Our Christmas break

Tucson!
Chase, Calen and I were able to take a few days off and just relax with the family in Tucson. My favorite part was being at Reed Park and watching Calen feed the ducks (and goose) with his grandma. He was only scared of the big grey goose when it honked at him.

Snow!

Next it was up to Round Valley for some fun in the snow! Here's Calen hiding behind what was left of the snow fort made by his aunts and uncles.

All of Calens aunts and uncles on my (Heathers) side of the family, showing off their ice skating skills.Calen and his grandma decided to brave the icy river as well.Even Jessica joined in the fun! :) On Christmas Eve Tiffany opened her mission call. She was called to the Donestk Ukraine mission and repots March 14th!

Short Update

Calen in his dinosaur costume for Halloween.

My baby is one year old! I have loved every phase of Calens little life so far. He has been such a blessing in my life. The spirit he brings into our home is amazing and I can't wait to feel that again when Thing 2 comes along! Yes, we are expecting, again! It is a bit early to be announcing but I'm so excited I couldn't wait. Our next little ball of sunshine is due June 28, 2012.

The many adventures of Calen Mckay Wilkins...

Calen has become quite the climber lately and his favorite thing to climb on is his toy box.

                                                 
 This escapee has been caught red handed getting into moms books! He escaped in the middle of getting dressed and headed straight to the book shelf. Just look at that face, GUILTY!

 He loves the window and actually climbed onto the bed and pulled the shades up so he could look out into the world. Although I must say the back of the hotel is not much of a view.

As the adventures continue for all of us Chase and I are ever grateful to be in it together and to have this sweet little spirit to share them with.

Ryan & Kerri

Well, it certainly has been a long time. My excuse; I lost my camera charger. What's a post without a picture? Fortunately my new camera came just in time for my brother's wedding! I'm am so happy for him and his beautiful bride Kerri Crosby (as it were)!
She and he are now Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Quinlan. I think it sounds perfect. They were married last Saturday the 24th of September in the Snowflake temple. And what a lovely day it was to have a wedding. They were going for a white theme with accents of the Young Womens value colors (blue, red, green, orange, yellow, purple, and gold). Well, without further ado....

True love

blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ's great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships.

Jeffrey R. Holland (Created for Greater Things)

Visiting Springerville

My mothers day gift from my amazing mom-in-law. We made hanging flower baskets together. I've never done one before and I really enjoyed it. Momma Lisa (my mother-in-law) said watering them in the morning is almost therapeutic. So I call them my therapy flowers. Here's a picture of my in-laws back yard in the morning ....

...And, here's the front yard later the same day. There's Springerville weather for you. Calen, enjoying his new walker from grandma and grandpa Wilkins (and showing off those two front teeth).

Aaand, a picture Chase got of Calen eating his squash. Yumm!

Some Family Pictures

Mothers Day!

My first (official) Mothers Day. The past five and a half months I've had the privilege of being a mommy. It has been the most difficult and rewarding experience of my life. I also learned something about motherhood that I had never thought of before. Apparently in our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) Mothers Day is a pretty big deal. One of the traditions of most wards is to have a small gift for all the mothers in the ward on Mothers Day. Usually it's a flower or a small chocolate bar, in our ward they gave all the mothers a book called Giver of Life -Lessons From Eve.

'What! My first Mothers Day and no chocolate!?' Actually, this was better. As I read through this small but very enlightening book (it's really more of a pamphlet) the following concept stood out to me.
...When Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, God appeared to them. He cursed the serpent but (quoting from the book) "In contrast to His cursing the serpent, God strengthened and empowered Adam and Eve." He was giving them opportunities for growth, not punishments. Adam would have to work by the "sweat of his face" and to Eve He said "in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children" as it says in Genesis Ch.3. This is the short version but, it just gave me a new perspective, these were actually great blessings. I don't know if I'd really understand this if I'd read it before I became a mother myself. But in all honesty, motherhood is such an opportunity for growth although at times, (giving birth especially) there is quite a bit of sorrow. Just another example of how much God loves us. He blesses us with such marvelous (difficult but wonderful) experiences that, if we are faithful, will strengthen us more than we ever thought possible.