"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if wewill pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."
- Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley (I sure love him, this is my new favorite thought!)

Being Grateful, in challenges

Sometimes this blog is my emotional outlet..... today is one of those. The last 3 weeks have basically been the most challenging of our married life. One of those times, that I think defines you. Someone once said, "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." And so it has been for me, opportunity to grow, opportunity to reassess, opportunity to focus on what really matters. I am trying to remain positive and optimistic, and find strength in "simplifying" my life, and focusing on the "important" stuff. I've started reading a great book, Simplify, by Carolyn J. Rasmus. It is enlightening and impowering me right now.
I also find great strength in reading the Book of Mormon. I just finished 2 Nephi Chpt 5 where Nephi talks about all the things the people are doing, ...first there is so much adversity, his brethren are even going to kill him, so the Lord provides a way... he leaves, and Nephi's people are blessed and they prosper, they keep the commandments, they and build buildings, they work, they build temples, and then in verse 27 he says, "they lived after the manner of happiness." So following the "adversity" they did get to a state of happiness.

Alexandar Graham Bell wrote,

"When one door closes, another opens.

But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door

that we don't see the one that has opened for us."

Derek and I are looking for the opened door. I am sure that we soon will find it, I am confident that as we do all that we can that we will get to that "happiness."

Martha Washington said,

" I am determined to be cheerful and happy

in whatever situation I may find myself.

For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness

is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition."

So we plug along, determined to stay optimistic,and we know that after the "storm" comes the "rainbow." I am mindful of my blessings, especially a wonderful husband,and great kids, who I adore! I find strength in family and wonderful friends. And I know, this too shall pass...... But I sure wish that it would hurry!! UG! love to you all!

The last place you look....

Let me take you back in time... to December... the day of the Christmas Recital... as the girls were off at school, I went to get the costumes out to make sure that all the pieces were accounted for. ... Breilly's were all there, but Whitney's were GONE!! Seriously missing... SO the hunt began.... for the next 8 hours (as the kids were in school) I hunted, in around, on, through EVERYTHING I could think of. I was FREEKING out! I was crying, called my mom, sister, derek, anyone who cared. I hate to lose things, and this was no exception. I couldn't believe that it had disappeared! (and as you see the picture, can you believe that the neon green leotard could hide!!????!!) Anyway, When I picked the girls up from school, I proceeded to tell Whitney (through tears) that I had looked ALL day, and couldn't find her costume. She started crying to, and said, "I'll find it mom" but she couldn't either. That night she wore a black leotard, and a green tank top over it. She was a GREAT sport, but I felt rotten.

Dance pictures are next month, so I knew that I had to find it, in the next month. Today, it happened! Whit was looking for something under Breilly's bed... AND THERE IT WAS!!! YAHOO!! I'll tell you it was a miracle, because that truly is the last place I would have looked. I would have spent another long day looking through my halloween boxes, closets, and other places, and been unsuccessful. Anyway, it was a very happy moment, and now I am a firm believer that, it truly is ..."the last place you would look." HOORAY!!

The Budding Pianist!

Breilly's first piano recital! She was a little nervous for her debut, but we couldn't have been more pleased with her performance!! She was FABULOUS!! (The best of the evening, yes we are biased!)

Sugar and Spice

So for all those who "don't" know already,... another little lady will be joining our family! Zach will be double stuffed!! He is fine with it, as he declared, "I'm going to be spoiled huh mom?" as well as "I'm going to be crunched by girls!" I called my cute friend Natalie, to share the news, and she said, "We'll some middle children(which I happen to be) claim they are "forgotten," but with your only son being in the middle, he won't be able to say that!" We are all excited! And grateful that "she" looked great in the ultra-sound. (So the tech said, but to me those ultra-sound images, all look a little spooky!) When I was driving home the other day, I heard the great song "Daughters" , by John Mayer! It made me cry, as I just love the words,

"Father's be good to your daughters,

daughters will love like you do...

Girls become lovers, who turn into mothers,

so mothers be good to your daughters too!"

My own family growing up, had 5 girls 1 boy, and I know that my brother received plenty of love! I will continue to crush on my son, but now I am adding another beautiful daughter who I will adore, just like I do her sisters!! Now it's on to the quest of names, one that Derek and I always struggle with! (Suggestions are welcome) HOORAY FOR LITTLE LADIES!!