Last night while I was laying in bed thinking about all the things I needed to pray about that night, I decided to think about the good things. The past 6 months have been full of pleading prayers asking for help and even when I try so hard to make them prayers of gratitude...those darn questions keep popping up. So last night I expressed my gratitude and decided that all the "asking" could wait for the morning; besides, the girls did a good deal of asking in their goodnight prayers anyway. I feel a need to write those feeling down so when the inevitable hard days come...I can remind myself that I have someone watching out for me.
1. My husband lets me warm my cold tootsies on his legs at night when we cuddle ourselves to sleep. (only rarely does he complain;) )
2. My Dad has the ability to lighten any mood and help me see things for what they are. When he blinks back his tears and gives those side hugs where he leans his head towards you and lets you know that he's proud of you and he loves you.
3. The way it feels to have a newborn curled up on my chest sleeping happily after eating and smelling so sweet.
4. The feeling of pure joy as I welcomed my children into the world
5. Remembering the way my husbands eyes teared up as he looked into mine on our wedding day ( ok....everyone in the room was crying, but the way he looked at me was the best)
6. The way he still looks at me that way when I'm doing things like singing silly songs to the kids, or folding laundry, or when I'm curled up on the couch when I'm so so sick.
7. The way my Mom can give me the best advice possible and her example of Faith and endurance. Her love and encouragment when I'm feeling overwhelmed gives me the strength to forge on.
8. The way my Mother-in-Law can act so strong and hold everyone together in the midst of great adversity, and the tenderness she shows my girls and Terrence and I.
9. When Kylie and I go on our special "outings" and she acts so fancy. It's like going out with a little teenager.
10. The feeling I get when my kids run to me after being hurt and knowing that all it takes to make them better is a hug and kiss.
11. The clarity that comes on the treadmill, and being able to work out! I am loving it!
12. Knowing the incredible gift and blessing I have been given in having the opportunity to procreate.
13. The first time I feel my baby move inside of me.
14. Knowing not to take a second of pregnancy for granted because some never get that chance. It may be hard, but I enjoy all of it because I know what it means...I know what a complete miracle it is!
15. The peace the sound of music brings into my home. Dad playing beautiful arrangements of hymns on Sunday mornings. My attempts to do the same...
16. Feeling like my prayers are heard and KNOWING that I am a daughter of God who is loved. 17. Knowing that even when others don't understand my very active and sometimes naughty children, my Heavenly Father does...and He Loves them more than I could imagine. It's comforting to know that there is someone Higher watching out for them too.
18. My mom completely annoying me when she sang church songs in the car to break up contention and my discovery that it actually worked EVERY TIME! My goal to annoy my children in the same way....ha ha
19. Knowing that when my Siblings fall down...they know how to pick themselves back up again. My parents have done an amazing job of teaching the importance of the gospel in our lives.
20. The comfort that the atonement and plan of salvation brings.
21. Knowing that even if Terrences arm never gets better in this life, hopefully someday I can hear my babies laugh as he throws them up in the air. I can see the elation on his face as he hits a golf ball (even if it lands nowhere near the hole). I can smile and nod when he tells me about his fly fishing trips. He can rub my shoulders again, and he can feel whole again. Isn't it amazing that we have been given that promise? I can't wait! But Until then....I will find things to be grateful for and make life a little better. I'll love me kids and my husband more and more. I'll continue to talk to my Heavenly Father and thank Him for the
PERSPECTIVE that He gives!
Kylie spent every second possible on the go-cart with Mitch and the 4wheelers with Terrence. I couldn't believe how strong she was. Terrence sat on the back and let Kylie have full control of the gas and steering and she did so good.
Maddi could not leave Tate's side. She is so in love with babies! I have a dozen or so pictures of little Tator-tot and he is putting something into his mouth in every single on of them. In this picture, he happens to be eating a rock.
Wish I would have gotten a picture of Madison on the 4-wheelers. We had to buy her her very own helmet on the way down and she put it to good use. If you could have seen her face and heard her sqeals of laughter when we took her up and down the steep dam, I'm sure you would all die laughing. It was priceless!
It was pretty windy for a while the first day, so the girls got to use their Easter kites.
I had to take this picture so that someday when I no longer drive a van, I can remember how white trash I felt driving this through the canyon and feel better about myself for not having to ever do this again. This picture makes me re-think the whole "swagger wagon" idea a bit.
So glad April is back from England! I've missed her!
My brother trying to be beetnick (sp?)
It was a beautiful day and she looked beautiful. We're so proud of her!
We wrote all of our names on the eggs and made some with a metallic marbleing effect, but I unfortunately didn't get a picture of those ones.
On Saturday night, we read a book called "The Easter Walk" that my mom sent the girls and we talked about some of the symbols of Easter and about our Savior. I don't think the girls quite grasp the whole concept yet, but they know that Jesus made it possible for us to be a family for eternity, so I guess at their ages, that is enough for now. On Sunday morning, The girls came down stairs to see the baskets that the Easter bunny left for them.
We are in LOVE with the movie "Princess and the Frog"! I couldn't figure out what to make for dinner on Friday night and after consulting the girls, Kylie let me know that she wanted to make gumbo for dinner just like Tianna, so that's exactly what we did. We played the movie soundtrack and danced while we cooked. Oh man I miss Louisiana!
We had our friends come over for a yummy breakfast and we watched conference together. It was a little chilly and there was still snow on the ground, but we decided to go up Logan Canyon for an egg hunt yesterday afternoon. The kids got tons of eggs and had a blast!
This is my baby sister Sarah. She is now 16 1/2 years old and so beautiful. My mom made a tradition that we all get a special day out and glamour shots taken on our sixteenth birthday and she just emailed these pictures so I had to share! The above picture looks like it should be in the back of a book on the "ABOUT THE AUTHOR" page which is about right for her. I am amazed with Sarah's talent for writing and imagination. Even at a young age of about 2-3 she would make up crazy scenerios when she played with toys and dolls. She would tell everyone her name was "ronnie" with her innocent little eyes batting at you. For a talent show at our family reunion last June, Sarah asked a randomly chosen family member for a subject and she then made up a 5 minute story about that subject. The story was so funny, but very detailed and descriptive and completely entertaining. Sarah is so quite but if you listen closely, she can surprise you with whit and sarcasm. I hope some day she realizes what amazing potential she has and the strength she has with in her. If anyone in my family has the potential to become famous, it's definately her! Love you Sarah!!!
Such a cute smile!
This picture makes me think: REALTOR ad
