Giving Thanks

Ever have those moments where your heart is so full of gratitude that it's going to burst? I love those moments! Joseph and I started our day off with prayer as usual and it touched me so much to hear him pray sincerely for me in all that I juggle each day. Then he expressed to the Lord the sweetest expressions of gratitude and requests for blessings to be poured out upon me, that I might be strengthened, inspired, and know of God's love for me. Wow! I'm so grateful we have the kind of relationship where we so often pray openly for each other in this way. I can't think of a better habit to open and close every day  than for a couple to call upon the Lord in a Spirit of gratitude and prayers of blessings for each other!

After the prayer, I threw my arms around Joseph thanking him for his thoughtfulness and love. We then had a wonderful 45 minute conversation about all of our kids and our gratitude for them and their individual personalities. It was so fun to share with one another the unique strengths we are watching each one of them grow into, seeing each day a little more where their big mission in life might be. They are all good, very good kids.... We are recognizing that more and more now as we watch them develop. Of course they are exploring, trying to figure out their beliefs, their values, trying to figure out their own testimonies of the Gospel. But it seems that each one of them have an underlining sense of who they are and who God is... even though it's not fully developed, they all have the right trajectory... besides, I think we all spend a life-time developing this and understanding our true spiritual identity and the nature of God.

We've had conversations like this before, conversations where we do nothing but focus on the good qualities of each one of our children. It's really a great practice!! Everyone should try it! Just stop for a moment and do more than think about good in others (especially your own family) but to actually verbalize it, to express it, and to most of all - write it down. It's liberating. It's refreshing. The power of words are amazing, especially when we use them to pray in faith, to speak blessings, and express sincere gratitude for God, our marriage, and our children.

I'm making a goal today to practice this kind of good communication more naturally and frequently in my life.

"Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

January 2019

For the last several years we usually go up to Kaysville and celebrate New Year's at Davis High with several of Joseph's sisters and their kids. We found out this last year that Kaysville isn't doing their New Year's party anymore. Bummer. We found some fun close to home though....

We started the year off with "The Greatest Showman" New Year's celebration at the Provo Rec. Center. We all absolutely loved the music and the movie of The Greatest Showman so that made it extra fun for us to enjoy the themed party Provo City put on. It really was quite the show!!

 (Just for fun: What are your favorite songs from "The Greatest Showman"? 

I love ALL of them! But my favorite two are Tightrope and From Now On.)

It has been just over six months since Amillia's adoption and so we've started up bio-family visits again. She was able to visit her half-siblings (they share the same mom). I'm so very grateful we have a good relationship with her half-siblings and their dad.

 I feel like I can trust their dad and that makes a big difference in being able to keep an open relationship.

We've been learning and growing together. I'm grateful that Amillia is naturally a loving little girl... that she still loves me despite all my weakness. She has such a huge heart!

I caught Miriam helping Micah with his math homework. Made my heart swell with pride as a mom to see her willingly helping her brother without any nudging from me. 

The sisters I serve with in my calling are the sweetest! They stopped by one evening to surprise me with this gift. They are an amazing support and such great friends. I will love them forever!!

Just a regular Sunday family dinner with love, all my kids, and Grandpa. 

(Miriam refused to turn around.)

 ..... Joseph used his loving fatherly persuasion to turn Miriam toward the camera. ;)

On another occasion... Cute little Kaylee put together a dinner plate for Amillia and herself.

Took one of our school days to the MOA!

(Miriam, Micah, Kaylee, and Amillia)

Stand For Ever

In a world that is losing faith almost everywhere we turn, there are those who stand firm and unshaken, grounded upon the Truth. I thank my Father in Heaven for such strong sentinels in my life, for their examples of covenant keeping and determined discipleship in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

This past week, Joseph and I have had this talk on repeat. It is phenomenal!  I took a few screen-shots of one of my favorite parts. I've shared it on Instagram and Facebook, and we're showing it to our kids tonight for FHE. I just believe it's so important.

 Elder Corbridge speaks from the heart, he speaks with the Spirit. What a completely inspired talk for such a time as this! Go listen to it or read it as soon as you can & Stand For Ever 💓