Mother's Day

So much to be grateful for this weekend!

I can't begin to mention how much my supportive, loving, generous, kind and sexy husband means to me. He is the best blessing in my life.

My beautiful, smart, loving children that give me a reason to celebrate every day.

The chance I have to be a stay at home mom. I love the time that I get to be with my children.

My mom and her example of service for others.

My mother-in-law who is constantly giving and is an excellent example of a nurturing mother.

The amazing mom-friends I have who remind me that I am not alone in my mom journey and that I love it in spite of and because of the challenges.

The wonderful examples of moms and Christ-like women in my ward and that I have been able to know in my life.

Last, but certainly not least, my mother for her sacrifice for me. Wherever you are, know that I love you for what you have given me! God bless you.

Nich

This weekend was fun and very emotional. Nich deployed today to head to Iraq and will be gone for 9 months. We, meaning Mom and Dad and all my siblings and their families went to a cabin in Kamas to have some time together and send Nich of on a positive note.

I am grateful for the time that we had together. My dad spent a lot of time arranging the stay at the cabin and making sure that we would be able to stay there.

Jamie was very considerate and took charge of the kids for the weekend so that I could stay up and play games with everyone and say goodbye to Nich. He also gave me the time to go to my parents' to play more games and have some quiet time with my family.

My dad giving Nich a blessing.

Nich saying goodbye and telling each of us why he loves us and then he bore his testimony. It was a very sacred experience. He told me that he feels like he has always felt like he is playing catch-up with me and that I set a good example. He has always admired my testimony and spirituality. He sees me taking good care of my family and my siblings.

The Plan of Salvation. I know that the temple sealing is real and that even if I don't see Nich again in this life that I will see him again and he will still be my brother.

Nich's blessing said that he would come home whole and a better and stronger person. I pray that happens.

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father strengthened me so much this weekend that I was able to resist all of the food there and eat only the foods on my list. I learned a lot about how to have self control. All I had to do was really make the decision to not eat what I shouldn't and pray that I would be strong. Duh! How long has it taken me to realize that. It says in the scriptures, "study it out in your mind and then ask me if it be right..." I have to make the decision first and then ask Heavenly Father to help me. If I really decide not to yell at the kids I have to not make it an option and then ask Heavenly Father to strengthen me to stick to that decision. What great insight. I feel like I am changing and being changed. I think much more clearly with out junk in my system and I am able to really think through what I want. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for teaching me about myself and how to overcome my weaknesses. With all of the tempting foods there and not even "sampling" any of them--if I can do that I can do anything, especially through the help of my Savior.

Fun

I am so grateful for good, fun music. I have had some time to myself tonight (yet another thing I am grateful for) and have had my music on. It's so fun to just rock out. I have so much energy right now--it's 10:30 and that never happens and don't want to turn it off. It puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

We have a new computer and I am so grateful to be able to listen to my music, do my budget, write a list, look up recipes and check my e-mail and Facebook--all at the same time, instantly and without having to restart my computer.

We have a new reward system for the kids and they are really excited about it and have been very helpful because of it. :)) I am grateful that Jamie thought of it.

I got to go clean the temple--a wonderful opportunity--last night and got home around 1. I was really tired. The cleaning I did was a big workout and I was wasted when I got home and felt hung over this morning. It was a great experience and brought to mind that Heavenly Father knows me and what I need all the time. I was in quite the mood last night before I left. My assignments were cleaning banisters up and down the stairs and picking up plastic matting to vacuum and mop underneath it in the baptistery. It took a lot of energy and strength and I got to hammer it all back together with a mallet. I needed that.

Spencer is getting so big. He walked to school today all by himself. I am grateful he was safe and I am grateful he is so dependable and responsible. He is such a good kid.

Jamie did our taxes today and we are getting a nice return. I am hoping we can get our van paid off and get some savings stored.

Temples

1. Personal revelation. I was reading this morning and was able to learn a couple of things about myself that will help me in my learning about my Savior.

2. Temple covenants. I was able to go to the temple tonight and I learned a lot about how Satan tempts me and what I can do to draw closer to God.

3. Jamie took the kids and cleaned almost the entire house tonight while I went to the temple and to dinner.

4. Sunshine and clear, clean air. The air has been atrocious the last few days with the inversion. Yesterday we had a bunch of clouds all day, so this morning the drive to take Jamie to work was just beautiful and clear. You could even smell the snow and pine when we got out of the car.

5. Having a baby. I had the thought/question today--What if mortality is the only time that I get to have my own little newborn to hug and hold and to care for? Are our Spirits born or more organized? The thought of never having my own baby again made me kind of sad--I love holding and feeding Caleb. I hope that having a baby is something I get to do in Heaven too.

Little Things

My list didn't make it onto the computer yesterday so here it is:

1. Our van. Our Geo died and we are down to one car right now until we figure out what is wrong with the car. I am so grateful to have the van that everyone fits in and that runs well.

2. Jamie. I know I said him yesterday, but I focused on his work and learning. I am grateful for the kind and compassionate person he is and that I get to be married to such a wonderful man.

3. Jamie's test being done. Oi Can I just say whew. I really hope he passed (I think he did) because it is stressful for all of us to have the deadline looming. I'm glad that one's done.

