The Gift of Just Today

I have spent this whole week off of school for spring break. The boys are still in school though, so it's kinda been a bummer that we couldn't all play all week. But, I've spent extra time working on homework and Pete's been pampered with scalp massages (which I LOVE giving) and cleansing facials. I even waxed Pete  this week. So, it hasn't been entirely unproductive! :)
We got family pictures taken last Sunday out at Utah Lake. Jeanne did our photos again (she's amazing)! Her link is at the side of the page here, so check her out for sure if you need pics for anything! She does it all!
While we were at the lake, I was watching my family (trying to contain the boys from jumping into the water...or falling in) and I realized how truly fast life is flying by! They aren't really little boys anymore. :( Not only that, I realized that I have been taking every day that I have with my hubby and my kids for granted.
I get so caught up in the quick pace of life that I forget to stop and really enjoy each moment I have with my family!
One thing I was told recently was that "all pain has purpose." It may not be something that is easy to hear or understand while we are experiencing pain, but it is the truth!
I know we all experience different trials and "pains" in this life, but one thing that I have learned from my own pain, is that, if we choose to let it, it will actually bring us closer to those we love and help us sort out our priorities. It can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our remembering who we truly are and always have been!
So, I am feeling very grateful and blessed to be able to experience the pain and struggles that I have in the last two years. It truly has opened my eyes to what is most important and what and who I am and want to be!
I am an extremely lucky woman to be married to such a wonderful man! He is so patient with me and my many weaknesses. He still loves me, which amazes me, and I am blessed to be his wife!
I am beginning to really revel in and enjoy being a mom. Sad huh, that it's taken me this long...:) I finally understand that loving them is the best thing I could do and I can let go of the rest! I can let go of the expectations I used to have on myself, and on them, and just enjoy everyday with them. They will only be here with me for so long, until they leave and start to experience the many wonderful and many hard things that accompany this life as we mature.
So...I've rambled, but I really wanted to write my thoughts today!
Hopefully I will have new family pics to post soon. For now, here are a few pics we took over the last few months.
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift...that's why we call it the present."

Full Speed Ahead

Holy smokes! I can't believe this week has finally arrived. I am really excited!
I wish I could adequately explain how blessed I am to be able to be on the path that I am right now in my life...but I honestly can't find the words. All I know is, that my Heavenly Father is blessing me and my family so very much right now.
Things have been tough...well, that's putting it lightly, I guess. There has been so much peace and comfort, even though we don't know where any money will come from to pay bills. That sounds crazy, but it's true.
I know that we will be blessed, as we have been in so many wonderful ways.  Prayers are answered. Even my prayers. Even though I'm not perfect. I am beginning to truly understand who I am.
I love Sherri Dew. She is such an incredibly well versed and solid individual. I was recently given a copy of a talk that she gave at a BYU Women's conference a while back.
I wanted to directly quote her, but I don't have the articel right in front of me. But, it was so powerfully given, and you couldn't help but feel the truth of her words while reading it.
She talked about how we were faithful women in the pre-existence and the significance of that fact.
She also brings to attention, how when we truly know who we are, and what we stand for, and where we are going, that it will change us significantly; that we will handle every situation differently.
She says, we are "daughters of a King."
I actually sat back and thought, "now, what girl- in her childhood at least- did not pretend or want to be a princess?" Is that why little girls somehow seem to identify with royalty from a young age? Because, we are royal. Divinely royal? Not in a sense of wealth or vanity. But in a sense of humbly knowing who our Father is, and where we come from.  How does that not change the way you look at yourself? It does for me.
I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven knows what I need, and is taking care of me, as I seek His will in my life.
I know going back to school isn't for eveyone. And some might argue that it's not right when there are still kids at home. I can honestly say, that I know that my Heavenly Father is 100% behind me on this decision. For me, in my life, in my circumstances, I know this is where and what I need to be doing for my family. Not just myself. And that, is a great feeling!
So, here's to my first week at school!
Full speed ahead...:)

Life Happens!

Ok, so I've put off writing on our blog for several reasons, but mostly just because my life came after me at warp speed and I've been trying to play catch up!



I am most excited to write that I finally start school next Tuesday!! I feel like I'm in first grade again,only I'm going to have to leave home for the day without my kids and I'm scared I won't know the answers to the questions my teachers ask me.

I really am mostly excited, just a little nervous. I have wanted to be involved in this industry for so long, so I am ready to learn.

Peter is so encouraging and supportive, as is the rest of my family! I am very grateful for that!

So...the summer is coming up...there's no reason for any of you to be walking around without cute toes or fingers anymore. NO shaving allowed either. I am here for you! :)

I will keep everyone updated on what I am learning and then you can choose to come be a guinea pig, if you like!

A quick update on Pete:

Pete is still on the look out for a job, but remains extremely positive and upbeat considering the stress he is under. We are learning to take life "one day at a time" together, and we're experiencing a lot of growth as a couple!

(check out my new blog, coming soon, www.conqueringcodependence.blogspot.com)

The boys are doing awesome! Christian is excited to possibly be spending a month in AZ with his grandma Gibbons this summer. Zach is turning 8 in less than a month and is excited to be getting baptized. And, Marchus will be finishing up pre-k here in a couple months and be moving onto the "real" school, as he calls it (no offense at all to Mrs. Young, his pre-k teacher, who is amazing) in Sept.!
I am blessed with super strong boys, emotionally and mentally! They have seen a lot and put up with a lot over the years and I hope they will continue to climb with us, as a family, out of the fog. I am the luckiest mom on the planet!!