Oh just lately.

My life is suddenly very busy. I'm sitting here on a Sunday night, just reflecting upon the fact that I have rarely had time to do anything of the leisure sort since school started, but that all of the things keeping me busy are good things. They just prevent me from documenting my life and relaxing as I used to!

I have taken two "jobs" with local schools. Both are definitely part-time, and only one is actually paid, but they are keeping me busy enough (or have thrown me off enough) that a lot of other things in my life have fallen by the wayside. Not the important things, of course. I still get to snuggle Miles to sleep at night and go on dates with Neal, but things like grocery shopping, dinner cooking, reading and blogging are definitely on the back burner! My poor family; we have been eating pretty poorly as far as that goes.

The first job I took is as a Marketing and Development Consultant/Director for Audrey's school. She attends a new private school, which charges tuition, as they tend to do. We knew that Audrey was a good fit for the school, and the faculty really looked forward to having her as a student, but we weren't sure we could make the tuition payments work out. So I presented my resume to the administrators and offered my time and talents in exchange for a tuition reduction, and they took me up on the offer. I was so excited! I work 8-10 hours a week for them, managing all of their social media accounts, creating their weekly newsletter, applying for grants, keeping up the profile of the school in the local community, and now, substitute teaching. It is really fun to be so involved with the inner workings of the school, and I am impressed every day with the dedication of the teachers there. Audrey is thriving in the smaller environment (she is in a class of about 10 7th and 8th graders), and looks forward to her school days and all of her research and projects.

The second job I took is at another local school, this one is a private homeschool academy. (I taught Language Arts there at the end of last year.) The students there meet twice weekly for regular classes, then complete a great deal of their other work at home. On Fridays, they have two electives from which to choose, and one of them is my Latin 100 class! The kids are 11-17 and are doing a great job so far. We have only had two classes, but I am having fun revisiting the language I learned in Mr. Barrett's class at VPHS and one semester at BYU. I hope the students will gain as much from it as I did as a teenager. The families pay me monthly for my teaching services. It's a lot of fun!

The kids are all doing well. Audrey is still taking piano lessons (year 7) and has started up with a new DI team. She and I go to Young Women activities weekly and she still spends a lot of her free time reading. Trooper is her BFF.

Parker is doing really well in fifth grade at the intermediate school. He had super high grades on his report card and was really pumped about that. He is an Orange Belt in karate and is taking bass guitar lessons on Tuesday evenings (Neal takes guitar lessons at the same time). His band practices about once a week, and they hope to have a set ready to play for some sort of event this fall.

Miles is having a lot of fun in first grade. His teacher is really sweet, and even though one of his best friends moved away, he is still happy in school. He started piano lessons last month and is playing baseball on the Tigers. He gets lots of hits and does a great job in the infield.

Neal just got a new calling at church today: Assistant Stake Executive Secretary. With 14 units in our stake, and some frequently-travelling stake presidency members, we will not be seeing a whole lot of him on Sundays. He has served as a clerk in our ward since we moved here in 2008, so there will be a big hole in the clerk's office now that he'll be gone! We'll miss him, but I know he will do a great job serving with the Stake Presidency. They are all wonderful, devoted men and he will be a good fit for them.

We are all staying pretty busy, no doubt. I still try to get to the temple once a week, which usually works out if I am sure to keep my Tuesdays clear, which I usually can. I'm grateful for the refuge from the busyness that I find there and really encourage you to try to get to your temple more often, if you are able. I read a great quote on Instagram the other day: "Anyone who sincerely and consistently makes the temple a bigger part of his or her life will experience an increase in understanding, happiness, calmness, direction, testimony, patience, faith and every other component of eternal joy."--John H. Groberg. I know that is true! I have found that I have more capacity for compassion, more time to serve others, and a general calmness about life and its ups and downs since I stepped up my temple attendance last year. Try it!

I'll be posting some pics from our life lately this week, hopefully. Until then!

Grateful Sunday

This was our house this morning (I am writing this a little late)! A few snow flurries made for an exciting Monday morning wake-up. Can't wait for more snow and maybe some snow days!

