A Little Observation

I've noticed lately that I sometimes use my blog as a way to vent. Although this is good for me sometimes, I also tend to not focus on the positive things going on in my life. This is actually really ironic to me, because even in our toughest times it is very evident that we are blessed beyond recognition. So, I would like to just share a few of the wonderful things that have been happening for us lately.

First of all, I keep getting so excited about the prospect of having another boy!!! He is very active already and I'm sure that I will have my hands full, but I can't wait! I love the idea of a baby brother for Owen and when we were deciding whether or not this was the right time to have a baby, I have a really strong feeling that this baby needed to be here now and so I know that he will be nothing but a blessing to our family. I also love the fact that we don't have to buy any boy clothes. I know it's a small thing, but it really is a great blessing for us.

We got both of our cars registered this month and I have to admit that I'm not really thrilled about that, but it ended up being cheaper than we thought and both our cars passed inspection. We've had a lot of money things that have been in our favor. I know that Heavenly Father has watched over us and allowed us to have so many blessings. We also recently had a really great lesson by our bishop about budgeting and financial order in your home and so we are now dedicating the end of every FHE (after Owen goes to bed) to looking over our budget for the week and really dedicating ourselves to staying within our means. We have been planning ahead, getting Christmas presents early , since we aren't going home for Christmas. Also, I have found some really fun homemade ideas for Owen for Christmas too. Both of these things will help us save money, when money will be a little more tight.

We were invited to a Family Home Evening with some good friends of ours and we had had a rough week and so we felt so loved and appreciated. Not only that, but it really got our butts in gear and we are starting to have FHE with Owen. We looked through a book of Jesus and sang a couple of songs and had prayer. It has really shown us that we don't need to do a big elaborate lesson, because he has the attention span of a fly, but he really likes songs and so if nothing else, we love watching his sweet little face light up. I love feeling like we are getting him into good habits and we are trying to strengthen our family too.

I've been called to be a teacher in the YW. I absolutely love it! I come home each week thinking, this is where I am supposed to be. They are such wonderful girls and they always make me want to be better. I love their sweet hugs and smiles and enthusiasm. I love teaching too (except the chastity lesson) and so it just feels like the perfect fit. The activities each week are a good break for me too. I get to get out of the house and just be with the girls. My teaching companion is a true blessing to me too. She is so great with those girls and she is just so easy to love. What another great blessing.

Owen is his own category. That boy is my whole world. I thought that when I first became a mom, that I would get tired of being at home all day and that if I watched one more kid's video I would go crazy. I feel like I am in more of a routine and I LOVE watching him discover new things and play with new toys. Like yesterday, Zac got out the bubbles and we blew bubbles with him and he would just laugh and get so excited to pop them. Little things like that remind me why I have always wanted to be a mom and the day just gets better. He is started to run and hug me randomly and it just melts me. I feel like I have only a taste of the love that Heavenly Father has for his children and specifically for me. How could I ever doubt that He knows what's best for me and for my family and I know He only wants me to be happy. Every day I get to spend with Owen strengthens my testimony of family and the joy and blessing of children.

Zac gets his own category also. How could I ever express the love I have for that amazing man! I always had in mind what I wanted from an eternal companion and he has surpassed them all. He knows when I need to cry, when I need to laugh, and (poor guy) when I need to just talk. We have recently faced a difficult trial that we have had to approach together and I love that he calms me down and helps me see the big picture. He encourages me and just loves me for who I am. Sometimes I have those days when I feel like I could be better and that he got stuck with an inadequate wife and I spend 5 minutes with him and I feel loved and appreciated. He is my best friend and I love him even more every time I watch him play with Owen. What a loving dad. He loves to tell or show me when he does something cute. He always makes him laugh and that boy loves his daddy. I certainly married up...what an amazing man and great blessing to add to what seems like an endless list.

Of course, I need to include friends and family to my list. Like I said, we have been facing a difficult trial, that only continues to get better with time, but we have really leaned on friends and family a lot. I am so grateful for friends that are willing to listen and encourage and just be there. I honestly can't imagine how different things would be for us, and specifically for me if we didn't have that incredible support system. We have had priesthood blessings and calls and a few emotional nights of ice cream and the list goes on and on.

So basically, I feel blessed and I am fully reassured every day that as long as I am doing my part and reading my scriptures and saying my prayers and remembering my Heavenly Father whether things are going great or horrible and knowing that He is there, I am truly blessed. I know with a full assurance that everything will turn out the way it is supposed to and that we will never be led astray. I'm well aware that that doesn't mean life will be easy and that I won't have rough days, but I can easily remember my many blessings and the love that I feel every day. Thank you for listening to this vent and thank you for being a part of our blessings.