Journal

Yes, I have tons of pictures to post, but this isn't going to be one of those posts. This is for the sole purpose of just because.

I have learned something VERY important... NEVER ask the question "Can things get any worse?" Because, you know what, things can pretty much ALWAYS get worse. I have also heard the saying over and over, "God will never give you more then you can handle." I guess that one has to be true, because you either die or handle it... so since I am not dead I must be handling it.

I have learned another lesson, one that I never wanted. Humility. I'm a proud person, always have been. I never ask for help, I would rather die struggling then ask someone to help me out. So this lesson is a rough one for me.

I hate to admit this, but I even have a hard time asking in prayer for my Heavenly Father to help me out. I know I'm supposed to... but I always feel that I should try and handle it on my own, and not "bother" Him with my needs. I guess He had enough of my pride and He decided to give me a lesson that I can't handle on my own... and I have tried, believe me I have, but this time I need help. I need Him to step in and be there with me. So, what happened when I begged for help? He didn't come in and "fix" it... things are still feeling a little hopeless right now. So does that mean He didn't answer me? Not even close.

It's like the story from the New Testament when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. He comes to the house of Mary and Martha and all the Jews that are weeping with them. Upon seeing them upset and sad that Lazarus is dead, comes the scripture, "Jesus wept". Why did He cry? He knew he would soon raise Lazarus from the dead and all of their pain would be replaced with pure and uncomparable joy. Why didn't He simply say that He would fix it and everything would be better? He didn't weep because He was hurting that Lazarus was dead, he was weeping because He felt their pain. He saw the bigger picture, yet He still mourned with them in their pain.

That's where we are at, mourning and sad because we are in the middle of this one journey. He can see the bigger picture, He knows what is in store for us yet in my need He weeps with me.

It doesn't make everything all better, but it reminds me that I am loved and cared for. That even though He can see what glory awaits me, he will still stay by my side, hold my hand, and weep with me. It's just too easy to forget how powerful His love really is, and I am ashamed I have taken it for granted.

Always Playing Catch Up...

It's hard to keep up with anything at all right now. This is the only thing we seem to be doing right now:

www.spartanonlineshopping.com

Yep, Alex started his own internet store and then "conveniently" gave it to me to take care of. So, far so good...

So, this one post should be at least 3 or 4 posts, but it's going to get all lumped together, to make it quicker.

First, I went on another fieldtrip with Ally's class. This time we went to the Dinosaur Museum in Lehi.

These were my three kids to watch.




This is Ally's whole class with her teacher Mrs. Eldrege.


It was a lot of fun... and why did Ally have so much fun??? Because of course she was with Ashley.

(these two are in school all day together, then come home and play together until 6 o'clock... spend their weekends together... gotta love bff's!)

Here's Devin doing what he does best:

(getting into EVERYTHING!)

Ally' school had a carnival last weekend, so we went there.

Ally had fun doing everything, but Devin didn't like the "rides", but he did love playing on the playground.


Last Saturday we went to the school playground agian. Alex and Ally played soccer and Devin chased the ball until he got tired and played on the playground. We also went over to see the horses that border the school playground.



Ally was kicking a soccer ball in front of us on the sidewalk as we walked home from the school, when a couple of dogs came barking across the street and surrounded her. One was a pit bull and the other was a weiner dog. They were snarling and circling her. Alex ran up to her to stand them down, but not before she was bitten on the leg by the little one. The pit bull tried to bite her hand but luckily she moved too quickly. She ran back to me crying and luckily Alex intimidated them enough they ran away. Our neighbor called animal dispatch, so the police came and hauled the little dog off. The dogs belong to our neighbor's across the street and this is the 3rd instance where they have bitten someone. They have lost all animal priveleges for 10 years. The police took pictures of Ally's leg and we had to fill out a report. I wish I would have got a picture too, but she has a gigantic bruise on her leg. Poor girl!

Finally, the second graders put on a performance for the parents on May 18th. It was probably the best one I have ever been to. The kids knew the songs, and the actions, they had a slideshow with pictures from the last year and it was so adorable. I actually teared up a few times!



So, that should catch me up for a little while.

And to all of those that keep asking, we are still doing okay. Thanks for the love!

The Sun's Rays

We picked up a Little Caesars Pizza and headed up Rock Canyon. We first ate our pizza... complete with Capri Sun's and after cleaning up we started hiking up the canyon. Devin was too busy picking up every rock and stick so Alex and Ally went ahead.


There was a couple of BYU students rock climbing and asked Ally if she wanted to try. She was so excited... the whole 4 or 5 feet she dared to climb. After that it was just "too scary" for her. What was funny is Devin started climbing up after her with no fear and we had to pull him down so he wouldn't go higher. My kids have such different personalities!

(see her new haircut?... she insisted, even though Alex and I really wanted it to stay long...)


Then the kids climbed around a little on there own.


Devin decided he liked jumping off about a 7 feet ledge into Alex's arms... oy, this kid is going to give me an ulcer. He did it at least a dozen times.



(see that ledge behind him the he jumped from? see the look of pure joy and trust on his face?)

Sadly, my camera battery died on the walk back down, but as I looked over my beautiful mountains and Utah Lake reflecting bright rays of warm sun, my heart started to warm too. What a beautiful reminder of the consistency of life.

The Bond

My children share such an amazing bond.

A few days ago, Devin got hurt and I was hugging him, then all of the sudden he started needing "Gee Gee"... he has called Ally that since before he turned one and now he won't change.

So, my sweet, tender-hearted daughter held her baby brother through his tears.

Then he started to feel better.

And because of how much they love each other, the tears turned into smiles.


Then instead of returning to watch Wizards of Waverly Place, she played hide-and-seek with Devin.

And tickle games...


These are the most important moments of my life.