Much to Be Grateful For!

I have so many recent events I would love to post pics and journaling of, but right now my mind and heart is overwhelmed with things I am so grateful for. For some reason I feel as though I would seem ungrateful or neglectful in some way if I didn't ackowledge these simple yet important things in my life...

ERICK... We had a relief society social tonight. I was torn between wanting to stay home with the girls (Jacob's out of town) and wanting to spend some time with the sisters in my ward and supporting our relief society's unity efforts. Mid-day Erick asked what time the social was tonight. I expressed concerns about going and concluded with I just need to stay home tonight. He was considerate and thoughtful. He responded, "I think it's important that you go. So you go and I'll hurry home from work and spend the evening with the girls. No TV, we'll just spend time together." Still a little reluctant, but grateful for the offer I eventually agreed. Indeed I enjoyed myself, the girls enjoyed their time with dad, and I'm sure he enjoyed his time with them.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR A HUSBAND WHO CARES ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO SEE THAT MY NEEDS ARE MET AND I TOO AM HAPPY!
I'M SO GRATEFUL MY KIDS HAVE A DAD WHO IS GREAT AT BALANCING WORK WITH PLAY!
I'M GRATEFUL FOR A HUSBAND WHO ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY!

MOM & DAD... There is so much I could say here. But more recently my thoughts and heart have been drawn to my parents as they undergo their challenges. Last week mom went into the hospital for what they technically called "brain surgery." Recently, the doctors found a tumor growing on a bundle of nerves on or near my mom's brain. While not expected to be malignant, due to growth, current problems, and potential future problems the tumor needed to be removed. And so it was, mom went in to surgery last week for the removal. I spoke to her Wednesday night and she seemed in good spirits. It brought reassurance to me seeing her peace and confidence. However, I woke Thursday morning in tears. My mom was lying in the hospital with her head completely cut open and doctors working inside to remove something foreign. She who was ALWAYS busy serving, serving, serving now lay helpless at the mercy of our Father in Heaven. While I had previously been praying for her and the doctors, suddenly my prayers turned to pleading with the Lord. While ultimately I knew whatever the Lord's will was would be best, I still hoped that perhaps by some chance maybe my pleadings could make a difference. In addition, what else could I do. My heart ached for my mom... for her pain, for her future, for her recovery, for my dad, and for all the unknowns. However, the Lord blessed me with peace. After a few days in the hospital mom is now home. She is amazing. She is anxious to return to her normal activities. However, she currently is suffering from paralysis on the left side of her face and unsure what damage is temporary and what is permanent. Each day her balance gets better as the body is learning to do without its lost balance nerves. Mom has always been amazing and still after all these years she still amazes me.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY MOM. FOR MY DAD WHO STANDS FAITHFULLY BY HER SIDE. FOR THEIR EXAMPLE OF FAITH, SERVICE, AND ENDURANCE!
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PEACE THE LORD ALWAYS GIVES TO ME ESPECIALLY WHEN I NEED IT MOST!

SISTERS... I have three amazing sisters. Penny whom I'm excited has moved less than four miles away. Who through much adversity amazes me with her peace as she puts her faith and trust in the Lord. Who is constantly seeking to learn more about the gospel and inspires me to learn, read, and grow for myself. Chrystalyn, who was blessed with an amazing gift to see a need and fill it. She, like mom, is always busy serving. She is teaching her children well and watch them follow in her footsteps. She inspires me to look for the need without being asked. Someday I can only hope to be half as amazing as she is. And Sandy, a ray of sunshine. She teaches me to enjoy the journey. She with her own full plate drops it all to come in town to love, to help, to support. She's been staying with Penny for the past few days helping her. However, I had the pleasure of having her stay the night with me last night. She always makes me feel special by claiming she wants to stay longer and at times she does. It means so much considering how much I know she loves to be home and how much she misses her hubby. We love it when Sandy comes to visit, which of course is never often enough! We love it so much we cry when she leaves. This time was no different with the exception that Jacob's tears got him a ticket to Safford. Yes, Sandy took him home. I miss him already! But I know he is in great hands, having a great time, with a great family! If only I were four again and my tears could buy me a trip to Sandy's house! However, I am needed here and we will come see them all on Saturday when our dear sweet Kieva will be baptized! Again Sandy inspires me to enjoy the journey!
I AM THANKFUL FOR 3 SISTERS WHO ROCK!!!

