It's Been Awhile

How time flies! And it's just a bit too fast for me to be honest.

Feeling that I need to do a better job of keeping my families story, I am blogging again.  So much has happened in the last three years. Some of it a bit rough. Some of it full of joy! But all of it a part of who we are. Both the rough and the joyful parts have helped us to grow, learn, love, forgive and endure. Most of all, these things teach us that life goes on. We can roll with the punches and make a beautiful life choosing to see beauty in unexpected places , people and situations...or we can not.

I am continually grateful for a wonderful loving family that is growing and progressing,  the gospel of  Jesus Christ that always lifts and inspires me to be better and this incredibly gorgeous world we live in filled with amazing people!

I am truly blessed!

Princess Peepers (Hannah's New Glasses)

Hannah has had glasses since she was 3 1/2. She has had the same glasses ever since. They have become part of who she is and I think they are adorable. After four years she needed an update. (the old glasses have began falling apart) She got her new peeps today. She loves them! They are very cute but I think they make her look older(sigh).

How I LOVE OCTOBER!

What is it about October that I love so much? I think one of the reasons that I love October so much is because of this! It has been a great week as my testimony of the gospel has been buoyed up and strengthened and as I have recommitted myself to being a righteous daughter of God.
I especially loved this by President Monson: "We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” To read more of his talk go here.

Plus on top of that, the weather has been beautiful!

Hotter than Haiti Benefit Concert

I am currently in the process of planning a Till We Have Faces concert to raise money for Ruuska Village on Sept 25! It will coincide with the Hotter than Haiti fun run held earlier that day. More information about the run and Ruuska Village can be found here at Mandi's Blog.

On another note. The kids have all been in school now for about two weeks and have settled into the routine. All is going well and they are enjoying it! The Hubby is in Poland right with the National Guard. He will be there for the month. I finally was able to talk to him for a few minutes last night and all is going well. They did have a few hang up getting there. It turned out that it was easier for them to fly into Germany and then take a train to Poland vs. flying into Poland. All of this had to be changed at the very last minute and when you are talking military personnel, weapons, orders being changed, etc. it turn into quite a headache. But so far all is well!

Play Date with Kaylee

Hannah invited her cousin Kaylee over to play. They like to pretend to be princesses, doctor up sick animals, catch butterflies, do gymnastics and generally make a bit of noise. So when the house was as quiet as a mouse, I became concerned and went up to check on them.

This is what I found...

Ahhh, the magic of a book!
Awesome isn't it!

Rulon Gardner- Stop beating up my family!

Do you see these bruises. That one up there is my husband.
This one down here is my son.

Do you want to know who gave them these bruises?
Rulon Gardner did!
Yes, that wrestler with the missing toe who crashes planes into Lake Powell.
(Those were my sister's words)
By the way, he also won an Olympic Gold Medal and he can pick up
my husband like he's nothin. And my hubby is a good sized guy with lots of muscle.
I told them that the next time they go to wrestling they should
NOT volunteer to be the one Rulon demonstrates on!

Insightful Girl and Notes From Hannah

Today in church Hannah wrote this note for me:

You are prettier than a flower
You are prettier than a daisy
You are prettier than a heart
You are prettier than a heart chocolate chip cookie
I Love you so much

McKell has been blessed with wisdom beyond her years.
She is insightful.
She is beautiful and kind.
Sometimes she feels out-of-touch with other girls her age,
but I am so glad to have been blessed with such a wonderful daughter who
always wants to do what is right!
She will get it all figured out and in the end I think that she will be very thankful to be the incredible daughter of God that she is!