The Circle of Love

Yesterday we took what we thought would be an ordinary trip to Walmart as a family, however, it turned out to be a very rewarding experience. We had finished shopping and were loading our groceries into the car when a timid, sweet, elderly woman approached us and asked if we had jumper cables because her car wouldn't start. We checked the trunk and sure enough both the battery booster and cables were in my car (mini lesson: Dustin needs something in his car to jump a car battery). SO we told her no but the story does not end. My heroic husband recognized that it is hard to approach people for help especially in her case so he started asking around to people coming and going for jumper cables. Well, the first woman who the sweet woman had approached remembered that her son had given her an emergency kit that could possibly have cables and sure enough it did. So we hoped in the car and drove over to help this sweet woman jump her car. Because of the parking and the cables wouldn't reach, we had to push her car into the middle of the row (where cars go up and down) so the cables would reach the car. Well we attempted to jump her car but it just wasn't working. Meanwhile a SUV had pulled up behind us and was waiting to park but when the driver realized there was car trouble he hoped out the car. The driver just happened to be a mechanic. So he said well your car might be too small for this engine because it is so large so he pulled his car around and tried jumping it. So anyways it turned out to be something other than the battery. But Dustin had the tools in his trunk to fix the problem, the first lady who was asked for help had jumper cables, and the SUV driver had the knowledge. In the meantime our car had overheated and I had turned it off to rest, so Dustin came over and was working on our car. While all this was going on another shopper had come to her car and had observed everything that was going on. She recognized our fatique and hotness so she brought the boys and Dustin and I waters to drink while we waited for our car to cool down. A simple act of kindness was returned. It was also a testimony to me that the Lord does love us and watch over us. The Sweet elderly lady in need did tell us she had said a little prayer. She must be very faithful for she had all the right people in the right place at the right time. From this experience I also realized that there are still good people out there searching and finding opportunities to serve others around them.

SNEAK PEEK...

Here is a peek into our visit with Mima, Poppop, and Uncle Alex.. when I have more time I will post more pictures.

The Count Down

Mima, Poppop, Uncle Alex will be here in 3 full days... they arrive Thursday night. Austin is so excited that he has being watching out the window since last week. Every time I sat down, mom could you look out the window and see if Mima is here. Every door he hears close.. one of us has to check. Yay we are on the final stretch and have lots of fun planned. JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR THEM TO ARRIVE!!! Mason has already asked Poppop to share his new bed with him.

ETERNAL STUDENT...

Dustin and I have become eternal students! However we both see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am official.. I start back May 2009 as an Early Childhood Education major. Latley I just felt impressed to finish my education, so I made the preparations and I was glad I did when I read this month's Ensign and saw it was all about education and learning.

Lots to catch up on...

We have had many adventures and lots of fun happenings but I haven't had time to post.. so I will as soon as I can.
Something cute that did happen... Mason in nursery has been learning the song POPCORN POPPING so we have been practicing it at home. Well today in the car I said "Look Popcorn trees (because they are blooming here)" Mason's response A BIG GASP (like wow.. they do exist)!! It was just so funny and cute!

Happy Happy Birthday Mason Dear!

Happy Happy Birthday Mason Dear..
Happy thoughts will come to you all year
If I had a wish then it would be
A happy happy birthday from you to me!
My sweet baby is now 2 yrs old. It is so sad to think that my baby is not a baby anymore!!! He is growing up so fast just in the last month he is talking so much more, helping out so much, and his comprehension skills are amazing. Happy 2nd birthday Benjamin Mason Ray!!!
He had a "vroom" birthday party yesterday with his friends that was lots of fun. We read vroom books, sang vroom songs, learned to spell the word Cars, played pin the wheel on Luigi, ate vroom cake and icecream, danced around with our vrooms we colored, and had lots of fun. I will post the pictures as soon as I can from the birthday party.

"Alex" the lion

The boys love the movie Madagascar 2, so with some birthday money they received in the mail they decided to buy it. Well they, as well as Dustin and I, have the movie memorized. The other day Austin came up to me, quoted the movie, then proceeded mimic the movie. For those of you who have seen it, you should recognize this dance move from the movie, although Austin did his own twist and left his eyes open!!

One of those precious moments

The other day my attention was captivated somewhere other than the boys.. it got really quiet and I got really worried, but when I opened their bedroom door I found this scene. (sorry it is a very fuzzy picture for some reason) They were both lying on Austin's bed looking at books while Austin told the story from his book. It makes me so happy to see how they are going to be the best of friends already!!

A trip to Atlanta

This weekend was so wonderful! Dustin and I spent our Valentine's Day at the Atlanta Temple. It worked out well for us, our friends were suppose to come and Saturday morning at 5 something I got a text from my friend's husband saying he was sick and so was the baby so they couldn't go. We were bummed but quickly decided that we were still going to the temple. Not even a full minute after we made the decision to go and just switch off babysitting between the two of us my phone received a text saying that my since friend (who is a flight attendant who is stationed out of Atlanta) was already in Atlanta she would love to still babysit for us, so we could go into the session together. What an incredible blessing that was for us. We thank our friend for sacrificing her much needed sleep and day with her family to babysit for us. We love to go the temple and feel of the wonderful spirit there!

A great idea...

My friend from church Gail Gerloff is an amazing mom of 5 boys.... so when we met at the park last week I asked her for some things to do to keep my boys quiet during Sacrament meeting which is something we struggle with very much. She told me that she would buy the little felt pieces at Walmart and cut out coloful shapes and objects. You see they stick to the back of the pews. My boys loved them.. well Austin did (Mason was sleeping but I am sure he'll love them too) We had a fabulous Sunday and I was able to enjoy all of Sacrament today. Dustin talked so he wasn't even in the pew with me and I heard all of his talk and the high councilor speaker. It is a great, cheap, fun idea that the kids love. FYI the felt pieces were only .34 or .37 cents. IT WAS GREAT!!!