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."