Thankful Thursday

I am thankful...SO thankful for these people. My sweet husband who loves me unconditionally. My beautiful children who make me so proud to be their Mama. My sweet Abby who fits into our family so seamlessly. Her wonderful parents who raised such an amazing daughter and James...the little brother Kevin always prayed for. Funny how things work out exactly right. I am thankful for them all.

Wordless Wednesday

I'm not sure if I have shown you these pictures yet. I have a few from Kevin's wedding that I like looking at over and over. These are a few of them. My awesome personal photographer HH took a lot of great shots to help me remember every second of this day. Jo had started complaining that her shoes were killing her feet.

I suggested she take off her shoes. It was cool and rainy but it had to feel better than brand new, super high heeled shoes. 
"But I can't get them off" was her reply. So what's a Mama to do? Help her, that's what!

Her feet did not want to come out of those shoes. They were on good and tight.

VICTORY!! Sort of....my sweet girl did the rest of our time at the temple without shoes and she was just fine with that.

Sad face. I do love this little face. She cracks me up so often with it. I love her more than I can say. Thanks for the mamories (ha) memories my Jo. Can't wait to see you in 12 days!!!

Updated "Family" Gallery Wall

This is what my family photo wall has looked like since the second week we moved in just over two years ago. Nice, organized, balanced....boring. With the overhaul of the basement bedroom I was feeling the need for a small project. I needed to change out the picture of Jo for one of her senior pictures and that required a major shake up.

I took down the photos from the wall and laid the ones I knew I'd be using on the floor. I used a measuring tape to make sure I stayed within the size constraints.

I knew the big picture of Jo would be changing and that I wanted some different smaller photos from our lives. I gathered some frames and threw them down and went to work.

Here is what I came up with. I think I will be looking for a couple more frames to fill in here and there, but overall I am very happy with how it turned out.

I need a new Reader family picture. The little one I have is SO out dated. The square frame will have a metal insert and will be a cute magnet board.

The top frame I bought at Good Will for $1. I couldn't get the back off so I just painted over the glass and put vinyl on it.

In these 5x7 frames I want to put photos of Jim and me and my favorites of the kids. I just have to get them all collected.

As soon as I get new and updated photos of my nieces and nephews  my wall will be finished. Family is everything and using their faces as art in my home makes me happy.

This is my new favorite quote from Elder Holland. It came into my life at a point when I was questioning whether or not my prayers were being heard.

Family is everything. Not matter if it is family you are related to by blood or family you pick up along the way. Jim and I were watching a documentary on how to be happy. One of the main ways people around the world find happiness is through associating with their family and friends.

And of course my kids....if you have had a conversation with me in the last 22 years, you know all about my kids. I love them more than I ever thought possible. They are my soul. Every Mama should be as lucky as me.

So there is my new wall. Having pictures of my family like this makes them seem so close. Do you have a lot of family photos??

I am linking up with Met Monday....Check it out!!