The Williams are moving.

Yes, you read that right. The Williams family is moving. After 5 1/2 wonderful, unforgettable years in upstate New York, we are packing up and moving a bit more west to Columbus, Ohio. We kind of felt that a change was going to be coming along but if you were to tell me that it would all happen in about 2 months time I would have said "Well, let me think about it a bit more" and added to that "Your crazy!". The adventure all began on May 23rd when J.D. put his resume out to JPMorgan/Chase inquiring about a job listing in their marketing team that sounded very interesting to him. They called him the next day due to how impressed they were with his resume and set up a phone interview for June 1st with a member of the team he would be working with if he got the job. The day J.D. was called from the recruiter about the job position, we both had intense feelings that we needed to start to get our house in order. We hadn't even had the phone interview yet but there was a definate, deep down feeling that something was going to happen and we needed to start to be prepared. J.D. actually went through the house and made a list of all the things we would need to fix, paint, etc., etc.. if we were going to sell our home and we got started on the list. Looking back on the time between May 23 and June 1st, I realize more and more that the Lord was really trying to prepare our hearts for the change that He knew was about to happen in our lives. It's humbling and faith building to see how the Lord's hand is truly in our lives. So June 1st came along and the interview over the phone went very well. So well that they called back that evening and said they wanted to fly J.D. out for an on-sight interview the next week.
That week was incredibly intense. Again, these feelings of "get your house in order" were very prevalent and we did get a ton of things done. J.D. was having a hard time getting sleep at night because he couldn't get his mind to stop thinking of everything there was to think about!! You can only imagine! We started looking for homes in the northern Columbus area and even got a realtor on board out there. JPMorgan was so good as to fly me out too which was vital in being able to really make the decision as to whether or not this was the place for our family.
We flew out on the 9th, with Christine, while our dear friends, the Rubilars, took care of the older four kids. (They ended up helping us 3 times with child care!!) We went house hunting all that day and even had the opportunity to attend the Columbus LDS Temple that night while the mother of my dear friend here in New York watched Christine. Blessings.
The interview, which was an all day process for J.D. went very well. The new job would be a much more fast paced one with longer hours, perhaps higher stress, but J.D. felt confident he would be able to step up to the challenges. Monday afternoon, June 14th, the offer came and it was what J.D. was hoping it would be. I have to say that I have never felt my faith being tested in such a profound way than at that time. To make a very long, emotional story short, J.D. and I took that huge step of faith into the unknown and we are moving to Ohio.
Since then, we have been back to Columbus two more times, solidifying everything on the house that we are going to build. We are very excited about our new home to be! We have also secured a beautiful little home to lease while our house is being built. So now our last huge hurdle is selling our sweet little home here in N.Y.. We are truly exercising our faith that it will sell in a timely manner. Nine families have already come to see it in just 2 ½ weeks so we have great hope.
I can’t even begin to express all the emotions that J.D. and I have been experiencing these past few weeks. There is a lot of excitement that comes with moving to a new a place but at the same time there is great sadness and hesitation for what is being left behind. When I think of the very dear friends I will need to say good-bye to, my gut starts to knot up and I just want to cry. These friends have become our “family” and the memories we have with them all will be ones that we will cherish forever. I really cannot express here in words how I feel about leaving this beautiful area and the people we have come to love so much. Knowing that our decision to move is correct does help to make this huge change and all the good-byes bearable.
J.D. will be starting work on the 19th of this month. I know – so fast!!! I don’t quite know how we are going to get everything done that we would like to do before he leaves but somehow it will all work out. It has so far. I will be staying in N.Y. with the kids until the end of the month. We then will be leaving all together for our long awaited trip to Utah (which has been planned for 6 months). The day we return from our vacation the moving company will be packing us up and we will be heading to Ohio just in time to get the kids settled in to start school on Aug. 25th (two weeks earlier than when they would have started here). Makes your head swim doesn’t it! Again, exercising faith that it will all work out.
I better end this long entry but before I do, just one more thing. I have to thank my parents and J.D.’s parents for their wonderful advice and incredible support during all of this. I will never forget when I called up my parents and told them that J.D. and I had been in Ohio for a job interview that past week. They listened the way I needed them to to the whole, detailed story and were a huge strength to me at a time when I needed that extra strength. Mom and Dad, I love you both so much.
Updates will come along the way!! Our lives are truly amazing journeys.

For those of you interested, here is a link to see pictures of and a virtual tour of the home that we will be building. (Our house will not have the dark wook trim that you see in these pictures). The home is a five level split, a popular floor plan in Columbus. Our house should be all complete right around Christmas!
http://tour.circlepix.com/tour.htm?id=738625&refurl=

Thought I would throw in a few pictures! I can never get enough of pictures :)

Karsen and Camille at their dance concert. They were wonderful!

