Mother's Day

For Mother's day, we had a little potluck at Stockton Lake and here are the pictures to prove it!
md-1
md-2
The cousins & uncle Cody had a fun time "racing".
md-3
md-4
md-5
But mostly we just hung out, visited & ate.  Oh yes, & we celebrated my sister's b-day!  (One more year Sheen...& you enter the wonderful world of 30's!!)
md-6
md-8
md-7
These are my sister Kyra's two oldest girls. I just had to get a picture of this! They remind me SO much of me & my younger sister Shannon! They were a little shy when they first arrived & held hands wherever they went. But Lydia (the oldest) was the more shy one & more of the instigator. That was totally me & Shannon!! These girls just melt my heart!
md-9
md8
You know, as much as I adore Gracie...I see all of my sister Kyra's facebook posts & instagram pictures about ALL the mischevious things she gets into (sharpies, nailpolish, paint, make-up, climbing, etc.) and I just wonder...should I be worried that Liam & her get along so good?!? LOL!
md-11
md-10
md-12
Happy Mother's day to both my moms!

Through the joy of his Son...

I've been getting lazy with actual picture taking (thank you iphone & instagram!).  But I did find some photos that I just love...and I did have something I learned a few weeks past that I wanted to share.  Two totally unrelated things...but here I go!

In the Book of Mormon, in Alma 33, Alma is preaching to a group of people called the Zoramites. I've read this chapter too many times to count, but this time, the last verse stood out to me.

"And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith.  And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life.  And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.  And even all this can ye do if ye will.  Amen."

Our burdens are light through the joy of his Son.  I thought of the times where I've dealt with burdens- an eating disorder...shyness...severe humiliating acne...break-ups & heartbreaks...school stress...financial strains...rejection...the list could go on (but I don't want to muddle through too many sad memories haha).  Different sorts of "burdens", but they all had a common thread.  Something that ALWAYS gave me comfort was knowing that Jesus Christ is one acquainted with grief.  He knew (knows) how I felt (feel).  He loved (loves) me despite my imperfections/sins/trials/current state/whatever!  Somehow my burdens became bittersweet.  They were still burdens.  But I felt my heart being sealed to the Saviors.  I felt a deeper level of love both for and from Him.  And that felt joyous!

Easter egg dying.
egg
egg2
egg3
egg4
The Springfield Zoo.
zoo1
zoo2
zoo3
zoo4
Lazy Sunday afternoon.
sunday1
sunday2
sunday3
sunday4