When the windows of your heart are open.

 Maya had the blessed opportunity to go and serve the people of Liberia … I told my family she was down there and my dear sister Nina wrote back “Again how you taught your babies is obviously being shown. Congratulations on a fantastic growth in their hearts”

I cried seeing Maya holding that baby… the smile on her face and the smile on that baby.. it was priceless. We are so blessed beyond measure … we take so much for granted.

Tonight when you go to sleep… pray for those who are less fortunate… who are battling the hardest battles of their life… give someone a little extra prayer who might not be as comfortable, warm, or safe… 

Remember, "It is not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts." Mother Teresa

Living in the age of COVID-19

If someone would have told me that living in my home with all five of my children and my spouse would be how this school year would end I would have literally laughed, a hearty loud laugh. 

Personally I am a homebody. This doesn't bother me. Growing up I never really was allowed to have much of a social life, and quite honestly when I ventured out on my own I didn't really need MORE - the people around me were enough. I was satisfied on my mission with living with one person. I was happy with having my husband all to myself . I found I was even happier when we were blessed with children. Military life taught me it was okay to depend on others outside of the circle that I had drawn around myself and had kept me safe and sound until then. It was nice to have others around.

But here we are - alone. Some people call it stuck. Maybe they are. Maybe they live in a small house, or apartment with no breathing room. I am blessed that we live in a state where there is much to run off and do away from the hum drum of home and still practice social distancing. 

I am loving all this time to be with my children. Are the days easy? YES, and NO. Of course there are ups and downs. What roller coaster ride would be fun if there were never any ups and downs? Daily someone has a melt down, daily someone annoys someone else, daily someone speaks out of term.

BUT...

Daily someone gives an unexpected hug. Daily there is laughter floating in from a distant room. Daily I find two or three children gathered around a sofa sharing a funny post they found. Daily I see hugs exchanged. Daily I hear sweet melodies from a guitar, a piano, a uke, a violin, or someone singing. Daily I hear I LOVE YOU.  I LOVE these sounds and I know that through the trials and hardships and stolen matches, and canceled concerts we are okay. We are really okay. Tomorrow is still there BUT today we can and will be okay. 

I don’t know about you.... but it’s funny to me how life sends one in full circle... you start here.... go there... and end up back where you started... like the riddle what has four feet in the morning two in the evening and three at night? A human... because when we are born we are on all fours - then we learn to walk and we are on two feet... then as we get older we need help to move and use a cane. I have lived long enough to see how the circle of life truly is a circle. We choose our path....every choice we make leads somewhere... the adventures or lack there of are up to us... but eventually we all end up in the same place...
last night as I was reading my scriptures and I had a realization that prayers are so amazingly powerful. All these years with Addison in and out of the hospital - surgery after surgery... death bed after death bed.....those prayers have brought solace to my deeply needy soul. The prayers given by long lasting friends...the prayers given by loving family members...the prayers given sometimes by complete strangers....because someone told them my daughter needed a prayer.... the prayers that as soon as they were uttered brought instant change... and sometimes just brought strength to better deal with the surmounting pain. I have looked back on my life and I have seen the POWER of prayer unto deliverance...even if I wasn’t freed from the torment I was no longer held bound by fear and doubt. There is so much to be said about prayer. So much power that I can’t deny it’s deliverance. Like a father who prayed for a son to change ... “And now behold can he dispute the power of God??”Alma 27:15.    I can not- nor would I want to.
Like the rainbow that shines after every storm. HE is always there.

Seems like it takes me a year to post but then no one really cares as no one really seems to read these but I was reading through my dear friends and her life unfolded so beautifully before my eyes in pictures and sweet memories, I cried, I laughed, I sighed and I thought I need to keep it up, for me, for my children, so they can look back and remember - because ultimately our memories are all we have everything else wither away.

kid pics

So Christmas was meant to last just one day and maybe its simply better that way.

It' s a time meant to be treasured it can't always be here

but the feeling it gives us can last the whole year.

Well another year has come to an end. So many wonderful memories we made. We are ever so grateful for family and friends who filled this year to the brim with joy and happiness. The experiences we have had have made our bonds stronger and strengthened our faith. I am ever so grateful that God has blessed me with a wonderful man who continually lifts and strengthens our little family. Grateful for the pitter patter of the beautiful, wonderfully spirited children he has blessed us with that continually make us laugh and feel complete. Grateful to know that there is a God who loves and watches over his children continually, and for His Son who so meekly died so that we could live again. There is so much joy that this knowledge brings to our souls - making any trial and heartache seem easier to bear and shoulder. Making the happy moments better. The happiness it brings to our lives spreads like wildfire and shines brightly - what a blessing...let your light so shine...
Then we do our best to be the Lord's hands here upon the earth, doing good and spreading sunshine along the way. The only way to be is to live happy, always looking for the good in others and in all situations.
May this year bring happiness to your heart and may you be able to find the joy that can only come from our savior Jesus Christ.

Happy new year!

"Try a little harder to be a little better." Gordon B. Hinckley