This morning:

This morning: 

I woke to How the Day Sounds by Greg Laswell 

and was completely motivated not to waste any of this beautiful Saturday!

I took the dog jogging with me around the neighborhood.

The air smelled sweet after last night's rain and the morning felt cool.

The mountains in the East were a gorgeous shade of blue in the morning sun.

I'm happy.

a Name and a Blessing

Naming and Blessing Children

“Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name” (D&C 20:70). In conformity with this revelation, only worthy men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may participate in naming and blessing children.

In modern revelation, parents who are members of the Church are commanded to bring their children “before the church,” where the elders “are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name” (D&C 20:70). This is why parents bring babies to a sacrament meeting, where an elder—usually the father—gives them aname and a blessing.

I cannot express the gratitude I feel to have the power of the priesthood in my home.  It truly is heaven-sent and a blessing in our lives.  I know that we are extremely fortunate to have a husband and father who wisely honors his priesthood!  


Charlotte's blessing was lovely and heartfelt.  It felt great to have friends and family supporting us.  Some traveled many miles to be there, some traveled just a few but we are thankful each and every one made the effort to be part of our day!  Afterwards we had a luncheon at our house or soup, breadsticks, and - in honor of Grandma B. - some German Cake for dessert!  It was a breathtakingly beautiful day, unseasonably warm and sunny!

More information about priesthood blessings can be found HERE or at the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is www.lds.org.

it's a girl! (and no, it's not ours)

Our sweet niece Avaree was blessedat her Grandma & Grandpa Taft's home in February. Here are the pictures from that exciting day!

---

Halle could not be happier to finally have

a GIRL COUSIN on her Taft side!

---

Beautiful Grandma

-----
ya gotta love trying to get a bunch of kids

to sit still for a photo...

Blessing a blessing

In January, Brett and I loaded up the kids so we could drive up to Rexburg for my great-nephew, Jack's baby blessing. We were going to stop at my brother's house in Layton, where my parents were and caravan together. We made it out of the driveway and to the stop sign when Carson threw up. Lovely. Turning around, we unloaded Carson and Brett who were now destined to spend a vomitous weekend together while I took the kids, and now my parents in my car, up to FREEEEZING Idaho. Our trip may have gotten off to a smelly start, but in all it was wonderful! This was definitely a special occasion as it took a lot to get little Jack-Jack here. Very emotional and I was filled with such gratitude and happiness for Jeramy and Shannon. Don't you love the picture of Shan and I above? We had to laugh because we had on the SAME SHIRT! Just different colors. And no, that was not planned. Our minds are just so in synch! Here are some pix after the blessing as well as when we went to dinner at Frontier Pies with the most of the Mecham gang.

(Doesn't Jack look just like his daddy? He's Jeramy's mini-me!)

Love you, Lane!
Can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!!!