Today, I am grateful for:

• the opportunity I had to give a talk in church today. I don't mind preparing talks, it's kind of like writing a paper, but I really am not a speaker. I'm not comfortable, I think I'm really boring, and I have a hard time being casual and sounding normal! But, alas, it is always a good experience to write and give a talk. I made it through!
• my supportive friends and ward. We seriously hit the jackpot in this ward, I am thankful every week for the people with whom we get to go to church.
• my sweet little family. We had a nice weekend: working in the yard, wearing our pjs and eating soup. I love this time of year!
• my wonderful friends, who helped me celebrate my birthday for three days this week. Two breakfasts and one lunch with my friends, who are caring, thoughtful and awesome.

Grateful Sunday

Audrey played "O, Holy Night" at the Methodist Church this morning. Her piano teacher is in the choir, and this church is the location for our lessons (for the past 4 years)! It is fun to have Audrey share her talents outside of our own little circle! A couple of her school friends were in the congregation and sent sweet messages of thanks over later in the day. She and I were sitting on the stand, behind the scenes with the organist and music director. So while she was playing, I couldn't see her, but the sound is lovely. She also played a couple of songs before our own church service in the afternoon. She did a great job, and I love that she doesn't get nervous! I am a complete wreck when I have to play in front of people! Anyway, have a listen.

Today, I am very grateful. This weekend was full of emotion and prayer, and by this evening, I am feeling at peace and assured that my Heavenly Father knows me individually. Today, I was called to be in the Young Women Presidency, which is completely foreign territory to me. I have never served in YW before, and I must admit that I am kind of terrified! I know a few of the girls from when they were in Primary and because they are our babysitters, but the rest of them are pretty unknown to me except for their beautiful faces and smiles. I truly look forward to getting to know them and learning from them. I LOVE my fellow presidency members already. My dear friend, Laurie, is the president, and she is beyond amazing. She will change lives, I know it! I am privileged to serve with her and with the other ladies who have been called. I sense a sort of life alteration looming with this calling, but it will be great. Audrey becomes a Beehive in March, and we will get to be together!

I am also grateful for my parents and siblings. I love them all so dearly, and though times are difficult, and the future can be rather uncertain these days in so many ways, I know that love binds us all eternally. I am grateful for our testimonies and our faith. They will get us through! In the end, all we have is each other, and I am so grateful that my "others" are such exemplary people!

Grateful November, Day 4

Cranberry Orange Bread I made whilst fasting this morning. I tell you what, fasting until the end of 2:30-5:30 church is killer. I never think I am going to make it; but by the end of the day, I am fulfilled and happy.

Today, I am grateful for so many things.

• My friends who have stepped up to help me serve with Food for the Soul. It is a local charity that helps children in our school district who are on free or reduced lunch at school. On the weekends, FFTS sends each of these children home with a backpack full of food to get them through the weekend. FFTS has committed to providing Thanksgiving Dinner for 150 families, and as soon as I put the word out that we needed help (food donations and volunteer hours), I had almost a dozen friends step up. I love that about my community!
• The nice policewoman who did NOT give me a ticket last night, but let me go with just a warning. I was trying to get a hot cheeseburger home to my hungry son, and wasn't driving as carefully as I should have been. Thank you, Police Lady!
• Neal's mom and the holidays. Pretty much all of the food that we eat around here at Thanksgiving and Christmas originated on her holiday dinner table, including the bread above. I love this time of year, because we feel closer to Mama by eating her food. We miss her so much and often wonder how life would be different if she were still here with us. The holidays make the idea of her being here seem more real.
• My wonderful ward and the family we have found in our church community here. I was so uplifted today at church. Of course, I am fully expecting to have a nervous breakdown on Tuesday while the country is voting. I have prayed and fasted multiple times for the people of this nation to look into their hearts when they are in the voting booth. To seek out God's will and to do the right thing (voting for Mitt)! I have a peaceful feeling about everything, I really do. I think Mitt will win, and I pray that our country will come together regardless of the outcome. Baby steps till Tuesday night. I also pray that this will actually be OVER on Tuesday night, and not weeks from now!

And now, for some yummy bread. (I made half of this today. It made one loaf pan and three mega muffins.)

Cranberry Bread

Courtesy of Annis H*

Makes 1 small and 3 medium loaves. Half of this makes 2 medium loaves. Trying to make one regular sized loaf (standard loaf pan) with half of the recipe is not a great idea. :)

6 c. flour
3 c. sugar
3 whole eggs
4 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. baking soda
3 cups chopped, fresh cranberries
1 T. salt
3/4 c. shortening (or butter)
3 T. orange rind
2 1/4 c. orange juice
1 1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Combine orange juice, rind and eggs. Pour over all at once, into dry ingredients. Mix enough to dampen. Do not over mix or it will be dry. Carefully fold in nuts and cranberries. Bake in greased pans at 325 for 1 hour. Do not bake in convection oven.

Grateful Sunday

I just love these two pictures of Parker and his unconventional ways. He was doing his homework, on the left, and eating breakfast, on the right. Can't just sit in his chair like a normal person.

Today, I am grateful for:

• fun times with Mike and Steph. They were here for a few days last week. Mike came into town for a conference, and Stephanie came along. We had so much fun. Oh how I wish they lived closer to us! Mike even fixed up our computer and we are loving its new speed and ability! Thank you, Mike!
• cooler weather. It has been downright chilly this week. A nice change of pace.
• the end of the boys' baseball seasons. Although I love watching them play, I am looking forward to more nights at home. Now that the time is changing and it will be dark earlier, I always feel like hunkering down and cuddling up with everyone. Time for Neal to build some fires and for the tea kettle to live on the stove again!

Grateful Sunday

My Dad took this picture during one of Parker's baseball games a couple of weeks ago. This is where you can always find Audrey during baseball season!

Today, I am grateful for:

• a change in the weather. We have been chilly this weekend and have really welcomed the change! I think the heat is gone for good. Phew.
• a nice Sunday watching General Conference in Weatherford with Neal's dad and Gail. It is so peaceful out there, and feels so far away (though it is only an hour)! We are grateful that they are close by and that we can spend time in their home.
• the beautiful messages we heard this weekend. Elder Holland's was my favorite. His passion and emotion are so easily felt through the tv. I always feel the Spirit so strongly when he speaks. I will also never forget the moment when the Prophet announced the change to the required missionary age. So many lives will change because of that alteration. Continuing revelation is such an amazing blessing.
• the promptings I received during the talks today. Step one: start journaling again. I want to be 85 one day and remember answered prayers like President Monson does.
• a day off tomorrow! The kids don't have school and we plan to stay cozy in the house (and go to baseball in the evening).
• my friend, Sunny Mays, for taking our family photos on Friday. She was amazing and I can't wait to see what she captured. We have never had our photos professionally done; it was about time!

Grateful Sunday

Snapped this shot at the Dallas Temple Friday morning. A beautiful place to start the day!

Today, I am grateful for:

• a fun, friendly ward. I hope that people who move here like it as much as we do! We feel so blessed to know and associate with all of the lovely folks here in Keller. It is a nice change of pace to get to know more adults now that I am not in primary anymore. But also sad; I miss the kids!
• a nice date night with Neal on Saturday night in Fort Worth. It's always nice to walk hand-in-hand in the rain in a fun city together!
• a rainy weekend! Baseball games were cancelled and yard work was out of the question. We had really good excuses to lay low and be bums.
• Miles' response to his antibiotics last week. Three days of fever was taking it out of him; I was so grateful when the medicine seemed to start working and he could go back to school. He was itching to get back! And how great are antibiotics. Seriously.
• Elliott, for always sending me temple names when I ask for them! Thanks, Elliott.
• good books. I have been spending time with several this month. I listen to one in my car all the time now (since I'm alone, sniff). Lately, I've read or listened to Wildwood, The Book Thief, The Woman in White, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Of Mice and Men. Working my way through A Light Between Oceans, which is lovely.

Grateful Sunday

Sunset last Sunday. It was amazing.

I haven't blogged for a bit, and Steph seems to have noticed. Sorry, Steph! :) Today, I am grateful for:

• the time we were able to spend with my parents last week. We had a lot of fun while they were here, chatting and enjoying the kids. I love it when people come to see us!
• a night away in Weatherford last night. We haven't seen Daddy Jeff and Gail in a few months (at least the kids and I haven't). It was good to see Daddy recovering from his recent surgery and to spend time in their peaceful, quiet home. Looking forward to going back for General Conference weekend.
• the time I have while the kids are at school. Though I am spending a lot of time AT school volunteering (and sneaking hugs from my boys), I am enjoying some time to myself: taking walks, going to Institute and the temple, planning meals and keeping up with the housework. It's nice to be a housewife for a while!
• our health and safety. I am so grateful that my family can go about our daily life without the worries of sickness, disease or discomfort. We are so blessed.

Grateful Sunday

I snapped this photo on a walk with Trooper, at the end of our street the other day, after it had been raining all morning. It was lovely!

Ok, so the sad truth of the matter is that now that all of my kids are at school for seven hours a day, my life is very un-blog-worthy! And un-instagram-worthy! Just another stepping stone in life, I guess, but it is awfully strange and really hard to get used to. Not in a bad way! But, really, I did have a nice week, and, of course, spent some time at the school checking on Miles and helping his teacher. (Kindergarten teachers need a LOT of stuff cut out and hole punched and copied and glued.) I figure that if I can take some of those tasks off her hands, she will be happier and have an easier day, and the kids will have a better day, too. She deserves that for spending her life as a Kindergarten teacher. God bless her (and all the others)!

Today, I am grateful for:

• the end of summer, which should get here any week now. I am ready for cooler temperatures! We have had a few sneak peeks of it here and there, but it is still consistently between 95 and 103 every day. Ugh.
• the beautiful song and card and hugs I received from the Primary kids today. The new presidency asked us to come into Primary at the end of church, where the kids sang beautiful songs for us and gave us all sweet cards. I wanted to hug them all, they were so sweet. And the moment I stood up, they lined up to hug me (us). It was amazing, I love those kids!
• Neal, for helping the kids get their church clothes out while I indulged a headache this morning and laid down after breakfast. It was a long day at church for him, but it was so nice of him to think of me before he was off.
• a holiday tomorrow. All we have is baseball practice; it should be a fun day.

Grateful Sunday

Me and my ladies from the Primary Presidency. We were released today . . . 

So, today, I am grateful for them! Chris, Jill and Stephanie were the greatest. They had incredible ideas, comforted me when things were going wrong, and consistently and happily worked in our Primary every Sunday for more than two years. I have only ever been in the Primary in this ward; I was almost instantly called into the Nursery when we moved here in 2008, then was a counselor for a little more than a year before becoming President. It will be a very big switch for me next Sunday to wave my kids off at the Primary room door and go to Sunday School. I have absolutely no idea where that class even meets! No kidding.

I am also thankful for the tremendous blessings that my family was given while I was President. I don't believe that there was a single Sunday when we had a sick child. I was always able to be at church. Every week. What a blessing that was.

I am thankful for Neal for hugging it out with me after particularly long Sundays (and for leaving me alone on other long Sundays). I am thankful for my happy kids who I got to sit with and that I was able to watch them and help them learn about our Savior.

I am thankful for our supportive Bishopric, who always had my back and gave me everything I wanted!

I am thankful for the three choristers I have worked with and all of their brilliant ideas and amazing talents.

I am thankful for the teachers, they are amazing and show up ready every week. I love them for that!

I am thankful for the happy tears, the "touched by the spirit" tears, and the "I don't know what I'm doing" tears. I have learned so much.

I have known for a couple of weeks that I was being released and would be called as the Webelo leader. (Parker is still a Bear scout until April. Alas.) Our Webelo den is in need of some shaping up and some leadership (we have been without a leader since February). I'm ready to dig in with those ten-year-olds! I think!

Grateful Lately

We have been really busy this summer. How did that happen? Sure, the kids have been swimming a lot and staying in their pjs a lot, but I feel like we have still had a lack of down time, evidenced by the fact that I really just want to sit down and read my book, but have not had the time! Between primary, us leaving for a month, helping out some friends, meeting the new families that have moved into our ward and leftover PTA duties, I have felt kind of swamped. We leave today for Nebraska and Utah and I will be so happy to just stare out my window at empty space and corn fields.

Rangers fans much? We went to a game the other night and found our new favorite seats. Top tier, behind home plate. Shade the whole time and a nice breeze.

The boys have been crafting. Parker learned how to make "paracord" bracelets from his friend, Camden (you can see one on his wrist in the photo above). He has been so nice, helping Miles learn and making bracelets for everyone.

I have slacked on my Grateful Sunday posts lately, but I am so grateful for the blessings in my life lately, including:

• my new car. Oh, that car is amazing. Air conditioned seats, remote start (read: air conditioning blasting into the car before you even open the door). It feels like a totally different animal than my old Yukon, which drove like a beat-up truck. We loved it well.
• friends who have helped me distribute Six Flags tickets to over 200 kids from our school. Made more difficult, of course, by the fact that school is not in session. I set up times to pass them out at the library every day last week and some dear friends stepped in to take a few shifts. Hooray for generous people.
• my healthy body. As I was sprinting through the grocery store the other night, I was struck with gratitude that I am able to do all that I want to do, physically. I would love to have more energy and drive to exercise, but that will come in the fall, hopefully, when Miles is in school. I would just prefer so many other things to working out!
• a long vacation from the heat and the busy-ness that is here at home. I am really looking forward to unplugging and spending time with my favorite people. We hit the road this afternoon!
• our new backyard, which brings me so much happiness and peace. It is beautiful and I am thankful to Neal for forking over the bucks to get it done. I love it.

