blessings

I have so much to catch up on. Have to start somewhere. We have had weeks and weekends with visits from family and old friends. We spent an evening at the State Fair. I've started a training schedule for the half marathon Sara and I will run in January. And I joined another boot camp. In an effort to bring some balance to my life, I am determined to document a little this week! But we are grateful to be anxiously engaged. Lately I've been so in love with my mommy/wifey life. I am especially grateful for these mental snapshots:

• Grace sharing her testimony for the first time in sacrament meeting a couple weeks ago. She started asking about doing it last month and so we had a family home evening centered on the event. That fast Sunday morning Grace was all smiles. We sat in church and she asked me over and over when it was her turn to go up. As soon as the mic was turned over to the congregation Grace walked straight up. She began "My name is Grace L* for anyone who doesn't know me. You might know my parents, or my brother, Grant..." She then proceeded share very sincere and unrehearsed feelings about her Savior. It was hard to not to laugh and cry. Sweet girl.
• Grant singing nearly every word of nearly every song in the primary program. We had no idea that he knew the songs so well, nor that he would be so happy singing them whilst seated in the front row. 
• Eden's current fascination with sitting on things. She spots her target (someone's lap, a pillow on the floor, a random piece of paper, toys of all shapes and uncomfortable sizes) and backs up to it until she senses she is in position. Then she lowers herself. Most of the time she makes it. Even she gets a kick when she misses.
• Cori's smiling face when I came home yesterday night. I had been away and it had been a long day. But Cori made dinner, cleaned up the house, and kept the kids blissfully happy. Then after the children were in bed, we made pages of lists. To do's, menus, shopping lists... so excited for the holidays.