I am blessed~

Ada shared this with me after a youth 2000 activity on Monday.  I take many things for granted and realize that I have it pretty darn good and that I should be thankful for each breath, minute, hour and day that I enjoy. 

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you attend a church meeting without harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture, or the horrible pangs of starvation, you are luckier than 500 million people alive and suffering.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways you may never know.

If you are feeling blessed, repay the blessings bestowed unto you and do something for others.

A blessing cannot be kept.  If it stops with you, the blessing will disappear. The blessing will only keep working if it is continuously passed around.  If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessing working by being the source of blessings to other people.

~ Author Unknown

Gethsemene Song

Ada and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song and maybe after a bit of practice, may just sing it in church one day.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day this year will be celebrated on a cruise in the Caribbean.  We did the same thing last year around Valentines Day. This time, we have two other couples going with us.  Ammon did get me a thoughtful card and some treats though.

I especially liked this part of the card: " you're fantastic to hang around with- whether we're doing errands or running off on some adventure."


We have our weekly date nights that often end up with dinner and grocery shopping. It is nice to have that routine each week and do some of the errands together.  We have also been trying to make a better effort of spending time "going" places together....spending time together.....finding things in common to do.  It has been a lot of fun.  We have been on quite a few vacations over the last few years, and it is making us stronger and happier.

I feel guilty that we have been able to go on as many trips as we have.  We don't claim to be rich or have endless funds for these events.  Ammon reminded me, that we have different spending habits .  We decided to spend our extra on time traveling and enjoying each other and family.  I am so glad for this.  We don't have all the gadgets and xbox's etc. that the kids so desperately want.  We choose to spend money on going and doing.  I am blessed to have a hard working husband that works really hard to make sure that we pay for things fully.  He worked so hard that we have been mortgage and car payment free which helps us not feel so restricted in taking a trip every once in a while.

I am nervous for some reason for this trip.  Perhaps it is that my shoulder still hurts and I worry about being comfortable (especially on the plane ride in the middle of the night.... VICADIN!) I have a scar across my forehead...... I also have been overwhelmed with school work and just got caught up,I have to get everything ready at work for my sub,  I have my Blue and Gold to prepare so that it's ready when we get back, I have two Mid-terms to study for that I need to take when we get back and my kids are going to be missed so much.  Oh..... and I haven't even starting packing ( my life has been so CRAZY BUSY).

For someone that is leaving today to go on a vacation, I sure don't sound happy.

I'm sure it'll be fun and I pray that all goes well at home. Thanks to Naomi and Rachel for helping us with the kiddos!

Off to "sunny"? Mexico!

Update

Went to the plastic Surgeon today to get the stitches removed.  He was pleased with how it looked and was stitched.  He took them out and felt that it still needed more support while healing. I have steri-strips on now for another week until they fall off.   I asked him why my head was still numb and questioned the antisthetic?   He explained that the direction of my cut was not ideal.... because it was at an angle like it is I cut the nerves in both directions, therefore leaving my forehead and part of the top of my head numb for the rest of my life.  GREAT!!!!! Just what I wanted to hear.  I thought it would still wear off in time, but I did permanent damage to my nerves.    After complaining and feeling sorry for myself, Ammon reminded me again that it could be worse.  At least I have feeling in my face and other important parts of my body.  I will just feel weird and hopefully get use to it.  Miracles happen every day right?  I hope that I can get some feeling back and that the scar will fade.  Until then, I will and do count my lucky stars that I have a head and that I can be with my family regardless of this misfortune.

Trials make us stronger..........

Fortune from Ammon's Fortune Cookie yesterday

"You will receive unexpected support over the next week.  Accept it graciously."

We both were so shocked at how on this fortune was.  We are grateful for all the love, thoughts, prayers and support this week for our family.  It is hard for us to accept service but are reminded of how those that want to help really do care and love us.  We are doing okay.  I have an appointment with a Plastic Surgeon today and hope to be back to work on Monday and doing the running around.  Ammon has been wonderful help.  He has done laundry, cleans up after the messes, gets whatever I need and even went grocery shopping.  I know that it is not convienent for him and I feel like a burden both physically and financially right now, but he hasn't complained (outwardly).  I am very blessed to have a great supportive husband that will love me regardless of my battle wounds.

Again....thank you all for everything you have done for us.

another- Keeping it Real Moment

As I sit here..... I am sad and frustrated.  I want so much to be able to fix things, better situations, help people understand, and just not have worries.  I went to work today to help out on Recess Duty.  I signed up so that I could see my children interact with the other children.   Boy, do I love my kids.  Today, I stood and watched my Avery playing Soccer with a mixed group.  He loves to run around, but he gets so frustrated when he isn't passed to, others take it from him, he doesn't get to play it like he thinks it should be played.  I patiently held back my advise as he was among many peers.  I didn't want him to be embarrassed.  However, when the recess bell rang to go in, I did pull him aside and tried to help him through it.  He gets so emotional and upset.  He doesn't see the whole picture of playing in a group like that.  It is unorganized and a dozen or more personalities all in the mix.  I wish I had that "Staples- EASY BUTTON".  Many things for him just aren't easy to work through his head.  We got him calmed down as I walked with him to his classroom.  Once there, the teacher pulls me aside and tells me that he had a melt down earlier that day.  REALLY?  I just hurt every time I get news like that.  I guess he was given an assignment to fill out a questionnaire like " I am......., I like......., because....., with about 10 questions similar following.  Seems simple enough.  Just think of what to fill in on the blanks and do it.  Not for Avery.  That is just too many "to do's" in a row.  He gets overwhelmingly frustrated with too many directions or instructions at a time.  He needs it slowed down and for him to have time to process the assignment. The class was given the run down of things to fill in and had a time limit to fill it out before they headed to the Computer Lab to type it up.  That is what set Avery off.  He was rushed and didn't even have ideas or understand the assignment fully.

