Gratitude

Well I have fallen off the blogging wagon for awhile as there has been lots going on in life these days. Plus sometimes it just seems like you aren't really sure what to post or what to say, especially when so many we know right now are going through definite challenges in their lives. But the one thing I have felt so strongly over the last little bit is gratitude...a gratitude I am not sure I have ever really experienced before.

It is always interesting how the Lord works in your life and gives you opportunities or experiences that help you learn and grow. For me sometimes I know I have let those great teaching moments go for one reason or another and have missed some key learning. Lately as I have turned my life completely over to the Lord in the challenges we have been facing some amazing experiences have occurred and I have begun to realize the great blessings I enjoy and have received throughout my life. I am so grateful for the chance to have my heart changed because of the interaction with others who have what many would consider amazing struggles and yet for them they have taken all the good they could from them and made themselves better people. They have learned what true humility is and have allowed me to benefit from their experience. They have taught me how much I hide behind my own pride and independence and how detrimental that can be and that when you truly desire what the Lord desires for your life (no matter how different that may be from your own original plan) you find true joy and peace. Not a lesson I have totally mastered yet...but I am getting there.

I am thankful for those friends who have children struggling with life threatening illnesses and are blessed those children are still here with them. I am grateful for their strength they have shared as these children have gone through surgeries and treatments and have endured more in their young lives then most of us will have to endure in a lifetime. For some I wish I were closer to give them a big hug and let them know how much I truly appreciate their example of strength and trust in the Lord. I am thankful for others who have taken very bold and courageous steps to better their lives not letting the fear of what others around them may think or say hold them back. To have battled their issues for so long alone and then finally trusted good people around them enough to let them in to help and support them as they fought through their struggles. Through their experiences it has allowed me to open up to those around me for support and love...even if all I needed that day was just a simple smile. I am very thankful for those who have taught me through their financial difficulties that life is so much more than the material things we own and that true happiness comes from much more than that. I have always known this fact, but when you see it come to life through someone else (or more importantly yourself) you begin to more fully internalize that principle. It has been wonderful spending time with so many of these people and learning from them and being uplifted by their spirits.

I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to serve lately as it seemed to benefit me more so than it did anyone else. I have loved getting to know so many in our ward who have blessed my life in ways they will probably never know. As big as our ward is getting now I am so grateful for the caliber of people in it and for the amazing spirit it has. Each Sunday I come away feeling so filled with the spirit and with a greater understanding of how to live the gospel. The Lord knows I need good examples of gospel living as I was not raised with those in my life and the families in our ward have done an amazing job! I love and am grateful for the women who have taken time to teach me and share their wisdom and insight on being a mother and raising righteous children. I appreciate their testimonies and their intense commitment to living the gospel and standing up for what is right and being willing to share all of that with me. I am grateful for extended family for doing all of this as well. I say a big thank you to all the women over the years who have done these things and more.

And of course I have been overly thankful for my incredible family. I remember praying to be able to marry the best guy out of all the ones that could be right for me and I can honestly say I have done that!!!! I love my husband and am so grateful to him for all the amazing things he has given me and done for me over the years...just the fact that he stuck with me is a huge accomplishment! He is the strength of our family. I am grateful for his dedication to our family and his intense love for me and each of his children. I appreciate the example he has always been of seeing the glass half full all the time and the good that exists in every aspect of life. I could not be more grateful for having the priesthood in my home and for the power it brings in my life. Again not having had that growing up I feel blessed to have it now and that my children have the opportunity to be blessed by it too. I am grateful to be a mom of four amazing boys!!!! As much as that can be a challenge for me (and those of you with all boys know what I mean) I could not have asked for anything better. My kids have given me more and taught me more then I ever imagined children could do. I am grateful to be learning how to raise these special spirits and to not let the burden of it all weigh me down to the point of defeat. I do not feel worthy of this call to be a mother most days but am grateful a loving father has enough confidence in me (or at least the people around me) to give me this amazing experience. I am often overwhelmed with gratitude for the family I have and hope and pray that someday I may be worthy them. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Well this post has gotten a bit out of hand...sorry. Like I said there has been a lot going on lately and I have had a lot on my mind. I am just really thankful for the experiences I have had over the last few months that have helped me grow and in the process of that growth become stronger. There is truly so much to be grateful for in my life. I feel blessed the Lord has allowed me to experience this. Thank you to all of those who have been such supports to me (even though you may not even know it) and for all the love you have shown. As President Kimball basically said... the Lord does know us and our needs and it is usually through others that He blesses us and takes care of those needs. I am grateful for the people He has sent my way and for all the blessings they have brought!!!

