That's what it's all about.

Thanks for the encouragement. Now I will keep on truckin'.

I just did up a letter for a dear friend complete with pictures and realized I haven't done a family update on the good ol' blog for a while.

Things are busy, if you can imagine. Brandon and I are trying to make our schedules mesh as much as possible. Sometimes it doesn't quite work out and that's one of the reasons we are soooo thankful to have Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunties so close. In fact,Saturday morning we had a scheduling crash and Grandpa came to the rescue for about an hour.

I went to our Stake Relief Society Conference that morning (while Brandon was with the Elder's Quorum cutting up a tree that had fallen during the recent wind storm) and it was wonderful. The focus was on our gifts or talents and it made me think a little. In fact, when I got the invitation and it asked each sister to list some of her gifts, I was a little taken aback! I always feel a little awkward/boastful/proud when someone asks what my talents are. Like I'm bragging. I don't like it. Besides, my greatest gift is not something I can really share with others. It is my family. Now I'm going to brag on them a little.

We just got Sterling's second report card. He's doing great. He's reading and writing, he's really good at math and logic, and he's staying on task. That was one of my big concerns because he gets bored with a project quickly, but now he's doing fab. He's such a great big brother. The other day Hyrum was at Grandpa's (he stayed the night!) and Sterling asked the next morning, "When is my brother coming home?" It was so sweet! Even though sometimes they fight like cats and dogs, for the most part they are great buds. And, he loves, loves, loves Jonah. He plays with him, helps feed him, talks with him, and likes to hold him, if Jonah will hold still long enough.

Hyrum has taken over the job of being Indiana Jones. The ONLY time he takes off the hat is when he's at church because I just won't let him take it in. He sings the Indy theme song whenever he is on an adventure, ie. going down a slide, somersaulting, jumping over cracks in the sidewalk, you get the picture. He decided that his bike is his Indiana Jones motorcycle, too. It is really cute.

He is also the family comedian. He says the funniest things. The other day I got off the phone with Brandon and Hyrum asked who I was talking to. "Daddy? My daddy?! Wow, Mom, that's coo." Notice no "l". It's coo. Funny. He was also entertaining the Nursery leaders a few weeks ago with the theme the Star Wars. They got a kick out that.

The sweetest baby ever born (at least to me) is Jonah. He is so easy-going, loving, and playful. He chases his brothers aroung the house army-crawling as fast as he possibly can. He eats two-fisted and can't get enough. Ever. Holding him is truly cathartic. He's so stinking sweet!

I just won a fabulous bracelet from the blog I told you I follow. Truth be told, that's the only reason I shared her with you. I can't help it! I'm totally selfish.

I also got to go on a date with my wonderful hubby Friday night. Dinner, time to talk, and a new sweater. Can't beat that! I'm also up to my elbows painting and updating a credenza I got at the Goodwill to use as an entertainment console. There must be something wrong with me. Oh, here's my latest craft project. I'm gonna make these for my craft show.

The Elder's Quorum President has finally figured out how to manage his time and his presidency to maximum effect. We're all into the swing of it. He's trying to figure out what to do with our yard once the tax return comes in and we're looking at tile to replace the kitchen floor. 'Cause we have nothing else to do... Oh, and we're going to build a chicken coop for some chickens we'll be adopting in March. This is how Brandon can be found every Thursday. He gets to work from home.

And we've added another member to our family. We adopted Jadyn this weekend. Yup, there is definitely something wrong with us.

Anyway, we are really doing great. We've been talking about the blessing we are promised if we hold up our end of the bargain, and though we are far, fffaaaarrr from perfect, we are incredibly blessed and we know it is because we are trying to live up to our side of the deal. We like that

we have a promise. "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." And that, my friends, is what it's all about.