A new year of love and miracles

A quote by Willa Cather says "Where there is great love there are always great miracles."

Another quote that I have always loved by Mother Theresa is "We cannot do great things; only small things with great love."

I appreciate these quotes so much I have decided to make this the theme of this years Marshall Family Blog. I think often we fail to see the miracles around us or we sadly fail to even experience many miracles because we are closed to love. I believe God's love enables miracles to occur frequently in our lives if we are aware of Him. One of my goals this year is to see and be worthy of these miracles.

In my effort to start the year in the right direction I read one of my favorite books The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. If you want to learn about love and miracles this book is excellent. It is the story of a woman and her amazing family who strive to help people during WWII. She sees and experiences many miracles through her life. Amazingly, the miracles do not end even after being sent to a concentration camp.

I think one of my favorite pieces of this inspiring book is when Corrie tells of her sweet sister Beth; who after arriving at the death camp Ravensbruck, thanks God for the many fleas. Corrie can't understand why her sister would do something so crazy, but in the weeks to come they discover because the fleas were so intolerable the guards would not enter their barracks--thus enabling Corrie and her sister to read the smuggled in bible to many people hungry for the word of God. Amazing. Read this book--you will cry, but you will be a better person.

Family Pictures

While we were in North Carolina Craig's talented sister Gina took our family pictures. Even with Ethan constantly trying to escape, I think she got some pretty good ones!

Wendy said he looked like a little GQ model with his sweater--I think so too:)

Here is a perfect display of Ethan's personality!

It was a little chilly so miss Elizabeth went dressed as a polar bear.

National Museum of Natural Science

We were pushing nap time if you can't tell from these happy pictures:)

We spent our New Years Eve (my birthday) at the Smithsonian down town. Ethan was dying to get in with the dinosaur displays, climb on everything available, and run like mad down every hall! It was a fun day! Elizabeth of course slept like a little angel and I would say we all had a pretty good time. We especially enjoyed the gem section. The "Hope Diamond" was my personal favorite next to Marie Antoinette's diamond earrings.

2011 Christmas

It was a busy season! Ethan wore a shirt the few weeks before Christmas that said "Santa takes cute into consideration" ...lucky for him! He is a regular two year old boy! At church on Christmas morning while the choir was singing, Ethan ran out into the aisle to sing along with the choir. While they sang "Joy to the World" Ethan stood, feet apart, and belted "tol me ra ra ra pum!" (his version of little drummer boy) as loudly as he could. Needless to say, he got to finish his little solo in the foyer.

We drove the six hours to North Carolina and had a great time. Plenty of Christmas cookies and parties made for a great celebration. And of course Ethan enjoyed the big boxes more than anything.

Probably the most special piece of our Christmas celebration was blessing Elizabeth on Christmas Sunday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. All of Craig's family was there and my Aunt Beth and her family were also able to make it. I am so grateful for a husband who is worthy to bless my baby girl and family to support us. As I am considering what to write and share from the experience my eyes fill with tears. It was a very special day--a Christmas memory I will always treasure. 

 

We were glad to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. He is the savior of the world and he came to us as a little baby--just as our babies come. He is our perfect example and we hope to be more like him.

D.C. Temple Visit in December

Living in the D.C. area affords us many opportunities--especially at Christmas. With a newborn this year I was a little hesitant to see EVERYTHING, but we did make it to the temple. There we saw nativity sets from all around the world, and a great concert. (They offer free concerts every night the month of December). We enjoyed the cooler weather, the spirit the temple offers, and the camaraderie of celebrating the Christmas season with so many other members.

Pretty Girl

Here are some pictures of my pretty girl in her first few months of life. When people ask me about her I am almost speechless. She is so wonderful and such a blessing I can't put words to it. It usually just comes out as "Well, I adore her." She sleeps through the night (something we are still working on with Ethan!) Her second night she slept a solid 5 hours and has done at least that each night since. She is a happy girl and always smiling. She waits patiently until I can help her. Not to mention she is gorgeous. She is a very bright spot in my life, all of our lives, and what can I say--I adore her. 

We ALL love her!!

Craig's parents were able to come out when she was born which was a wonderful help. I love that she smiled for the picture--at only a week old!

What can I say? Gorgeous.

Shanandoah National Park at Fall

Elizabeth's first big outing was to Shenandoah National park for a little hike along the Appalachian trail. We wanted to enjoy the fall colors while "MeMa" was visiting.

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Craig's sister Wendy and her family were able to join us for the big turkey fest (which took place a day after Ethan's birthday so we had lots of celebrating to do!) Unfortunatley the only picture we got that day was of this exciting scene....looking at the news paper adds for our big shopping the next day!  However, despite the commercialism that obviously was a part of our day, we were also able to sit back and think of some of our blessings.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving a friend in church gave a talk that touched me. In it she mentioned a scripture that I had not really considered before. Philippians 4:11 "...For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." It pushed me to consider my own state and what he meant by "content". I don't think it is possible to be bubbling over with happiness at every moment, but it is possible to be content with life and with our situation, whatever it may be. I think part the trick to this is appreciating small moments of happiness. I also think contentment comes from realizing the bigger picture--or keeping an accurate perspective of life and what is truly important--and realizing that things are not over yet. I love Gordon B. Hinckley's quote "Things will work out in the end. If they haven't worked out, it's not the end." When I think of Paul writing this epistle to the Philippians I can't help but consider all that Paul endured--yet he learned to be content. Just some thoughts I have been considering lately.

As for this Thanksgiving and our learning to be content--we have much to be thankful for this year:

The beautiful blessing of our precious baby Elizabeth
Our healthy and active son
Craig's job that allows him to be at home more and on the road less
Our health
The home we have
Food in our bellies
Friends and family
And most importantly our Saviour, Jesus Christ

Choo Choo Ethan is two!

I am sure I will say this every year, but I can't believe my baby boy is two! Some of Ethan's fun cousins even got to come up from North Carolina for the party--he was in heaven! Unfortunately my photography skills are not phenomenal, but you get the idea.

He is a joy. He is a ride! He is active. He is hilarious. He is adorable. He can be mischievous. He is smart. He is a blessing I never imagined myself worthy of and each time I catch him coloring on the wall I remind myself of this:)

 

(This was his new train set to drive over his new map quilt! Now he knows how to get to Grandma's and Grandpa's houses!)

Happy birthday cutie boy.

Happy Halloween!

It's been a crazy month as you might imagine. Halloween was not exactly top priority. but we did make an effort. The day of our ward trunk or treat it snowed all day. And not just a dusting, it was cold, wet, and white! Ethan went as a chef--Elizabeth had a cute cupcake hat to go along, but she decided to chill in the mothers lounge and eat instead. She actually grew out of the hat by the time Halloween came anyway!

To celebrate on Monday night (actual Halloween day) we carved Ethan's pumpkin and baked Halloween cookies. We had a great time and Elizabeth got to experience her first Halloween!