"Frozen" in Summer!! (And the power of one Prayer.)

After an hour of being held, Jo-Jo finally braved the waters. 
And never looked back!

So, it's a Saturday night (yesterday) and what are the Harrop's up to? Watching "Frozen" of course! Our whole family loves the songs and the story. :) Morgan, with a little coaxing, well, maybe a lot, cause she doesn't like to perform under pressure....will belt out "Let it Go!" and Sarah Grace, in her little, adorable way, will sing, "For the First Time in Forever." Even at 3, she knows the words so well! James just loves Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer. Jo-Jo sat in his chair enjoying his popsicle, laughing when we did, bouncing and dancing in time to the music.

Half-way through, the missionaries came over from our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and shared a message about how God still speaks today. They asked us how that knowledge has affected our lives. I remembered back to when the missionaries first came to my home, when I first prayed to know if what I had read from "The Book of Mormon" was true, and how the Spirit confirmed to my heart. And I realized how much my life has been changed for the better because of that one prayer, that one unmistakeable confirmation that Yes, God still speaks today, and continues to reveal His words to his servants!
Looking at our squirming, bored kids, who were having a hard time taking a break from their favorite movie for the spiritual thought, I realized I probably wouldn't have half of them at this point in my life without that confirmation almost twenty years ago. I mean... four this close together (4 born in 5 1/2 years), what am I, crazy? Yeah, probably, but every child has come after sincere prayer seeking God's will for our family. Then, I thought that perhaps I never would have even met the amazing man I've married, if it hadn't been for that prayer. (We met at BYU, the church's sponsored university.) And I thought of my relationship with my Savior - how much closer I've come to Him, how much better I've gotten to know Him, through the words of modern and ancient prophets. What joy I would be missing, no? See below:

What would my life be without my girls? 
Less dramatic, maybe, but less sweet for sure!

My warrior, ninja, jedi James. What a hoot!

Jo-Jo loving the Splash pad at the zoo!

So, after a week full of swimming and sun-burns, zoo exploration and 5 hours at the car mechanics, splash-pads, late nights,  fresh peas from the garden, S'mores, mosquito bites, peed beds, clean sheets, braided hair, hissy-fits, musical Mommy-daughter night, and reflection, I'm a happier mom. Thank God for summer, my children, my husband, and for answered prayer.

Morgan's response to watching Bye-Bye Birdie? "I want to be in a play, Mommy!" With that smile, charm, and voice, the sky's the limit for you, Morgi!