Amazing Grace

That song is running through my head right now. SO many things are running through my head. I have something that I would love to blog about, but I can't for fear of hurting feelings of family members. I want to post about it though so that I will have this memory with me always. I hate when people post things that are so vague that you wonder why did they post it. Yet, I am doing that today.

I will say that today more than ever I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real. I know that they love us and are always there for us. I know without a doubt that they love me and want what's best for me. Today they gave me something very special and personal. Some people who I am really close to may be able to pick up on what I am talking about. Today I had questions finally answered that I have wondered my whole life. I didn't know if I wanted them answered for a long time, but I came to a point in my life where I felt it was time and that I could handle whatever I was given.

I met with a man today that showed me true compassion and and was an example of reverence, patience and love. I learned of all the wonderful resources we have in this world. How fortunate we are. How fortunate I am. I was reminded of how selfless people can be. How many people put others ahead of themselves. If only everyone chose to live their lives that way. I found a desire to give more, to volunteer my time.

We never know where our road of life will take us, but I am so grateful for the journey that I am on. I am so grateful for such a wonderful support system I have from family and friends.

God is good.

Carefree and Inspiring

I adore this lady and the music she makes......

Oh it is SO on!!!

It is on people. I am committing to lent this year. Don't laugh.... I can totally do this. Guess what I am giving up? Ummmmmm SWEETS!!! Ack! Scary right? Might I just warn my fellow peeps that I see often that I might be scary for a week or two. I might go into withdrawals. It will be worth it though. I need to cleanse myself of something and I think sweets/treats/goodies/sugary snacks will be the way to go. I am a day late on this little fun bandwagon, but it's all good. I did go out with a bang by having a chocolate doughnut, a cupcake, and a few girl scout cookies. Bad, right? Don't worry, I didn't eat it all in one sitting:)

Time for a change

You know when the leaves start to change color and you can feel a change in the air? I want that change, I am looking for that change. I know the Debbie Downer can come out in the Winter, but I feel it more this year than I ever have. I want to go back to the careless world I once lived in. Where people are not easily offended, where gossip isn't a priority, where drama is left behind. I did High School once, and that was enough for me. I feel like I have lost a little of me. The part that I really like. The part that lets things run off my shoulder, that life doesn't need to be taken to seriously, where I don't let people get to me. Where people think of what they are saying before they say it. Where we aren't selfish. I need to find that part of me again. I thought little trips would help, maybe girl lunch dates, but I need more. I think I need a retreat in a Tepee with a Indian:) I need to sweat this out and be done. I want the warm ocean breeze blowing through my hair. I want the sun shining on me while I lay out and bask in the sun like a sea lion in San Diego. I want back the Aloha Spirit I felt in Hawaii. But most importantly I see the change needs to come from me. So from this day forward I will speak more kindly. I will look for all the good in the day. I will count the many blessings that I know I have. I will attract the good to happen. I will cherish the people I have in my life. I will thank my friends for all the times they have listened to me. I will put the smile on my face because I really truly am happy. And gosh dangit, I will exercise more!!!!

9 Years

9 years ago yesterday, I gave birth to that hottie. Believe it or not, she came out very tan and with a ton of dark brown hair. Matt looked at her, then at me and said she wasn't his:) Poor girl had jaundice (hence the tan) and I had lots of dark hair as a baby. She was our little monkey and we were so glad to have her.

Here are 9 things I love about this girl:

1-She has the most beautiful smile that lights up her face.
2-She will play pretend with her sister for hours!
3-She is so compassionate. She never wants anyone to be sad. I have seen her comforting friends with her arm around them, trying to make them feel better.
4-She has a crazy sense of humor. She makes us laugh with the craziness that comes out of her mouth.
5-I never have to ask her to do her homework. It is always done right after school.
6-She loves to help cook.
7-She has an amazing voice.
8-She loves to shop just like her mom:)
9-She loves her family.

Tay- we are so glad to have you in our family. I couldn't imagine life without you!

2010

Biggest Purchase:
All the items to finish our downstairs including our carpet:) But it was SO worth it!

Favorite Movie: Alison in Wonderland, Eclipse,
Funniest Movie: Despicable Me
Worst Movie: Repo Men-HORRIBLE!!

Favorite Celebrity: Sandra Bullock


Least Favorite Celebrity: Lady Gaga-NASTY

Guilty Pleasure(s):
Hot Chocolate, reading, lunch with my girls, sleeping in

Sickest Moment:
All the squishy dog poop I cleaned up that was wet from the sprinklers.

Saddest Moment:
Loosing a couple of people that were too young to move on from this life.

Achievements: Learning to really love cooking, finishing the basement,moving everyone into new rooms a week before Christmas.

2010 "Firsts": Having all 3 kids in school all day, road trip without my hubby for over 10 hours of driving, surviving a year of having Matt gone more than he ever has and making our relationship stronger than it has ever been:)

Lessons Learned:
Using my time wisely, saying "no" instead of trying to be a people pleaser.

2010 in 1 word: Exciting

2011 will be:
AMAZING!

Hopes for next year:
Financial freedom, more family trips, great health for my family, a healthy new niece.

Malia

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."

Today I have been thinking about the New Year. That 2010 has come to an end, and 2011 will begin a new chapter for all of us. This evening as I was thinking about it a little more, I was told some terrible news. Tears run down my face as I write this. One of my sweet Young Women from Hawaii passed away today, Malia. What has happened this past year doesn't matter. What will happen this next year seems so far in the distance. All that I think of is how important our loved ones are.

We lived across the street from the Vea family our first year and a half in Hawaii. 3 beautiful girls. 2 very caring parents who were always on the lookout for their girls welfare. Nani and her sister Malia were in my Young Women's group. I love those girls! They were very close, fighting like all sisters do at times. But the sisterhood was there. I have watched from across the ocean on FB the girls grow into Women.

May we all put petty things aside. We all have differences. Forgive. Forget. Move on. Look to a positive outlook on life. Bring your family close. Love them for who they are, not what you want them to be. Tell them you love them everyday, show them you love them everyday. Leave the world behind and focus on what you have right in front of you.


“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

“But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

“No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin