Better late than never...................

What better way to start off the new year than with unfufilled resolutions. One of which was to update my blog before the new year even began. Which obviously has already been laid to rest, were it not for the date on my last blog I would not know when I last blogged.

Anyhewww, off to another year of accepting myself with all my imperfections. Will try better next year. So, better late than never, I have quite a bit of pictures and happening since the summer, will take them one day at a time to post, as it will take one day at a time to get my thoughts together and recall the moments I need to catch up on.

My primary goal this year is to have more FAITH and less fear. Fear seems to hinder me from progressing in so many ways and yet surprisingly I let it grip me even though I am well aware from where it comes. I am currently working on a talk about FAITH and as I study through things I have come across many quotes. Quotes motivate me and give me peace when I ponder them and reflect on them. It always inspires me how some have so few words but say so much. One of which I came across was of such, it says,

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." unknown

For a person who is known to carry high levels of anxiety, worry and obsessive compulsive behavior, such as yours truely, this statement hits my very core.

Pretty simple, I can claim to have faith yet live in fear on the inside, or I can just simply have faith, knowing that all will work out.

I do have one more goal this year besides the obvious standby's of getting physically fit(when father time finally adds that extra hour in the day for me to have time for a date with the treadmill) , trying to saving money (that grows on that tree I still haven't planted, cause the money is not pouring from the sky yet) and eating less chocalate (which is actually unrealistic, so it doesn't count).

My other new years resolution is to worry and care less what others think of me or do or don't see in me, and concern myself more with what the Lord think of me and sees in me.

He is and always will be after all the one thing in my life that never changes and is always there. Even when people change, friends grow distant and we lose those we love, the Lord never fails me.

That means major growth in my future if I pull all this off this year. I am ready to feel complete and at peace with myself, this year seems like a good time to do it!!!

"Let life come as it may, the Lord will be with me every step of the way" you can quote me on that, it's one of my own.

Here's to a new year of life, love and the pursuit of happiness!

Welcome Home Elder Brock

After months of anticipation, the day finally arrived that we were able to welcome Elder Brian Carson Brock home from his two years of service in the Salt Lake City mission. We are all so proud of him and it was truely a joyful and tearful reunion. Brian has always been an exceptional guy, but his time in the service of the Lord has made him extraordinary. He has grown so much and returns with a testimony and personal witness that radiates in his countenance and thoughts expressed.

I am sure that the Lord has great things in store for him and I feel blessed to know him. Carson and Cassidy look up to him like a brother and they admire his example. Weeks before him coming home, we began working on a banner for him and good thing we started early for it took some time. The message is simple yet poignant. The tarheel feet start off small and grow as the pictures of Brian grow, stating, Born to Serve, Growing to Serve, Called to Serve and Returning with Honor. Isn't that what we are all here to do is serve and as I put the photos together for the banner, Brian's life just seemed like a glimpse from birth to now. So much growth and memories in between but my how it has flown. Such is our journey here, we all have a work and service to perform and in the eternal picture, our time here is but a glimpse of our eternal life, the time really is flying. I am grateful for the gospel and the knowledge of the grand plan that it gives me and my children. As I saw him come through the door of the airport, I felt very strongly the importance of the Lord's work and choosing the right. The spirit confirmed to my heart that all we do as mother's to teach and prepare our children through the gospel, is of great worth and importance and that in a world falling apart, it is a sure foundation.

The gospel is the Armour of God that our children will need in these latter days, and I am thankful for it.

How to be an Entrepreneur in these tough times!

Sell something YUMMY and be CUTE while doing it.



That seems to be the secret to financial success on a very muggy, humid, hot southern summer morning. You can sure rake in the quarters for a refreshing cup of lemonade.


Another dream come true. Carson and Cassidy have been wanting to do a lemonade stand for two years and our previous and current neighborhood just have not been ideal for such a charming business. So over the weekend we helped some friends hold a yard sale to prepare for their upcoming move and Carson and Cassidy decided they would make a go of it. They painted their own table, made their own signs and had their little business set up in 5 minutes flat. It was a good experience for them and I am proud of their persistence when I so quickly dismiss the idea.


Okay, so they didn't make a fortune, but the work ethic is there so who knows what the future holds if they stick together.


One more thought; a family friend at the yard sale commented that she had "once been told that if you want to be happy always buy lemonade from a child's lemonade stand." Words to live by, how can we go wrong if we live life through a child's vision once in a while, after all "such is the kingdom of God."

Just Thinking........

I came across this song some time back called "In My Arms" (on my playlist) and pondered the words. The song is written for a child by their mother and the loving, concerning thoughts that we all have for our children, are in the essence of this song. What causes me to reflect on it more is that I feel strongly this is how our Heavenly Father feels about his children. Like the lyrics in the song say, storms will come and our fairytale versions of our lives may not always have a happy ever after, but we are never alone for we are safe in his arms.

