THANKSGIVING!

What a day! I am having a hard time focusing, but I know that time will heal the pain. I spent last night with Colette, Michelle, Heidi and Carolyn making this adorable advent calendar.... can't wait to post the pics when I'm done. We actually did more on it at Wendy's before we ate. It was crazy!! Lots of fun, lots of people and lots of food!! Again, I didn't take photos - see, not a priority when having fun....
But Cara did take pics at the park so here's some with my cheesy camera until she downloads hers.

The girl cousins - bee-uu-ti-fuul!

The grandparents with all the grandkids.

Samuel loving his daddy....

Sariah loving Samuel.

Sariah and Kristina, said to look like sisters....

Life's Trials ........

For those who don't know, one of my limitations in keeping up with the blog is that I have other priorities - like a family, friends, church responsibilities, work..... - that deplete my energy reserves so the blog drops down a few notches.... Well, one priority in the past weeks was to spend some time with a close church friend of mine, Shelley. Her story is a sad one, but I think also, an important one to note. It began in early October. You can click here to read about it.
Shelley had the perfect life, or so it seemed. A wonderful, loving husband, eight amazing spiritual children, and a spirit about her that magnetized people to her. She was truly a gem, shining bright for others to see. Her husband takes care of our life insurance, so I called in regards to switching banks and having the automatic withdrawal switched to the new bank. When he finally returned my calls, he said that he had been tending Shelley in the hospital for the past few days. Upon finding out, I went in to visit them and see if there was anything I could help with - massage was the only service that I could provide, and also to let her instructors know that she would be absent until further notice. Little did I know, that those short visits with Shelley were to become cherished memories with a dear friend. I got to visit her maybe 7 or 8 times in the two different hospitals and eventually at home, but few as they were, they have impacted me more than I thought possible. I realized that time is precious. No not just the cliche - but it truly is precious and invaluable. Once it is spent, it can not be changed, altered or adjusted. Friends are also precious and invaluable. There are many nights I sit and feel sorry for myself - why don't I have 'best friends' like I did in Australia, why don't I get called upon to hang out, why doesn't anybody take the time to call/come by.......yes, it's hard not to have family around, especially when you come from a 'family centered culture' when Saturdays were spent with aunts, uncles, cousins eating and playing and having fun... but what I have realized, is that instead of feeling sorry for my loneliness, I need to reach out to others, like Shelley did. She made everyone feel like a sister - I pray earnestly that I could attain that quality. Even in her pain and trial, she was always encouraging me to be the person I could and should be. What an angel.......
This was a hard day and difficult to write about. Last night I lost one of my good friends to lung cancer, after only battling it for 8 weeks. I guess the reason it's so hard for me, is that we always kid around with each other, saying that she's 9 years ahead of me - we both have 6 boys and she has 2 girls, I have 1. She would always ask me when I was having my last 'girl'. Shelley was my advice buddy, my friend I could call on when I needed to talk or just catch up on 'stuff'. She is and always will be an amazing listener, mother, wife, friend, daughter of God. I only wish I could follow in her footsteps just a bit. She was always serving others, despite the fact that she had a family who needed her too. She will be missed by many.

Temple Day

Mike and Colette and family are in town!!!! We're so excited to see them - especially Sariah. We got to go to the temple and perform baptisms with the youth in Colette's family. So much fun!!!

Then, Danie went through the temple tonight, so that was another special event. We got to go eat afterwards at Tia Rosa's - and I didn't take pics!! They had really amazing food, but the best part was the company. I feel so blessed to feel like an 'Eaton' sister - they take me in as if I was one of them. Thank you Colette for having a welcoming family.♥♥
Sunday night we had Mike, Colette and the children over for dinner - rice with curry and pasta figoli with bread rolls (course I forgot to take pics) and then we went over to Elena's for a get together.

Samuel is always content as long as he's held.

This was taken on the night of Danie and Blair's reception. They look so happy and right for each other...

Happy Feet

It seems that my children love taking photos as much as me, so these were taken randomly just because they had happy feet and a happy heart.

Samuel loves to eat - anywhere, anytime, anything?!?

Ammon has quite the strength.

Joseph was doing such a good job showing the moves.....

That they all mimicked him - Saturday night fever had begun!

Peter visiting from California.

Peter is the first to talk to me about the Gospel and then eventually baptize me.... it's great to have friends who keep in touch and care for you through ALL the good and the bad....We can't wait to visit his family in NE Cali one day......

Good Job Jacob!

Pack meeting tonight was a big deal because Jacob earned his Webelos rank. Unfortunately, his shirt has been missing for weeks - disappeared into the black hole, so this is the best we could do. Jacob is so hard working and loyal. He is extremely compassionate and caring - sometimes I wish he would care about his brothers and sister more, but all in all, he's a great kid.

This is Joseph as a Power Ranger - fit like a glove!

Stake Conference Adult Session

What a great spiritual day! Last night we attending Stake Conference adult session and heard many words of wisdom from our wonderful stake president. He is so inspired! As are his counselors... they taught us well, about the importance of marriage, our relationship with our eternal companion and our Savior, and on a different note, about our relationship with others and how we view ourselves - mightier than thou or not - and repentance. I guess everybody takes something different away from Stake Conference, but I know I left there feeling that it was all for me.
It was quite poignant to hear the words of counsel congratulating us for our valiant efforts and nobleness in building the kingdom of God, but then to be admonished to watch out for having feelings of greatness amongst our own and making others feel less. Ironically, I feel that I have been at the brunt of that for quite some time amongst certain groups. I have been having my own pity party - private invitation only. The solution is very simple, but not easy to follow: lose yourself in the service of others. I know when I am striving to be a shoulder for someone else, or offer a hand to someone in need, or hug someone who is troubled, I feel so full of gratitude and love from the Savior. I was reminded of this last night: take the spotlight off of you and shine it on someone else. I was truly humbled by this. It is so easy to say that I want to feel sad and 'they' need to know my pain and feel some pain too, but in the end, it only hurts yourself. I know that harboring feelings of bitterness and angst towards others does more damage to oneself than those you have feelings about. I also know that the Savior atoned for all of our sins so that only He can take the pain away.
I know that if I try to be like Him, the pain will turn to hopefulness and eventually I will feel joy. I am writing these thoughts down to remind myself of the simplicity of the joy that the Gospel brings if we but obey and trust in Him, rather than ourselves....if we could just serve with unconditional love instead of expect to be served..... if we could look at things eternally rather than temporally, how great will be our wisdom and joy.... so much can be learned through the Savior's example - if we just follow Him instead of those around us. ♥