It is a momentous day. Our beloved prophet has passed away and while listening to the broadcast celebrating his life, the testimonies being shared are amazing and truly touching. I am sure he will touch millions and millions even in his death. How many lives has he touched, how many people has he met (the sheer numbers must be ...) ?? I look forward to hearing more about his life, faith and service in the coming days, and while his loss is a tremendous loss to us, I am sure he couldn't be happier.

"There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.

In the words of the Lord to Joshua, brethren, “be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God [will be] with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9)." - President Hinckley, April 2006 Conference Address

Quotable Quotes

What type of food person are you? Do you let the potatoes touch your meat, and freak if your jello salad or ketchup touches anything (like me), or do you pile your food high on a plate (potatoes, salad, vegetables,even rolls!), basically all on top of each other because you figure it all reaches the same place at the end anyway (like David)? Well, last night I promised Ethan french toast for dinner. I cooked, cut, powdered sugared it and poured the syrup before the prayer. Ethan said the prayer, and while pulling all the french toast up the side of the plate, said, "Please bless the syrup won't slide down the plate", along with about one other thing. Anyone wonder what type of person he is??? Neither do do we :)

Quotable Quotes

Ethan and I (and Ava) were in the car today driving, and Ethan said, "Who is he mama?" (said intently), and I said,"Who is who?" and he said "the guy singing... the guy said 'I just want you to know who I am.' " It was absolutely hilarious!!! I am sure many of you know that song - "and I don't want the world to see me, cuz I don't think that they'd understand, when everything's made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am"- or something like that. Yes, I know I shouldn't go on the show "Don't forget the lyrics". Anyway, pretty funny!

New Years Resolutions

Do you believe in them?? I definitely do. Anything to get me to do better than I am today is a step in the right direction (even if it only lasts a day), my only problem is that I think about them so long, I don't really set them, so if anyone has some really good ideas, let me know.

Also, since I like looking at pictures on other blogs, I wanted to add some more from Christmas time with our family. My sister-in-law always says "you want your boys sweet and your girls sassy" and Ava definitely has some sass- if you ever see her clapping in a picture, chances are it is for herself. She is as fun as she can be- kids are so great!

Welcome 2008!!!

I don't know about you all, but does anyone not LOVE Christmas?!!! This vacation has been so amazing- ok, so Dave took two weeks off, and I think I am ready for him to retire! We took Ethan skiing last week and he did an amazing job. He kept getting mad at Dave for trying to help him, but then would be even more mad that Dave wasn't there to stop him right when he wanted him too- I think Ethan has a lot of faith in him and Dave was determined not to let that go unwarranted. Well, the second run I came with them on (4th run for Ethan), Ethan lost it- I mean really lost it- laying in the snow and crying, mad at everyone and everything and David had more patience than I could dream of having. Dave asked if he wanted to ski with me and Ethan said yes, and I said, "you know your Daddy is probably one of the best skiers on this mountain" and Ethan said "no, I am the best skier on the mountain"....at least he has confidence in his skiing abilities. They went again last week and he skied all he way down the hill with David behind him- like father like son!!! They had a fabulous time!

We also went to my brothers annual New Years Eve party - the food was far too good and I now know where Ava gets her eating abilities- ok, from both parents. They have fireworks and a pinyata for the kids every year, but can I say, for me it is painful to watch kids of different ages with a pinyata- how many kids end up crying every year?? Too many, but although Ethan only got like four pieces of candy last night he was so happy because he got m&m's for Ava- Ethan is an amazing brother.

Ava is as crazy as ever. She got a signing book for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Whisenant and has learned (kind of) to sign sleep- it is pretty funny. Also, he idea of dancing is to turn around and around and around until she is too dizzy to stand. And she gets up and does it over and over and over. I remember doing that to my friends's little brother when we were little, but i never saw him to it to himself. Ava claps for herself everytime she does it- in fact she claps for herself when she does most things :) Well, I hope all of your Christmas's were merry and bright, and that you get through January and February ok- after this week I will anxioudly be awaiting March!! Happy New Year!!