What is this world coming to?

I had a few thoughts concerning the horrible tragedy that happened last week.  As I learned of the shooting, I felt numb to it (sad, to admit).  It took me a day or to to become fully engrossed in it.  I have been thinking nonstop about the families of those children that were lost, the poor children who witnessed everything and will somehow have to cope for the rest of their lives, for the shooter, for his family, for the community, and for the world, really.  So many fingers have been pointed.  So many people have decided they need to blame something or someone.  I'm sure, if we all knew all the answers there would be something to blame and we would be correct, but we don't, so we aren't. 

I have been thinking of the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma.  Alma and Almulek were witnessing horrible things... murders of children.  Almulek asked Alma to stop it, using the Holy Priesthood.  Alma responded with.. The wicked must prove themselves.  The righteous, no matter the pain on earth will receive an award bigger than the tragedy. 

Not that I am downplaying this horrific occurrence at all!  The children who died last week are now sitting safely and lovingly by their Savior.  However, the wicked must prove themselves in this world.

Yesterday, I was sitting in church, singing my favorite Christmas hymn.  "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day."

1. 1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
   Their old familiar carols play,
   And wild and sweet the words repeat
   Of peace on earth, good will to men.
2. 2. I thought how, as the day had come,
   The belfries of all Christendom
   Had rolled along th'unbroken song
   Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. 3. And in despair I bowed my head:
   "There is no peace on earth," I said,
   "For hate is strong and mocks the song
   Of peace on earth, good will to men."
4. 4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
   "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
   The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
   With peace on earth, good will to men."
5. 5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
   The world revolved from night to day,
   A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
   Of peace on earth, good will to men!
6. Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882
   Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827-1905 
    
    
   Of course my thoughts turned again to Connecticut, as they seem to with every subject.   I feel that the "what is wrong with this world," comment is answered here.   Hate is very strong and peace on earth seems, unreachable.  However, I have faith that the wrong shall fail and the right prevail.   I cant imagine all the pain the wrong and right will have to endure as we work toward peace on earth.  
    
   What a horrible Christmas memory these families and this community will have from now on.  What a big decision they have to make as to how to continue.  My deepest sympathies go to them.  I hug my babies a little tighter now, and kiss them with a little more intent.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wrote a whole blog post and started to read it.  I realized it was all me complaining and whining about one particular trial i am having.  Turns out, that does not help the situation nor does it fix it.  Also, I am pretty sure it is no fun to read about.However; just like the Hymn says... i must count my many blessings to see what the Lord has done.   I feel taken care of in many ways and blessed by so many people.  This trial has helped me grow closer to my Savior more than ever before.  it has helped me understand why we have trials, and i have even had an occasion to be thankful for my trials.  :)

I am thankful for my faith.  I am thankful for my testimony of the gospel.  I am thankful for my husband.  I am thankful for my children.  I am thankful for the Scriptures.  I am thankful for a warm place to live and sleep.  I am thankful for food.  I am thankful for my parents and siblings who love me and are always praying for me.  I am thankful for in-laws who also care.  I am thankful for laughter.  I am thankful for great Christmas music that brings a great mood into my home.  I am thankful for little "mama, can I lay by you" in the middle of the night.  I am thankful for exercise.  I am thankful for hot baths.  I am thankful for friends. 

There ya go.  Those are probably 1/100,000,000,000 of the blessings that the Lord has blessed us with.   I have so much.  I often look at other peoples problems and think that mine are easy and not nearly as trying.   Why is it so hard to forget this and think "Wo, is me?"  :)

So, happy thanksgiving.  I going to be more thankful... more full of gratitude... happier. Here are a few pics of us... happy!

My precious..esses

Jaromy in front of the Taj Mahal

Lagoon

Happy 4th birthday Carter!  Cowboy Party... and no we don't believe that all cowboys went around topless.. it was at a splash pad.

Summer camping with my family... Volleyball action

Happy 2nd birthday to my Baby!

Mud Run!  Crystal and I ran a 5K dirty muddy run.

Carter, obviously taking his soccer game very seriously- as he is tickling his teammate.

New discovery about myself- I enjoy making cakes.. very amateur.

Carter's cowboy cake

hello again.

Yep, its me. After 3 months one might think i had given up... but here i am.
Lots have happened since November, but at the same time... not much. Here are some pictures of the happenings for the emery family!

Sadly, I forgot the camera for the Thanksgiving festivities. We went back up to Idaho to spend the week with my family. We stayed with my sister for a few days and with my parents for a few days. We had so much fun. We ate and ate and ate. Carter and Chase had so much fun with their cousins. We were able to just relax and have fun. It is always a blessing to spend the day of thanks with people who I give thanks for everyday!

I couldn't resist this picture. Chase was exceptionally excited to have a helmet on.

The first real snow of the winter. Carter and his friend are playing. I swear there is a sled underneath them.

We didn't have any snow gloves for Chase or Carter yet... oops.

Chase loves to clap. He loves to clap even more when he is being messy- usually accompanied by an "uh-oh"

"Matchy Matchy Green Squared"

My parents do the 12 days of Christmas.   So for many days before Christmas we have a new present to open.  The kids love it.  On this particular day, we got a gingerbread house.  The boys really enjoyed putting on the frosting and then eating the candy!

The finished product

 

 

This picture is not a great one... but my wonderful sister in law... in the pink polka dots- bought all of us onesie jammies for Christmas eve!  Mine happened to be neon green with blue lips all over them.  I looked like i had just walked out of a Dr. Seuss book!  HAHA! 

While in Springville for Christmas, we went to SLC and saw the temple lights.  They were so pretty.  It was beyond cold, so needless to say, our walk and visit on temple square was quite short!

Our family took a little vacation to Phoenix to visit my brother and his family right after Christmas.  Carter was so excited that he would be able to see a cactus.  He wanted to take this picture, however, he wouldn't get any closer because he didn't want to get his back poked.

Happy New Year's!

While in Phx, we went to the zoo!  It was so great.  Even though i grew up there, i don't remember the zoo at all, and the Boise zoo isn't quite as accomplished... we wont even mention the logan zoo! 

Rex and Carter... good buddies!  Cater is a giant!  Rex is 1.5 years older!

So while in Phx, some friends and i got together.  We were all great friends in high school, and i hadn't seen many of these girls for almost 10 years.  It was a blast to see them, meet their kids and catch up a bit! 

Have any of you been on the bridge that goes over the Hoover Dam?  Well, I have.  I almost had an anxiety attack looking down and holding my kids up that high!  

The thing that really got me is that as we got up to the walkway on the bridge, there was a sign that read "In case of an emergency, please call 911" 

YIKES!

On the trolly at the zoo!

Once home and the holidays were over, it began to snow again.  This picture is from February.  It is the first snowman ever made by the boys or myself!

Sledding!

After church!

Show my your lips!  Chase has some serious lips and Carter tries, but just doesn't have the skills!