My little sunshine!

Last day of school. Where did this past year of school go!?!?

Kathleen in Daddy's shoes! Oh, and those are her favorite pants - she wears them with everything!!

I am so grateful that she is mine!!!!

I'm alive!!!

Hello to all my wonderful family and friends who have been wondering what in the world happened to Gina and her blog?!?!?? Yes, I am alive. All I can really say to account for my lack of keeping up with my blog is that I am the very, very busy mommy of five energetic, growing up way too fast children. Life lately has been wonderful, full of ups and downs and challenges and joys, and growth and learning. There is just so much to say that I don't know where to start!! Christine is now 7 months old (I know!! 7 months!!) and is the cutest, sweetest, most content little bundle of joy. I adore her with all my soul!!! She is cutting her two bottom teeth, loves to sit in her Bumbo and eat rice cereal and bananas, touch anything she can get her hands on, give you slobbery kisses, and watch her crazy siblings run around. Kathleen can talk you ear off and lets me know about five times everyday that it is soon to be her birthday and that she wants this, this, this and this. She is precocious in every sense of the word. Camille is so, so, sooooo girl. Yesterday I found out the ice cream store here was having free ice cream cones and told the kids to jump in the car to go get one! Karsen, Kimball and Kathleen were ready and seated, ready to go in no time. Five minutes later, Camille came out, all dressed differently with her hair wet down. When I asked her what took so long she said she had to fix her hair. Oh boy!! She's six! She is gorgeous. Tomorrow is her dance recital where she has the solo of her class. I get chocked up watching her dance her little part every time!! Kimball is thrilled that his room is finally painted!!! Mom did one awesome paint job! He is so, so tall and just keeps on growing - quickly! He loves to run and just ran the mile at a stake picnic in 11 minutes!! J.D. and I were amazed! I think we have a quite the little runner! He continues to love Star Wars, paper airplanes, and chasing his sisters. Karsen is amazing!! She is beautiful, smart, talented, friendly, outgoing, energetic and the list goes on!! She is playing the piano beautifully (we called Grandpa and Grandma Christensen and played her recital piece for them and they were thrilled!) is a very expressive and dynamic dancer (she is also dancing in tomorrow's dance recital). She just participated in the 3rd grade international fair where she of course displayed Argentina (we had made dulce de leche to share - yum!). She is a very talented artist too. Well, I could go on but I'll stop there :).
J.D. is super busy with work and with being Dad. I don't know if there will be a triathlon this year seeing as there has been zero time for training. He is so wonderful, handsome, kind, thoughtful, calming and positive. I am so grateful for who he is. I love my man so, so, sooooooooooo much.
As for Gina, I am doing splendidly. Being a Mom and wife takes up all my waking hours, and I am grateful for that blessing. Sometimes things can get pretty overwhelming when 5 kiddies all have demanding needs at the same time, but I continue to make it through everyday, always ready and happy to start the next. I have loved getting up early and exercising, reaching weight goals that I never thought I could make! Being 12 lbs. lighter than my wedding weight is an awesome feeling!! I have never felt better!!
Here are a bunch of pictures to get you all caught up on how cute the kids are looking these days. Oh, it feels good to write on the blog. There is definatly more to come!!!




What a face to make your day a little brighter!

What a happy birthday for me! Yes! 36!

Perfect!

Father's and sons! A very anticipated event.

Camille's circus cake that she was so excited about! She's now 6!


Our 11 year anniversary date spent walking along the beautiful Mohawk River.

Oh she is pure joy!!!!

Karsen was so proud of her Argentina display. She did an amazing job. She is wearing a soccer jersey J.D. had received from a member in Argentina on his mission.

Our late Easter picture. J.D. got the kids to really smile!!

Mommy and Christine! I just can't kiss her enough!

Be A Light

The following is the talk I (J.D.) gave in sacrament meeting last Sunday ...

Be A Light
Schenectady, NY Ward Sacrament Meeting
March 14, 2010


I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today and ask for the Spirit of the Lord to be with us that we might feel and know what the Lord would have us do.

The topic of my talk today is drawn from the Savior’s Sermon on the Mount. We read in Matthew 5:14-16: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The Savior admonished us to be the light of the world, much like a candle atop a candlestick gives light to “all that are in the house”. All of us born on this earth are given the light of Christ to guide us throughout our lives. We read in D&C 84:46-47: “And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.”

What does it mean to be a light to the world? Is the light one that is actually visible? President James E. Faust shared an experience regarding the lease for the land in Jerusalem on which the Brigham Young University's Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies was later built.