Grateful Sunday

Me and my Daddy, Balboa Island, August 1981. I keep this photo in a frame next to our guest bed. I love it!

Today, I am grateful for:

• my dad and the loving influence he has been in my life. I am so blessed to have the parents that I have. I have countless memories from my childhood involving happiness, abounding love and sincere concern. I know that my parents love me because they tell me that they do. They always have and I have always known it. I love you, Dad!
• Neal, the daddy of my children. They have so much fun with him. He is crazy, happy, and silly. All of the things that make Daddies so great. I am so blessed to have found Neal almost 15 years ago in that sea of single people (Provo).
• time in the temple with Neal yesterday. It was not easy to get there (basically, the freeways in and around Dallas have completely exploded and have made general travel nearly impossible). The route to the temple is now, literally, nearly impenetrable. So not only is it difficult to go because it's always difficult to go to the temple, now you really just can't get there. BUT, we did make it and spent some time with lovely people from our ward. A dear friend, named Scott, went through the temple for the first time and we were so honored to be there with him.
• Parker's attitude about baseball. He has not been on a winning team this year, to put it nicely. As one mom yesterday said of their complete lack of wins, "We are defeated." But Parker consistently gives it his all and has great games. Maybe the rest of the team isn't having such a good game, but Parker is succeeding. On to the next season! We are ready to be done with this team.
• a successful Father's Day Pie Fest hosted by the Senior Primary today at the end of church. We had lots of pies prepared and lots of helping hands. I expect the kids to get a little bit out of their comfort zones and approach and serve dads in the ward who may not be their own. They did a great job!

Grateful Sunday

Stephanie and me, before the fireside last Wednesday evening.

This week was so very fun! I am so grateful for all of the wonderfulness that happened. I am thankful that:

• Stephanie was able to fly in to visit. Discount airlines are the best! She was able to fly round trip from Mesa to DFW for $97. This is a great price, made even greater by the fact that all she brought was a purse (they charge for carry ons, and other incidentals, like seats). Sure, she had to fly overnight both times, but without kids, this is doable. And so we shall be doing it again. We will be taking advantage of this offer often, I hope! We had such a great time: eating out, sitting around, shopping, laughing. I love you, Steph!
• Stephanie and Christian Nielson were able to come speak to my ward (and some others) last week. It was such a blessing to hear from them and to feel the spirit they brought with them. They are such examples of faith and happy endurance. I am so grateful for their safety and their willingness to come share their story with us.
• Miles had a great week at Rangers camp. I will post some photos tomorrow. He had so much fun being a baseball dude every day!
• Neal was able to go to girls' camp as a Priesthood leader. I am thankful that he is a good man who does what he is asked to do and happily serves.
• it rained this week. Hoping it keeps up for the rest of the summer.
• my friend, Jill, for coming to my aid after I volunteered to do a spreadsheet for a local charity and then realized I am really bad at making spreadsheets. Thanks, Jill!
• Audrey and Parker have a week of camp ahead. Parker has Cub Scout Day Camp and Audrey has a pretty intense horseback riding camp. (They were bums last week while Miles was busy.) Miles and I will be laying low; maybe we'll set up a playdate or two.

Grateful Sunday

Audrey and I took Trooper for a walk the other night while the boys were playing baseball down at the elementary school. Trooper voluntarily got in the creek, which was extremely shocking. Audrey couldn't stop giggling; she loves that dog so much.

