Our Family: Our Christmas Jar, year 2...

"Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly. Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes. This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. " Thomas S. Monson

December 20, 2013

Our Christmas Jar, year 2...

This year we saved our coins and went out to the bank to count how much we had saved with just saving our loose change!
This year we saved $50 and we decided to buy some toys for 2 little boys. A little 2 year old and a little 3 year old.
Kiptin had fun buying for the 3 year old, he said "i know the perfect presents for him" and picked out motorcycles and blocks!
For the 2 year old we bought blocks as well and some monster trucks...kaylin loved walking through the isles and picking out toys for these two little boys.
Our ward did an angel tree for a few families that have fallen on some really hard times and we thought that would be the perfect place for our "Christmas Jar" money to go!
I LOVE that we do this each year, i hope this next year will be even better and we can do more! What a fun family tradition this has become for us and our little ones!

Kaylin's Funnies!

set up: nick and kaylin are playing video games.

"your not very good dad, you should let me show you how to do it"

"Iam really snart, i know stuff " (snart: meaning smart)

set up: kaylin wants to sleep in our bed.

"kaylin you need to sleep in your own big boy bed"

"but that is my 3 year old bed and I'm 4 so now I can sleep in this bed with you. its a 4 year old bed"

set up: kiptin pulled the filter off the vacume and I couldn't figure out how to put it back on.

"oh mom why did you take this off, let me fix it"

"no kaylin leave it alone, let daddy fix it"

"I can do it...see mom, fixed"

(a very stupid mom moment for sure...its sad when your 4yr old is smarter then you)

“One’s life….cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free….Therefore, how can you and I really expect to guide naively through life, as if to say, ‘Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!’ Real faith….is required to endure this necessary but painful developmental process.” Neal A. Maxwell