Holy Smokes

I did not realize how long it's been since I posted.

Things have been crazy.

In the last month:

1. Troy has taken 4 trips. Chicago, Brussles, London and Paris.

2. Emma and Mikayla have had several track meets. Emma actually did well enough to qualify to run the mile at Regionals!

3. The middle schoolers auditioned for the school play. The play is Beauty and Beast and the kids are super excited! Emma was cast as a shephard. Joe was cast as Chip. And Mikayla was selected to be Head Tech/Stage Manager.

4. Mikayla turned 14. Wow. I feel really badly that she did not get her own post...so look for something on that soon. She is growing up way too fast for my taste.

5. I have sewn five halloween costumes, several pillow case dresses and hope to do a few more in the next few days.

6. I have had sevearl photo shoots. I really love that I can combine my passion and my work into something wonderful.

7. I have been sick for more than two weeks, and now finally feel like I am on the mend.

There is more. Much more. But I know you're asleep already.

So I will vow to do better and see if I can find a way to add a few more hours to my day.

xo

Feeling Grateful

We are on Troy's 4th trip in a month and I just have to say...no matter how well I manage at holding things together while he's gone...it isn't quite as easy the 4th time as it is the 1st time.

But...things are good and I am feeling blessed today.

We had the opportunity to attend a memorial service for a sweet family that lost their unborn baby. They were so brave and amazing and had such a testimony of the plan of salvation and eternal families.

It made me feel very grateful for my own sweet family...and my own angel baby.

Troy spoke at the service and it really lovely. I think it was the first time he had spoken publicly about how he dealt with the loss and how it made him feel.

Troy deals with his emotions so differently than me...sometimes he has a hard time articulting how he feels, wheras, I can't feel better unless I get it out.

I am really proud of him. He managed to get through his talk and even find a little peace in dealing with his feelings.

I was especially impressed with the talk given by the grieving father. His words were so edifying and uplifting. If only we all had such faith in the face of trial.

Joy

I didn't post last week -- life always seems to get a little crazy when Troy is out of town.

But...we finally had the chance to be together tonight, to have dinner as a family, and even a little family home evening/family council.

I know I am not the most sentimental person. Goodness knows I love to talk about all the funny/silly/wierd things that my family does.

But tonight...sitting with my family...praying for my family...I got totally choked up at the thought of how very much I love them and how grateful I am that we are an eternal family.

These are the moments that help me remember what a great blessing it is to be a mother and I cannot begin to express the joy of it.