Inauguration Day

All politics aside, I loved Inauguration Day. 

Pretty cool watching all our past presidents, and other political leaders coming together. They embraced, spoke and shook hands. 

Finnley's favorite part was the cannons firing,

and seeing the helicopter take off. 

After Finnley requested that we "coot"

She loves helping me cook.

I had this beautiful vision of brownies cut into star shapes.

We could called them our

patriotic treat.

The brownies came out of the oven soft, warm and fragrant. 

Lunch time came and past,

 Spencer is home and the girls are both asleep.

Taking advantage of the quite moment, we each get a spoon and dig in.

9pm Sharp

The sound of raspy coughing and nose sniffles fills the home. 

Tonight I am tired.

The girls didn't fuss as I helped with the night routine. 

They are so tired. 

All lights out at the Palmer place, 

9 p.m. sharp.

”[s]ometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” President Monson

The Desire to Create

Because my Spencer is sick,

He stayed home from work.

He Encouraged me to paint.

 So I did.

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before." Elder Uchtdorf

This one man

One of my  2017 goals,  to be happy in the moment.

Today was all things Martin Luther King Jr.

 I read facts about his life to Finnley, listened to his DC speech, and painting multi colored hand prints. 

 For dinner we ate his favorite foods. Fried chicken, corn bread, and collard greens (spinach). As I cleaned dishes, we listened Jazzy music that he might of liked. 

I am brought to tears by the impact of this one man. 

This one man changed history. 

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK Jr.

This is my life now

Kysa just finished her first week at good ol' BYU-Idaho. 

 I felt the excitement of her new life as I helped her sign up for classes, find an apartment, submit homework, talk about boys and roommates. 

It brought so many memories of my first semester at college.

 I felt a longing for those days. 

The freedom of going, and doing anything. The luxury of wearing jewelry. Taking classes, reading books, having a job, and being with friends. 

Everything was new and exciting,

the possibilities were endless.  

Its 9pm

 Finnley is snuggled in bed with her blankets,

 I can hear Avens sleep coos from the swing.

Looking back at the pictures taken throughout the day,

I know this is what I was meant to do,

Love and

Teach these little girls. 

"God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

. 

GrandMOM

Everyone is happier when Grandma (GrandMOM as Finnley says) comes to visit. My second Mom has been staying with us while she is helping Skyler get ready for his first semester at BYUI. The toys are picked up, dishes cleaned, and Aven is in snuggle heaven. 

Because Tina held Aven, Finnley and I went sledding. After bundling her up, she looked like a marshmallow. I pulled her around the parking lot a couple of times, then down a little hill by the park. Her chicks and nose were the color of a cherry by the time we came inside. I wrapped her in my fluffiest blanket and put on Princess Sophia, hoping she would still long enough to warm up. 

For dinner everyone came over and we ate pizza, bread sticks and chicken wings. I love having family over.

2016 Highlights

Some of my top favorite memories made in 2016

Finnley's first steps

Graduating college with a Bachelors in Marriage and Family studies, Spencer in Web Development

Spencer started a new job in his field

Entering an art show

Mommy snd Me swim lessons with Finnley

Kysa coming to live with us

Becoming a aunt

Play dates with dear friends

ADDING AVEN TO THE FAMILY 

Thanksgiving with the Wagners

Finishing the Book of Mormon

Christmas on the Farm

Celebrating 4 years of marriage with sushi 

Spencer is my #1 supporter in all aspects of my life, but especially in art. After years of not creating art, with his support and encouragement I enrolled in my first college art class. Months later he gave me the courage to enter a local art show.  

Christmas on the farm

Playdates with sweet friends

My cute anniversary dates