Reflecting back...and looking forward

Well I like most people took a moment yesterday to reflect back on the events that occured 7 years ago. It doesn't seem like it was really that long ago as your feelings are as close to the surface as they were back then. I remember being totally in shock that something like this was really happening and then being glued to the TV (something I am not known for) for the rest of the day watching the drama unfold. How grateful I am for those people who sacrificed their lives in whatever capacity that day. The whole event made me realize how blessed we are to live in this nation and for the many freedoms we enjoy. I think I used to take that more for granted until 9/11 and since have really tried to recognize the privileges I have been given. I remember living in Europe for a year and a half and working with many political refugees from the Middle East and thinking then how proud I was to be an American after hearing just how horrible life could really be in those countries...things the media fails to disclose. But I know I am even more proud now to live in a nation that gives us the right to be who we want to be and allows us to achieve the potential each of us has. I am most grateful for the chance to worship as I will and hope and pray that as our nation goes through various changes that privilege will always remain strong.

Which leads me to looking to the future of our country. I am so not a political type person and have struggled to really get into it all in the past. But over the last few years I have realized that this great country will ony stay that way if all of us get involved and make sure our elected officials believe in the values our country was founded upon. That seems to be happening less and less these days and with the upcoming election I was a totally scared of what our country was headed for. It is never a great feeling when you have to pick between the "lesser of the two evils". But I feel like there is hope ahead now with Miss Sarah entering the picture. What a breath of fresh air...yet one that packs a pretty good punch! I love women like her and think she has done a fantastic job in spite of all she has come up against over the last couple of weeks. She has come in and shakin things up a bit...which is just what this election year really needed! I am much more confident now that there still is hope for our future and that somehow good will yet prevail! You go Miss Sarah this country certainly needs you!!!!

1st day of preschool...sigh

Well Ethan officially had his big entrance into school life this week...he headed off to preschool. He has been so excited to go for the last couple of months...and thanks to that excitement was able to potty train himself in order to go (thank heavens for preschool). He had a great time and from what I hear did a great job. He has been saying for the last month that the school bus was going to pick him up and take him and even after I told him I was taking him (a big whoppin 1/2 block away) he insisted the school bus was coming. I was actually getting worried that I would have to paint a big box yellow and black and put ourselves in it and walk down the street so he would feel like the bus came to pick him up...luckily that did not have to happen. As I drove away I was actually a bit choked up realizing once again how fast our kids are growing up...sometimes I wonder if I am really up for that challenge. But we are very excited for Ethan to be in Miss Heather's class (since she is an amazing teacher) and know he is going to have fun and learn all at the same time. Now the question is what am I going to do with myself for 2 hours twice a week with no kids...hum?!?

Ok so this what you get trying to take a picture in the lovely AZ sun

And how bout that beautiful squinting smile

LABOR DAY

We had a great Labor Day hanging out with some friends from our ward. They invited us up to spend the afternoon swimming and eating at a resort in north Scottsdale where their parents have a timeshare... it was very nice! The kids had a blast swimming in the millions of pools they had...one even had this really cool waterfall you could swim under and then sit on the other side. We even relaxed in one of the hot tubs...sounds a bit crazy being in AZ right but the pool water was actually very cold and it felt great to warm up!!! Anyway, we had a blast just hanging out and the food was great. Even better the weather was nice and you actually enjoyed being outside. Thanks so much TC and Jon (and of course TC's parents) for inviting us and letting us enjoy a great day together!!!

