NO SMOKING!!!!

I had a moment of near insanity today. I can keep my cool about many things, with a few exceptions. Today I came face to face with one of them. I was on my way to Costco with Justin, Brynna and Lauryn after I got off of work. We pulled up to a stoplight and in front of us was an itty-bitty, two-door car jam-packed with three adults, a preschooler and a small baby wedged in the middle. All the adults were distracted talking on cell phones and this and that. Justin said "Huh, that looks safe." But then I saw one of the few things that absolutely makes my blood BOIL! All three adults in this itty-bitty car lit up and were smoking mere inches from these poor kids faces. It took everything in me not to lay on the horn, get out, go rip open their door and tear their cancer sticks from their nicotine scented fingers and rip them a new one. How stupid and selfish do you have to be to do that? You can't wait until you get to your destination and away from the kids before you light up and indulge in the destruction of your own health?! I was fuming... and still am actually. With everything we know about how dangerous secondhand smoke is, especially for children, how is it not illegal to smoke in an enclosed space with small children?! Everyone and everything these days has some sort of rights, it seems. Heck, there was an uproar about the mussels downstream in Florida when we were in a drought last year. How humans couldn't get the water because the mussels needed it. Mussels have rights. But kids with idiot parents...apparently they're out of luck.

Sunday Series: "Lessons I Learned as a Boy"

I find more and more everyday that the shoes of my life overflow with silver dollars. My heart is filled with humility and gratitude for the blessings I have received in my life. For the people who love me and for the circumstances that are put in my path. I will never doubt that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and is mindful of me. I only hope that I can be like those boys and be an instrument in His hands. To help give to others what has been given to me... a knowledge of His perfect love.

Just Call Me The Maid

I really need to clean my house. My little darlings haven't quite figured out the joy of picking up after themselves and it's a giant struggle to try to get them to do anything. Joy. Imagine if you will, Mount Vesuvius has just blown it's top in my house. Only rather that it being filled with liquid, hot magma (in your best Dr. Evil voice) it was filled with toys and trinkets and has spewed them to the far corners of the house... that's what it looks like. My motivation level is low because I know as soon as I finish one room, that's their cue to come back in and tear it all out again. Sigh. But, it's raining and there is no where to go. So I guess that means I have no excuses not to... even though I really don't want to. But I guess I will. Ugh. Let there be no mistaking, if I should ever acquire mass quantities of money, a housekeeper is totally on my list.

*UPDATE!* The girls rooms are organized, dusted, vacuumed, sheets are washed and beds are made and amazingly the girls did 85% of the work with only about five minutes of whining at the very beginning! Granted, I had to walk them through it and Mr. Gunny Box (box that eats toys, clothes, and trinkets left out) had to make his rounds, but dang it, they worked and they even thought Mr. Gunny Box was funny! He ate up some of their favorites they'd failed to pick up and they started to get upset. So Gunny burped up a few things and then took a few more minutes to digest before coming back to look for dessert. That gave them time to put away the things they'd missed and the peace was restored and everyone was happy. Can I get a hip, hip, HOORAY!

6x6

I was tagged by my friend Erin and instructed to post my sixth picture in my sixth album in my computer and blog about it. This is my Brynnie when we were at Cagle's Dairy Farm a few Octobers ago, playing with freshly picked cotton. Look at her, still full of cute, baby-ness, squinting at the sun. I find my life passing by so quickly. Little moments like this make me want to s...l...o...w... it down.

Nature Babies

Each footstep down the thin, dirt path leads you further and further away from any cares you may carry. Each breeze that makes it's way across your skin and through your hair carries off with it responsibility and burden. The sunlight that filters down through green, leafy treetops warms your very soul. You breathe in deeply and in that moment... you become transformed. Once again as a little child. One who relishes the possibility of getting dirty and to whom wet toes really don't matter. Gone is the hurriedness of passing life by as you pause to marvel at a leaf, a stick, a seed, a bubbling stream. You feel small and at the same time connected to something much bigger than yourself. Down that thin, dirt path contentment is found.

So much to see.

Armed with sticks to dig for bugs.She loved it and I couldn't have been prouder.

Sunday Series: Who I Am

This is Jeffrey R. Holland. He is one of the twelve living apostles on the earth today. Just as Christ had apostles on the earth in his time, He has appointed them in our time as well. I love to hear the words of inspired leaders of Christ's restored gospel on the earth today. Here is just one of many statements that has touched my heart...

"First of all, I want you to be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him."

More St. Patty's Fun!

I know I have said I am spoiled with love on here many a time... but it's the truth! Yesterday the girls and I came home from the park and there waiting for us on our front porch was a cute, festive St. Patty's Day basket from the Ensign's! I have to say that Tracy and Ansley are just SO stinkin' good to us! Tracy and I have laughed many times over not knowing exactly what to call each other. Technically, she is my sister-in-law's mother, but what does that make her to me? The English language hasn't come up with a good name yet, but I know to me Tracy is a dear friend and thanks to Aaron and Megan, family to boot! And don't even get me started on how loved Ansley is in this house! She is simply adored by us all, especially my girls! I am so grateful to have the Ensign's in our life. Thank you so much for making our St. Patrick's Day an extra special one! We love you!