And so it has ended...

She laid in my arms 11 1/2 years ago. So sweet, so pure...so silent. And so her childhood has come to a sweet close and she has entered into her new phase as a young lady. Tonight we celebrated being girls and all the perks that go with it. I did mani-pedis for my girls while we chomped down on pizza while watching our chick flick. The boys were away watching boxing on ice a.k.a. hockey. After beautifying ourselves we relaxed while having a special party of our own and then it was discovered...our party had changed from just hanging together to celebrating the newest woman in our family. Yup! My youngest has officially begun her period. Am I THAT old? Oh please!!! I hope not. I am not worried though. I LOVE having girls this age. They are so much fun and the world in their eyes is most definitely fun to see. I am grateful for our special celebration, though hubby may need to bring in Ghiradelli by the truck full!!!

What Matters?!

It does not matter...

If I live is the most beautiful mansion on the hill.

If I have a closet filled with the most chic clothes.

If I own a Ferrari.

If I have a ton of wrinkles on my face or cottage cheese thighs.

If I paint a piece of art that rivals the Sistine Chapel.

If my house is neat as a pin at any given hour of the day.

If every dish in my kitchen sink is washed.

It does matter...

That my husband knows he is the love of my life.

That my children know they are loved and valued.

That I serve the Lord with all my heart and all my might.

That I remember who I am.

That I return with honor.

Thoughts from a friend...

I received an e-mail from a friend this morning and she had forwarded on a talk by Jeffery R. Holland at a fireside last year for the young adults. It was truly what I needed to hear this morning. I was thinking back over the events of last year. I, truthfully, learned so much about myself. I learned I am not the type to sit on the fence. I can and will stand up for what I believe is right, even if it doesn't make me popular. I can stand in the face off insulting opposition and feel the peace only the Lord can give those times. It felt good to learn that. This is what he said:

"You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced."

I understand what he said more than ever these days. I felt comforted though in this scripture he quoted:

Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).

I feel that strength, protection only He could give.

Prayer Update.... and advertising!!!

A light on our answering machine was blinking quite rapidly last night...It's great to be popular. Of course I was sure it was a telemarketer trying to drive me bananas!!! Anyway, it was that newer member to our ward to call us and tell us that he had received an offer on his place. I was so excited for him. he had put his faith in the Lord and an offer was given. He, being the sweet man that he was, is still praying for us. I appreciate that. the good Lord keeps telling us that it is going to sell and it is hard to argue with the sweet spirit that resides in your being when you receive such confirmations. However, we figured it couldn't hurt to try and help out our agent a little bit...



We normally spell out names. We have had George Albert Smith in there for some time and then we decided to have a bit of fun. We used nicknames: Cindy...the name my high school history teacher called me back in the 80's and still calls me. he never had my name right. We had "Ted" for the hubby as we have sung the great 80's hit "I Wanna Be A Cowboy." We even through a few of your names in there as well. Just for fun. I can't wait until my agent comes into the office and goes online to see how we are trying to help him!!! What good clients we are!!!!

To see her smile....

There are times when, as a parent, you catch your child's vision of something they really, honestly, and truly want beyond all else. I'm not talking the latest Wii game or even a signed special edition Stephenie Meyer book. We have encountered one of those times. It started quietly today...my computer and I sitting alone in the store, ticking the minutes away, waiting...waiting....and would you believe more waiting?!?!?!

You see, with my lovely daughter 14 now she qualifies for attendance at EFY. She is a good kid, always concerned for her grades, her friends and others around her. Although she sees different outfits and things she would like she understands we are planning a move and must therefore conserve...especially in this economic unrest. her greatest desire WAS to attend EFY in Provo because she has dreamed of going to BYU since she was 5 years old. No, I am not kidding. She can do it too!!! Anyway, back to the subject...EFY was booked solid in Provo...except for a session in the middle of June...My kids get out of school at the end of June. Bummer!!! However, Corinna had seen another session that piqued her interest....Nauvoo Special Edition. Her 4th great-grandfather was born under a wagon in Nauvoo so it is a special place in our family history. She has held a special love for family history for some time and so this was incredible. An incredible week that includes doing baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo temple, visiting Carthage Jail, learning so much more hands on than I could even teach her in a family home evening. We tried initially to get her in, but it was booked. However as I went through the details once more I found the session now had 9 simple openings. I jumped at it.

I called Corinna to come over to the store. When I told her she looked at me and pumped her fist and screamed "Yes!!!!" She was so excited! I'm so excited. How many times can you see your kids get THAT excited about church?!

***Mom points +1***