Daddy and Ethan "chillin" in the hot tub

Playing in the pools...my little water boys

This was the big waterfall at one of the pools...I will say when you stood underneath it packed a good punch

Playground fun

I have to say today was a great day...why you might ask...because of the above. For the first time all summer we were able to go back to the park and play outside without it being 105+ degrees outside and miserable. I was so excited to get up this morning and hear it was going to be overcast and the high was going to be under 100 degrees!!!! I have waited for that all summer long! I am not a big heat lover (in fact I cannot stand it) and after months of cabin fever it felt great to get out and play again. Ethan and I took off this morning and headed to one of the cool neighborhood parks and hung out playing and running around. It was fun seeing him slide down the slides and climb up the ladders again all the while with a big smile on his face. I didn't even mind all the mud he got caked on his shoes and all over his clothes. I cannot wait for summer to be over and for the cooler weather to head on back! We love getting outside and today was a small glimmer of hope that might not be too far in the distant future...oh how I pray! Some may say there is nothing like fun in the sun...but for us there is nothing like a day at the park!

The all boys weekend...

Well it was my yearly business trip to St. Louis where the boys got to spend 4 days with their dad doing all the boys things they never get to do when I am around. Each year they look forward to this break from mom and the fun they get to have with dad. I am grateful for Marc and his willingness to watch the kids so I can go every summer...and I know the boys are grateful too. The nice thing is Marc is pretty good about documenting their adventures...and what he doesn't tell me the boys usually will! I was actually very surprised with all the fun they had the house was pretty much in tact when I came back and did not look any worse than when I left...my guess is there was some serious sprint cleaning with lots a bribing going on. Anyway, I was glad to get away and had a great time in St. Louis and the boys obviously had fun. Thanks honey for being such and amazing hubbie and dad!!!!!

The boys always hike A Mountain on Saturday morning during my trip away...it has become a father/son tradition. I love the hiking attire dad let them wear...they went to Tempe Beach Park right after so I guess it works.

One of the big highlights of the hike was the boys found A LOT of cool caterpillars on the side of the trail...supposedly there were over a hundred. Definitely one of a boy's favorite things...BUGS!!

Boys hanging out at the Tempe Beach Park

First day of school!!!!!

Now that I am the biggest blogger slacker (if that even makes sense) I decided it was time to get back on track and catch up with everything I have not posted. Just like everything else life always seems to get in the way. Things have been a bit crazy, but we are now getting on a schedule again finally so I should be able to get back up to speed.

Anyway, the kids first day of school was a couple of weeks ago but you cannot go without documenting that no matter how late it is. I was more sad to see them go this year for some reason...maybe because I had my third start kindergarden and I just realize how fast they are all growing up. I have come to find that I really love to have control over my kids in the sense that I know what they are doing all the time and I am the one making sure they are all right. But I also realize they will not stay young forever and that growing up can be a good thing in many ways (just not always for mom). All of my fears for this year have gone away as the boys LOVE school and their teachers. It is nice having gotten to know all the teachers as we have been in this montessori program since Brandon started school and Brandon has already had the teachers Corbin and Trystan have this year. I was worried about my little Trystan going to all day kindergarden, but he is doing great and loves being there all day with his brothers. I feel really excited about this year and am happy the boys are making new friends and loving their experience so far (we will see how that goes by the time March rolls around). I am just glad we still have a couple of years before we have to worry about junior high!

These are the just out of bed at the crack of dawn after a summer of no alarms and sleeping in pictures...Corbin actually did pretty good to just roll out of bed and throw some clothes on that matched before he was fully awake.

It took everything the boys had to stand there for the few seconds it took to get this shot...they could not wait to get started with school (and away from mom).

