We're still here... sorta

Ah, well as you all know, we moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in May.  And I have been meaning to blog about all the coolness here, but every time I sit down, I think of the vast amount of things I haven't blogged about, and it overwhelms me.  I knew I would try to blog it all in retrospect.... which wouldn't have been pretty. But we are just up to the usual, you know....

shopping at Costco in our PJs

 eating copious amounts of sugar

 taking the occasional nap

 celebrating a first birthday

 ...with cake.

 accessorizing and beautifying

 strolling around Temple Square

 giving ourselves tattoos

 starting Joy School!

You know... all that normal stuff.  So we are still here, and we are really enjoying Salt Lake.  We have good neighbors, fast friends, and a wonderful ward.  We are blooming where we have been planted.  We are loving life.  Jesse just spent 2 weeks in Brazil, enjoying the perks of a job with international travel... poor baby has to go to Hawaii for 2 weeks in December too.  But we thank the Lord everyday for is hand in our wondrous, very full, but amazing life!

A good reminder to us all

Lately, I have been reminded how often children are put aside for "more important things".  May we all be more present in the lives of our children and grandchildren, because they truly are the important things!

Sometimes things are just.... things

Have you ever considered the vast amount of STUFF we accumulate as human beings? Or should I say... as Americans. Be honest with yourself, you have one, the junk drawer... the miscellaneous closet... the "keep the door shut room."

Why? Why do we do it? Why do we feel we need it? It's just stuff. We think that this or that will make us happier, more fulfilled. But it doesn't, it is just on more thing to clutter our mental inventory list. We worry about our things.

So here's to cutting back, to consuming less, to simplifying by ridding my life of the things that just take time away from my family.

Did you notice in conference, over and over, they mentioned how happy and carefree the African people were, despite their poverty? I hope one day I can be humble enough to let go of my earthly possessions and care more about what matters most!

Finally!

So as most of you know, my phenomenal husband built me a goat pen for Christmas.  And after much searching... and some weird encounters, we are pleased to announce:  We finally got 2 doelings! They are babies, so they won't be weaned and ready to come home until the end of March, maybe begining of April. Aren't they cuties?!

Unnamed baby #1

 Unnamed baby #2

 HOORAY!  I can't wait till they come home with us!