Today, I am grateful for:

• maxi skirts and long dresses. I have a really gross-looking spider bite on my left ankle (that's what I get for trying to exercise outside!), and it has caused my left leg and foot to swell to really unattractive proportions. I am thankful that maxi dresses are in and that I had one in my closet for church today. Cankles are not cute.
• the friendliness and patience of the lady I rear-ended last week on the way home from picking up Audrey and friends from school. I had turned around while "stopped" to have a look at the yearbook page that Audrey had designed. I was not actually, completely "stopped" and rolled into a nice mom who was just as nervous as I was about it all. She has been gracious ever since and keeps telling me to stop apologizing. :/
• summer summer summer. Friday was our first day of no school and Parker woke up thinking it was Sunday. It all added up: we were in PJs at 10 am; Daddy wasn't home; we were in no hurry to go anywhere. Welcome to summer, Parkie!
• baseball. What would we do without it? (I know the answer and it is yardwork.)
• a visit from Stephanie this week!! I am so excited. She is flying in to attend a fireside that her friend, Stephanie Nielson, is speaking at. I can't wait to have her here for more than 24 hours!

Grateful Sunday

We spent Saturday night in Weatherford. Neal's dad grilled some prime rib and Jeff and his family came for the evening. We sang Happy Birthday to Daddy Jeff (79) and snuggled with little Nelson!

Today, I am grateful for so many things. This weekend has been so nice: lots of family time, pretty weather and yummy food. All the important things! I'm grateful that:

• we had a safe trip to Athens and back today. I always love going to East Texas. The pace is slower, and it feels as though there is more of a history than a future to the places out there. In a good way! It is quiet, scenic and full of Horn history. Will post more soon.
• there are only two-and-a-half more days of school. We are all so ready to be done. I am ready for Parker to get away from the kids he is surrounded by every day and for Miles to have his playmates at home every day.
• I have an eternal family. It brings me such peace knowing that we are bound together forever. I am so blessed to know that this is true.
• my boys love baseball. It makes me so happy that my favorite sport is their favorite sport. I am always very grateful that they don't like football!
• we got to chat with my mom and dad tonight. We are all so excited to be in Sundance this summer (where it snowed today)!

Grateful Sunday

Grammy sent Parker this awesome baseball tie for his birthday. He loves it, Grammy! Thank you!

This week has been busy. I am always thankful when Sunday night rolls around. Although it begins late, since we have late church, it is really the most relaxing few hours of my week! Today, I am grateful for:

• an incredible ward family. Our ward had some heartache this week as we lost a young member in a tragic accident. I am grateful for the countless examples of selfless service we were able to witness and hear about as the affected family was buoyed up and sustained by their friends. It is a beautiful thing to watch people serve as Christ would have.
• a successful piano recital this evening. Audrey and Parker played so well. I say this every time, but I am impressed with anybody who can memorize anything (as it is a skill I lack). Parker played two pieces and Audrey played three! I'll post videos soon.
• the nasal steroid spray I started using this week. My allergies were becoming really ridiculous, and I am grateful that I have easy access to a doctor and a pharmacy to help me.
• religion class. I attended most Thursday mornings this past semester and am so grateful I did. I gained a newfound love for applying the scriptures in my life and have some super great notes for the next time I read the Book of Mormon.
• waiting to send Miles to kindergarten. He could have attended this past school year, and I have been grateful many times over that he didn't. I know that this fall he will be ready. I think I will be, too, but I'm in no hurry for August 27th.

Grateful Sunday

Our Sunday walk last week. It is hard to squeeze in a walk after dinner and before dark when we often don't get home from church until 6:00. But it's always nice when we can.

This has been a great week. I am so blessed and we are very happy. Today, I'm grateful for:

• my sweet little family. I am grateful that we are all healthy and able. I am thankful that my kids are good students and are generally nice to each other. Ask me again in summer if they are still that way. Ugh, summer siblingness gets difficult around here. Please tell me I'm not alone.
• the gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel so blessed to know the things that I know and to rely upon my testimony often. I have lately had the opportunity to talk with a good friend about the truths of the gospel, and to be in the position to share the things that are most precious to me is really wonderful. And kind of scary. But I am thankful for it anyway and pray for more chances to share my faith.
• a date with Neal last night. We have been trying for weeks to find a free weekend to go out. I am so glad we did. I could be anywhere and be happy as long as Neal is next to me.
• the Young Men and Young Women who took over the last hour of Primary today. Our Bishop wanted all of the adults to be in the fifth Sunday meeting, so we rather reluctantly turned the Primary over to a bunch of teenagers. But they came through, and I heard great reports. 
• carpet cleaning! Mike came to stay at our house last week while attending a conference in Dallas. Although he probably has never experienced the kind of road construction which pervades every last corner of the metro area, he was still cheerful and nice to have around. (I would have given up and stayed in a hotel near my meeting site.) He is repaying our hospitality with carpet cleaning courtesy of the local ChemDry franchise. They come tomorrow. Woohoo!

