Beckam, Jilli and I went to the storage unit to get immunization records. When we went inside the unit, the door immediately slammed closed. Fortunately, we were able to pull the door back up from the inside, but we quickly discovered that the lock, which I had hooked loosely back on the latch was missing. We searched for several minutes all over -- inside the unit, outside the unit, by the fence, under the fence, in the grass, under parked trailers -- but we couldn't find it anywhere. Knowing my options were either 1) find the lock or 2) take my chances of leaving the unit unlocked long enough to run to a store and buy a new lock (the front gate was also open since they were doing construction work). Suddenly I decided that we should pray, (thinking "what a great opportunity to teach my kids about the power of prayer"). I said the prayer and opened my eyes, fully believing that the lock would be right there . . . it wasn't. We looked more and the more we looked, the more agitated I got. Had my prayer failed us? I finally gave up and went to ask the front desk woman if she would keep an eye out for our unit while I ran to the store, but when I walked into the front office, I noticed a rack of locks. I inquired about them and the lady told me that they were locks made just for storage units and they were priced the same as a lock you'd buy at Walmart. I quickly bought a lock, returned to our unit, locked it and on the way back to the unit I asked Beckam, "So did Heavenly Father answer our prayer?" To which Beckam wisely said, "Of course he did. We didn't have to go to the store and we got a better lock." Moral of the story is, prayers are answered -- not always in the way we want them answered, but they are answered. God cares. He even hears prayers muttered by a mother and her two children looking for a lock to their storage unit. I matter to Him. How grateful I am for that knowledge and for the faith of my children.

Miss J has been getting her "instead" and "in case" mixed up, so she'll say things like, "I better not wear shorts, instead I might get cold." I have a hard time correcting her because I think it's so darn cute!

During scripture study the other night, Beck was playing with some toys and when we asked him a question at the end his reply was, "Well, I heard the words, I just wasn't listening."  At least he's honest.

Before and after braces.

We went sledding as a family for Summer's 30th birthday.

My mom celebrated her 62nd birthday. I love her and this picture!

One of two times in Mac's life that I've seen him read a book for "fun."

Jilli and Hallie -- they became friends right from the start.

4th cousins.

Love this girl!

Mac and Aidan have such a great friendship!

Gavin and Jilli have really taken to each other and play so well together.

"Take my picture and send it to Ava so she can see my new purse."

Jilli and Grace out for a morning swim.

Happy 37th birthday to my sweet Nate! Love him more every day (most days :)

Mac's gift to Nate.  Notice the expiration date on them.

When we were at Myles's house for Super Bowl Sunday, Jilli was at the bottom of the stairs when Beckam threw a ball, that ricocheted of Jaxton's face, hit a candle on the stair wall and then fell and landed right on Jilli's thumb -- the perfect storm.  Her thumb had a nice sized crack from the tip to the first joint.  Poor girl!

"I'm sticking my broken thumb out the window so that Beckam knows which car is ours" (when we were waiting in the carpool line to pick him up from kindergarten).

Ava and Jilli and Ava's baptism day. So glad that Jilli has an "older sister."

I was feeling a bit homesick for my friends in NC when this package arrived in the mail.  Love Jesica, Nikki and RaeAnn!

Decorating Grandma Elaine's Valentine's sugar cookies.

Having a breakfast picnic with my girl.  She insisted on hand feeding me everything.

Mac and I have started "Monday's with Mac" where I lay with him for a few minutes each Monday night and we just talk.  This particular Monday all the kids joined in.

Miss J doing her sweet thing.

The boy's valentine's for this year. We tied a card around a "kool"aid drink. It was a big hit.