Liz and Josh....Josh and Liz???

Yesterday we celebrated Liz and Josh's birthday. I was a bit confused because Liz is married to Josh, but it wasn't his birthday. It was Josh, our youngest grandson's birthday. So Liz is standing in the picture with Josh AND Josh. Hence, Liz and Josh....Josh and Liz. Anyway we had a lot of fun celebrating and eating cake. Josh was fine that it was a Sleeping Beauty cake. He didn't seem to notice. As soon as he tasted it, he was more than happy to eat all he could get.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH ANNE LEWIS HORTON

Hey Liz! We are so happy that it is your birthday! We are so grateful that you are part of our family. Neat that you found Josh and had such a wonderful wedding. WAY TO GO!! This was a big year for you. You are 21 years young. Amazing!! We sure love you because.....

E stands for elegant (just look at those wedding photos!)

L is for listener (the best one in our family of interrupters!)

I is industrious (way to work two jobs all summer)

Z is zealous which is how you approach your education!

A stand for Ally (we have her because of you)

B is beautiful, inside and out!

E is easy to get along with...no drama here!

T is the traveler (New York all alone....amazing!)

H is harmonious. You like "all to be well".

We love you Liz. We can't wait to celebrate on your special day. Thanks for being the neat person and example that you are!! loveyoutonsmom

Sorry to put this over London's walking.... but looky looky

My kids. And Katie's boys. It's just the greatest thing ever. It's just beautiful. What this woman can do. Christy, I do adore you.

Did I mention...

She's actually been taking steps for a few weeks now, but only recently have we seen actual walks across the room. And getting braver every day.

When you tuck your kids into bed at night ask them these two quesitons....

I have learned a great deal about kids because of my chosen profession. I have shared a lot of this information with my little "mommies" because sometimes they ask me. Sometimes I share when they don't ask, too. Even though I have "mothered" four wonderful daughters and some other wonderful little mommies as well (a.k.a. Kelsey and Brooke), been involved in education for seventeen years, and studied psychology, I am still learning. I read a wonderful article in the Ensign today. There were so many great ideas that I just had to share one or two.

The question was "I love and am grateful for my young children, but I sometimes get distracted or discouraged by the practical details of raising a family and I struggle to remember what an important work it is. How can I better align my day-to-day actions and attitudes with gospel truths about family?"

My favorite answers:
FOCUS on what YOU do well... (not what someone else does well)
Don't run faster than you have strength. (limit your "lists")
Try to keep the big picture in sight.
My favorite and the whole reason for the post.
When you tuck your kids into bed at night, ask them these two questions.
1. "What was your favorite time today?"
2. "Did you have any sad time today that you would like to tell me about?"

You are all doing a great job. Be sure to tell yourself that once in a while. LOVE YOU!