GoodReads and Brrrrr!

Hey thanks everyone for sharing your ideas! I have heard/read you mention about GoodReads.com on your blogs. I went to the site, YEP! That's going to be a lot of fun!!! Thanks for your help. I'll see you all on GoodReads. If any of you that aren't on GoodReads still have suggestions I'd love to hear them!

On a different note, you might or might not have noticed but I haven't been chirping about our beautiful blue skies and sunshine lately. That's because It SNOWED, A Lot! And it is COLD!!! I have struggled to keep a good attitude. I really need to be able to go outside and let the kids play and go visit with my friends as the kids run free. I'm not sure when it will be warm again.

So much like life... At times we are carried through the heavy weight of our trials other times we are allowed to feel the sudden chill that comes with the harsh realities of mortality. We are never left alone during these times, but oh how bitter cold and windy life can be sometimes. Praise be for the warmth of the Sun when it comes!

Reading Ideas Needed!

I went to the library today and I checked out two books (The Undaunted and Anita Stansfield's latest.) I'm excited about these books. But I need more ideas. I may have asked for ideas before, but I am ready to make a list this time. So hopefully some of you will take a minute and give me some ideas. The last books I read were written by Nicholas Sparks (just to give you an idea of my typical genre.)

I only have a few "guidelines" when it comes to the books I like to read.

1. They have to have something uplifting in them.

2. They can NOT end sad or bad!!

3. No vulgarity or dirty romance.

GIVE ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS!

A Tender Reminder

When I posted yesterday I knew what my post would be about today. I knew that they may seem contradictory. They are in some ways. And then for others they fit perfectly. How could blue skies and sunshine possibly go along with the heartbreaking experience of attending the funeral for a precious baby girl who's family had to say their earthly goodbyes today?

It's hard to explain, but for someone who has gone through such an experience there are actually moments in time during the trial that the words "sunshine in my soul" might actually fit. There were moments where the feeling of our Saviors love and presence was so clear that it could be described as the warmth of the sun dispelling the heavy clouds that most surely threatened to consume my soul. As hard as today was to relive my own sorrow as well as feel the heartache of my dear friend during her loss; feeling the sunshine in my soul again was a precious reminder of the fact that though the journey may seem impossible to manage, nothing is impossible with the Lord on your side. Dear Baby Emma, thank you for this precious reminder. Oh how we wish we could learn the lessons some other way, but Father knows us perfectly of that I am sure.

EMMA JEAN

Emma Jean lived 21 miraculous days upon this earth. During this time, she managed to touch the hearts and lives of countless family members, friends, and neighbors who knew of her journey and mission upon the earth.

Emma was unconditionally loved and cared for by her parents Dustin and Amanda who rarely left Emma’s side. As well as the dedicated medical staff of the SG Hospital NICU who attended to her every need, often going the extra mile. Emma was also loved and snuggled by her three older sisters Kati, Allison, and Shelby and her Grandparents.

Emma’s life upon this earth was hard and short. However, her life with her family will be eternal. Emma lives on not only in our hearts but also in a very real place with her Father in Heaven where she continues to be surrounded by love and is patiently waiting for the time when she will live with her family again. This comforting knowledge is what will get us through the time when we are apart. Thank you sweet little Emma for sharing your precious spirit with all of us. God be with us all, til’ we meet again!

Blue Skies n' Sunshine!

There is nothing more nourishing then blue skies and sunshine. Throughout the last several years I have been blessed to live in places in the world where we are often covered with blue skies and sunshine. During the winter the clouds cover up our blue sky for what seems like too long. However, we are finally receiving the glorious rays of the sun topped off by a wide open blue sky. It seems to refill my drooping soul.

I have a lullabye that I sing to my kid's. I actually started singing this song while on my mission. It's a compilation of different songs that Somehow flowed into my mind and out my mouth one day and has stuck. I've always meant to write the words down. So I guess now's my chance. The song is simply called "Blue Skies."

Blue Skies

Blue skies shinin' on me, nothin' but blue skies do I see.
Day dreams comin' my way, nothin' but days dreams come what may.

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day.

I've got a wonderful feeling, everything's goin' my way.

Ahh, Life Is Good!

I feel well tonight! MUST UPDATE!;)

LEIF: Full time student (online classes). Full Time Work at the school as the Librarian Aid and the In School Suspension Supervisor. Primary Chorister. AMAZING Father and INCREDIBLE Husband. Leif has managed to pull off great grades, WOW his work supervisors at work, and cook dinner EVERY night for the last 12 weeks. He also manages all of the chickens and our puppy. Amazing Indeed!

JAKOB: Jakob is growing up. We always say that as mothers. But I think it's because it is always such a shock when we take a moment to compare the days and years past, with the present. I still do school with Jakob regularly as well as Joy School. I didn't say EVERY DAY. But well enough. I'm SOOOO Glad that I took the time to prepare his daily lessons ahead of time. It's made it So much easier to be able to pull out the envelope every day and work on something new each day. I really enjoy the daily random studying that we do together. For example, today we were driving home from the park and Jakob said "Mama, what is the smartest land animal in the world?" I said, "Hmm? I don't know for sure, let's Google it when we get home. We climbed on the computer later and discovered that the Chimpanzee is considered the smartest animal in the world. I figured it was, but it was fun to discover the answer together and learn WHY...

