So it’s a new year! Time for new goals, new changes, new blessings, new trials…what will our year hold? I’m looking forward to this new year with excitement. Each year brings something new and different to our not-so-little family and I know God has a lot in store for us. I feel like life is like a tight rope we all have to walk but though it’s scary I feel safe because my faith in God is a safety net below me. I know that even if I fall He’s there to catch me and lift me back up. There are times He may hold my hand but most often He trusts me to take my own steps because He knows I’m following (to the best of my ability) the careful instructions, loving guidance, and sweet encouragement He gives me every day. He is my loving Father, my example, my teacher, my confidant, my cheerleader, my God.
This year didn’t actually start as I expected it to. Are we ever really ready when hard times come? I think you can always be prepared but for some reason it still comes as some sort of surprise. Life as a wife and mom of 5 is far from easy at times and there are days when I get by on the minimum requirements of “success”. I sit back at times when things are going tough and ask myself and God if I’ve done everything I can/could to keep things sane. What more could I do to prevent hard times for my kids, for my spouse, for me? I recognize that when I’ve done all I can I often have to turn the rest over to Him and know that He will take care of us, individually and as a family, however that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook and can just sit back and wait for His miracles. He tells me “Just because you’ve done Enough doesn’t mean you can’t do More!” So that’s my goal this year. I’m not just stacking my sandbags to the height of the flood waters I’m go up and up and up! I know God will use our righteous efforts for good and protect us from what ever our efforts can’t prevent. I love this life I’ve been given and am SO grateful to my Father in Heaven for the love, support, comfort, friends, and family he’s given me and my family. So even if it’s hard, we fight on. We’ll stay strong and know that because we did More we not only can withstand current floods but will be safe from what ever tidal wave, incoming comets, or what ever else someone can throw that comes our way!
We spent the last day of the year (Happy Birthday, Jamie!) making up for a month of mess and stress. We cleaned some, we played some. Ryan ran errands he needed to catch up on. Mom came over for New Years. So glad she was feeling better. Both Dade & Ryan spent the evening in bed and I threw New Years early for the girls (thank you YouTube for your countdown) and sent mom home and Collin to bed. It was nice to cuddle up with Corben and see the new year come through…
What a great day with friends! Words can't describe how thankful I am to have such wonderful people in my life!
Saturday Corben and I were able to share in one of my favorite things…we went to a baptism! And not just ANY baptism, the baptism of my sweet and amazing nephew, Dylan!! What a glorious experience. The Spirit is always so strong there and I sure needed that extra shot of joy! Congratulations, Dylan! We love you!
Corben and I also learned a bit about ourselves…
My Corben reads at a rate of 1487 words per minute! I average about 250. So glad he's willing to listen to books on CD with me so we can share the stories, I couldn't keep up otherwise!
Sunday rolled around and I was so grateful to be able to go to church and give myself another lift. I was admittedly grumpy all that morning but by the end of Sacrament meeting I could put a REAL smile of my face (my fake ones are pretty obvious). Sunday night Ryan and I finally pulled out my new (for Christmas) studio lighting (which I have no idea how to use yet) and played around for a bit. It was pretty near one in the morning but as you can see…someone was still up.
Tuesday I drove Corben to school and we listened to our book in the car (we love doing that) but he didn’t quite make it the whole way awake. lol
Wednesday both Corben and I were able to attend the temple! It was so great after a really long day (see below) and I’m so proud of him for going.
That glorious feeling of plopping down into a soft chair after a long day of running all over the world, kicking your shoes off, and closing your eyes for just a moment...only to have the phone ring and it be your son who missed the bus...
Thursday Collin had his wellbaby check. I’m worried because on the way to Maryland last month when he had an ear infection he stopped drinking out of a bottle and quit taking a paci. He’s also stopped sleeping through the night and has started biting every time he nurses. I think his ears must hurt but the doc says that even though there’s some fluid in there his ears seem fine. Ugh.
Friday I had my most wonderful friend, Tanya, over for a visit! Yay! We also discovered that one of Ella’s best friends from school lives right behind us! How did we miss that? So they’ve climbed the fence and are now playing outside together. So fun! We’ve also discovered that Collin and shots just don’t mix…this happened last time, too, to a lesser extent but it’s bad enough that they’re putting him on antibiotics.
Saturday started with Gymnastics for the girls and the birth of my brand new nephew, Aaron!! (It’s about time, too! His poor mom was in labor 49 hours!) Corben spent the day at a youth activity doing The Amazing Race.
Collin’s leg is looking “betterish” and we finally spent the last of our Frosty coupons from October. We will miss you daily Frosty!
If you MUSTACHE…this is Corben…oh, and these are flowers from my husband. They were much needed. :)
Sunday my awesome friend showed up at church with scissors and cut Ella’s bangs for me because they were WAY too long. Thanks A! We also had a wonderful visit from my brother, Jason and his fantabulous wife, Cassie. We love them so much!