4. Getting out with the family. We went out and celebrated having that section of the test done. It was so nice to be out as a family just hanging out. Not going to an appointment or running errands, just being together doing something completely relaxing--it was really nice.

5. A new TV/VCR. I have been wanting to do Yoga in the living room but haven't because our only TV is in the playroom, which I don't want to clean every time I want to relax; that's a little counter-productive. We went to DI (I love treasure hunting there) and found a little combo for $5. It's silly I know, but it brought a smile to my face and is part of my long-term desires of being healthy and relaxed.

Today I am grateful for

1. Jamie's raise. He asked for a raise last week and today he found out that he got exactly what he asked for. I am so grateful for that. It is also another addition to my testimony of tithing--which cleared our bank this morning.

2. Spencer. He is such a great example to me and to his brother and sister. He is such a good worker and always wants to be good. He also is kind and uncontentious. Rarely does he pick fights or even get involved with them. He is a wonderful son and I love the connection we are developing.

3. A working washer and dryer. A friend recently mentioned that she needed to go get a new dryer because she has had to run clothes through her's two or three times. I felt bad for her when she said that but when she said that it had been that way for several years I couldn't believe it. I would go bonkers. I hate doing laundry and to have it require so much time and attention would just drive me to using a bat on it.

4. Slippers. I don't really care for winter--okay, we're being honest here--I hate winter and being cold. I love that I have nice warm, squishy slippers that I can wear and relax in.

5. Bedtime. I had a friend tell me that God created night so that mom's could love their kids again. While I, and every mother, love my kids, some days get long. It is so nice to see them when they look so angelic and peaceful; it makes the rest of my night peaceful and calm.

My One Word

I recently read a blog that suggested choosing one word to focus on for the year. What a great idea! I can set "resolutions" but I know as well as anyone else that those die about the 2nd week of February. However, if everything I focus on comes back to one word and goal, I can really be focused; instead of turning on a light, I am pointing a laser. My word that I choose is CHRIST. I cannot do anything without Him and I am nothing without Him. I can try to lose weight, be a good mom, be a good wife and person, prepare lessons, have a clean house, do my projects, etc..., but I cannot make true changes without Him. I can only truly be happy and have peace with Him in my life. So, here is my journey as I focus on Christ through study and life experiences.

One of the main things I am going to do is to make this year a study of Christ and His life, His teachings and the prophecies regarding His first and second comings. I will use the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and talks from Prophets and Apostles. I also have the opportunity to learn from the Old Testament especially as I prepare for Gospel Doctrine lessons. I have never really cared for the Old Testament; I've always felt it's so random and piece-meal, but I am excited to get to know Christ through the Law of Moses, which He has now fulfilled. The calling I once dreaded and feared has now become a huge blessing and opportunity.

I also want to focus on my relationship with Him by writing down 5 things everyday that I am grateful for and/or miracles in my life. I want to recognize His hand in my life always--even when life gets hard. I have seen the Lord bless me so many times, and I wonder if I have expressed adequate gratitude for those things. I have bad habit of saying “thank you” and then kind of setting it aside. I know I want a little more appreciation shown to me for things, I’m sure Heavenly Father would like that as well.

The Lord gave me talents to bless my life and those around me. This year I want to get to know my like my Savior knows me. I recognized yesterday that when I am close to the Spirit, I am more creative with different ideas. Those are obviously good if when I am living right I have them, but when I am not I don’t. I want to write them down and follow through making them—the ones I can—because I think it is a talent.

Heavenly Father has given me a perfectly healthy, wonderful body. Unfortunately, I have gained weight that is not healthy to have. So this year, I still want to lose weight but this time I want to involve Christ so that I can figure out why I gained all this weight. I want to understand how to correct those challenges so that I can move on and get the weight off. Not only that but I want to be able to understand what is healthy for me and my family—not the zillion different pieces of “advice” that comes from different special-interest groups.

So here is a record of my journey this year as I learn about Christ from the scriptures and my relationship with Him through life experiences.

Today I am grateful for

1. Mom friends at the school. There are a few of us moms that hang out and let our kids play after school while we visit. I have missed visiting with my friends for about a month because of Spencer's surgery. Today I wanted to keep the house quiet for Jamie to study for his exam for as long as possible, so we sat and chatted for almost an hour. It made the time go fast for me and for the kids. They are also such an example of good moms; they are involved with their kids, know what is happening in their lives and want the best for their kids. It is a pleasure to associate with such wonderful women.

2. Hugs from my kids. I love it when my kids just come up and hug me. Ryan especially does this a lot and I love it.

3. Jamie and all his hard work for his exam. Tomorrow is the first exam for his CPA license. He has been studying a lot and we are praying for him to get at least an 80 %. I am grateful that he is willing to put all of this time in studying so that he can get a better job which in turn provides more for our family.

4. Smiles from Caleb. He is growing so fast and I love every little smile I get from him. I am so glad to have this little angel in my life.

5. Good neighbors. Jamie thought he ran out of gas today because his car wouldn't start. I was able to call Marissa, my neighbor, and borrow a gas can and she was totally willing to help. I love having neighbors that I know I can call and hope that they feel they can call me.