Attitude of Gratitude

1) I am so grateful that I got to see my niece pass off her last Article of Faith last night. She only turned 9 in March and has just amazed me with how fast she's working through the Faith in God program. I am so proud to be the aunt of such an amazing girl.

2) I am grateful for a husband who was willing to drop his plans of alone time at a moment's notice when I needed a second adult at Activity Days with me and for a dad who was willing to watch the older boys for me.

3) I am SO grateful for my Time Out experience. For getting such a spiritual and emotional boost, having fun with my SILs and getting to see and hug C for the first time since placement. It was an amazing weekend and I hope that I never forget it.

Sometimes You Just Need To Take A Picture Before The Lecture

Time Out Experience

I learned some important things this weekend:

*I am born to be a queen
*I am never alone
*To never be the one thing standing in my way
*Hope is wanting what I want, faith is wanting what God wants
*Give to the Lord and keep back nothing
*I will know my children as adults for eternity but as children for only a few precious years
*Instead of worrying about my weaknesses, I should build on my strengths
*Stop trying to feel happy and feel grateful instead
*Instead of trying to get help with my problems, learn to help others instead
*Ask Heavenly Father every morning what the most important thing for me to accomplish that day is and then do it
*LIFE IS TO BE ENJOYED, NOT JUST ENDURED

A song kept coming into my head during the weekend and this was the part that kept coming:
"Long before the time you can remember
Our Father held you in His arms so tender
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to Earth
He said "My child, I love you, don't forget your great worth" "
The song is called Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God and can be found on the Church's website.

How could I experience all of this and not come out feeling the way I did?

AWESOME WEEKEND!!!

I feel like a completely different person than I was on Thursday. I kind of hit my breaking point that day. A good friend gave me a lot to think about along with a well needed dose of reality.

Friday I headed to Time Out for Women with my SIL, H. We met the rest of the family there and had a very yummy lunch at Olive Garden. We got checked into our hotel and my youngest SIL, A (who is still older than me) and I got to go swimming for a little bit. We could have had a longer time, but neither of us knew that the other wanted to go. Off we headed to the venue for Time Out. Here is my favourite part of the whole weekend. I got to see C and hug her for the first time since placement. It was the most special part of the whole weekend. As mothers go, she is second in my life only to my own mother. LOVE YOU, C:)

I loved Time Out. The presenters talked about everything I'd been needing to hear and I feel so renewed. I got a couple of books for myself:
In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying by Merrilee Boyack
The Mother's Mite by DeAnne Flynn (Why Even Our Smallest Efforts Matter)
There are many other things that I would have loved to have bought but they were either sold out when I went to get them (TOFW journal and Another Testament of Christ) or else I just couldn't afford to get them (Book of Mormon for Families). I love what I got, though and am fine waiting for the rest another time. I got to see C again on Saturday, which happened to be Birth Mothers Day.

John and the boys gave me a gift card for Chapters Indigo earlier in the week in case I wanted to buy a book for the trip. I chose Season 2 of Stargate Atlantis. This morning they made me breakfast in bed of bacon, croissants, Turtles, Tootsie Rolls and orange juice. It was really yummy. I also got a card from the boys and one from John. I had a wonderful day at church. We got great snacks in Relief Society and scented candles from the youth. John didn't take long with tithing today so he let me go and take a long nap when he got home. It was a wonderful day, the best Mother's Day that I've had.

Happy Mothers Day to any woman that is nurturing to anyone and helps teach the rising generation.

I'm Going

So I decided shortly after writing my last post that I'm going to go to church on Sunday. The reason I'd been avoiding it on Mothers Day doesn't bother me anymore, so I have no reason not to go. I think I'm just used to not going.

Caleb picked out my gift last night and gave it to me early so I could order what I wanted. He picked out a gift card for Chapters/Indigo. I used it to order Season 2 of Stargate Atlantis. Now I just have Season 3 left to buy:)

Also, at some point when I'm feeling a bit better I've decided to have a party. I can't decide between a Harry Potter theme and a Lord of the Rings theme. A friend suggested making it both. I'm still not sure. However, I need to get this move over with first.

Anyway, I'm off to feed the baby and enjoy snuggling him.

Mothers Day, UGH!!!

I've said it every year. I hate Mothers Day. I don't even think it has anything to do with L anymore, I think it's just a disappointing day in general for me. Last year went okay because I made a last minute decision to go to Wainwright and spend it there. Can't do that this year because of John's calling (finance clerk). I think I just need a really good Mothers Day one of these years to change my opinion of it...

Also, I realized in the last couple of days that because C is going to TOFW this weekend and I am as well, that we will be in the same building together on Birth Mothers Day. Odd coincidence for our situation, since our openness includes no meeting in person. However, if you are reading this C (I have no idea how often you check my blog) I just want you to know that if I do see you that day all I want is a nice big hug:)

I have until Sunday morning to decide. Am I going to brave church this year on Mothers Day, or not?

Election Day 2011

I'm impressed. I didn't think they'd ever actually be able to kill bin Laden. I'm grateful that such a man is dead. However, I do worry that the fall out could be worse than expected. I guess time will tell on that one.

Still waiting for the final word on moving. Caleb came back home on Saturday and reminded me again this morning that he's happy to be back home.

Our plans for today are to...VOTE!!! To be honest, I'm praying for a majority government just so that we won't be heading back to the polls again in a year or two. Personally I'd rather have a scheduled vote every 4 years.

So if you're Canadian, please go vote today.