Well,  I know a normal 5th grader would raise his hand and ask for further instruction or help.  Avery still struggles with being able to express himself accurately.  He mixes up his words and stumbles over what is in his head.  It's in there, it just doesn't want to come out the same way that he thinks it.  FRUSTRATING!! He gets so frustrated and I don't blame him.  Some things are still out of his control.  Because he can't communicate how he wants it affects how he learns and how he deals with life in general.

Most people including family don't see this.  They don't think that Avery struggles with anything.  BUT, I AM TELLING YOU AS HIS MOTHER-  HE DOES!!!!!  He has struggled from the day he was born.  He entered speech at age 3 to try to get him to say more than two word sentences and he continued until mid 4th grade with help with his processing/comprehension/direction skills.  I never had him tested for Autism , but Ammon and I both agree that he has a form of it, mild as it may be.  I don't need it diagnosed, I don't want that label on him.  I believe that all of us to some degree have autism.  I just want him to get help and progress and be happy.

I talk until I am blue in the face to the teachers about what it is like for him and how he struggles.  But, it is so hard to see it that they don't believe it.  He gets so frustrated that he sobs and sobs.  It just breaks my heart.  I am scared that this might be a really hard year.  Being in 5th grade will be a lot more work and more challenges.  Plus, the classroom sizes are HUGE!!!! There are 32 big 5th graders crammed into a little classroom.  He is sure to get frustrated and he is sure not to be a focus of one teachers attention.  I don't want him to be given special treatment for I know he needs to work on overcoming this challenge.  I just want understanding and compassion.  I want them to believe that these things are real and that he doesn't have control of how he learns.

We are only two days into school and I am so overwhelmed with how I take care of the needs of my children. I know that it could be so much worse and harder.  I  KNOW THAT!... As a mother, it's hard to sit back and let things happen as they do.  I can't stand seeing my children sad.  I want them to always be smiling and happy.  I want them to believe that they are smart and talented and that they are liked by so many friends.  I need to be able to make it all better, but I don't know how.......

What frustrates me is that I don't know of all the things that they get sad about or struggle with.  I just happen to witness two today (SO FAR) because I just happened to be there.  How are they when I am not there to learn of their struggles or hard times.?   Talk about frustrating.

Behind Closed Doors

Lately, I am reminded of how easy it is to miss things, to not get it, to not understand and to be clueless. 

I have been thinking a lot of  wonderful man, husband, friend, brother and owner of his own business here in town. He always greets me as I entered his shop as he did to every customer.  He is so kind, helpful and ALWAYS remembers my name among the hundreds who visit.  He is ALWAYS smiling and so kind.  I remember thinking as I leave the store that he is so good at trying to make each customer feel important and appreciated.  Little did I know that he was sad and crying out.  He took his own life a couple of weeks ago.  It came to a shock to us all.  Really?  He was always so happy and smiling.  What?  I couldn't understand.  He will be missed. I only knew him by his name.  I never got to know him or to see what his life was really like "behind closed doors".  It is sad.  Since his passing, I have had a lot of regrets.  What could I have said to make his day a little brighter? Why didn't I show my appreciation more for his kindness.  Sure... it's not my fault, but I am reminded of how easy it is to miss the signs.

Closer to home, I have a sweet, dear cousin going through the biggest trial in her life.  She, from the outside looks to have it all.  I admire her.  She has three beautiful children one angel with special needs that can be a challenge but she makes it the greatest blessing. She is talented beyond words, teaching piano, cooking up a storm, wonder mom,  teacher, etc.  I see so much in her that I wish to be.  She is faithful in the gospel and teaches her children likewise.  But, "behind closed doors" she has been suffering with abuse for many years.  She has had strength to endure it for the sake of her children.  She is now trying to leave this cycle of unhappiness only to encounter a different set of challenges as a result.  Our prayers and service will be rendered on her behalf.

We never know what one is going through by the looks on the outside.  We all struggle with one thing or another.  We all manage life and it's challenges differently.  We all have different abilities and talents.  We all have our doors shut from time to time and for some of us always.  My hope is to recognize those doors that need to be knocked on and actually KNOCK. 

For if we don't knock, the door won't be opened. Who knows what difference we can make in the life of another once we're inside.

A Picture Can Say A Thousand Words

If you ever hear me complain about where I live,

please remind me of the beauty right outside my door.

The winter does have some good things about it.

Although the Winter in CacheValley can be bitter cold, the air terrible and long. I has its benefits with its beauty. These shots are from outside our house and it makes you appreciate the beauty of all seasons, even the cold. Imagine what we would miss without the changes of the seasons. It sure would be boring. I am grateful for it and I am also grateful for the upcoming Spring.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make
my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you
and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw
when you thought I wasn't looking.' TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS, BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle,
teacher, & friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Worth Watching!

As we celebrate our freedoms and reflect this coming month of all that we enjoy here in this great country, May we also remember our Saviors hand in all things. We are all indeed blessed beyond measure and our Savior is providing us with so much. Let us Cherish each other and work to improve ourselves and our families each day. My new focus of reflection is to ask myself each and every day to recognize our Saviors hands in my life as well as my families life and to write them down and most of all the thank him for them. I feel like I am not worthy of most of what I enjoy, yet I am very grateful. Our Savior must see something in me that I can not and continues to bless me. For this I am grateful. This is my new goal. I hope by putting it in writing, that I will be more inspired and serious about this. I love you all so very much and I am grateful that I have each of you to inspire me to be greater in areas of your many strengths. Watch this clip- it is inspiring and uplifting. http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm