The Joy of Being Known

There is a joy- a particular contentment- that is felt when one is known.  It is always nice to get to know others, but when you feel someone really knows you- gets you- there is a peace that enters the soul.

by Kristy 

I was skimming through my sis-in-law's previous posts on her blog and I came across this.  It really struck me.  I love it when a connection with another person is so strong that you can give someone a particular look and they know exactly when you are thinking or when they can tell what you are feeling by the tone of your voice.  True friendships and the love of family is what makes life sweet and burdens easier to bear.  There is a joy and comfort that comes from knowing you are not alone in the journey.   

Count Your Many Blessings

I feel very thankful today for all of the many blessings in my life.  I wanted to share the things that mean the most to me, and not just because it is Thanksgiving.  Of course this wonderful holiday season strengthens my feelings of gratitude, but I guess watching the news and seeing the state the world is in makes my gratitude all the stronger.  So, here are the things that I am grateful for...

The Gospel.  It gives my life meaning and I know who I am, where I am going and why I am here.  

My Savior.  Who died for me so that I can return again to live with my Heavenly Father and that I can repent of my sins.

Family.  Without them this journey would be far less meaningful and far less enjoyable.  I love you all and and I am missing you terribly right now.  

Healthy, happy children.  Everyday I am reminded of all the terrible disease and sickness in this world and I thank my Heavenly Father for my beautiful, healthy, happy children.  

Friends.  You help me make it through everyday life with smiles and laughter.  Thank you!

Our Ward Family.  We have the best ward full of thoughtful, caring people who would do anything for anyone and who have opened their arms to our family.  Thank you for making Missouri feel like home.

My Home.  I know it is just a mobile home, but it is my mobile home.  We are safe and happy here and I am so thankful that it is ours.

Education.  I am thankful for the opportunity I had of being able to go to school and get a degree and that my husband is able to pursue his goals of being a chiropractor.  We are so blessed to be here at this time.

Blogs, E-Mail, and Phones.  I am so grateful for this technology that allows me to stay in touch with family and friends that are far away!

The list goes on and on, but those are the ones that are standing out to me right now.  It just reminds me that everyday I need to stop and take time to be grateful for the many blessing in my life.

A Big Boy

Porter is now 5 1/2 months and he is wearing 12 month clothing.  His pants vary, some are 9 month and some are 12 month.  All his shirts are 12 month.  And last night we put him in a pair of PJs we thought wouldn't fit for months and months.  Guess what?  They fit like a glove!  I cannot believe how big he is! 

Sibling love

Just wanted to share these pics because I thought they were too cute!

Porter's Big Weekend

Porter had an eventful weekend.  He has been having a lot of problems eating lately.  He arches his back and frantically moves his head from side to side when he eats.  He goes a really long time in between feedings sometimes and then when he does it is seems it is more like he is starving so he has too and not like he is enjoying it.  Friday night I was talking to my friend Megan about it.  She said she thinks her son was allergic to Enfamil formula, which is what we use.  She switched to Similac and he has been much better.  Chant and I thought we would try that.  Porter's first bottle of Similac was Friday night.  Even since then he seems to enjoy eating and he does squirm or arch his back.  Yeah!  I do think I am going to talk to the doctor about Reflux.  But anyway, that was exciting for us.

And yesterday we put him in his highchair for the first time.  Before I put him in his bouncy chair to feed him.  But lately when we put him in his bouncy chair or his swing he tries desperately to sit up.  He looked so cute in his highchair!  We fed him and then cleaned him off and put some toys on the tray.  He was so happy and smiley!  I think he really enjoyed it. 

Worthwhile

I finished reading The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck last night.  It was actually kind of a funny sight.  Chant had fallen asleep on the couch and I was holding Porter on my lap in the rocking chair.  I was trying to keep him awake so that he would not wake up at 3:00 a.m. and want to play.  (That occasionally happens when I let him sleep too long in the evening.)  I stopped reading and was singing to Porter and playing with him to keep him awake.  I desperately wanted to finish my book so the thought occurred to me that I could just read it out loud.  I would keep Porter awake and finish my book.  So that is what I did.  Soon I was sobbing.  Porter was looking up at me and Chant woke up, looked at me and laid back down.  It is a beautiful book with a powerful message.  Definitely worth the time, although it is such a good book that it is easy to zip right through it.  I will not ruin it for you in case you decide to read it, but let me just say that when I finished reading it I felt a little better about life.  I felt an amazing love for my Savior and courage to press forward and make each day the best it can be.  

My friends Mary and Cam are blessed with the opportunity to see the stage show of The Christmas Sweater and I am so excited for them.  It will be an amazing night I am sure.

