Tender Mercies

I keep trying to think of what I would like to blog about. But I keep getting distracted. My life feels so,... almost urgent. The small moments of peace and stillness I give to my children. I have a friend that I realized I need to visit and get our kids together but it feels like I can't give that time right now. My husband needs me. I have to be here for him at any moment. I have to have my mind ready to receive and act on inspiration and use my best communication skills to work together to find the answers to our problem---money. Is it the most important thing? That is a good question. It has a lot of importance. We have to have money to live. So the answer is, Yes! I think its importance depends a lot on what the purpose the money is used for.

Today started out well. I still can't seem to get up earlier. I have become neither a morning person nor a night person. And that is not good.

I helped my daughter get ready for school. We had family scripture study and prayer and she was off to the bus. The bus--that is another topic I could write about, but not today.

We seem to pray a lot in this house hold. Prayer in the morning, prayer before meals, prayer before bed, and all the little prayers in my heart to help get through the day.

My life is different when I start the day with a prayer. I can deal with things better. It is like the day starts with the right frame of mind and the right perspective.

My husband had misplaced a key to a truck we are trying to sell. He just put a new transmission in it. We have been looking for the key for a couple of days. This morning we prayed for help and shortly after, found the key. A tender mercy.

Monday we had no money. I was out of milk for my baby and had no gas in the car-also low on diapers. A man in our ward called that morning because his truck wouldn't start. After Wade replaced the fuel pump I was able to get milk, diapers and gas! A tender mercy.

I told my sister about it and the first thing she said was, "How Pathetic." I guess my situation right now is pathetic. But I am trying to learn the lessons I am supposed to and make the best of my life right now. We have never been so broke and yet it makes us appreciate the little things more. My husband and I are getting along very well. That doesn't take money!

My children were laughing a lot today. It was beautiful. One of the moments my daughter Lydia was laying on the floor and my baby Damon crawled (more like charging with his head down) right onto her and made the greatest belly laugh. They both just laughed and laughed. It was a great moment.

Life is Precious

Today I met a woman who was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer and she is in the 3rd stages. She has 5 children. I felt very humbled. I almost cried right there talking to her. She has a lot of hope to win this disease. But I am sad for her that she has this trial and for the battle that is just beginning for her and her family. Our life is so precious. Every day is a blessing from God. Every moment that we can spend with our children and loved ones should be cherished. Thank you Lord for my life and my health.

Trying Day

Despair go away
I don't want to see your face today
Fear don't enter my heart
There is no space for you there, just depart


Impossible? there is no such thing
The Lord can do anything
Possibilities, there you are!
I hate it when you seem so far


With you there is hope, stay by my side
Together we can lengthen our stride
Uplift encourage to the bitter end
Even if we fall, we will get up again
May the smile never leave the face
Together we will win the race


Who will succeed?
Well its not about speed
The ones with the smile and a kindess in their voice
It's all up to you, it's just a choice

Despair go away
I don't want to see your face today
Fear don't enter my heart
There is no space for you there, just depart

Soccer

The best little player on her team!

She is a go getter!

She had this look on her face the whole game! I think she tried extra

hard the last game for the Grandparents!

I have loved having Andrea in soccer. I think it has really helped her toughen up. Turns out she is the toughest out there! It has been a great activity that the whole family can enjoy. We have had so much fun going to the games. And the best part is that it last for only two months.

Just Peachie

These may look like apricots. But no, they are peaches. Everyone in this town got small peaches this year for some reason!

Inner Child

Dear Julie,
I thought I told you for years and years while you were growing up that when your children started school that you would #1 Wake up early and get ready, #2 Fix them a hot breakfast every morning.
The first day of school for your daughter you did each of those things. The second day you made pancakes but did not get ready. The third day your daughter ate cold cereal and you did not get ready in time for the bus. What happened?
Love,
Little Julie

Dear Little Julie,
Ive been meaning to talk to you. I’m thinking that the expectations you had of me as a mother may be a little unrealistic. I understand that it is important to you that I become the perfect mom you wanted. I’m pretty new at this and I’m too human to be perfect. I’m hoping that we can work out some kind of compromise. I will be thinking about what that may include and get back to you. Your daughter will not go to school hungry. And she is not waking you up to get her to the bus like you had to do growing up.
Love,
Julie

Roots

There is a quiet reverence you feel when you take the time to honor the past. Respect is owed to the road that was paved before me that led to my birth. I'm grateful for the people who came before me; for their struggles, strength, sacrifices, joys, sunshine, and hailstorms.

My Dad's Stopin' grounds!
My Dad used to farm these fields.
The old Farm
We decided to take our little family and visit my grandpa. It was a great journey.
Now if he died today I would have no regrets. I did my duty.

This is my sweet Grandma Vivian who takes care of Grandpa!

This is my sweet 92 year old Grandpa!

First Day

After I dropped her off at her classroom and headed outside towards my vehicle I had an amazing feeling of satisfaction as a mother. The thought was, "now I know what it is to be a mother."-----to be continued.

Andrea's first day of school. I don't know who was more excited. Her or me.
As we walked through the hall Andrea kept saying, "Stop smiling this is serious!"

This is a special back to school dinner inspired by NieNie.

It was the perfect idea to start the year. I was looking for a neat way to begin the evening as we started the tradition of Wade giving her a blessing for the year.


We had Andrea's favorite meal--Salmon, with rice, green salad and a fruit salad.

It was a special evening