In March the date for the rededication of the Atlanta Temple and cultural celebration was announced and the craziness began. It goes without saying we were thrilled. It's been nearly two years, about a year longer than they originally estimated, not to mention the opportunity for our boys and the youth of all the stakes in our temple district. At times we wondered how we get everything done we needed to, how everything would come together, how we could afford all the travel and accompanying expenses.
 Then add:

 Stake scouting training I was in charge of putting together

  Zac and his track practices and meets,

 fund raising for boy scout camp, 

Gary still working out of town, 

attending a different unit in the stake each Sunday as part of my stake calling, 

Gary helping with BSA training,

a baby shower to put on for two dear friends

RS dutch oven evening activity at our home

Gary getting an terrible bacterial infection that put him down for over a week...it was BAD!

supporting the boys with their egg and yard businesses

all while working around weekly practices as well as stake practices for the cultural celebration

training for working the openhouse

oh and making the costumes...

I admit it was hard, at time, to keep perspective. I began to only focus on the next event. That was a blessing when we found out we have roots that have compromised a pipe in the slab under our house (oh and also the main pipe leading to the septic tank, out back.) When the plumber hands you an estimate with that many digits it pretty much sends you into shock! I had to make a choice to let the news overshadow all the joy and excitement or make the choice to schedule my breakdown until after the temple dedication.

I know our sacrifices and trial are nothing compared to the pioneers but it has tested our faith, our strength and our focus and given us the opportunity to see the Lord's hand in our lives, draw closer together and put the Lord first!

Teenagers...the source of insanity

Let me set the scene. 

It's  about 4:15 pm on a beautiful,  almost spring in the south, afternoon.

My M-F  3 yr old side kick is riding his tricycle up and down our sidewalk. 

I'm sitting on the front porch watching him.

Fourteen yr old has just exited the school bus and is walking up the drive. 

He says and I quote:

"Don't tell me you're really sitting outside."

I reply in my oh so kind motherly voice:

"Cully wanted to ride his bike, so of course I'm out here with him."

Then he says...are you ready for this:

"You could have said that."

Is it any wonder parents of teenagers are all a little crazy?
Please tell me it's not just us!

Open my EYES!

2nd Kings 6

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his ^aeyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and ^bchariots of fire round about Elisha.

 I love this scripture. It's easy to get overwhelmed with life and forget...

forget who we are,

who our King is,

and that we are never, ever have to do it alone...WE HAVE AN ARMY!

Worth the risk

Mom's of teenage boys will understand, while they don't have the hormone up and down issues of girls they do have a code of silence that must be adhered to or you risk all communication being shut off for an indefinite length of time.So sharing the joy and gratitude I feel for my sons, is a risk, but hey every once in awhile you've got to walk on the wild side, right? but shhhh don't tell them about it if you see them. ok!

Last night my boys went to their first church dance. Big, Big Deal!

(total bonus: it was multi-stake!)

Both were nervous, but very excited.

Gary had to go as leader and ever so sweetly asked me to come too.

The boys were fine with that (thankfully)

We set the standard that they had to dance with 3 different girls they didn't know.

They were not thrilled with this, but we stood firm and they negotiated a no teasing zone in return.

Half way through the dance they both sought us out to tell us they'd danced with over 10 different girls.

Zac even won a candy prize for dancing with the most girls.

They were having the time of their lives.

On the way home they proudly let us know they danced with around 18 girls each.
Then...then.. they started telling us different things about the girls they'd danced with.

"A lot of them like to run", says Zac, our runner

"The girls were a lot like me", says Will. "They like the same things I like."

and it went on and on.

It was truly one of those moment where your heart is so full you could burst.

Where you look at these children who you love but sometimes make your head want to explode

and you think

I really, really like you!

You are the kind of person I want to be around!

and it makes everything

all the long nights

all the hard converations

all the tears and frustration

worth it

because these children are become amazing adult.

They are choosing to sons of a Heavenly Father who loves them.

You glimpse the missionaries they will become

and my heart cried out in a silent prayer of thanksgiving

to a loving Heavenly Father who loves them even more than we do!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

for letting us be their parents.

It is an honor and a privilege and I am humbled to my core.

Message recieved...

Today's scripture is Leviticus19:17 ¶ Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 ¶ Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

 So, it's been a difficult holiday and I haven't always had the right attitude. Don't you just love when Heavenly Father sends you a personal message in a book written thousands of years ago?

Our Christmas in 3 photos

 December 25

December 26

I'm reading the bible in 90 days

Just a couple of days into the new year I found the blog Mom's Toolbox. Without much thought I just decided to join in. I've never done anything like this before. I know I've read the Old Testament before, but it was way to long ago for me to actually remember it (high school was a lifetime ago).I do remember the new testament, but that was a long time ago too.

Occasionally I'll share a scripture that caught my heart.
Today's scripture is from Moses 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

Thinking about my sons, especially Nathan, I hold tightly to God's promises!