Remembering Christmas

 

 As the Christmas season begins we get so caught up in the decorations, gift giving, parties, and baking.   Elder Uchtdorf gave an excellent talk in the devotional this past Sunday that touched my heart and brought my thoughts towards Christ. I got to thinking about how many gifts Jesus Christ has and still gives us. 

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I love all the decorations, parties, food, and gifts but I especially love the spirit that Christmas brings. When I take a minute away from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday the spirit and love of our Savior touches my heart more then anything else. I am especially thankful for all the many gifts we are given by our Savior. Thinking of his greatest gift, the atonement and his life in this world, is what makes me so grateful. Now isn't that what Christmas is all about? Mother's don't let the the hustle and bustle take the spirit of Christ out of your home, especially this time of year. It is the greatest gift you can give your family. One thing we try to do as a family, to keep the spirit in our home, each year is to choose a family we know that is less fortunate than us and anomalously give them a Christmas gift that might be beneficial to their family or bring smiles to their faces. I encourage all Mother's to make sure that there is something you do in your home each year that mimics our Savior and all the wonderful gifts he has given us.

I love you all and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.S. Watch this:  Video from the First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Jennifer

Best Bites Cookbook

This is a great cookbook done by two LDS Moms. who love to cook. they won on the Home and Garden Best Cook off

There is a great variety of recipes and lots of great tips. There website is great and you can print off alot of the recipes with lots of good feedback.

Here are some that I have tried:

Bacon wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Baby Potatoes

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (i baked my longer than the recipe said, cause then they were

too doughy.

Candied Walnut Salad

.Gramma

Hi I am the Gramma of this mother’s 4-us blog. 

These four little angels are so unique and are such a joy to get know.  Becoming a Grandparent is truly as wonderful as the quote says”

“If I had known grandchildren were this much fun I would have had them first.”

Since they are all little now, I love to hold and cuddle them as it always brings back fond memories of when my children were babes.  Being a grandparent is like being transported back in time and falling in love all over again, this time with your children’s children.

Baby Lillie

LILLIE MARJORIE LOCKING

AGE 4 WEEKS

I love Lillie!

Theres not really a whole lot I can say yet. Cause we are just learning and seeing how she is. I love how she changes soo much, everyday she has something new to show.

AND
I love how much her daddy loves her! 

I love how she folds her arms, even though she doesn't know she is doing that.

I love how small she is and was, and how cute she looks in her car seat! 

I love all the different things she does, especially the ones that remind me of her daddy, like for example, she loves blankets!

I love that we have a family now! 

I love her big blue eyes!! 

I love how she brings out the love in people, and how much people love her! 

and how much she loves looking and taking things in.

I love my little girl, and getting to learn how to do things for her and with her. I love being a mom even though I'm new and not so good at it yet. 

JANELLE

Breakfast Cookies! Really?

Not really sure how I came across this recipe, Healthified Oatmeal Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies, but my kids ABSOLUTELY loved it. They both ate about five cookies each for Breakfast. The best part was they were excited about eating cookies and "Mommy" didn't have to worry about how many "cookies" they had.

Tip:  Follow the recipe exactly.

Jennifer

MR. KAI GUY

Kai Dennis Locking

Age:  21 Months

Kai is our little man.  He has the perfect combination of my compassion and Ryan's......silliness, he makes even stranger's hearts melt.  Kai loves to explore and loves to observe.  He loves to 'watch and learn'  Kai already knows how to turn on the XBOX and get Netflix going, plug in headphones into the correct jack and put them on to start listening, pick out the right key, stick it into the ignition and turn the key, and one of the more important skills, to fold his arms to pray and be reverent.  Right now, everybody is "Mum" and everything is a "Ga" (car).  Everything is driven/pushed around like a car, whether it's a tupperware container turned upside down or a computer mouse.

Kai loves nap time.  Especially when he can share it with someone.

Angie 

INTRODUCING THE O'NEAL KIDS

Cosette Hazel O'Neal

Age:  2

This is my (Jennifer) daughter in the above picture. She is a smart little girl who I can proudly say is POTTY TRAINED already. This little girl has a huge zest for life. With her happy, yet emotional personality she already has the strength and athletic ability of a four year old. As a Mom I am enjoying doing activities with her and the older she gets the more fun they are.

Everett Marlin O'Neal

Age: 1

This is my son Everett who's smile can light up the darkest room. (This pictures doesn't do his smile justice) He loves to play with his sister and makes sure he is never left out from anything. My boy is also showing signs of an athlete while learning his first words: Momma, Dada, Banana, Yes, and No. Mommy loves to make him laugh! I know one day he'll get all the girls with those big blue eyes.

WATCHING DADDY MOW THE LAWN

This is a favorite activity for my kids in the summer. They are both so amazed (as you can see above) at this machine that cuts the grass.

As a Mother one of my favorite things is to catch those moments, like this one, where something so simple to you is most amazing to them. It lights up my world as I know it does theirs.

Always savor these moments and have the camera ready!

Jennifer