Kingdom of God Flourishing

On Wride Nation today (our family's fb messenger thread) I asked Joseph & Eliza and Ethan & Bella to text us their top few pics of Mary and Alvie from this past week. We'll start with little Alvin! Ethan helping him smile for the camera - 

He's amazed at the world! Those eyebrows don't lie.

Cute little Alvie!

His name embroidered onto his onesie, so cute. 

Cute cute little boy. And here is little Mary - 

Learning to hold up her head! You can do it!

Lay me down, I need a break!

Joseph sitting with her at the table. 

Then sitting her on the table.

I'm so glad that my children have been blessed with babies so quickly. Last month in our relief society class at church, we discussed President Holland's message from this past April General Conference titled "As a Little Child". My favorite part is from his message was the little excerpt that they put at the beginning of his message: 

"I testify that babies and children and youth are images of the kingdom of God flourishing on earth in all of its strength and beauty." 

These precious babies (according to Elder Holland) are images of the kingdom of God flourishing! That's a good thing to have going on in your home and family, so yay! 

A year or so ago, as Corey and I were watching the Chosen, Corey pointed out something that made me laugh. He was like "Where are all the kids? It's just not realistic! As if they were just all these 'free adults' with no spouses and no children?!?!" Yes, there is the one episode with all the kids, but after that one, you really don't see them very much. I'm grateful that children are a part of our life. 

They sure make it fun!

With their creativity and imagination around, there is rarely a dull moment. And I know that it is so good for Corey and I to have so many opportunities to forget ourselves and serve them. We went climbing tonight and brought Owen along. Corey belayed him and I bouldered. 

We went out to eat today with Corey's dad and his brother and sister for Father's day. Spouses were going to come, but then didn't, but I felt lucky to tag along with these three siblings and their dad. And since it's also Corey's birthday tomorrow, I didn't mind tagging along with my husband. Big day tomorrow - Corey's birthday AND father's day. 

We are headed to St. George tomorrow before picking up Abi in Las Vegas on Monday night. I guess we think it makes more sense to save money on flying by spending $ on gas and 14 hours driving in the car. Or we just like to fly out of Vegas! (2020 trip to Hawaii, Girls going with Corey to Guatemala in 2023, Christmas 2024 trip to Florida)

Last night Corey and I went to the Draper Aubergine for date night. Corey did a 36 hour fast since breakfast yesterday until date night. I was going to fast too but I kept giving up and giving in. A funny part of our conversation last night went like this - it made me laugh so I wrote it down. Corey said "I guess we need to go (to Thanksgiving in Park City with his fam)..." then I interrupted "cause we didn’t go last year, yeah…" Corey continued “did you know that you finish my...” and he didn't pause, but I said “sentences.” Then I clued in to what he just did! Haha, I need to try to not do that so much. But I guess we're thinking the same thing, or I'm trying to show him that I know what he's talking about, by saying it before he does. 

I went bouldering yesterday at 7:20 am, did 24 routes, then did a 4:12 min center plank and a 60 sec handstand. Listened to a good podcast while I climbed - on the Temple in the Book of Mormon (Stick of Joseph, guest Doug Chamberlain). Good stuff.