Romans 5:3-5/A good life!

Although James loves being a big brother, he has struggled adjusting to it all. His tantrums have gotten pretty bad. Between his increasing tantrums and my lack of sleep, I feel like I am reaching the threshold for what I can handle. Yesterday I became very overwhelmed, at times, all I could do was hide away in my room and pray for help. As I did so, I received some great insight. I felt that the Lord did not expect me to not feel overwhelmed and frustrated. What I was experiencing was overwhelming and frustrating. But in return,  I was not acting uncivilized, instead I was turning to the Lord for guidance. And that is what makes the difference.

I realized my experience with my second child hasn't been like being a first time mom. I had tribulation that worked my patience when James was born, but I have gained experience from that, and with that hope and confidence. Many of the things I struggled with then are not the things I struggle with now, simply because of the experience I have gained. I am now stronger than I was 2 years ago. The things I face now are different, but they to will give me experience and strength to face different and harder things later. 

As I pondered these things this morning I was reminded how beautiful this pattern of life really is. It is part of the plan of happiness.

"We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, HOPE: And hope maketh not ashamed; because of the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Because of this truth we can have joy and we can have a good life despite the hardships. Today James and I found this video online and have been jammin' out all day to it. 

Big Brother, Little Brother

 Of all of life's little wonders and miracles, these are two of my favorites!

Our Little Landon!

Here is our little angel... with Hair! The delivery went well and he is a happy, healthy baby! And James LOVES being the big brother!

I am so blessed to have my three boys! They are incredible. Families are what this life is about. The relationships we get to build help us to reach our greatest potential.

As I was watching my new little one, I thought about how the relationship I have with him and James should be an example of the relationship I should have with God, my Father. The amount of love I have for my little ones is simply a beginning of the Love God has for me, and He desires to be as close to me as I am to my little boys. My Heavenly Father is there to love and guide and nurture me, and is the only parent that can do so perfectly. The only thing that keeps us from having that close of a relationship with God is ourselves. It is our choices and our desires that bring us or takes us from God. His arms are waiting for us.

I am grateful for all the witnesses of God and His love that surround us, if we open our eyes we will be amazed and humbled at the Hand of God that is manifested in our lives.

Bible Videos

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has begun producing New Testament Bible videos that can be viewed and downloaded for free at lds.org/bible-videos. There are some great videos with such a strong spirit of truth manifested in them. This is one of the newer videos and is one of my favorites. I feel that it is very powerful and contains beautiful truths taught by the Son of God.

It's a Boy!

The Ivies are proud to announce that another little boy is on his way! 

We are so excited to see our family growing and I'm sure James is very excited for another football mate. As I think about raising these boys, I get nervous sometimes. How am I going to teach them good and righteous principles in the world we live in. Some how I have to teach them how to overcome things that I never had to deal with as a youth. I am so glad that we have living prophets to help guide and encourage us in what is right. If I can help my boys can listen to the prophets and dare to stand alone for what they know is right, then they will be able to overcome whatever they have to face in life. 

Love, Love this video. And hope my boys will dare to stand alone too!

The full talk can be accessed at lds.org

The Life of a 2 Year Old: Eat, Sleep, Play Football

Last night, about 45 minutes after we put James to bed, we could hear some gentle banging on his door. When we listened more carefully, it stopped. 15 minutes later we could hear it again. I went to check on him and as I slowly opened the door, James said "Hi!" and came rushing toward me with a football in his hand. We realized that he had never gone to sleep and had been playing football all along. It was so hilarious!! Our little boy was playing football in the pitch black of his room at 10:00 at night. Football is in his soul.

This is how James plays football... 

(He especially loves to play when he can watch football at the same time.)

If We Truely Understood Who We Were

Lots of new/hard things have been happening in life lately. But as always, these things help me to more fully realize how much God does love us and how much His hand is truly a part of our lives.

Yesterday, I turned to Russell and said, "I sure wish I could see who I was before I came here, because God sure thinks I am someone that I don't think I am." I think we all have moments like that, when we feel overwhelmed and overpowered. We feel like we can't handle everything we feel we are expected to handle.

But despite our feelings of weakness God will shower us with His tender mercies. Although unexpected, God granted me my wish today and showed me a glimpse of who I am and who I can become. As I have sought Him, I have felt His loving arms encircle me and guide me when the path was unknown.

We are greater and stronger than we think we are! And I know that it is only through God that we can become all that we are meant to be. We may not see it, but He can and He will lead us as we let Him.

Year in Review

We have had such a wonderful year, so much has happened and our little family has learned and grown so much!

Jan 2011-James' first set of Carharts

James learned how to crawl

We went to Bear Lake, or should I say, Bare Lake? It was quite cold, snowy, and deserted. But James enjoyed his first go on a four wheeler.

Went swimming at Crystal Hot Springs

Played some football

 Went camping

Celebrated our 2nd Anniversary

Took a family trip to Oregon

 

Learned to be daddy's big helper

(And yes, we even got rid of the binky!)

Went camping some more

Learned to Walk

 Went surfing

Celebrated James' First Birthday!

Painted Pumpkins

Dressed up and played mini-golf for Halloween

     

 

Lezlie-Anne Graduated!!!

Played in the snow and leaves for the first time!

                                                           

Played some-moe football

Finger painted

Had a wonderful Christmas

And even got a tricycle!

It has been a wonderful year and we are excited to see what this next year has in store for us. If it is anything like this past year, it will be full of many of life's wonderful moments. Moments of joy, moments peace, moments of learning, moments of laughter, moments of love, and even moments of trial, fear, sadness, and frustration. But each of those moments make us who we are and help our family to grow...growing ivie...climbing higher, growing stronger.