A Good Day

The title of today's blog comes from a wonderful email we received from my sister-in-law Elise. My brother is serving in Iraq. Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent Elder Pieper of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy to Iraq. We were told in my brother's letter today that the Church has worked for 6 years to send a representative over. Today Iraq was blessed to become a district. Elder Pieper told the men and women that just because they're in Iraq and may not know the language, they are still shining a light everywhere they go (the soldiers are not allowed to proselyte in Iraq). Bryce's letter truly conveyed his feelings for his family, the Church, and we could feel the Spirit behind what was written. War is not something we want to see happen, but we know that because of it many special and great things can come about.

The rest of the day was good as well. When Mike made it home from church and Landon has awoke from his three hour nap the boys went for a bike ride. Landon looked especially cute today thus the pictures below. The three of us played for a few hours and it was joyful to be together.

We are slowly packing every day to get ready for Christmas Vacation. Mike and I are excited are trying to tell Landon all about what will be happening in about a week's time. I am not sure how much blogging we will get done before we leave, but I am sure we will post plenty of pictures while in California.

Landon's First Trick or Treat

Here is Landon at a door. He loved following the kids we went with to the door.

Will and Fran (Fran the chair of Mike's dept.) Gave him more than candy. It was Christmas.

It was really windy when we went out as you can tell by the neighbors hair. Landon darts in front of cars for this mother and daughter pair.

As soon as candy went in Landon would try to pull it right back out.

This is Lucky Dolce the dog next door. We call him Lucky, Landon calls him Ucky.

Landon and Miles.

Landon was a sport to wear the same costume again, I know he doesn't know the difference but it was a little too small and so he put on a brave face for the picture.

Eating a hot dog before Landon' night out on the town.

Landon received a great birthday present from Uncle Riley and Aunt Breanne. He really likes the fun coloring books and crayons. Thanks!

Landon and Papi decorating cookies at the Branch Halloween party.

Below is Landon at one of the doors he went to. Landon scored at least 4 full size candy bars.

A Little JibJab Fun

My SIL put a fun little Jib Jab music video together. See if you can guess which one is Landon.

Click on this link and see it for yourself.

A Quick Fun Trip

Blog Post 1 of our 3 day trip to Pennsylvania. 1200 miles, $40 in tolls, a nice time meeting other adoptive couples, and a quick fly through Gettysburg makes for an exciting weekend. Landon was AMAZING on such a long car ride. He captures our heart. He officially turned 2 while we were traveling and we enjoyed every minute with him. A few pictures of Gettysburg will come later. Those in charge asked us to blog the FSA Northeast Regional Conference so that is our top priority for now. Just 3 weeks til we head out west and as Hallie looked at the 10 day forecast and the 40 degree temps that are on their way it won't be soon enough.

Landon after he woke up inside Boyds Bear Country

The only bear I may have bought, and Army bear for dear Bryce

In front of Boyds Bear Country. Landon was hard asleep. Cute Halloween backdrop

When Hallie was younger she LOVED Boyds Bears. Times have changed and she still likes them but not as much. So I guess it was a bit anticlimactic to go to Boyds Bear Country after all this time. We did not buy one thing.

Landon and Papi in the Hershey Gift Shop

Landon enjoyed spending his 2nd birthday surrounded by chocolate and being able to run wild

Some outside shots of Hershey Chocolate World

Landon definitely enjoyed the chocolate we received from taking some of the tours at Hershey

The colors were amazing and our cameras don't do it justice

Some Thoughts

A while back, my friend Aaron turned me on to the BYU speeches podcast. Recently, Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy and President of BYU-Idaho gave a powerful talk called Are Ye Stripped of Pride? I took it as a call to reflection. Take a look, a listen, or a read if you get the chance.

Also, Elder Scott said something in his October conference talk that I only caught on a later hearing and which meant a lot to me: "I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear." In my work, we are encouraged to trust our five senses only, and yet much of what I know to be true about the gospel comes from those impressions of the Spirit to which Elder Scott referred. I can't explain some of what I know without going beyond the five senses.

Anyway, Happy Sunday! We enjoyed our trip to PA, and photos and story will follow soon.

You've Had a Birthday; Shout, "Hooray!"

