Service

I have been thinking about service a lot lately. I think it is because I live in the most incredible Ward. My ward pulls together in ways I have never seen before. It is fun and heart warming to see how everyone pulls together to help in every way they can. How lucky am I to live in such an incredible Ward? I am so thankful for the chance I have to serve and be served. I am blessed with two fantastic visiting teachers, our home teachers are awesome too, and then I get to go to Relief Society and witness some pretty incredible women in action. Today I am overwhelmed with love for my Ward and all that they do to serve and help each other. It is awesome to know that I am even a tiny bit a part of it.

Music

I love how music speaks directly to my soul. During some of my hardest times I have been able to listen to or even sing and it lifted me. One of the greatest songs that truly helped was "Be Still my Soul" I can't remember how many times I listened to that song over and over again. Another song I loved was "You are Loved (Don't Give Up)" by Josh Groban. On Sunday I was able to sing in a quartet in my ward singing "Be Still my Soul" I loved it! I was worried that I would have a hard time getting through it without breaking down but I did it. I love being able to sing and share something so wonderful that truly meant something to me. I am so afraid of bearing my testimony. Music is the way I can do that and it is fun! I am just thankful that I was asked to be a part of something that meant so much to me :)

Scouting

After being at "Little Philmont" all day today I am so excited about my new calling in Scouts! I have the Wolf Den which is the coolest thing ever because these are all my boys from Primary a few years ago. I taught them for two and a half years so I love these boys! I am so happy to have something to do. I know that when I am busy I am not sitting around feeling sorry for myself and getting depressed. I am so thankful that I have a few callings that require some man hours and I am able to focus on what is really important. Serving others and serving my Savior. I am just ready to get to work! I am thankful for leaders who entrust me with their sweet boys. I am so excited to implement the things I learned today at an inspired and excellent training!

Withdrawl

I knew that it would be hard to get over facebook. I knew it was an addiction that I could conquer. But what I didn't know is how alone I would feel. It is totally ridiculous and I will get over it. I just think it is funny and I should have done it a long time ago. In all honesty my life is already better. There is less drama. And I have more time to focus on my kids and my family. I am just getting used to being not in the know ;)

Dating

I love love love going on dates with Andrew! We relish the time we have where we can reconnect and get away to be together. I ams so thankful for a wonderful man who does all that he can to make me feel special and loved and that makes sure we have this precious time in our week together.

Forgiveness

"I promise that the brilliant morning of forgiveness can come. Then “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” comes into your life once again, something like a sunrise, and you and He “will remember your sin no more.” How will you know? You will know! This is what I have come to teach you who are in trouble. He will step in and solve the problem you cannot solve, but you have to pay the price. It does not come without doing that. He is a very kind ruler in the sense that He will always pay the price necessary, but He wants you to do what you should, even if it is painful."--Elder Boyd K. Packer

Wow what an incredible blessing in our lives. We have been blessed with a kind and loving Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us anyway. :) I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow and to become that much stronger in Faith and Testimony.

Freedom

I have noticed that lately facebook has become a venting place. It has destroyed friendships, relationships and self worth. I refuse to let it take my life over and have deleted my account. I am gaining freedom by letting it out of my life. It has been a whole day ;) but I have noticed how much more productive I was today and I just felt happier! I feel a little cut off from the happenings of "friends" but really if people have something they want me to know they will call right? I just noticed that it was putting a strain on my relationship with Andrew. I started small with the goal of only being on the computer when the kids were asleep. It worked out well so now I have taken the final step. I am happy. I am free. And I choose my relationship with Andrew and my Heavenly Father over what drama is happening somewhere to someone....

First Day of School

Cole on his first day in 5th Grade on his way to Franklin at Brimhall!

Kiley on her first day of 4th grade on her way to Franklin at Brimhall!

Wyatt on the first day of First Grade on his way to Franklin at Brimhall!

Today is the first day of school! I am so excited for the kids to go to their new campus. They are so excited to have hallways and indoor places to go. It is hard when it is so HOT here. It is a little overwhelming though. When we got there Wyatt asked if we could say a prayer so he wouldn't get lost. Poor kid. But I LOVE his faith! We said the prayer and I walked him into school. He was so excited. Cole couldn't get away fast enough to go find his friends. I can't wait to hear about it tonight. :)

Birthday Boy

This adorable boy is 6! He is the most energetic kid I have ever met in my entire life. He loves to run and play and just have fun. He is always funny and loves to make me laugh. He is the ultimate tease especially to Grandpa. I love this kid with everything in me. Here are 6 things I love about Wyatt:

1. Wyatt is the most caring kid ever. When I went to his parent teacher conference last year his teacher said she loved that when Wyatt sees a kid by himself, Wyatt will run over and make sure that child feels included in the big group.

2. Wyatt has the best smile ever. He has a dimple up by his eye that melts my heart. I love to make him happy just so I can see his dimples.

3. Wyatt loves to dress up. It can be anything. Super heros or getting dressed up for Church. The kid loves to look good ;)

4. Wyatt loves to sing. When he was three he learned all the words to "The Inkeeper" sung by Jordan Bluth. He said when he grows up he wants to be just like him. :)

5. Wyatt loves school! He loves to go learn and especially play. He can't wait for next week to go back and see all of his friends. He loves homework and he LOVES to read!! Yay!

6. Wyatt loves to be a big brother. I mean he LOVES it! He takes his job very seriously and always makes sure Chase is taken care of. I love it. I love to see them play together and I love it when they sit together and watch tv. They are the most adorable boys.

I am so thankful to have been blessed with such a special spirit in my home. Where would I be without my Wyatt? He is amazing and fun and we love him so.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY CAKES!!!

Confidence

I have been watching Wyatt for a while now. He is so confident when it comes to anything athletic. He KNOWS he can pretty much do anything that involves coordination. The only thing standing in his way was swimming. We would go and he would demand floaties and say he was just too little to swim alone. We have struggled all summer because I can see him with the floaties that are harder to use than regular swimming and he insists that I am trying to kill him. He has always excelled at these type of things and I needed him to see it for himself. Today we went swimming with our friends the Amos Family and Wyatt decided it was time to try. Guess what? WYATT CAN SWIM!! He is so excited. He was grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't wait to tell dad and Grandpa Porter. He is growing up so fast. Tomorrow he will turn 6. I'll do his birthday post in the morning but I am so happy that Wyatt is as confident in himself as I am in him. What a great kid!