for elliott...

Elliott, your pictures did make the cut. Trevor wasn't crazy about his closed mouth smile (braces you know). I sometimes worry that I put far too many pictures up, but who cares, I take thousands so whatever. These were all taken by you, Elliott...thanks for humoring me. I know I am the most obnoxious picture crazed person ever!!! Also, thanks Alisa for taking notes about the blessing. One of my favorite parts of Lily's blessing is this...

"We bless you with peace in this difficult life that you will know the love of Heavenly Father and know of a surety that you were guided to an eternal family that loves and cares for you."

Lily has a calm and peaceful way about her. I hope she will always have that. It is a true gift in such a chaotic and challenging world to be able to hold fast to your inner peace and quiet. Lily has already taught me so much about being calm and enjoying simple things in life. She loves to simply "be". My brother Jonny's favorite scripture is "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalms 46. I believe Lily will have the gift of being still and knowing who she is and what is important.

Everyone asks about the big framed motto in our home which reads...Keep Calm and Carry On. You can see it from our front door. I love it and I love that Connie and Brandon gave it to us when they came to visit. Brennan asked me once, "Mom why do you like that saying? You are not really very calm." I explained to him that I want to be more calm...I am striving to be more like that, hence the family motto. He accepted that answer and once again reiterated that I am in no way a calm person. He is so right, especially when we are running late for something. And while, peace and calm in no way come naturally to me...I am starting to have more of it in my life. Lily helps bring it into our home. I love that about her. That is what is so amazing about having such beautiful, different, and strong personalities in a family. We all bring different attributes, opinions, and ideas to the table. That makes us a big, fun, crazy family. There are some days that I can barely wait to see how each of these little children will develop, what kind of people they will become. And in the meantime, I am trying to enjoy the journey.