A Full Heart

My heart is very full this Sabbath day. I have so much to be thankful for. Who am I to think that I might have it hard? I have the gospel. I have the truth. I have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I have a faithful husband who holds the priesthood and who takes care of our little family. I have a healthy little boy who brings our family so much joy. We have income. We have a roof over our head. We have food on our table. We have amazing family filled with good, loving people who do so much for us. We have friends all over the world. There is so much to be thankful for, and if I ever start thinking otherwise, all I have to do is think of this, and my heart is happy.

The last two weeks have been amazing for our ward. Two weeks ago we had a girl get baptized and then last week we had another girl get baptized. Both baptisms were so amazing. I felt the Spirit so strong. I felt like I was at my own baptism. It's so amazing to see people become converted to the gospel. You see enthusiasm and you see joy and happiness in them because they found what can truly make them happy! I just love it! I wish I could go to a baptism every week.

At church today, we had more investigators come. A husband and wife and three children. In Gospel Principles class, you could see light and understanding in them. I could just tell they wanted to be there and to learn about what we were learning about (Priesthood Organization). It made me very grateful that I have this gospel. To raise my children in. I am and will always be grateful for my parents and their activity in church. Thank you mom and dad for taking us to church every week and for teaching us good values. Thank you for your examples to me. I think that I have always taken it for granted that I was born and raised in the church and had most extended family in the church as well. My heart aches for people who have had the gospel placed right in front of them and rejected it or didn't even give it the time of day. What a wonderful blessing to miss out on. I see Joe's heart ache all the time when he just wishes that he could get his family and friends to understand what an amazing thing it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints is...to have prayer, scriptures, service, and most importantly of all Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in their lives. I'm kind of starting to get a feel for how hard it is to be the only member of the church in your family. This isn't an easy thing for Joe and I, but we are grateful that we have each other, a ward family, and that we can raise Ryker and our future children in this gospel. To teach them that we do have a Heavenly Father and a Savior Jesus Christ who love them so much. They have a family that love them and support them. They are on this earth for a reason. They can be a good example and make a difference in the lives of so many. Families can be together forever. I am so grateful that my husband and children can be with me forever. This life and the life after this. The Plan of Salvation is very comforting and it brings me a lot of joy!

I just wanted to write this all down. It's a little bit jumbles, but my heart is full. I love this gospel so much! I love it, I do!

And just because I love this little man so much (and because he's so darn handsome), here is Ry in his Sunday best today! :Sad it's a little blurry, but the flash wasn't on. His eyes are watery because he was crying because he didn't like trying to walk in his shoes.

This is blurry too, but he is just so sweet!

Our Baby is 11 Months Old!

Yesterday Ry turned 11 months old! We cannot believe how fast he has grown! He is such a smart sweet little boy! Ryker has been walking since 10 months old, but recently he is starting to so fast that he's almost running! It is so cute to watch him waddle around the house! He is having so much fun walking and discovering things. He has started this thing where he points at everything; it is totally cute. Sometimes I am not sure if he knows what he is pointing at! He is also doing this thing where he likes to put things back (take it out, put it in; take it off, put it on) where they were. We think he might be a little OCD, but it's cute. He knows what it means to "go get another book." When his grandma reads to him, she says that and he waddles over and grabs another book and goes back over to her. It's so cute! He enjoys climbing up the stairs, climbing into things, and climbing onto the door of the dishwasher when I am trying to do the dishes. He is a great little helper. He likes to help with the laundry (take clothes out of the basket). If we put our hand out, he will stick what he is holding into our hand. He is learning to share. ;) He loves carrying things around, specifically things that are kind of big or heavy or awkward. Kinda silly! He has curly hair, and we think it's about time for a trim! It's getting crazy in the back! When he gets mad he throws himself back (as do most kids) and sometimes he'll lay on his stomach on the floor when he's tired or taking a break (haha). He is such a fun little bundle of joy and we are excited to continue to see him learn and grow! We love you Ryker Thomas!

So I forgot to get his 11 month old pics until after he was already bathed and ready for bed, so oh well!

walking down the hall

I had to grab him. He was headed downstairs. Yikes! Isn't he handsome?!

Birthdays and Valentine's Day

Joe's Dad's birthday was February 1st and mine was the 3rd, so we celebrated our birthdays together on the 13th (after Joe's parents got back from their two week cruise). It was nice because on my real birthday I had strep throat, so by this time I was feeling much better! It was a lot of fun to have family over, and everyone spoiled me, I must say. :)

Pretty sure Ryker thought everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to him! Haha!

I got a hungry 25 pound baby for my birthday! ;)

Family shot!

Joe's brother and his fiance got me a nook gift card! Yes!

Joe's mom got me some skinny jeans! This is me modeling them with the tag and untied shoes. They are way comfy!

Joe's sister and boyfriend got me this necklace. It's way cute, and this pic does not do it justice.

We had a nice Valentine's day. We don't usually go all out as some people do, but we did got out to eat at Legal Sea Foods with Ryker and shared a meal (because that place is pricey!). It was a nice time! :)

Joe got me a rose and one of my fave snacks flamin' hot cheetohs!
Guess what Joe got for Valentine's Day? Red Sox tickets for April 14th against the Tampa Bay Rays!

In January

So there was this one time in January...we took Ryker to Chuck E. Cheese. It was fun! And there was also this one time when we went to Ryker's friend from church, Jenna's first birthday party! In that order! Except the pictures aren't in that order, and I didn't feel like putting them in order. :)

Handsome at Jenna's party.

Playing with toys with the other kids.

Jenna and her cake (they didn't really give her that whole thing. They cut a piece out of it).

Ryker studying a ride at Chuck E. Cheese

Ryker and Chuck E. This was one of his faves. This ride took their pic every time you rode it!

Ryker isn't shy at all... He was waiting for him to "honk!" When he squeezes our noses, we say "Honk!" So, we thought this was pretty funny!

Ryker being a big boy!

I just wanted to throw this one in! Ryker in his Sunday best (except not his Sunday shoes)

Here's Ryker on the Carasoul. He did so well on it!


He loves riding Clifford!