Healing the Sick

I found this article quite interesting, particularly this part:

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings. When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied: “That is very inconsistent according to my faith. If we are sick, and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel of salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow, without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and [then] to ask my Father in Heaven … to sanctify that application to the healing of my body.”

Thanks, Leah, for sharing the link!

Look Who's 2!

Oh, sweet Lil. My mind cannot comprehend how quickly you have grown. The years have just flown by, the days where I was waddling into work 8 days overdue now strangely morph into days where I now go into work, my heart aching, missing you so much. You are quite the little lady. And, yet, also sheer energy, brute strength, force of wills. I love your giggle, I love your pout, I love your screams, I love your fits, I love your energy, I love how you love babies, I love your grin, your smile, your voice, your hugs, your determination, your strength.



Happy birthday, sweet Lily.

5 Angry Birds

Today my little doodle bug turned 5. Yesterday on our way to church, I asked her what her favorite food was. She said, "Bird." I said, "Like, chicken nuggets?" "No, mom. Just bird." "Like chicken? I want to make you a special dinner for your birthday tomorrow." "Just bird."
We had spaghetti.

But I did try to appease her request for a bird cake "with green frosting and red frosting and hurple frosting" by making these angry bird cake pops. Okay, so they make be cakewrecks worthy, but still fun.




Why Ally is the BOMB DOT COM:
1. She loves dinosaurs, bugs, and frogs. She's not afraid of dogs. My kid rocks.
2. At church, when the primary children are supposed to sing in sacrament meeting and she doesn't know the song, she lip syncs. Obviously. Think Terrence-and-Phillip-like mouth movement. Oh yeah.
3. She tickles my arm during the prayer and tells me it's because "she loves me." So cute.
4. She has some sweet dance moves.
5. She loves kindergarten, loves to read stories. My little nerdling.

I love this little girl!!!

Kindergarten - Day 2

Kindergarten is Hard Work

Kindergarten Summer School Day #1:

Brand New...Scars?

Rebecca, Felicia, and Karina joked that a Buffington family reunion isn't complete until we leave with physical AND emotional scars.

I don't know if anyone left with emotional scars, but my nephew Caleb might have a few physical ones after the nasty fall he took on his bike. When it comes to physical scrapes, I *think* I may have come in second at this reunion. While chasing Lily (who happened to be caked in poo after soiling her swimmer), I ran smack into the door frame and gave myself a good scrape (yes, my grace defies all logic - my mother really should get a refund on all those years of ballet lessons) - bad enough that everyone the next few days kept asking, "What happened to your face?" There was poo, there were tears, it was a great motherhood moment.

Mostly, it was just good to spend time with family and see everyone again. I had such a good time watching my girls run around and remembering all the camping trips we spent up at Tony Grove Lake. It was fun to see my girls making memories of their own.

At one point, we took the kids to the community pool. I was watching Ally and Lily play in the kiddy section and just gazing at my Lily's profile as she played. I am overwhelmed with the responsibilities of motherhood most days, but I live for little moments like that where I can just appreciate how beautiful, unique and capable she is.

Ally had a great time chasing the iguanas, who she all named "Buddy." She made me laugh when we first got to the campsite, though. I had told her that we were going to see Grandma and Grandpa, but I think she is used to seeing my parents (on Skype). After a 3 hour plane ride, spending the night at Aunt Amy's, a 6ish hour drive to Cottonwood, AZ we finally arrived and I said, "There's Grandpa, go give him a hug." She got scared, ran behind the car and exclaimed, "He looks different!!" I guess so.

I explained that she has two grandpas and I think we got it sorted it out now :)


Singing on long the car ride:


Finally! Both girls in the water:



Popsicle at Aunt Amy's:





On a side note:

Thank-you to Aunt Amy for letting us stay at your house. Thank-you Aunt Peggy for the cabins. Thank-you Grandma Debby and Grandpa Tom for the wonderful reunion. Thank-you to Sandy and Steve and Rhonda and Dan and everyone who gave us food. And thinking back to all the fun trips I took as a kid, thank-you to my mom and dad for driving us to Utah faithfully each summer and giving us such wonderful vacations and memories. And for not killing us on the 24+ hour drive.

Memorial Day - Success

1 trip to the beach
1 picnic lunch
1 slip n' slide
1 sun burnt mom
1 hard working dad
2 exotic flavors of brats (cranberry and chicken cordon bleu)
4 piggy tails
5 snowcones
Jello!