Happy Birthday to Darrell's dad Wayne. We love you!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
California
Last month Tyler and I were able to spend several days with Darrell's parents, and we had a FABULOUS time!
We were lucky enough to see Matt, who was home on leave from the Coast Guard. It was the first time all 4 cousins were together. What great pictures!
One day Carol, Wayne, Tyler and I headed to Simi Valley. We went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. It was fascinating.
Here we are in front of Ronald Reagan's statue. (His head didn't make it in the picture, it appears.)
One of the highlights of the museum was going on Air Force One.
Carol, Brenda, Tyler and I went to Knott's Berry Farm one day. Tyler LOVED the rides! ( I apologize for the random sizes. I'm NOT happy with Photobucket at the moment!)
Brenda bought Tyler a stuffed Snoopy and Tyler did what he does to all stuffed animals: he bit its nose.
Other highlights of the the trip include:
Chasing the ducks at the duck pond
Going to the park
Visiting the "girl cousins" (as Darrell calls them)
Meeting Carol's brother Mario and his wife Bea
Eating at In 'n' Out
Going out to eat at Domenico's
And hanging out with family.
Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma, for a wonderful time! Tyler hopes there's more Snickers in the candy bowl when we come for Christmas! (Hee! Hee!)
We were lucky enough to see Matt, who was home on leave from the Coast Guard. It was the first time all 4 cousins were together. What great pictures!
One day Carol, Wayne, Tyler and I headed to Simi Valley. We went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. It was fascinating.
Here we are in front of Ronald Reagan's statue. (His head didn't make it in the picture, it appears.)
One of the highlights of the museum was going on Air Force One.
Carol, Brenda, Tyler and I went to Knott's Berry Farm one day. Tyler LOVED the rides! ( I apologize for the random sizes. I'm NOT happy with Photobucket at the moment!)
Brenda bought Tyler a stuffed Snoopy and Tyler did what he does to all stuffed animals: he bit its nose.
Other highlights of the the trip include:
Chasing the ducks at the duck pond
Going to the park
Visiting the "girl cousins" (as Darrell calls them)
Meeting Carol's brother Mario and his wife Bea
Eating at In 'n' Out
Going out to eat at Domenico's
And hanging out with family.
Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma, for a wonderful time! Tyler hopes there's more Snickers in the candy bowl when we come for Christmas! (Hee! Hee!)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Reunion Time
A few weeks ago we celebrated my grandma's 80th birthday. It was great to see aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as spend time with "immediate" family.
My cute grandpa and grandma
Grandma and yummy Costco birthday cake(s)
Earlier in the day my parents watched grandkids so Kimberly, Sage, Darrell and I could go to the Idaho Falls Temple.
Then Darrell, Tyler and I went for a walk along the river. The snoozin' birds didn't even mind Tyler being so close.
Later that evening we went swimming at the hotel's pool. (Yep, lovin' my farmer's tan!)
The next day we went to church with my grandparents, just like we used to in the "good ol' days" when I was a kid. We went back to their house for lunch and family pictures.
The whole family
Tyler, Debbie, Darrell
Olivia, Kimberly, Kyle, Sage, Aubrey
Nathaniel, Brooke, Laura, Jonathan, Greg and Daniel
Tansy and Derek
My wonderful parents
My cute grandpa and grandma
Grandma and yummy Costco birthday cake(s)
Earlier in the day my parents watched grandkids so Kimberly, Sage, Darrell and I could go to the Idaho Falls Temple.
Then Darrell, Tyler and I went for a walk along the river. The snoozin' birds didn't even mind Tyler being so close.
Later that evening we went swimming at the hotel's pool. (Yep, lovin' my farmer's tan!)
The next day we went to church with my grandparents, just like we used to in the "good ol' days" when I was a kid. We went back to their house for lunch and family pictures.
The whole family
Tyler, Debbie, Darrell
Olivia, Kimberly, Kyle, Sage, Aubrey
Nathaniel, Brooke, Laura, Jonathan, Greg and Daniel
Tansy and Derek
My wonderful parents
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Buds
Tyler has discovered he has a collection of stuffed animals
and he loves them!
He loves giving them hugs,
squishing his face in their softness,
carrying them around,
and falling on them.
He has also found out how exciting gravity can be.
Stairs + stuffed animals=FUN!
Buds!
and he loves them!
He loves giving them hugs,
squishing his face in their softness,
carrying them around,
and falling on them.
He has also found out how exciting gravity can be.
Stairs + stuffed animals=FUN!
Buds!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Reflections
The other day I was talking to someone about my last miscarriage. This person was very sympathetic, knowing all that we've gone through. I said, "Well, it's disappointing, but EVERYONE has disappointments." To which she replied, "Yeah, but that doesn't make it better." It was a kind, gentle way of saying, "It's OK to take your brave face off and be sad."
