Inspiration

It's interesting how our Father in Heaven works. I have experienced eight months of the kind of hell that I wouldn't wish on Bin Laden, and yet the blessings and tiny angel kisses that we have recieved as a family have been overwhelming. Every single night I crawl into a lonley, empty bed. This is when I am the most vulnerable. I look at the picture of John that I have hanging on the wall across from my bed, and I weep. For some reason, this always prompts me to grab his scriptures, and randomly choose a page to read. Without fail I turn to the EXACT counsil that I need at that moment.

How does he do it? Silly question to ask don't you think? He's the Almighty for crying out loud. But still, does He really know me, and know what I need in my time of need? I will answer as candidly as possible. YES!!! I know without a shadow of a doubt that He loves me. I know that He is aware of my sorrow, my pain, my loneliness, and my fear. I know, because He felt them too. I know, because I would never leave anyone alone to go through what I have gone through, and still going through.

He has surrounded me with the most amazing people (angels). When I am really struggling, I will find a plate of cookies at the door, a note in the mail, a phone call from a friend, or a handy man with lots of tools will ask what he can do to help. Sometimes, inspiration comes from complete strangers, and their words of faith, and courage. I thank all of those who have had such a profound impact on my life, and the lives of my children.

School Contest

On Friday the boys entered a contest at school. It is called the inspirations contest. Every year Ethan has wanted to enter, but for some reason or another (procrastination, lack of direction, plain laziness) he never entered. Well we (I) decided that this year would be different. E wanted to hike to the "M" and take a picture of the whole valley. Great concept in thought. So E and Ash pack their little back packs and hike up to the "M".

I was so proud that they actually made it up. When they got back, I grabbed the camera to load to pictures on the computer. Low and behold, the child took one picture, count them, ONE!
And did I mention blurry?

"Dude, it's a digital camera! You take pictures until you can't anymore."

"Well, it's OK" Notice the drive for success

So the days march on and Friday quickly approaches. Mistakenly I told Ethan that he could go to a friends house after school. When I realized my mistake, I called him and told him to come home so we could finish the project. Tears, feet stomping, and a little tizzy fit later, he came home to work on the project.
Here is the final product. Pretty cute huh?

So at 7pm, we're finally getting dinner, and getting ready to run to Ogden to get the prints, and Ashton says...

"I wanted to enter the contest!"

(AHHHHHHHHHHHH)
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That was me regaining composer.

"Sure bud, what do you want to take a picture of?"

"I will take a picture of my hand!"

Well that is a natural progression of thought. Ethan takes a picture of his foot, naturally Ashton should take a picture of his hand.

So here it is, and super cute if I do say so myself.

Strange Stowaways

The other day I was about my daily cleaning chores, when something seemed amiss. The garage door was open. I peeked out to see if the little kids were in the garage. Nope, no kids in the garage. So on I went with my tasks. Soon I walked upstairs where Averie and her little friend Brawny were playing. As I walked passed them, there seemed to be a strange noise coming from Averie's purse.

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet

Hummmm!

Averie, do you have something in your purse?

No, she says as she backs away from me

Peep, Peep, Peep

Averie, do you have a baby chick in your purse?!?

You see, a week earlier we bought some baby chicks. They were brooding happily in the garage under nice warm lights. Wow, it's starting to all come together now. The garage door open, the kids playing quietly. How did they pull this off? I can usually spot something like this a mile away.

Peep, Peep, Peep
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Averie, let me check your purse! As she races down the hall, and I barrel after her. Mystery solved, sure enough...baby chick in the purse.

Crying and throwing an all out fit, Averie screams, "I just want one in my room!"

"You can't have one in your room, they need to be under the lights."

"Well, when they get big can I have one in my room?"

So you can see how life is always interesting with a little Averie around.

Eggs, Candy, and Why a bunny?

Easter came at us with a bang. The kids woke up early, like Santa had come a second time. Unfortunately their mother doesn't believe in the commercialization of the Easter Bunny. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with some candy in the Easter Basket, I just don't think that a kid needs a bike on every holiday.

So, even though there were no bikes, Nintendo games, or gadgets, the kids had a blast. They buzzed around the house, high on sugar, and joy. It's so nice to see them really having fun together. We discussed the true meaning of Easter, and my kids are probably the youngest in history to really grasp the concept of the Resurrection. Ashton told Averie all about how Dad is going to be alive again, and how he can't wait to see him. Her eyes lit up, and they went on and on about when it would happen, and how it would happen, and what daddy would look like.

Understandably, they day was filled with emotion. Not just because we missed John, but because we are beginning to grasp the concept of the Atonement. Our Savior suffered the same pain that we are suffering, he knows that we feel alone and abandoned, but he is always here for us. He broke the bands of death, so that we can live together again as a family. I have thought about the merriment that filled the heavens when the Savior had accomplished this daunting task. I can see myself jumping, singing, crying, and loving my sweet Johnny, knowing that our short separation would be just that short. TOGETHER FOREVER!!!