hello again

I've been away a while, partly because I've been busy, partly because I've had complicated things going on, and mostly because things are just crazy in my life.

I've found myself in places emotionally I never thought I'd be, having conversations I never imagined I'd have with the most unlikely persons, considering life changes that never once crossed my mind, and hoping with all I have ~ so much that it hurts ~ that I am not disappointed in the choices I have made.

One day, I might can share what's going...in the meantime, suffice it to say that I have a long, hard road ahead of me...a path that will require much time and effort and work to traverse. 

With the love and help of my Heavenly Father, and the people He has placed in my life, I will succeed.  Of that, I am sure.  More sure than I ever been  of anything in my life.

As an FYI, I will be splitting my blog (again).  My other blog will be for the blog hops I do...and I will move the family related posts to a different one.  Obviously, there will be some overlap, but this is something I've needed to do for awhile.  I will send the link once completed.

Scripture for the Day

I have been trying to read my scriptures each day, specifically the Book of Mormon...I just started last week, so I haven't gotten very far, and some days I miss.  But I can feel the difference when I do....and even though I already have many notes and mark ups from past years of study, I still find new insights and different scriptures jump out at me.  Like today.....

1 Nephi 7:12

"...the Lord is able to all things according to his will, for the children of me, if it so be that they exercise faith in Him..."

I don't know why this one struck me....it was already marked, so obviously it was important at another time as well...but I guess with recent challenges in my life and in the world, today it touched me.

Have a GrEaT Friday everyone...and I will try to get caught up on my blog hops and other "real life" posts this weekend!

One Flaw In Women

Got this in my email today......

One Flaw In Women

 

Women have strengths that amaze men.....

 

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

 

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

 

They smile when they want to scream.

 

They sing when they want to cry.

 

They cry when they are happy

 

and laugh when they are nervous.

 

They fight for what they believe in..

 

They stand up to injustice.

 

They don't take "no" for an answer

 

when they believe there is a better solution.

 

They go without so their family can have.

 

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

 

They love unconditionally.

 

They cry when their children excel

 

and cheer when their friends get awards.

 

They are happy when they hear about

 

a birth or a wedding.

 

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

 

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

 

yet they are strong when they

 

think there is no strength left.

 

They know that a hug and a kiss

 

can heal a broken heart.

 

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

 

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

 

to show how much they care about you.

 

The heart of a woman is what

 

makes the world keep turning.

 

They bring joy, hope and love.

 

They have compassion and ideas.

 

They give moral support to their

 

family and friends.

 

Women have vital things to say

 

and everything to give..

 

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

 

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Please pass this along to all your women friends and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are.

so much for catch up...

I will have to try to catch up tomorrow....I have a couple of stories to share, some pics to share from our now weekly visit to town square, and of course the blog hops.

G'nite friends!

Friday the 13th

Anyone out there superstitious about Friday the 13th?  I'm not...I personally think weird stuff can and does happen any day of the week. 

I have made a decision regarding my blog....it started as a way to communicate what's going on in our lives with distant friends and family.  In recent months, I have found new avenues to do that, and to make new friends as well.  I would also like for it to be a place where I can share my thoughts and feelings about different things, to hopefully share what works, what doesn't and connect with people.  I also am not going to let other people control and dictate what I say.  This is my blog, about my family.  I created it, I am the author of it...and I will do with it what I want.  (It will remain family friendly, however, and I am not going to share private details that wouldn't normally be shared nor will I discuss anything that I have agreed not to share.)

I wish I was here....Multnomah Falls, Portland, OR.  It's beautiful.

Thursday blog hops later on today, and then Friday's (maybe I'll get them up before Friday is over..wish me luck!).

Not enough hours....

Well...I didn't get to the blog hop OR the newsletter...so tomorrow is going to start very early for me!

But I will be caught up by the time I go to bed tomorrow night!

ABC's of ME

I found the "ABC's Of Me" on a couple of blogs and thought it was a great way to get to know my new blogger friends and for ya'll to learn a few things about me. So if you are reading this, fill it out for yourself and leave you link in the comments...I want to learn more about you!  (And unfortunately, I don't know where it started, so I can't link back...so if you know...let me know!)





A=Age: I just turned 38 in June.



B=Book: currently, the scriptures.  But I also love The Twilight Saga, The Work and The Glory Series, and most anything by Danielle Steele and Mary Higgins Clark.



C=Career: Health Information Management



D=Dad's name: Alan



E=Essential items to bring to a party: not really the party type...but depending on the party, some sort of food or drink item either for the group if it's an eating gathering or for the hostess if it's not.  And of course a thank you card.



F=Favorite song or music: my tastes are pretty eclectic...but a few of my favorite songs--

The Streets of Heaven by Sherrie Austin

Love Story by Taylor Swift (I like most all of her stuff)

One More Day by Diamond Rio

God Only Cries by ??

Angels Among Us by Alabama

I Can Sleep When I'm Dead by John Michael Carroll

Concrete Angel by Martina McBride



G=Goof off thing to do:



H=Hometown: Waco, TX



I=Instrument you play: none



J=Jam or Jelly you like: for PB&J--Grape; on buttered toast, biscuits or crackers, Grape or Strawberry



K=Kids: yep, 4 of them.  19 yo daughter who moved out in Oct 09, but still "borrows" things and comes around once in a while; 14 yo son who is two heads taller than me (and I am by no means short) and will begin 9th grade in a couple of weeks (YIKES); 5 yo son who is a surviving twin and our miracle boy and brings much much joy and laughter to our home; his twin, who was born sleeping.



L=Living Arrangement:  married with abovementioned children plus my parents



M=Mom's name: Debbie



N=Name of best friend: Chris (my husband), and Jenn



O=Overnight Stay in a Hospital: for myself--with the birth of each of my children, and I have stayed a few nights to accompany my husband over the course of the years



P=Phobias: bridges over water...I am not afraid of heights-I am not afraid of water, but combine the two and I get completely freaked out and almost paralyzed



Q=Quote you like: I have a few: 

"One day may I laugh as deeply as I cry"

"If He brings me to it, He will get me through it"



R=Relationship that lasted longest: Romantically--I've been married 19 years. Friendships--I still communicate with friends from high school (our 20th reunion is coming up).



S=Siblings: I am the oldest of 3--sister is 1 yr younger, brother is 4 yrs younger



T=Texas, ever been? since I was born there...yes.  My dad was in the Army, so I did not spend alot of my childhood there...we moved back to stay when I was in the 7th grade.  Then 7 years ago, we moved to TN and have been back a few times to visit.



U=Unique trait: hmmm...gonna have to think about that one



V=Vegetable you love: corn probably, but I like lots.



W =Worst traits: mine or what I don't like in others?  mine would prob be overcommitting myself and then not accomplishing what I said I'd do.  In others....lying and gossip top the list.



X=X-rays you've had: true x-rays--the only ones I can think of were of my ankle and foot--my ankle when I was a child and had fallen off a slide; my foot a couple of times just due to pain (more recently, the diagnosis was a heel spur).  I have had other diagnostic imaging done....ultrasounds during pregnancy and for gallbladder pain.



Y=Yummy food you make: I don't cook a lot...not because I can't; just no need since my mom primarily handles the homemaking duties.  I like to think most of what I make is Yummy....I like to bake.  My husband requests blueberry muffins on occasion and brownies or chocolate chip cookies when he wants chocolate.



Z=Zodiac sign: Gemini (but I'm not really sure the world could stand two of me...ha!)