“Before this lease could be signed, President Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, then president of Brigham Young University, agreed with the Israeli government on behalf of the Church and the university not to proselyte in Israel. You might wonder why we agreed not to proselyte. We were required to do so in order to get the building permit to build that magnificent building which stands in the historic city of Jerusalem. To our knowledge the Church and BYU have scrupulously and honorably kept that nonproselyting commitment. After the lease had been signed, one of our friends insightfully remarked, ‘Oh, we know that you are not going to proselyte, but what are you going to do about the light that is in their eyes?’ He was referring to our students who were studying in Israel. What was that light in their eyes which was so obvious to our friend? The Lord Himself gives the answer: ‘And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.’ Where did that light come from? Again the Lord gives the answer: ‘I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ The Lord is the true light, ‘and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.’ This light shows in our countenances as well as in our eyes.” (Ensign, November 2005, p. 20)

President Thomas S. Monson called this state of righteousness the “glow of goodness and the radiance of righteousness” (Thomas S. Monson, “Strength through Obedience,” Ensign, Jul 1996, 2)



Boy scouts love camp fires. There is hardly a scout outing without some kind of fire being lit, and usually the bigger the better! I recall one very cold winter campout with my scouts in Virginia, where the temperatures were well below zero and we camped on the ice and snow. Since we were camping on the property of a member of our ward, we were allowed to build a large bon fire to help keep us warm for the evening. As the scouts gathered around the campfire, I taught them a principle that I like to teach all of my scouts. I pointed to a particular coal in the center, or core of the fire and asked the scouts to describe the coal. The boys described the coal as very hot and glowing bright. The hottest part of the fire is in the core of the fire. If the fire gets hot enough, the coals will begin to glow and emit white light. Then I used a couple of sticks to slowly remove the coal from the fire and asked the boys to describe what they saw as the coal was being distanced from the other coals. The reply was that the coal, which only moments before was glowing brightly was now darkened and cooling. The farther the coal was removed from the center, the dimmer and colder it became. The coal was no longer in the presence of the core heat, and consequently the light which previously was shining from it began to darken. Then I slowly returned the coal to its original position in the center of the fire and asked the boys to describe what they saw. The reply was that the coal began to glow brightly again, and that the closer the coal was to the center, the brighter it glowed. This coal, which was once dim and cooling was now burning hot and emitting light once again. I then taught the boys that all of us are like the coals, and that the center of the fire represents the core of the gospel. The closer we align our individual lives to the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the brighter we will be. Conversely, the farther away from the core of the gospel the dimmer and colder we will be. And just as the once cold and dim coal burned brightly again after being placed back into the center of the fire, we too, through proper repentance, can change from being dim and cold to feeling the light and warmth of the gospel in our lives again.

The Lord taught in D&C 50:24 “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” The Lord also taught what happens to those who remove themselves from the light. We read in D&C 1:33 “And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received.”

Elder David B. Haight taught that “we draw close to our Heavenly Father through obedience to His laws and ordinances of the gospel. As we earnestly seek to draw close to Him, He has promised we will find Him. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. [D&C 88:63]” (BYU Speeches, “By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them”, 7 December 1980)

Satan, the enemy of light and truth, tries to confuse right from wrong in an effort to lead us into temptation. Isaiah described it in this way: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). However, the prophet Mormon admonished, “Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.”

In the pre-mortal life, we lived with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World. Our Heavenly Father’s light is perfect white light, described by the Prophet Joseph Smith as a light that is “brighter than the sun at noonday” In that pre-mortal state, we saw and knew the source of all light and truth. Drawing from the campfire analogy, we were in the core of the fire burning brightly. However, in order to test and prove ourselves, we were sent out of that place of perfect light, into a dark and dreary world where we must chose to kindle the light for ourselves.

President James E. Faust taught “When President Brigham Young was asked why we are sometimes left alone and often sad, his response was that man has to learn to ‘act as an independent being . . . to see what he will do . . . and try his independency—to be righteous in the dark.’ That becomes easier to do when we see the ‘gospel glow . . . radiating from . . . illuminated individuals.’ Service in this Church is a marvelous blessing and privilege that brings light to our eyes and our countenances. As the Savior recommended, ‘Let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’ Words cannot express the blessings that come to us through service in this Church. The Lord promises that if we magnify our callings we will find happiness and joy. … A sacred light comes to our eyes and countenances when we have a personal bond with our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior and Redeemer. With this bond our faces will mirror that ‘sublime assurance’ that He lives.” (Ensign, November 2005, p. 20)

President James E. Faust further taught “What are we doing to keep the light shining in our own eyes and countenances? Much of that light comes from our discipline, dedication, and consecration to some important absolutes. The foremost of these absolutes is that there is a God who is the Father of our souls to whom we account for our actions. Second, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Third, that the great plan of happiness requires obedience to God’s commandments. Fourth, that the greatest gift of God is eternal life. Other blessings add further to the light in our eyes. They are the gifts of the Spirit that come from the Savior. Joy, happiness, fulfillment, and peace are the gifts of the Spirit that flow from the power of the Holy Ghost.”

