Our family made the long trip out to see us over the holidays!

we visited the Nauvoo Temple, the church historic sites
and Carthage Jail

played in the snow

had loads of bonding time

and blessed sweet baby emmett

Dax cried for nearly two hours this morning after their leaving sunk in.
We all knew it was inevitable but we sure hated to see them go.
Come see us again......any time!

Emmett has clogged tear ducks and the infection seems to be going away now with the eye drops. We're hoping they'll clear so that he doesn't have to have surgery to unclog them. Other than that, he's been a good baby so far. My first three were all colicky or had acid reflux and that usually starts around 2 weeks, so I'm just waiting but also hoping that maybe this one will be different. Regardless, I love, love, love having a baby. I do hope when my kids are all grown that I am content as I am now.

The first snow storm and snowman of the year! Nothing makes my kiddos as happy as when it snows!

Last week I had a dear friend come stay with me. She cooked, cleaned, took care of my kids and was my sound board for a few days. She even sent Greg and I out one night for a date where we found all 4 restaurants in town closed so we settled for a root beer, jerky and a kitkat from the gas station and parked by the Mississippi and watched a barge slowly move up the river talking about how we can't believe we're the parents of four! What a time we had....thanks Marianne!

The other day I was reading my scriptures, finished and thought, "I did not learn a thing" so I reread what I had read and came across this verse in 2 Nephi 4:16: ". . . .and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard". I couldn't help but think about all the people in my life who I have seen and heard serving me and others around me. I find myself throughout the week pondering about all those my path has crossed that have changed me forever and made me want to do and be better. I'm so thankful for that in my life. I believe that that was Heavenly Father's intent from the beginning. He put us here--together--to learn and grow. I love that we are all in this--together--and that we have the capacity to inspire others. To everyone I have ever seen and heard serving ...... thank you, thank you, thank you. I will never be the same.

Interactions with Emmett

4:14 am: Emmett crying
I find Dax hovering over Emmett
Me: Dax what are you doing?
Dax: singing to Emmett. I heard him crying so I woke up!

Me: Lucas, will you please hold and rock Emmett while I put Nolan down for a nap?
Lucas: Sure
A few minutes later
Lucas: Rarrrr!! Rarrrrrrr!!
Me: (yellng from upstairs) Lucas please don't yell at Emmett
A few minutes later
Lucas: Rarrrrrrrrr!!
Me:Lucas, why were you yelling at Emmett?
Lucas: He has the hiccups and I was trying to scare him!

Nolan: tiss ead, old em, tiss ead, old em..............(kiss head, hold him...all day long!!)