Saturday, December 1, 2007

3 Parts Giggles and 1 Part Bubbles

Presently Mark's brother Jeff and his family live on street over from us. We really enjoy being in the same neighborhood and it's lots of fun for the kids! Last week two of their children came over to play for the evening. They also have an Ellie! Ellie and Noah were here and all five of the monkeys ended up in the tub! The kids always have tons of fun together and all get along super well!


On the B Side: I am so grateful to have family live so close nearby!

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!


We finally had our first real snow fall during the night! Everything is completely covered and absolutely beautiful! The kids are all sleeping and will be so excited when they wake up. I am actually hearing the first stirrings and when one of them wakes up (doesn't matter which one) they always wake the other two up!

Last night Uncle Jazzy babysat while Mark and I went to see "Dan in Real Life". The beginning was slow but we laughed and of course in the end I cried. It was a brief date night but still a nice chance to spend some time together. Originally Marky was supposed to work so I was excited that he made time to sneak away! Dayton made us promise to bring back some popcorn and Ellie always inquires as to whether or not we will kiss on our dates!

On the B Side: I am grateful for my Marky! He does a fantastic job providing for for us and more importantly tenderfly caring for us. He's so easy to love and has a heart the size of Texas! Life would have so many less giggles without him. I sure do love him and count him among my most special blessings! xoxo




Monday, November 26, 2007

The Station by Robert Hastings

I found the parable that I reffered to in an earlier post! Jessie Clark Funk also sings of this idea. I hope another enjoys it as much as I do!

The Station by Robert Hastings

On the B Side: I am grateful for the moments of clarification that come. It's like your mind is opened up and you remember all over what it's all really about. You feel a genuine gratitude in your heart and a renewed desire and determination to do better, be stronger and give more.

The Journey

After reading Clancy Pants latest post my mind was brought back to a poem that President Hastings shared with us on our wedding day. While I was unable to locate this particular poem I did find something of great beauty that I would like to share!

"One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice --though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!"each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do --determined to save the only life you could save."

~ Mary Oliver ~

These words remind me of our journey here in this world. There are so many influences in this world putting us down. They tell us that we aren't good enough, that we are of little worth and that we don't matter. We become preoccupied with "things" and lose site. We allow ourselves to become stressed and overwhelemed. These are the voices of the world and they tug at us and weigh in our hearts. These subtles influences try to take us away from the things that matter most.

As we move forward and trust the one voice that matters, that of a loving Heavenly Father we have hope, we begin to more clearly see ourselves for who we are and we realize our own sense of purpose. The road still remains full of fallen branches and stones that serve as impediments in our path but we suddenly come to the realization that we are not alone, that we can overcome these obstacles and we can FEEL hope. More importantly we learn that we can help others and it is all part of the process, part of the journey.

As a mother never has all of this been more ciritical and I love it! I love living it and I love picking myself back up every time I stumble. I love watching the children. Their resilency, their strength and their desire to keep trying impresses so powerfully upon my heart. They truely are amazing and my greatest source of hope.

On the B side: I am so grateful for the the light that is shining brightly on my journey! Even during some of the darkest hours I have quietly been reminded and reassured of who I am, why I am here and what I need to do. "When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us there is hope shining brightly" and yes the password is courage! xoxo

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thanksgiving Part II

Tonight was Thanksgiving with my family. My Dad is still in town and we made arrangements to have all three kids for church this afternoon and dinner despite the fact that it was the off weekend. My Mother-in-law came up from Lehi and my Mom and Mikey made the trip from Holladay. Wih, Jazzy and Micci also graced us with their presence.

The London broil was delicious and was not complete without the funeral potatos! The kids decorated the Christmas tree and enjoyed the fun prizes Wih brought them. We all laughed quite a bit and had a nice time.

Wih brought me some burlap to remedy my three trees on the front porch and my mom brought the kids some fruit. We have way too many desserts in the fridge!

We were late for Church today again but nonetheless we were there. Sharing time was fun and my class was really well behaved today. The lesson was on tithing and the object lesson was of ten apples, one of which goes back to Heavenly Father. At that point the apple is cut and shared with the class to demonstrate that these resources and shared with others. I can't claim that as my own but it was a powerful demonstration!

My family now sleeps and I was thinking about rearranging the Christmas decor on the tree as to dispurse it. All of the ornaments are in the front around three feet from the ground! It makes me smile and for that reason I think I'll leave it as is for tonight!

On the B Side: I am grateful for memories. I love making them. I love thinking about the ones we have made and I love learning from them. I love memories!