Just Take a Deep Breath! This Too Shall Pass!

Sheesh! The past few weeks, I have felt like there is tragedy all around me. There are just so many horrible things happening to people I love. But with those tragedies comes a greater testimony. I have felt the spirit so strong lately, I feel like I have been blessed to watch the ones I love go through these hard times and witness their faith grow. Most of them handle things very well and, hearing their testimonies of prayer and faith has built mine up and made it much stronger. I pray for them every day and am reminded how precious this life is. I treasure EVERY MINUTE I get to spend with my family. I love seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter, drying their tears, feeling their hugs.

I think I am becoming more tolerant (yes, even I can become more tolerant), I find myself stopping to think more before I say things in my out loud voice. I LOVE the little everyday texts I get from Tama and Robin. Just a quick funny of something the kids said or did...or a quick I love you today. And the pictures of my grands....THOSE make my day! I love EVERYTHING they tell me. Some of the 'better' ones lately have been Baylee insisting that boobs are elbows. She refuses to call them boobs. She will only refer to them as elbows. That girl is going to have some issues in anatomy class I fear! She asked her dad if he had elbows and he thought she was talking about ELBOWS so he said yes, he has elbows. Then after Robin explained to him what 'elbows' are in Baylee's world, he informed her he does not have ELBOWS. Way to confuse the child!!

Then we have Abbie... oh my goodness that girl is a crack up! While her mom was putting her to bed the other night, she wanted to know why she and daddy didn't have to go to bed yet. Tama told her because we are grown ups. So Abbie said, well why do grown ups get to stay up later. What do you do anyway, just play games like checkers? So needless to say...there is a lot of giggling when someone mentions playing checkers these days! I know...immature... but oh well. Welcome to my world...

Our Kolby man has finally gotten over the bug! He has returned to school and his mom is so happy! He is a lot like his dad in that he LOVES to tease his sisters until they are furious and he just laughs. What a stinker he can be! He is feeling better and even woke his mom up early the other day and told her he was sorry to wake her, but he was really hungry and could she get up and cook him some bacon and eggs. He is his father's child!

Taylor has been enjoying dance class with Baylee. She is a little wild and doesn't really seem to care about doing the right moves...Taylor dances to her own beat!

Kallie has given up on potty training and just doesn't seem to grasp the concept. Poor girl. The other day she was standing next to her mom and all of the sudden her soggy little pull up just fell to the floor! I can imagine the look on her little face! She has no behind to hold it up! An issue I certainly wish I had to deal with!

So not only are my grands all precious and perfect, but with their innocence and purity they are a constant reminder to me of what we all know we need to be doing. I have been way too busy lately and I haven't taken the time I know I need to take to do the things I really NEED to do. I've been turning on the hymns more and listening to the TV less. I've been playing the Children's Songbook CD in my truck every day. I've been listening to conference talks online instead of just 'surfing'. It is overwhelming how strong the spirit is when you invite it to be there with you. I am so SO thankful for my testimony and faith! I am thankful for the comfort from and knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know we can get through anything if we have FAITH. I love my family so much. My hubby is truly the love of my life and I am amazed that he has put up with me for almost THIRTY years now! Who'd a thunk it?? I would do anything for him. There is also nothing that I would not do for my kids and grands! Nothing makes me happier than to spend time with them! I am so thankful for all of my blessings BIG or small they all count! I am also thankful for our trials and challenges, they make the blessings stand out that much more! I want us each to try a little harder, pray a little more often, look for the blessings, seek out the miracles. Start TODAY. .. and don't forget to keep your face to the sunshine and bloom where you are planted!

GO

CARDINALS!!

SUPER BOWL 2009!!