Grateful Sunday

Happy Easter! We had a beautiful Easter Sunday. It started out very rainy, but turned out to be perfect by the time we ended up hunting eggs after church! Today, I am grateful for:

• my quick recovery this morning. I woke up suffering from severe dizziness and could hardly stand up without tipping over. I felt nauseated and have no idea what was going on. I think it might have something to do with my allergies, the abundance of yard work we did yesterday, and the fluid in my ears. Whatever it was, I felt terrible and wasn't sure I was going to be able to get dressed, let alone teach Sharing Time later in the afternoon. But a few silent prayers and another hour in bed and I was able to move on with the day. Weird. I'm also thankful that Neal didn't have meetings today. That would have made it all the more difficult!
• time spent with Jeff, Patience and Baby Nelson yesterday. Nelson is 7 weeks old and growing up so fast. I am glad we got to have a little time with his family and snuck in a few snuggles.
• an impromptu dinner with friends on Friday night. We couldn't have planned it better, it was fun to reconnect with such a great family.
• baseball season!!
• the temple. I'm so lucky that I am able to make it there so often these days. There is nothing like the peace that is found there.
• my compassionate, understanding, and tender husband. I am so grateful to be married to such a wonderful man.
• Natalie's trip to Dallas, which begins on Wednesday! We are going to have such fun.

One more Easter photo. An action shot from the egg hunt . . . 

Grateful Sunday

Cousins out for Mexican food in Mesa last week. We had so much fun all together.

This week has been overflowing with blessings and I am so grateful for the happy moments that make up my life. I am grateful that:

• we arrived safely in Mesa, Arizona last Saturday and safely home today. Apparently, we barely made it, because as soon as we got home and unpacked the car, Neal headed out in said car to pick up the dog, just a few miles away. On his way home, he called and said that he was sure that something terrible is wrong with our car, and it puttered home. We are having it towed to the shop tomorrow and will await their diagnosis. But Neal thinks it involves the words "transmission" and "undriveable." Isn't it such a blessing that we made it home? That we were able to attend church? And that we had a few moments to pick up a rental car before putting the kids to bed tonight? I'm calling them blessings and deciding to be grateful.
• we were able to spend time with so many people we love over our Spring Break. Elliott and Ginger and their five children; Mike and Stephanie and their four children; my mom and my dad; Shelby, Julie, Walker and Claire; and Ed, Rebecca, Cater and Callie. We are so blessed and loved every minute of our visits.
• we were able to spend time driving through parts of our beautiful country. New Mexico, Northern Arizona, and the drive between Wichita Falls and our house were all so beautiful in such different ways.
• healthy bodies. It is such a blessing to be able to go through life and have our bodies do what we ask them to do. I am so grateful that my family enjoys good health.

Grateful Sunday

Mama and Audrey, Fall 2001 in Tyler, Texas. We took this photo on the upstairs porch one morning before church. We had gone up to Tyler for the weekend, I guess. Neal's mom passed away on March 1st, 2003, just before Audrey turned two and Parker was born. We miss her so very much and always think of her this first week of March.

This has been a long week. We have a lot going on, and some things have been getting me down a bit, so it feels good to make a grateful list. I wish I was blogging more than I am right now. I know that our daily life doesn't seem interesting to write about (or read about), but I know that one day, I will wish I wrote more down. I've been contemplating getting back into journaling lately, and really mean to one of these nights. There's something about writing that helps me evaluate my life. Anyway. . . today, I'm grateful for:

• my sweet children, for being observant and intuitive at the right times. They are such good fits for me.
• some time with Audrey and our girl friends last night. I really want Audrey to be close with the LDS girls her age. There are more than half a dozen girls in her primary class, and they are all wonderful, but they rarely get to be together because of school and everything else! I planned a little girls' night out for us; we went out to dinner and then played some fun games back at my friend, Laurie's, house. It was so good to get them all together outside of church and to help them bond a bit. We hope to do it again sometime soon.
• time in the temple. It was so needed this past week, I am grateful when I take the time to be there. And I'm glad I could bring a friend along this time, too.
• the scriptures and the insight I gain from reading them. I am trying to do better about making personal scripture study a habit, I really want to be better at it because I feel like I am missing out on blessings by neglecting it.