This conversation has really given me a lot to think about and reflect on.
I know it may seem strange, but I'm not sad about the miscarriages. And I don't think I'm in denial or attempting to mask my feelings. I'm not sad, because of 2 reasons: 1.) I have received tremendous strength and peace from the Lord and 2.) past experiences count for EVERYTHING.
I'll explain the 2nd reason first. I returned from my mission when I was 22 years old. I didn't get married until I was 32 years old. That's 10 years of really, really wanting something (to get married) and not getting it. During that time I went through the "Poor me! Woe is me!" stage, and to be honest, it sucked! There is nothing to be gained by focusing on what you don't have. It didn't speed up time so I could get married sooner. It just made life miserable. (I think a good definition of a miserable life is a life where you are only thinking about yourself--no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.)
In hindsight, I can see that everything worked out perfectly, just as it should have, even though I had to go through 10 years of "singlehood." (Is that a word?!?) I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knew what was best for me.
I love this quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
“Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith; a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is, in God’s judgment—not ours—right for us. Sometimes we pound on the vault door for something we want very much and wonder why the door does not open. We would be very spoiled children if that vault door opened any more easily than it does. I can tell, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me. Our rejected petitions tell us much about ourselves but also much about our flawless Father.”
I can see that this has been the case in my own life. I KNOW Heavenly Father answers prayers in ways that will be the best for us. Because I know that, I refuse to relive my past mistake of thinking "Poor me!" I had to learn the hard way that that attitude will not change anything, and I really don't want to go down that road again.
And now to the real Source of peace and happiness: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the story in the Book of Mormon of Alma and his followers. They were in bondage and their "task masters" had told them that they would be put to death if they prayed aloud. They continued to pray, but in their hearts. The Lord said unto them,
"Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
"And I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflicitions." (Mosiah 24: 13-14)
In the next verse it says:
"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
There are 2 things that I get out these verses. First, the Lord WILL make our burdens light and easy to bear if we trust in Him. Second, covenants with the Lord give us power and protection. (See Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk on this very subject here.)
I echo Ammon's thoughts when he said:
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things."
I know I am being strengthened and blessed in this trial. Darrell and I really do want to have another baby, and we think things will eventually work out for that to happen. But until that happens, we will rely on God's wisdom and love.
This conversation has really given me a lot to think about and reflect on.
I know it may seem strange, but I'm not sad about the miscarriages. And I don't think I'm in denial or attempting to mask my feelings. I'm not sad, because of 2 reasons: 1.) I have received tremendous strength and peace from the Lord and 2.) past experiences count for EVERYTHING.
I'll explain the 2nd reason first. I returned from my mission when I was 22 years old. I didn't get married until I was 32 years old. That's 10 years of really, really wanting something (to get married) and not getting it. During that time I went through the "Poor me! Woe is me!" stage, and to be honest, it sucked! There is nothing to be gained by focusing on what you don't have. It didn't speed up time so I could get married sooner. It just made life miserable. (I think a good definition of a miserable life is a life where you are only thinking about yourself--no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.)
In hindsight, I can see that everything worked out perfectly, just as it should have, even though I had to go through 10 years of "singlehood." (Is that a word?!?) I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knew what was best for me.
I love this quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
“Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith; a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is, in God’s judgment—not ours—right for us. Sometimes we pound on the vault door for something we want very much and wonder why the door does not open. We would be very spoiled children if that vault door opened any more easily than it does. I can tell, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me. Our rejected petitions tell us much about ourselves but also much about our flawless Father.”
I can see that this has been the case in my own life. I KNOW Heavenly Father answers prayers in ways that will be the best for us. Because I know that, I refuse to relive my past mistake of thinking "Poor me!" I had to learn the hard way that that attitude will not change anything, and I really don't want to go down that road again.
And now to the real Source of peace and happiness: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the story in the Book of Mormon of Alma and his followers. They were in bondage and their "task masters" had told them that they would be put to death if they prayed aloud. They continued to pray, but in their hearts. The Lord said unto them,
"Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
"And I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflicitions." (Mosiah 24: 13-14)
In the next verse it says:
"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
There are 2 things that I get out these verses. First, the Lord WILL make our burdens light and easy to bear if we trust in Him. Second, covenants with the Lord give us power and protection. (See Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk on this very subject here.)
I echo Ammon's thoughts when he said:
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things."
I know I am being strengthened and blessed in this trial. Darrell and I really do want to have another baby, and we think things will eventually work out for that to happen. But until that happens, we will rely on God's wisdom and love.
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