Truly Grateful - Journal Post

I have really been trying to focus on things that are truly important in life, such as being more diligent in reading my scriptures, having more patience with my children, slowing down and really thinking and contemplating each word that I utter when I pray, and one of which is completely new to me is reading the Relief Society manual.

I was so grateful when our Relief Society Presidency gave us the challenge of reading the Book of Mormon starting on January 1 and finishing just before Easter. I will admit I am behind, but nonetheless I am reading and I cannot say what a difference this has made in my day! I love reading the stories in the scriptures and being able to know exactly where so many of those sweet Primary songs come from. I think it is so neat that we can not only teach our children the fun and catchy tunes but then reinforce what they are learning by showing them where it is in the scriptures. Speaking of children, I really have been working hard on trying to be more patient with each one of them. I sometimes sit back and think to myself would I like it if someone were talking to me like that? I don't know I think that I get so caught up in everything to do that they just are on the "to do" list. How unfortunate and lame it that? Yikes! I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that I have to be a mother and to have such awesome spirits in my home. I loves my little stinkers so much and would not trade them for anything at all!

While waiting for Mason during his therapies on Monday I thought why not bring something good to read. And if you know me at all you know how much I HATE reading! However, I did bring along the Relief society manual with me this past Monday and man did I learn a lot. It is such basic concepts of the gospel that are so great to go over. For example, I feel that I understand the "fall" of Adam and Eve. Never had I before even contemplated those specific words. Also, by contemplating who our Heavenly Father really is and His role has really helped me to have more meaningful prayers. I just feel that we have been so blessed lately and everything is just working out. I am always amazed at how the Lord provides and at His tender mercies. I am so grateful to have this wonderful thing in my life we call the Gospel. It has been life changing for me and continues to be as I continue to learn and grow. I am especially grateful for our ward family. When Lonnie and I first moved into this ward we really did not care for it too much. Don't get me wrong there are a ton of amazing people in it however we just didn't feel that it was really a warm ward. Well, as we have been looking at homes it is incredible how strong of a feeling that we have had that we need to stay in our ward. We truly have come to appreciate it for what it is and it does feel like home. How wonderful a ward family can be! There are so many that would drop absolutely everything to serve others. I love it! Service is so contagious and we all need to do more of it! Now off to make lunch before those cute kiddos come home...

Rain

We have received 3.66" of rain here in Surprise. I'm just hoping that our home is not flooded in the morning. Seriously, our backyard is crazy looking right now. There was even a tornado that touched down in Scottsdale. So much for living in an area with no natural disasters. Yikes. Here's hoping to a safe night. BTW Lonnie has to work tonight. Sure hope he's safe too...

Happy Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Kyan. Happy Birthday to you!

We hope that you have an awesome 5th birthday!

Yeah for Brent!

This is my wonderful brother-in-law Brent. He and Melissa are set to get married in March! We are so excited for both of them!!! Also, here are two of my favorites from Bethany and Jeremy's wedding!

sick

Gage is getting over pneumonia. Saige has a runny nose. Mason has a fever and is vomiting. Michelle has a fever.

Looks like the next couple of days and/or weeks are going to be fun. The worst part is I feel like we get stuck at home with all of the nasty sick germs. Wish us luck! :)

Got Boxes? and Your Opinion Please

If you happen to have spare boxes hanging around and are no longer needing them we would love to come get them! AND I was wondering, do you have Dish Network? If so, how do you like it? Thanks for your help!

An Interesting Post

I am writing this post to see if there is anyone who may be interested, or knows someone who is interested in renting our home in a few months (possibly 3-6). We are wanting to make a move on another home but we want/need to have a rental agreement on this one. This is were it gets kind of sticky as we do not know when the home we would like to get into will be going into short sell and once it does, who knows if we will even get it. Should this particular home that we have in mind not work out, we would continue to look elsewhere. That being said we would like to have someone lined up to move into our current home. Our home is just over 2500 square feet with 4 bedrooms and a den/play room downstairs. There are 3 full baths and a 3 car garage. There are a ton of upgrades throughout the home, some of which include upgraded cherry cabinets, granite countertops, travertine tile, crown molding, stainless steel appliances, plantation shutters throughout and so on. There is a lot of storage room and if you would like you can view the floor plan at http://www.fultonhomes.com/pages/rrs45_2510.aspx (our home is elevation D and is actually the reverse of what is shown). If interested, please e-mail me at reflectivephoto@yahoo.com. Thanks! Here are a few pictures....