I know there is no length I would not go to in order to protect my children from harm, danger and hurt, and it feels for these few small years as I raise them that at least I can keep them safe in my arms once in a while and comfort their aches. My love as a mother for these two precious spirits is so deep, genuine and eternal in my mere mortal existence, how much greater must be the love of our Father in Heaven in his eternal sphere, where He knows all things and what we can become and what is best for us. Being a mother is such a divine blessing and gift, I savor it everyday and thank my Heavenly Father for this beloved journey, being Carson and Cassidy's mom is my fairytale. If only my arms could protect them always and forever. I am thankful to know that when my arms aren't enough, the Savior's are!

Happy Birthday Daddy

In loving thoughtfulness and sweet memories of my Dad. He would have celebrated his 71st birthday July 17th. His spirit lives on through the legacy of his children and grandchildren and those who knew him in mortality have eternally been touched by one of Christ's true Disciples. I know that my Dad knew the Savior while he walked his mortal journey and I know that he abides with the Savior now and continues to follow and serve him. He is missed far beyond what words can express and he lives in the hearts and memories of those who he left behind, just as he lives now in the Spirit world awaiting our Savior's return and eternal family reunion. Though my children have never met him on this earth, I know they are well aquainted with him. He lives in all of our conversations as I share memories of him and tell them of his character, compassion, infectious personality, his example, spirituality and humility.

Carson and Cassidy were born on December 20th, 2000, beginning to make their entrance into this world around 8:30 that night, my dad passed away on December 20th, 1996, beginning to make his entrance into the spirit world around 8:30on that night. Coincidence? I don't think so. It is very symbolic to me. I know they were with one another, and feel confidant that my dad cradled them and conversed with them, giving them sweet words of wisdom before departing their heavenly home. How much I yearn for his sweet words of wisdom these days, his presence, his example, the joy he brought that would light up my children lives. You are missed Daddy, every minute of everyday.

Dream a little Dream......

So, Cassidy recently enlightened me that it has been her dream all of her life to stick her face in a cake or a pie. It only seemed fitting and appropriate, since mommy's waistline is becoming equivelent to her age, it seemed very reasonable to make this dream come true with one of the two cakes specially made for mommy's birthday. Though delicious, mommy definitely did not need to finish them both off. So we ventured to live out this ambitious dream, and as twins go, Carson followed close behind. Cassidy has waited her "whole life" to do this, and at 8 years old she has lived one of her dreams. Ahhhhhh, what dreams may come, for this precious bundle of energy and creativity, the future is wide open!

The Big "40"

Well, it's official, I have been on planet earth now for four full decades. Wow what a ride. Though I feel like my youth has passed me by and left me out to pasture, I would not trade the wisdom, knowledge and faith that comes with aging. You can't get it any other way.

Today my children, as always, made my day. I awoke to various gifts, some purchased, others recycled from their toys, nevertheless, of more worth than diamonds to me. Carson and Cassidy are always so sweet, thoughtful and excited on my birthday. Last year, they are the only reason I even remembered it was coming, for you really do start to loose track after a certain age. Not sure what that age is, just know that after 28 they just start running together. Anyway the gifts were priceless to me.

The cakes which they both made by themselves were beautiful and delicious. Question though; if one almost catches themself on fire while attempting to light 40 candles is that a sign that this year will be on fire in a good way, full of passion, sparks fun and good things? Yeah, I am going to go with that, this past year has had enough walking through fire, so I will go with that, not saying that I almost set my shirt on fire by dropping the match before burning my finger, just wondering is all........Anyway on with the day, Carson and Cassidy blew up 40 balloons for this special occasion, Henry, our siamese cat, popped one to which Cassidy with much authority said, "well, I guess that makes you 39", I say I can live with that. There is just something about going over the border of the 30's it does something to my mental well being, let's just not go there right now.

So then we proceed to take in a flick at the dollar theatre, that is what our finances afford. We make a unanomous decision to go with anything that would not be appealing to mom on her birthday, let's just say Hannah Montanna, need I say more. Anyway it was quality time with my babies, so $6 well spent. We top the night off with a lovely dinner at Cracker Barrell with Grandma Brock, we love her and love being with her and making memories. One memory tonight being that while many people sat rocking on the chairs on the front porch of cracker barrell, I proceeded to put the car in park, while doing so my lovely black walking boot pressed the brake and the gas simultaneously, seeming as though we were going to rocket through the front window of the restaurant, all the while people watching with humor and awe as to what could be my problem. To which I stepped out of the car, head held high, and limped to the back to get Grandma Brock's walker so that we could go enjoy our evening, slowly strolling past the onlookers. It has been a full day for the 40 year lady old who lives in a black walking boot.

Now though I am obsessed about starting my blog, so the day doesn't really seem official until I have made this post. So Yippy,I Say to turning 40 and entering a new decade of my journey on the earth, I do pray that the Lord will bless me with as much life to live ahead as I have been able live up till now. Even with all the ups and downs, at the end of the day, I look at my two beautiful children and know that all of the details, good and bad, in between all the years have brought me to this point to be their mom, what more could I ask for, that is all I have ever wanted. My life really didn't begin until they came into it, so really I am much younger than my age shows, but I will take the wisdom that comes with the age. Happy Birthday to me!