He is my Father

If you haven't personally got to be around me lately, you have not gotten the privilege of hearing me quote John Bytheway. But he has become one of my favorite people to listen to as I drive around. His quick wit makes me smile, and his simple way of making the gospel relevant and amazing is so enjoyable. I have really needed it lately.

Something that has rung so clear to me lately as I have listened to him, is the knowledge that I know my Heavenly Father personally. My Father in Heaven knows me better then I know myself, because he remembers what I was like before I came to this earth, and I can't. Two things that John Bytheway has brought up that have made me feel the spirit and know the truthfulness of this doctrine is this...

He quoted President Benson as saying, “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us.” Wow! I was blown away by this statement. The spirit was so strong and tears came to my eyes. I Just know it is true.

Another statement he made is that he was talking about pedigree charts and family history. He said it is amazing to look at those charts and see where our bodily lineage comes from. It is our bodies lineage, but it is really amazing to think about our pedigree chart for our spirit. There is only one bracket. Our father and us. Again, the spirit was so strong. I just knew it was true.

This life is the middle of our story, not the beginning. Happily Ever After doesn't come till the end of the story. This journey in the middle part is definitely easier knowing I have a Heavenly Father who knows me intimately, because I lived with him in the beginning. I am thankful for the plan of Happiness. I am even more thankful to have a testimony that is a true thing. God had a plan, long before He created our spirits and sent us down here to accomplish the middle part of existence. God loves us because we are His spirit children.

Sorry so serious. John Bytheway is great. You should check him out at the library. And if you want to read more about the plan of Happiness or this life being the middle part of the "play"....Elder Packer gave an amazing talk on it. Check it out HERE.

A Surprise

My friend from Oregon's husband contacted me a week or so before her birthday, and asked if I was going to see his wife during her vacation her in Utah. I said I would go anywhere to see her. So he got me in on her birthday gift from him. He sent me her gift, and even though the plans got a little crazy at the last minute, I got to go and surprise her.

You can see her confusion. But it turned into excitement not too much later.

Her husband did a good thing getting her this gift, she has wanted it since Christmas.

If you can't read it, it is a necklace that says, "I love adoption."

She put it on immediately and was very pleased that her husband had finally caught on to her not so subtle hints.

Adoption is how she got this cute little red headed guy. He could not have gotten better parents. The Wilbergers are amazing people. Who have had trails that I would rather die then have, and yet they are faithful, service giving, amazing people. I love them.

such a bad picture of me, but it really was short notice to run and see her, but so worth it. I love this girl. God knew I needed her in Oregon, and still lets me cherish her as a friend from a far.

Bren cam to visit me the next day and gave me some advice on new born pictures. She helped me set up a few of these beautiful pics. I miss having her around to share our love of photography. She does an amazing job, and gave me some good pointers and a cool lens to use. Check out this little beauty HERE. Her mother should be so proud of this little beauty after three crazy boys. Thanks Tiffany for humoring us. I think the announcement turned out pretty great if I do say so myself.

A PS shout out to a sweet friend who helped me to make a really cute skirt for Micah(the skirt will be featured later).

When I showed up to work on skirts, she had these there to greet me. What a great birthday present. They are the cutest little piggies. I have to add I did gain a few calories pigging out on them. Thank you tons Vickie!

Hiller Family

On the way to this shoot, my friend Rani says, "and I have some cute clothes for a spring family picture." I say, if you have clothes for then, why are we doing it now. She replies, "because we don't have a family picture, and what if one of us dies." No pressure, ya know...in the case of death we want a nice family picture.

WELL, it turned out to be a very blustery day, we still got a few shots I think are fun, and Rani seems pleased, for now, until a greenery spring finally makes its appearance. As for me, I was just glad that there were no stitches needed during this shoot.

It was good

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Some very nice person decided to let everyone know that it was my of my old age. I have no idea who it was, but at least they stated I was a "Hot Mama".

It was a nice morning. I woke up to the sound of my little beauties working on a wonderful breakfast in bed for their aged mother. I didn't know that my husband had been in on the plan, and had made pancake batter and cut up strawberries for them. Noah showed that he had paid attention when he helps me make pancakes. He did an amazing job. It was a little bit of work to try to enjoy breakfast while managing my four children, and keeping syrup and milk off my bed. But it was fun. After I got the two oldest off to school, I got to work on an announcement of a baby that happens to live next door. It was a lot of fun, and the mom seemed pleased as she helped me with the creative part of it. It is always nice to feel useful and semi-talented on your birthday.

My afternoon was spent just how I planned it a month in advance. I knew John was going to have to work on my birthday, and I didn't want it to pass without doing something fun. So I asked my sister-in-laws to come to lunch with me. The moms were soon added and Melissa was able to make it with little cutie Hudson. It was a great lunch surrounded by wonderful women. I am so grateful for sister-in-laws...my only chance of ever having a sister.

After lunch I did a little shopping with my mom, and then headed home to pick up my kids. KT Thanks for watching them! I was playing with my kids outside when I received a phone call from John saying by some miracle he was off, and would be home soon. YAHOOOOO!

