Lincoln City

Spring break was spent with some good friends on the beach in Lincoln City Oregon. We had never been there before but our friends had and they know how to travel- renting a house right on the beach.  The weather was cool but the sun was out and everyone had a great time.  This family we are with lost their sweet little boy a few months before his first birthday.  We have had the rare opportunity to become closer as friends through our common bond of the reality of facing the loss of a child.  I am especially grateful that we can talk about the hard things in life while having fun and staying positive.  I consider myself lucky to be blessed with people that can help me focus on what's really important in life and try each day to become a happier me. 

On our way home we stopped at the flight and space museums. 

 I apologize that my camera focused on the background and not the subjects but I had to include this picture since it was the only one with our whole family in it.

Horse Jumps

I hear galloping through the house, I find makeshift stables made out of barstools, that are corralling our dog in the kitchen, I see Cannon's crib mat draped over Ella's back as a horse pad for her friends that are riding her back. I find pillows stacked in the hallways, my pantry shelves have been emptied of all my canned goods to be lined up on the floor, broomsticks propped between two chairs, tape from the ottoman to the entertainment center all to make horse jumps. If I didn't know our little Ella sometimes thinks she is a horse, I would find this all very strange (but my daughter thinking she is a horse is not strange, right?). Since I do know Ella, and her fascination with horses, I can't help but smile, and make sure to snap a picture, of all these little evidences that show us that Ella is her own little cowgirl.

Here is our stallion, Kent, jumping one of the jumps.

Yes, but...

Yes, I woke up feeling ready for a 3 mile run

but it was raining outside.

Yes, I have a treadmill in my garage

but the safety is broken and it wouldn't work.

Yes, I decided to take Teddy for a run

but she had chewed up her leash.

Yes, I used a strap from one of my purses as a leash

but Teddy broke it only 2 blocks into our run.

Yes, she still stayed pretty close to me

but she finally got bored and ditched me.

Yes I downloaded some fun songs to keep me motived

but I couldn't figure out how to get them from my computer to my phone.

Yes, I listened to a great station on pandora

that kept streaming one good song after another

but I am super out of shape so I had to walk more than I wanted.

Yes, the trees were green and the sprinkling spring air was very refreshing

but the wind was cold on my ears.

Yes, I made it three miles!

But not as fast as I had hoped.

Yes, I plan on going again tomorrow

but pushing myself harder to finish a little bit faster each day.

Yes, I am putting this out there on my blog to hold myself to "stick to it"

(Ella's favorite phrase)

but I am asking you not to judge me- remember I am just a beginner.

YES! I started out my Monday just as I wanted to- no buts about it!!!

Timing.

What a difference the timing of certain words, events or a situation makes.

I have been sick the past few weeks and I have noticed that my physical ailments have had a direct connection with my emotions as well. I have felt more tired and sad. I didn't feel that things I usually thought were important were worth putting the effort in and I made mountains out of molehills where negativity wouldn't normally have settled. As I heard others talking about how excited they were to hear General Conference this weekend, I was secretly feeling. . . nothing.

My calling in the church is in the Young Women's Presidency so I went to our Young Women's Presidents house last Friday night for a Young Women's sleep over so we could all watch the first session on conference together. It was a wonderful session that kick started my desire to hear more and receive more direction and inspiration. I handed out little M&M treats to each girl and attached this tag to it~

As I read what I encouraged the girls to do, I decided to take that advice and apply it to myself.I have specific concerns, trials, worries and questions that I desired to feel peace regarding. My answers were spoken to my heart through the power of the Holy Ghost and I feel rejuvenated knowing who I am, where I come from and where I will go when this life is over. I am humbled by the fact that I know I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father that is very mindful of my needs and truly cares about me. There were a few talks in particular that I felt were directly for me to hear and I am thankful for the blessing of modern day prophets that continue to receive revelation. I am also thankful for the blessing I have of receiving personal revelation for myself, and my children. To hear or read more about these talks that were given. Spend some time on this website and pray about the words you hear.

This is one of the talks that I felt so touched by and I know I will reflect on it often.

The full talks will not be published until Thursday, but here is a summary~ Rasband summary

Here is a link to watch his talk online~ Rasband talk

This is another talk that I am so thankful to have heard. I need to remind myself that I am being "polished" and I am meant to shine.

Summary of the talk given by~ Elder Eyring

Here is a link to watch the talk online~ Eyring talk

Happy April Fools!

This is what I served my kids for breakfast!

~Cracklin' Oat Bran
~Cocoa Puffs
We had some friends over for dinner to celebrate April Fool's Day. We started with dessert first~ Cake, pie, jello salad, chocolate cupcakes (or so they thought) . . .

A double decker cake for dinner!?

Meat Cake and Mashed Potatoes for frosting!

Reagran and Annie brought the "drinks" ~ jello with blueberries in it. The kids (and Kent also) had a great time trying to suck the drink through the straw. For dessert we had spaghetti and meatballs (cupcakes with chocolate truffles and strawberry glaze, with grated white chocolate on top)