Anyway, worth the read.

Lots to Say

So I have a lot on my mind today.  Sorry if I am long-winded.  Feel free to stop reading at any time if you become bored.

Issue 1:  Preschool

Chant and I heard about a program through the school district for pre-school a while ago.  It is 3 times a week for an hour and a half each time.  The class has a teacher to oversee things and then high school students are the ones who plan the activities and carry them out.  It is only $35 for the whole program.  I thought that was amazing!  So we talked about it for a while and finally decided to call the teacher in charge to get more info and find out when it starts.  We have called several times over the past few weeks and have heard nothing back (we were only able to leave messages).  Finally yesterday we actually got to talk to her!  After a few questions she said they had an opening and Brinn could start this Friday!  WOW, that was fast!  So here's the deal, I am suddenly feeling really up and down about it.  I have been so excited about it ever since I first heard about the program.  Brinn is a very social kid.  She loves to play with other kids and is very good at making new friends.  But she also likes her alone time.  Her and Ainsley play so well together, but sometimes Brinn just wants to play by herself.  That is why I thought this would be so great for Brinn.  It would give her a chance to make new friends and socialize, but it would also give her some alone time (from the fam) to do something that is just for her.  And I think it would be good for Ains and I to have some time to do things with just the two of us.  Sometimes I feel like she gets lost in the shuffle.  But then I get nervous.  I guess it is mostly because I cannot believe Brinn is old enough to be going to pre-school!  She is almost 4!  I am not at all worried about Brinn getting lost in the shuffle at the pre-school.  It is 3 kids to each high school student.  And they are not going to be overly structured.  There will be activities and games, but it will not be intense or anything.  I think it will be good for all of us, I just have to get used to it.  And Brinnley cannot wait for Friday!  Now I just have to practice getting up and going because she has to be there at 9:15.  But I can do it, with all 3 kids in tow!

Issue 2:  Haircuts

So we have lived here almost 2 years and I have yet to find a stylist that I love.  That is until now.  I got my hair cut last Saturday.  I had been needing one for a while, but I kept putting it off because I always get nervous for what my hair will look like when it is finished.  I have had some bad experience here that have resulted in lots of tears and hysteria.  I was finally at the over-the-edge point when I wanted to grab the scissors and whack it myself.  Since that is obviously not a good idea, I got an appointment with a professional.  The very fist thing the girl said to me was "Wow, you have really thick hair.  I have my work cut out for me."  She then told me she was going to thin it a little.  I got a little squirmy.  I am not a fan of the words "thin" and "hair" being in the same sentence.  But I let her do it anyway.  And to my amazement, I love it!  It is day 3 of doing my hair and I actually don't hate it.  Thanks Becca for the suggestion of where to go!

Issue 3:  Let it go or try harder?

I got this forward a few days ago and I have been thinking about it a lot.  This was the message, "There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will.  So don't worry about people from your past, there is a reason why they didn't make it to your future."  Interesting.  But it made me thing.  This is something I have always struggled with.  I hope I am not the only one that feels this way, but there have been friendships throughout the course of my life that at the time are not being as fulfilling as I wish they would be.  And then there are friendships that were important but due to moving or other events in life they have dwindled.  When faced with the opportunity to get reacquainted, the question arises in the back of my mind, "Will this amount to anything or has to much time passed to rekindle that friendship?"  So my question is, let it go or try harder?  Let go of current friendships that are not healthy relationships or try harder to make them healthy?  Work harder at getting in touch with those from the past that were once important or hold onto the memories and lessons learned from those friendships and let it go?  Just something I think about every once in a while.  Am I weird?  Probably.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

Bitter Sweet

As the holidays are approaching I am finding myself filled with excitement but also sadness.  I am so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas!  This is my first time making Thanksgiving dinner.  I am so excited to try some new recipes and start new food traditions, but I am also terrified!  Hopefully everything will be edible.  And we are so lucky to have my sister-in-law Kristy coming.  She is amazing!  And Christmas will be wonderful!  The girls are so excited.  And I am thrilled with the array of wonderful gifts I have gathered for quarters and dimes at amazing garage sales.  And I am in the middle of making Christmas presents for my family.  I cannot say anything else because I don't want to give it away to those who are reading this, but lets just say that a lot of time, thought, and love went into these gifts.  I hope you all will love them as much as I do.  I am just really feeling the joy and excitement of the season.

But then I am sad because we will not be spending the holiday with family.  (Except Kristy, of course.)  We will be missing all of you in Idaho, Boston, and Denver this holiday season.  We love you all and hope you know we are missing you and are looking forward to when we will see you again.