Sunday fun

Well since it is the day before school starts we wanted to have a fun day before all the craziness starts tomorrow...the boys decided to have that fun with sheets. We built a big tent in our family room and hung out inside and played and laughed. We have done this before and it is worth all the mess of food in the carpet (a big one for me as I do not let them eat outside of the kitchen) and the load of laundry the next day. It is always great to see the boys creativity and for dad and I to jump right in and get involved. There is definitely nothing like making memories with your kids!!!!

A BIG Happy #10 Brandon!!!!

I have been such a slacker at blogging lately and am still trying to catch up. Brandon had a birthday a few weeks ago and I am just now getting around to posting it...sorry Brandon (although he knows his mom all too well). I am still a bit shocked that we now have a kid in double digits...I truly thought that day would never come. You hear all too often how fast kids grow and somehow you just keep thinking it will never happen to you. Then the moments come throughout their lives where you realize that is all too much of a reality in your life too. I still remember when Brandon was born and I am having a hard time thinking he has been in our home over half the time we get him before he heads out on his mission...and yes the time does fly. I only hope the next ten years will be as great and amazing as the first ten have been! Anyway, I wanted to share the 10 things we love about our Brandon most...

1. He is the most tender hearted little man I have ever met. He is always showing his love for family and friends and always has a genuine concern for those around him.

2. He has an amazing understanding of the gospel and loves to share what he has learned and what he feels about it whenever he gets the chance. He has taught our family much about the gospel principles.

3. He is super creative. I have never seen anyone who can come up with the funnest ideas and things to do just off of the top of his head. He can basically make something totally "cool" out of what many would consider nothing at all.

4. He is a wonderful leader and example. He has done such a great job at helping his brothers make good choices as they watch him make good choices.

5. He can really rally the troops when needed. When everyone else is having a hard time Brandon has a way of getting them to see the good in a situation and helps them pick up and move on.

6. He loves to laugh and have fun...which of course is contagious and makes all around him put a smile on their faces and laugh with him.

7. He loves to be with his family as much as he can. Even though he is getting older he still likes to hang out with his little brothers and the family. His brothers absolutely adore him!

8. He lets things roll off his back most of the time...which with 3 younger brothers is a real talent. He has taught mom and dad much about being patient and not stressing over the small stuff.

9. He is quite the gentleman and very helpful around the house (he will make his future wife proud). He is always the one to help out when no one else in the family wants to and usually never says a word about it.

10. He has a strong love of the Savior and his Heavenly Father, and because of this brings a wonderful spirit to our home. He truly has a desire to be more like the Saviour and radiates that to those around him.

Brandon we sure hope you know how very much we love and appreciate you!!!! Our family would not be the same without you!!! May this year be your best so far!!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Two steps forward...one step back

I am still trying to play catch up and have not gotten as far as I would like. I am trying to put together our week of family vistors and other events of late...and hopefully I will get totally caught up soon. I just had to document yet another day in the life of Ethan. I had mentioned recently that we are seeing the glimmer of hope of him moving out of the terrible twos and hopefully not fully entering into the terrible threes...he really has gotten so much better. But as with many things we had just a slight step back in time the other day...those glory days resurfaced. It actually was a bit funny and we are getting better at laughing at the "small" things he does. You just have to document these kind of days so as to see the progress you have made and let your kids see as they get older they should be grateful they lived as long as they did!!! Ethan has been the biggest sweetie lately...but I am not sure if the mischieviousness will ever leave him.

Ethan unrolled a very large portion of a box of tin foil and layed it nicely down the floor all the way from the kitchen to the living room. Of course in true Ethan fashion he tried rolling it back on the roll and instead we now have a very large square of tin foil we are slowly trying to use.

Ethan had helped me make Jello on the same day he made the tin foil red carpet...he loves Jello. Well he does not enjoy waiting for the Jello to set so he is constantly trying to check it to see if it is hard. Marc went out of the kitchen only to return a minute later to this lovely mess...Ethan had stuck his hand in the Jello to test it and obviously it was not quite done.

Ethan trying to wash his hands of the "evidence" before he got caught for the crime...gotta love that grin!