The Mortensen Family

This year we are going all out--Celebrating 3 birthdays with a Big Top Circus Party! Carnival games, hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, and a circus show put on by us (you should see Todd juggle)! I'm having so much fun planning this. It is going to be spectacular (let's hope it doesn't rain).

Last night I made this doll blanket and pillow for Emma for her birthday. I hope she will love it. Tonight--matching nightgowns!

Todd and I switch off every other year to plan Valentine's Day. This was his year to plan something and he did a great job! He started off by giving me a box of See's candy (he hand picked all of my favorites) and a rose. He also had found a mixed tape that I had made him a long time ago. He found all the songs on iTunes and made it into a CD! It was perfect and made me cry at the thoughtfulness of the gift. So, we drove down to Newport Beach singing each other old love songs. Then he took me on a gondola ride through the canals of Newport Beach. We had cheese and bread and sparkling cider and had to kiss as we went under every bridge. (I must say there weren't enough bridges!) It was lovely and romantic and everything a girl could hope for in a date. It was the most perfect date I've ever been on. Now, how do I top that next year?!

Then on Valentine's Day we woke up to a heart message that Daddy had left us.












When Carson got home from school we decided to make marshmallow pops and deliver them to our friends.





Next, we met Daddy at the airport (he was in Sacramento for the day) with signs that the kids made. We got many comments from people walking by saying how cute we were. When we saw Todd, even Owen waved to him. He said he felt like the coolest guy in the whole airport.






Last, we came home to have a Valentine dinner of homemade macaroni and cheese (with heart shaped ketchup on it), heart hot dogs, heart jello jigglers, and strawberry milk.

"I had been abused and thrust into a dungeon, and confined for months on account of my faith, and the 'testimony of Jesus Christ.' However I thank God that I felt a determination to die, rather than deny the things which my eyes had seen, which my hands had handled, and which I had borne testimony to." -Hyrum Smith

During the Sacrament we have a chance to renew our covenants and remind ourselves to take upon ourselves Jesus' name. This means to be a representative of him at all times. In Sunday School someone made the comment that it might be easier to be asked to die for what we believe in, but in turn we must live for what we believe in. Every second of every day. Sometimes it's easier to make a big sacrifice but most of the time we need to make small sacrifices each day in order to take His name. Remember Him always.

Wyatt was brought into me during Relief Society with gum all over his neck. I tried to scrub it off and it wouldn't come off. So I told him it was just going to have to stay there forever. He asked, "Even when I'm an angel?"

Our Relief Society gave us workbooks entitled "Closer to Christ" with different sections that we are supposed to read and write about to help bring us closer to Christ. The first section is titled "Come and See"

"Life often feels like a great pile of obligations, frustrations, and disappointments. But the Lord is there, always the same, His arms still outstretched. When we feel overwhelmed we have to remember the peace He has spoken to us on previous occasions. His peace brings comfort and strength; the world cannot give that to us" -Kathleen H. Hughes

When the Lord asked his disciples to follow him, "straightway they forsook their nets and followed him." -Mark 1:18

I often feel overwhelmed or as I say, stressed out. I think that it is a woman's role to feel that way. As our Relief Society president taught today we as women often feel "vexed" or irritated, anxious, or annoyed. An in turn we vex others. Instead we should turn to the Lord in prayer. And he will help us overcome our challenges. We are not meant to to do it or figure it out alone.

I believe these are the things in my "net" that I need to forsake so I can follow him. I know Heavenly Father has helped me through many challenges and will still in times to come.

I need to constantly remind myself that I don't need to know the end (I'm a planner). I just need to trust the Lord will lead my life the way it should go, just as he always has, and enjoy where I am now.

We are crazy BYU fans (well Todd is, and the rest of us by default). We are so excited to watch the BYU basketball team on their road to victory. Grandma Paula sent us this awesome poster of Jimmer in the mail that came in the Provo newspaper. We immediately had to put it together and hang it in our house. So every day we get to look at him and be reminded of how hairy he is. (my kids have started calling him Hairy). Go Cougars!!

Last week I told Emma to go get dressed for preschool. She came out in her new red polka dot dress with matching headband and her sparkly shoes. I was a little surprised and she said, "I'll tell you a secret...I'm going to marry Dylan." (a boy in her preschool class). It made me laugh and Todd had the beginnings of hysteria. When I picked her up she looked sadly at me and said, "Dylan wasn't here today." All dressed up for nothing!