I AM THANKFUL FOR A LOVING FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO IS PATIENT WITH MY FAULTS, GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HOLY AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND HAS GIVEN ME MY MANY, MANY BLESSINGS.

Lift Up Your Voice & Sing!

What can I say I LOVE music! About a year ago I was called to be our ward choir director. I was excited about the opportunity to learn and grow and even direct - that is if I could direct a group of my imaginary friends in the confines of my bedroom with the Mormon Tabarnacle Choir singing in the background. Well, I still have no formal training, only the hands on figuring things out stuff on my own, but my comfort level has grown and even a few directing skills are beginning to emerge (even if I did make them up, they seem to be working). However, the one thing that hasn't changed is the overwhelming feeling I get when the choir sings all together either in unison or in parts. It's amazing!!! I honestly cannot even put words to it, but it completely envelopes my whole body, I can't help but just feel like I'm beaming just from hearing their sound. I am so grateful for the calling, for the growth, for opportunity to work with such talented people, many of whom are new to the choir scene as well, and grateful for the unseen angels who I know often accompany us!

Soccer Season Has Begun!!!

The girls have each tried soccer and neither found it to be "their thing," so we thought we'd let Jacob have a go at it. This was his first game! I have to say those kids were quite the troopers. It was an 11:00 game and 100 degrees outside. Their uniforms have gotta increase their body temps several degrees! They were baking! Despite the heat they did well. Jacob's still figuring out the rules of the game, but at least he's not afraid to get in the mix. In fact, sometimes a little too close. The end of the third quarter he butted heads with a kid from the other team. That combined with the heat meant the end of the game for him. There was no convincing him to play the last quarter. Can't say I blame him! Now cooled off and refueled, however, he's already talking about the next game! It was fun to watch! We sure missed Dad though. However, we're lucky enough to be on the same team as our friend Gracie. Thanks to them (the Reid's) we got a little bit of shade!!!

Now that's a star...5 on 1. Go Jacob!!!

Jacob and Gracie ready to go! Aren't they adorable!

No Hubby, No Remote, NO SLEEP!!!

So what do ya do when your hubby's out of town, you wake up at 2:00 in the morning and can't find the remote to turn on your recorded general conference (the only thing that puts me back to sleep)? What else? You play with your blog!!! I've bee wanting to figure out how to use various backgrounds, mess with the html code, and add friends to my blog but I just haven't felt like I could take the time during the day to do it, and my sleep's too precious to give up at night to do it. Well when I couldn't go back to sleep at 2:00 this morning I figured what the heck. I've learned lots and enjoyed my time playing around with it. I'm sure I'll pay for it later, but I think it was worth it!
I sure am missing Erick though. He's been up at our land in Heber almost every weekend for the past couple of months participating in the replant the forest program. I'm not sure how many new trees he's planted on our land; I'm sure over a hundred. I'm amazed at how hard he works on the land. He is a man with vision!

"Don't Shoot!!!"

While Sandy and Jason are playing in Alaska, I get the privelege of having Zak over to play with Jacob. I overheard Jacob say "You want to shoot my mom?" I look down the stairs. And on the landing there they lay guns ready to fire supported by some contraptions Zak made from K'nex. Pretty darn cute!

Cousins & The Phoenix Zoo

Sandy and Jason are in Alaska. Mom's watching their kids while they're gone. Yesterday we took my kids (except Makessa she stayed in school), Penny's kids, Chrystalyn's kids, and Aunt Sherry's Anna and all went to the zoo. Even in the scorching 100 degree weather we had fun!. The Phoenix zoo has a splash pad we just put on their suits and got them wet when it started getting hot.