The Zoo, More Texas, and a Financial Resolve

Letting Covey have a go at the wheel while Matt sells the Battlecat (his car he bought after his mission) to a scrap parts place for $200.

Two buds, yucking it up.

A message from Matt.

Covey loves to play with the throw pillows in this space between our couch and the wall. The other day he was playing on the couch with me and I wasn't watching him too close (woops!) and when I looked back, I saw his feet straight up as he went head first off the side of the couch. I was so scared and hurried to get him. The throw pillows down there broke his fall, but I was still sure he was going to be hurt or at least cry. When I got him up I bust out laughing 'cause he had the hugest smile on his face, like he'd done the coolest thing ever.


Last Wednesday, was a free day at the zoo. (Thanks for telling me about it Katie!) So, me and Cov went on a date.

Looking at the cougars.

Waving to the bears.

It was funny watching Covey tilt his head way back to look at the giraffes. I think he was amazed at how big they were. But, I also wondered what he thought about the gosh-awful smell in there...?

Mr. Tiger enjoying a meal.

It was a lot of fun, just me and my buddy. I hope we can come across more free activities like this. It was SO nice to be out of the house.

My mom sent me all the pics of Texas that she took with her camera, so here's more of that trip. I know I like to put a ton of pics on here, but I plan on making these posts into a book, so it's hard to leave any out.

Cov has started to appreciate teddy bears, lately. It's so cute to watch him cuddle with a furry little friend.

I love those slanty eyebrows, don't you?

Faye and Covey loving a good old-fashioned carousel ride.

Mitchell, Faye, and Covey being swung in a blanket. Do you think Covey liked it? It's hard to tell.

Two styling studs in Stacey's ties.

(Back at home) Mom, this is the sweater vest outfit you gave him for Christmas. Way Cute.

WHAT THE...? I know. I'm brown now. Matt and I have recently assessed our financial situation (mainly because our mortgage just went up $150) and decided some serious "belt-tightening" needed to happen. This is my major sacrifice. I told my hair lady I won't be able to get my hair done for a long time, so do whatever it needs to grow out naturally. I miss my blonde hair already. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Matt takes as much "on call" as he can and works really hard, so at least I feel like I'm doing something. It's kinda depressing, but it'll be a daily reminder that we're in a "necessities only" stage of life and I got to keep trying my best to save money.

On a happier note, I saw Boyd K Packer yesterday!! He spoke at our Stake meeting and it was so wonderful. The Apostles are the best people on earth and hearing him speak reaffirmed all my priorities and resolve to be a much better person.
I am so blessed to have the gospel in my life and to not take advantage of all the knowledge I have by living as perfectly as I can is really sad and won't cut it. Our goal is to live with Heavenly Father and be eternally blessed alongside our loved ones and I won't make it there by living 75% of the gospel. I should be attending the temple as much as possible, giving 100% to my calling and visiting teaching, being more productive in a day, limiting the wordly influences in my home by watching very little TV, building my food storage (which is non-existent), and studying the gospel daily (not just reading my scriptures). Those are the things that have been tugging at my conscience.
While I was listening to President Packer, I was thinking about how he is the type of person who will live with Heavenly Father... And how far away I am from being anything like him, so how will I ever make it? But, it IS possible to be that kind of person. How did he get there? And his wife? And the other great examples in the church? By making it their first priority. And more than anything, I want Covey and my other kids to be that kind of person and that means that I have to be.
(Sorry, for the rambling, but it's good for me to write it out like this.)