Jakob and I also love to read together. We're up to book #24 in The Magic Tree House Series. They have taught us both about some great places and wonderful lessons. For example, today Jakob was outside trying to build a contraption that he could roll a golf ball down. It took several tries and a lot of thinking but he was thrilled when it was complete. I was able to use a line from the latest book we read and he completed it. I began with, "If at first you don't succeed..." and Jakob finished with "try, try, again!" Lesson Learned!

CALEB: Oh, my baby... He's growing up too. Right now he's teething again. But that seems to be a common occurrence. I just wish the crazy teeth would break through and let him move on with life. He's communicating more and more as the days go on. His favorite words are cheese, thank you, and Papa. He also says cookie, teeth, No, and many other things that we haven't translated yet. Oh how he loves to laugh and tease. And he is a dare devil! No fear. Gone are the days of letting the kids play in the yard while I work up in the house. Sometimes we even have to put a backpack on Jakob and tie a rope to him that is attached to the tree in the yard. That's his Time Out when we're outside and he HATES it! After a while on the rope, all we have to do is warn him about the rope and he'll turn around and come back to the boundaries.

-- Currently--: Leif has turned out all of the lights in the house. The boys have flashlights with lasers on them. They shine the laser somewhere and Leif tries to avoid it (as silly as possible of course.) Lot's of laughter and fun... Good times!

And, ME:
Well, I'm still alive, Gratefully so. My strength is returning in some ways. It's an interesting journey. Instead of giving you a run down of my health, I'll just share some of the things I'm up to these days (And NO I do not mean Weight! Ugg!) Well, on my good days, I keep things sanitized and in a semblance of order. On the not so good days I don't, but I probably get a lot of reading accomplished. The latest books I've read are a couple from Nicholas Sparks. Sometimes, when I have energy, but not enough to do a lot, I work on my prayer rug. It's coming along well. I've got all of the fabric cut into strips. Now I'm knotting the rows and will then sew them together. I really hope to finish it within the next few months (I have to be realistic!:) Other then that, I just try to get through the day without yelling too much and remembering everything I've committed to do. Once a week I am in charge of Joy School for Jakob and our sweet friend River. On Sunday I teach the Sunbeams (3-4 year olds) in Primary. I LOVE IT! And what have I put off that I REALLY REALLY need to pick back up and finish? My Holistic Health schooling. I HAVE to get back to that. I hope to be up to doing that very soon!

--Currently--: Leif has Jakob and Caleb on his lap, reading Caleb's FAVORITE book (Hide and Seek Vehicles). Leif is so much more energetic then I am. The books seem to come alive when he reads.

Ahhh, Life is Good!

And The Baby Is....

Turns out that there's a 50% chance that it's a girl, and a 50% chance that it's a boy! Ha. ha. We were bummed this time that the baby was still too little to tell. We've found out this early before. But oh well. We'll know for sure next time.

Life's moving along. I HAVE to go to bed. So I'll try to get some details out... WORK BRAIN--- Thinking... It's not working. The boys are growing up, and I am growing out. Not much else to say. It bites either way! Gnight...

A Time to Be Grateful

Every night I crawl into bed, get settled, and then it starts. My mind begins to compose. Sometimes it's the next children's story that I want to write for my kids. Most of the time it's a blog post perfectly worded and detailed. However, it's only my mind that has the energy for such things. I have often wished that I had a small laptop computer that I could set above my pillow as I lay in bed (I sleep on my stomach) and I would type out my thoughts. The only problem is that I am not a perfected typist. I can't type without glancing at the keyboard every so often. Back in the day, I would just drag myself out of bed to my computer and be grateful in the morning to have the finished product down on paper. Not an option these days. Once I'm down, I MUST stay down. So, unfortunately the compositions are short and choppy. But, such is life. Or, as I might say on occasion "it's all about the season you're in..." Yes, the season...

Well, my heart is still weighed down with sorrow for my dear friend and her heartache. But I have found comfort through the Atonement as well as the occasional talks with her where I am able to glean from her strength. This is a precious time for her and her family. A time where the power of the Atonement is in full swing and it can be felt by all who come in contact with this dear family. They are being carried in the arms of the Savior. And they will be carried for as long as they need. Gradually, the Lord will allow them to feel the pain of their loss more prominently, but if they will stay close to Him He will never be far distant. A truly amazing experience...

So Leif and I have made a firm conclusion. This is not to be taken too seriously, yet not too lightly. I am allergic to pregnancy!:) Yes, it is true. Yes, you can laugh with me. I try to take away the edge with the humor of the statement. But in reality, it can only be true. I absolutely Love my babies. Which is why I have been pregnant 5 times. But it has become abundantly clear to me that if I had not learned from each pregnancy ways to medicate my situation, I would be utterly useless for the next nine months. So now I will take a moment and thank Father in Heaven for guiding Leif and I to all of the medications that make this possible. Thank you for making Zofran affordable enough to take two pills every day. Thank you for Phenegren every night. Thank you for Zoloft that helps me cope. Thank you for Tylenol that brings down the random fevers. Thank you for the Liver medication that will keep my liver functioning properly thus keeping me from peeling my skin off from the itching. Thank you for ultrasounds that keeps us in tune with the baby's health and well being. And thank you for everything in between!

I need to end this on a more uplifting note. My blog has been a drag lately (it always seems to mirror me. Funny how that works;) Hmmm? Let's see...

OH! I'm excited for Friday. We have a doctors appointment and we're hoping to follow tradition and find out what gender the baby is around the 13 week mark. Wish us luck! Also, I have an eventful day planned tomorrow. But I will write about that when I have more details. So, until then I will say good night!