On October 23rd Landon turned 2. We decided to celebrate with our great neighbors before we left for Pennsylvania. It just so happens that their son Miles birthday is the same day as Landon's. We met up at a local burger joint where we all ate dinner. While we were waiting for our food there were sirens going down the street and a bit of a commotion. We had no idea that we were eating dinner right on the parade route for the local High School's homecoming parade. Landon sat on Papi's shoulders enjoying every minute of it. The band, the cheerleaders, fancy cars, fire engines, and all of the kids cheering on their year with pride. It made eating a bit easier since he was able to get some energy out before sitting and trying to eat a burger and fries. After our yummy burgers we went back to our house and had an ice cream cake with none other than Lightning McQueen on top. Our $6 was well spent when we found out that the car could be pulled back and would then race forward. Landon went to bed saying, "Car, car, car, car." All while Mami promised him he could have it first thing in the morning. Miles and his family gave Landon a great Mega Bloks set and he had tons of fun playing with it. Yet, still at 2 getting the tissue out of the bag was almost as fun. Miles received from us a gift card to Ace Hardware and a speed limit sign. He collects them and was very happy with his gifts. Miles is so good to Landon and we could not have been happier to spend the evening with them.

Coincidence that our order number and Landon's age were the same.

Miles and Landon each had a balloon so everyone knew it was their special day.

Watching the parade with rapt attention.

Every parade has to have a fire engine and living in a small town ensures that the police can block off the streets for a 30 min parade.

Miles picked the ice cream and Landon picked the design. He has watched Cars every day but Sundays since the middle of July.

Landon almost did not make it till the neighbors came. Landon kept on insisting that he should have the car.

Mile, Landon, and across the table Gabby playing peek a boo.

Mark and Dawn the parents next door. They are so nice to us and especially Landon. Mark recently cleaned our gutters and Landon was so amazed at watching him climb the ladder.

Miles, Mike, and Gabby playing with Landon.

Dawn and Landon.

Landon went at the cake with his fork. No holds barred this kid.

Miles and his presents. I will have to take a picture of Landon with his present another time and post it. We were all having so much fun. Next time you hear from us we will tell you all about Pennsylvania (Northeast Regional FSA Conference, Hershey, and Gettysburg).

Not Exactly Martha

Hallie's attempt at being Martha pictured first. The inspiration is last so as there can't be any direct comparison :)

Since we will not be in Michigan for nearly two months I thought we should take our favorite friends at WSU treats before the holidays. When I received my Martha Stewart Living Magazine for October I found something I was sure I could do. I never quite read all of the directions for things or look at the fine print. Just now as I was pasting this picture did I see that the pros had the box that is open stuffed with stuff so it looked like a lot of Jelly Beans. So when I started stuffing mine we figured it would cost us nearly $96 to fill the boxes the way I thought they should be done. So in the end we ended up with Candy Corn and M&M's. It worked for our purpose and all of the folks at school loved Landon's little gift. It is so wonderful to take Landon to Mike's work and have all the ladies oohh and aahh over him. Even the Dean demands his presence when we come to visit. Needless to say mom is always a lot more worried about her little monster when we go and visit.

Safety for the Soul

On my (Mike's) bike ride with Landon this crisp and sunny fall morning, I listened to Elder Holland's talk, Safety for the Soul, from October 2009 conference. Poetry.

I removed my earlier post. Seemed a bit heavy, even for my tastes. ;) I will just keep this bit, though: "What the Church and the gospel represent goes so much deeper than a clever young man, a claim to prophetic gifts, a talent for storytelling and organization, and so on. There’s a richness and a subtle elegance to it all that is profound and beautiful and that can be understood if you’re willing to just keep at it and trust it will make sense in time."

I feel like the point of the gospel is to teach us about love for ourselves and others. Through the gospel, we learn about God's love and how that love gives us hope in Christ, the capacity to see beyond ourselves, and the goal to become like God and Jesus Christ, whose work and glory is wholly centered on love--on building others up to become like them, partakers of eternal life. I see the Church is the social vehicle that helps us practice God's love as we work with others and get over our selfishness through living the gospel and serving others. It all boils down to love. If you can get that, the rest will fall into place.