Decisions Determine our Destiny

This year our family motto is a quote by Elder Russel M Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Today I am reminded of this in regards to how to show kindness and love.  Each day we are interact with people, some we know and love, some are strangers... and others may have offended us or hurt us in some way.  It is a conscious, everyday decision to treat all people with love and kindness.  

We never know what challenges or struggles people are having, but one thing I have learned as I have gotten older and wiser is that each of us is fighting a battle that no one knows anything about.  As I remember this it is easier for me to show love and kindness.  If I am stuck in traffic and someone cuts me off, or won't let me merge I picture them headed to the hospital to see a sick loved one... and suddenly their actions don't bother me at all.  Sadly sometimes people are rude and say hurtful things and then I imagine what they must face at home... maybe someone in their life treated them that way and that is all they know.  It is then suddenly easier for me to forgive those hurtful words and love.  Next time you are finding it difficult to 

show love and kindness 

I challenge you to try to picture a battle they may be fighting...does it soften your heart?  

I have a huge testimony of how the Lord answers our prayers through the people he places in our lives, and I know that if we decide each day to treat those people with love and kindness that our destiny will be filled with happiness, friends, and most of all... answers to our prayers.  

Usually I sell this design on my Etsy shop here... but in appreciation for all the love and support that we have been shown on our adoption journey I am posting it here for FREE! 

Remember to share our story, share our desire to adopt... you never know... you may just be the answer to our prayers.  

Summer writing

This summer has gone by way too fast and I suddenly feel like fall is crashing in on me (despite the heat). As I look back I can see all the things I did right. The fun times we had...and then I see the things I meant to do, but never got around to it.  Today I finished one of those "meant to do" items.

I have been trying to have some sort of school.project everyday. Whether that was a math worksheet, reading,  or even calculating money and differences etc.  We have learned about several different countries too.  But the ONE thing C struggles with... The ONE thing he despises more than anything...is writing. He hates it. And it breaks my heart because I know how it feels. 

It is hard to love something that you don't excel in. He has always struggled with his handwriting and last year several girls in his class would make fun of it. I know how he feels.  I never had good handwriting either. It is something that I struggled with all through school.

But I practiced.  I copied. I saw someone's pretty handwriting and tried to duplicate it.  I would write each letter until I found one I loved and then I would practice that one until it was just right and easy for me to do.

Now I love writing. I still prefer a pen a paper to typing although I think I'm pretty fast at that too.  I want Carter to like writing. I want him to have confidence with his words. I want him to practice.

So I saw an idea we just had to try. A mom and Carter journal.  A place where I can probe his thoughts.  A place where he can share ideas.  It's just for me and him. No one else.  And I can't wait to see how it goes.  And I can't wait for him to look back someday and be able to see how far he has come.

 

4th of July Weekend

 Last weekend we had a GREAT time! We headed to the Uintah Mountain to go camping with Tracie's family.  What was supposed to be a one night trip turned into 3 nights!!

Grandpa Joe took B and C out on the raft.  B rowed for them... super relaxing.

Tracie and C woke up with the birds and headed to the lake fishing... just the 2 of them.  We were the first ones out for the day and it was GORGEOUS.

The lake was smooth as glass as the sun rose in the morning. 

We caught so many fish we didn't have time to sit down and relax!  Green power bait was MAGIC!

Then we headed to strawberry and fished at the ladders.  Clark taught C how to cast a new reel and how to fish with a spinner.

No filter.  This was our view as we drove back to camp from Strawberry and soldier creek.  It was beautiful.

We are LIVE

Today is the day!  Just got the email letting us know that we are APPROVED and our profile is live on ItsaboutLove.org!!! The emotions I feel reminds me of my favorite book (ok, one of my favorites from Dr. Seuss):

“You're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So... get on your way!”

Today starts a journey and I am excited to see where this path leads us!  I am sure it is filled with ups and downs and maybe even some twists and turns.  It might not be perfect but I know 2 things...

 God's timing is always perfect... 

and we are ready to love perfectly a new member of our family!!!