We went to the Mandrin in Bountiful and enjoyed some yummy food with Kerry(John's mom), Heidi and Travis, and my wonderful parents. It was good food and good company.

Thanks to everyone who texted or called on my birthday. It sure makes you feel loved.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY....

And I'll brag if I want to!

In thirty years I have done a lot, but it is easy to see my four biggest, and best accomplishments.

#1

#2

#3

#4

And yes, they maybe a little crazy

And make life really crazy,

but it is a good crazy.

and by FARR my GREATEST accomplishments!

Accomplishments were only made by loving one very good man...a man I will Love to infinity and beyond!

Your gift to me!

So, My birthday is in about a week now, and I have been thinking about what I want all of you to give me. Now, don't get huffy, this is saving you from having to be creative and find something to give me that I have not already received in the last 29 years. It won't cost you any money, maybe just a few minutes of thought, maybe hours, or maybe no time at all. Are you curious? Are you ready? A WARNING: Just by finding out, doesn't make you committed, just makes you aware of what I want. Are your ready? Here it is.

FORGIVENESS

Okay, that may sound a little corny or weird to some, but it is all I really want. You have no idea how many heart aches I have caused by my "Innocent tongue," or heart aches I have suffered for lack of communication because someone won't tell me what it is I have done so that I can fix it. Yes, I know this is a selfish gift. It is my birthday, and I want the world, but am only asking for forgiveness. I know to some I have hurt deeply, this may mean giving me the world, but just think of how much lighter you will feel with the burden gone, and I really am asking with a sincere heart.

Take your time, think about it as long as you need to. Who doesn't like late birthday presents? You think your birthday is over, and WHAM there is something on your doorstep, or WHAM there is something in your mailbox. It makes your day. And this GIFT will make my year!

Some will think this post is specifically for them, and Yes, I do have certain people in mind, but all in all I really wish to know I have a clean slate with everyone. I am going to work really hard to keep it clean. But something I am also trying to give myself this year, is acceptance. I am who I am. I CAN change things, but I need to accept the things that are an intricate part of me that I can't change. AND learn to like them. My "innocent tongue" is one of those things. It needs to be brideled, but not smoothered. It can be used for good. I also have to realize I can not always help offending those who are waiting to be offended. I am TRYING really hard to let others be human, meaning make mistakes, do things the way they do them, and be who they are going to be. I am also trying to let myself be human. I can only change me, I can't change anyone else...but i can ask for a birthday gift of Forgiveness.

So when you are ready, IF you are willing, please leave me a PRESENT in my comment box, or if it is too private, shoot me an e-mail. THANK YOU ahead of time.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Good Bye Pale skin! Hello Sun!

It was a beautiful day today, so I made some friends meet me at the park. I have been under the weather with a cold, and needed to get out. And what would an outing be without snacks? Not a success!

My mom even joined in on the fun for a few minutes. Not even she could deny how good the sun felt, or maybe it was just my cute kids that drew her in. :)

Time with friends

We had some great friends come into town over the weekend for a visit. I totally forgot that they had a dog, but everything turned out fine. Deeken is usually very scared of dogs, so we thought we would torture the fear out of him...just kidding. He actually chose to get in there, and I was just lucky enough to get this picture, and since it is the only picture I have from the weekend, it will have to do.

The Veeks arrived on Friday night. My kids had anticipated it for a whole week, counting down the days until they arrived. They spoiled me right off, by making me an early birthday dinner. It was delicious, and I coveted the leftovers for days.

Sierra and I got to have a SUPER Saturday. We went running, then shopping, and made it home just in time to get the babysitters so that we could go to the temple with our husbands and out to dinner after. It was wonderful.

We always hate it when the Veeks leave, and can't wait till the next time comes around that we get to see them. We love you!

Hmmmm....

• Sometimes the sound of my name (MOM) said by my kids makes me cringe. Usually when it is repeated over and over and over again. Does this ever get to you too?
• I think house cleaning styles are like personalities. Mine is sort of clean on our first meeting, and then after that it is pretty much what you see is what you get. Sometimes, you might catch me on a more refined day, but a better part of the time there are a few loose ends here and there, meaning my house has always got something out of place. John is more clean and perfect on the first meeting and would always like it to always LOOK that way. Always. What is yours?
• Sometimes I feel like my life is a LITTLE out of control, and I wonder if I will ever get it under control. Have you ever felt like that? Can you have a mid-life crisis at 30?
• I am a HUGE loser! By that I mean, I lose everything. I have now lost 2, count it 2 wedding rings. I lose my keys all the time. Things get misplaced and I just figure they will show up and don't get overly excited about looking for them, and then some how time passes, and they are lost....Micah's coat, Micah's scooter, new umbrella, etc. Are you a loser too?
• I like denim. When you wear two different kinds of denim, are they supposed to match? For example, A denim jacket and denim jeans. Do they gotta match, or is that too Match-e?

• THESE ARE JUST THINGS I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT, and QUESTIONS I WANTED TO ASK...IT WILL PROBABLY GET ADDED TO.