The amount of light that radiates from our eyes and our countenance is a measure of our Godliness. Alma taught “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” (Alma 5:19)

Being the light of the world is a choice. If we choose to keep the commandments of God and center our lives in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will have the “image of God engraven upon [our] countenances.” If, like the dim coal away from the fire, we find our light growing dim, we must choose to return to the center of the fire and rekindle the light. We must recommit ourselves to living fully the gospel of Jesus Christ. The closer our relationship to our Heavenly Father, the brighter our light will be. Our relationship with God grows stronger as we pour out our hearts in sincere daily prayer and study the scriptures diligently. Our light will grow brightest as we develop a close and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

I close with the words of one of my favorite hymns.

1. Know then that ev'ry soul is free,
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven.

2. He'll call, persuade direct him right;
Bless him with wisdom, love, and light;
In nameless ways be good and kind;
But never force the human mind.

4. May we no more our powers abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose;
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace, and seek his perfect love.
(Hymn 240)

I testify that Jesus Christ is THE Light of the world, the Redeemer of the world, our personal Savior. He lives and loves us with a love that we cannot possibly comprehend in this life. He invites us all to come unto Him, saying “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

May we all choose to be a light and emit the “glow of goodness and the radiance of righteousness” is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Christine Ann's baby blessing

What is it about a baby blessing that draws up tears everytime I hear one? Especially when it is my own little sweetheart? Christine's baby blessing on Feb.7th was a beautiful, rememberable experience. My brother Trent, wife Sherie, and their cute little family were able to come and spend the weekend with us for the event which was so wonderful. Having family present for a baby blessing meant so much to J.D. and I. (Thanks Trent and Sherie!) Little Christine looked so beautiful in her blessing dress - the same one we have used now on all 4 of our girls (do I really have 4 girls?!? Sometimes I still can't believe it!). Christine has proven herself to be an extremely pleasant, gentle, tender, and mild baby with such a sweet disposition and let this all shine through during her blessing and all that day. I am so very grateful to have a husband who not only has the priesthood of God, but honors it, thus being able to give our daughter a blessing from her Heavenly Father. I was deeply touched by the words that were spoken during the blessing. I think what stood out the most to me was that she will be a peacemaker to all in her family and everyone around her. This is already playing true. She is such a special spirit and I see it and feel it more with everyday that I have with her. I am again so grateful that Christine is my daughter, forever. She has brought me so much happiness these past 3 months. The Lord truly does know exactly who is to come into our homes, and our hearts for that matter.



Is she a Williams baby or what?! Such a doll!










Trent and I with our adorable little girls Katherine and Christine, just a little less than 2 months apart. I thihnk these two are going to be great friends!

She has the cutest little baby face!

I am so in love with my beautiful Christine! She is at the point now (2 months old) where her smiles are frequent and huge and adorable! She is such a pleasant baby with a calm, tender and happy disposition. She is sleeping through the night like a champ and if she does wake up, it's for a quick feeding and then back to bed. Believe me, I am counting my blessings that she is such a great sleeper since I have 4 other children who also need the attention of their mommy. I am so, so grateful to have Christine in our home and to love her up everyday! I honestly get exctied when she wakes up from her naps because of the cuddle bug that she is and for the sweet, happy little face that awaits me. It just fills my heart! She is very much adored by her older siblings, even her big brother, although he won't admit it. I have seen him get all cute with Christine and get her to smile so big at him. He loves it. You can tell he does.
Here are some fun pictures I just took of her as she sat on my lap, talking and smiling at me. As busy and intense it can be with now five children's needs to keep on top of, I wouldn't trade any of this for anything.

Overwhelming feelings of gratitude

Sometimes I still cannot believe that I have a family of seven! This picture of my five beautiful children is priceless to me. I feel so blessed to be able to be the mother of these precious spirit children of our Heavenly Father, all who have been entrusted in my care. How overwhelming that can be at times! I know I fall short lots, but if there is one thing I have learned, it is the importance of LOVE! Is there anything better than lots, and lots of love?

Our little Christine is an angel. She is adorable!! I am so grateful that she is finally here and that I can hold her, kiss her, squeeze her, sing to her, talk to her, cuddle her, love her! She has come with such a peaceful spirit about her. I love sitting and looking into her pretty little face. I could do it all day long! Here are a few pics of our sweetheart. It's hard to believe she is nearly 6 weeks old already! She is so, so loved and adored by us all.

Christine Meets Her Siblings

We brought Christine home last night. She is such a doll. The older 4 kids were way excited to meet their new little sister. Here are a few shots of the kids holding their new sister.