What a Difference a Year Makes

Okay, it hasnt' been quite a year, but close. And after reading what I had in the title I realized we have gone through a lot of changes this last year. We added another boy to our family, and we adore little Peter. I'm so glad he decided to join our family, and thankful for everyones support and help during that unexpected pregnancy. We have gotten rid of most of our pets. We are down to just dogs and cats. I could give up a few of those, but the kids adore them. So for now it is worth the mess. I am enjoying life. Things are good. We wake up early, work, study, make messes, clean up messes, and go to bed tired, I can't imagine life getting any better. But I hope it does.

I love spending the day with my kids. I am so thankful for Connections Academy and what it has done for our homeschooling. It reeally is the best of both worlds. I think I'm learning more than the kids.

The weather this week has been wonderful. It went from the high 90's to rainy and low 70's. But now I have to figure out where I stashed the jackets, and hope we can find one to fit everyone. The kids have really grown this year. I wish I had some pictures to post, but they are on another computer, or still in the camera. I was looking at some awesome pictures on one of my nieces blog. I wish I could take pictures like that. Maybe someday. Someday all these kids will be gone and grown. Then I will get out my someday list and work my way through it. For now I am going to enjoy every minute of every day with these wonderful people.

Happiness in the Face of Adversity

This is something I have been thinking a lot about lately. The Lord has called me to work in the Relief Society Presidency and given me some of the most awesome sisters to serve with. I love the ward I am in and the things I have been learning. But sometimes it is so much easier to be oblivious to others struggles and challenges. I had grown accustom to attending church and giving my Relief Society lesson once a month. It gave me many warm fuzzies to  share that spiritual moment with wonderful sisters. The rest of the month I was home focused on me and my family and our challenges. It was all good.

Then the Lord surprised me with this very humbling calling and wow. I never knew I had it so good. I mean I knew I was blessed, I wasn’t complaining. But I didn’t know to what extent I was blessed. And as I watch others in their struggles I am learning much about the principle of happiness. Some are happy in spite of their great challenges, others are bitter, and others miserable. It all seems to relate to attitudes and actions.

I have noticed that it is not how much a person is suffering, but how they face their challenges that makes all the difference. Some face them with gratitude, faith, and hope. Others complain and see nothing more than their suffering and misery. These are families that are facing deaths, cancer, loss of jobs, unexpected pregnancies, miscarriages, and other debilitating illnesses. For the most part these families have been a great example of hope, faith, and strength. They  continue to be happy in spite of their challenges. Why?

It is their choice. They choose thoughts and actions that lead to happiness. Happiness is not just given to us.

Kids and Kool Fieldtrips

A few months ago we decided to quit Connections Academy and go back to homeschooling. It has been great. Recently we have started fieldtrips. These have included visiting the Children's Museum and the Natural History Museum. I've included some pictures below.

Melissa dressing up at the Children's Museum.

Jeshua blowing bubbles and playing the steel drums.

Matty having fun.

Roberto the pilot.

Future scientists

Thomas and the new dinosaur.

Eating Bernstein Bears style

Nena's first Oreo-no second :)

Thank you for raising me up

 

This week Rebeca’s home room teacher asked us to write in with the lyrics to our favorite song and a paragraph about why. After a lot of thinking I decided mine was You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban. Why you may ask? Because of my love for all of you. I am who I am because of everyone of you and the positive influence you have had in my life. Thank you for being my shoulders to stand on and for your listening ears. Thank you for raising me up. I am who I am because of you.

I love you.

Here are the lyrics

You Rise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Group Hug

Life goes on

I was catching up on my blog reading yesterday when I realized I was sadly neglecting my own. In part it is because I love to add pictures, as picture viewing is more what I do when I catch up on blogs. The reading is secondary.

My time these days is filled with school-helping my kids-cleaning house, cooking....I'm sure you all know the routine. Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know we are still around. Since my last blog post we had a baby-Beautiful Victoria Eliza. She is almost five months old and the best baby ever. She is easy to please and loves to lay on the floor and play. Everything makes her laugh. She is very loved. Along with her birth we have celebrated 6 birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. We now have 2 teenagers living under our roof-I am enjoying it-and life is good. I'm still dreaming about starting my own internet business and writing a book, but for now raising a family is consuming my time.

Thank you for all the beautiful Christmas cards. I love seeing how your families have changed and how you have spent your year. I leave you with no pictures this time- Sorry.

Until we meet again, God be with you.

Summer Fun

Summer is flying. The kids have been spending as much time as possible at the pool, and I go once in a while with the youger ones. They all love it and I am usually the first one ready to come home. The pregnancy is going good. Luckily I have a great family that really pitches in and helps with the cooking and cleaning when Mom has to sit and relax. I had another ultrasound on Thursday and she is definately a girl. That explains why I am so tired. Melissa is very excited to have a little sister. About a year ago she asked me when I was going to get her a girl baby. It took a while, but she is getting her baby girl.

It was great to see everyone that came down for Dad's birthday and family reunion. Hopefully we can all get together more often.

There is nothing like family, and it is great keeping up with so many of you on facebook.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.