that will be accomplished.
So today will be just a little bit of everything...home, family and travel.
We took a fast trip to see Shannon and family (48 hours :/ work was calling. ) but we had a fun little stay....just hugging on the kids.
We visited the kids schools, played a good round of King tut miniature glow in the dark golf, visited some model homes and just hugged on the kids. Happy Day
We are still working on putting our home in order...most everything is in...the part of decorating will probably go on for years....slow and steady wins the race.
Last Christmas Danny gifted me a piano for the new home...and happy Day it came to the house this week!
Now I'm just working on cozying up this area. A rug, baskets, plant?....not sure. I'm in no hurry...working on finding the right things that are within my budget.
We celebrated Audrey's 6th birthday...but according to her she says she feels like a 20 year old or maybe 12 or 7. Silly girl.
Lincoln and Alene
I have been working mostly on the living room...stages, stages....bit by bit. (and it may change from time to time until I find the right combination...Do you do that?)
Living room- still a work in process ....looking for just the right items to put on the mantel. Looking and waiting.
Piece by piece working on the kitchen.
We had our first ever stage play in the kids "secret" playroom. The playroom is no where near finished....it will be a work in process for a while I believe. But we want to enjoy it in the meantime.
Beanbags for the win!
We had all the kids come in their Pj's- missing Conner, Payton, Anna, Nicholas, Ellie and Christian
(we were able to mark their height on a wall)
The cubby to the left is a reading nook...it will evolve over time.
We gathered our family together for Family Home Evening.
To dedicate our home.
Church members may dedicate their homes as sacred edifices where the Holy Spirit can reside and where family members can worship, find safety from the world, grow spiritually, and prepare for eternal family relationships. Homes need not be free of debt to be dedicated. Unlike Church buildings, homes are not consecrated to the Lord.
A Melchizedek Priesthood holder may dedicate a home by the power of the priesthood. If there is not a Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the home, a family might invite a close relative, a home teacher, or another Melchizedek Priesthood holder to dedicate the home. Or a family might gather and offer a prayer that includes the elements mentioned in the preceding paragraph and other words as the Spirit directs.
Kitchen and dinning room...work in progress ...it is always the last 10 to 5 % that takes all the time . Plus it is the fun part (smile)
The copper hood that I painted. To see how I did it follow this link.
I also taught a lesson in Relief Society this month- I choose this topic to talk on- "The Lord will carry our burdens but not our baggage."
Found in Sheri Dew's book "If Life were Easy, It wouldn't be Hard. and begins chapter two on page 25. This story really inspired me and I hope that by sharing it you will be inspired too.
I gave each sister a luggage tag as a handout.
"Burdens have the potential to exalt us, but baggage just weighs us down and wears us out."
"Behavior that injures our brothers and sisters, even when it feels justified, loads us down with trip-around-the-world-size baggage, baggage we can't carry without wrecking our spiritual joints."
It has been a busy month of family, home , church and travel.....and I'm trying to enjoy every minute of it!

Happy Day!
Thank you again for all your encouragement ....have a wonderful day!