"I saw God today..."

Yet another favorite song of mine. The title says it all.

Have I seen God today? Yes, I have.

I saw Him in my youngest child's eyes in the pre-dawn hours, she was blazing with fever and just wanted the comfort of her mommy's arms.
I saw Him this morning as I watched my older children happily heading off to church, their hair sopping wet from the snow pouring down...plenty of smiles to go around.
I saw Him today when my next to youngest asked, once again, if she could say the blessing on the food...I heard Him as well...as she said the prayer, earnestly trying to pronounce the words right.
I saw Him in the surprise Spring snowfall we woke up to this morning.

I'm pretty sure I will see Him many more times today...and I am willing to bet several times tomorrow...and if I am looking...the day after that.

I don't think seeing God is just about viewing the beautiful world that surrounds us...I think it is about the perspective that we choose to view it from.

Happy Birthday Emma!!

This ones for you baby...Happy Big 8 yrs old!
You make us just want to squish the stuffing out of you! We are so proud of you and how grown up you are becoming. Your kind and gentle spirit brings a warmth into our home that we wouldn't ever want to be without. Mommy and Daddy love you sweet girl!

You gotta love the older generation...they tell it like is!

This is one of the funniest emails I've gotten in a long time...had to share it. Besides, it reminds me of something my dear Grandma Murl might say.

When Grandma Goes To Court

Lawyers should never ask a Mississippi grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.

In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.'

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?'

She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a
youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.'

The defense attorney nearly died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said,

'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'

Not sure where these two came from...

'Cuz it sure wasn't from me!! I'm pretty sure this came straight down the line from their dad (myself...I am willing to waste 10 minutes looking for an up front parking space at Wal Mart...of course we can all clearly see how well that's worked out for me...but that's beside the point...back to the story...)

Jacob and Anna left our house two Saturdays ago at about 6:45 in the morning...yes...MORNING... to hike from the lake up the canyon past the falls...a round trip total of approx. 30 miles on the river trail. Jacob is trying to rack up hiking miles for scouts and these two just thought it would be fun. Due to snow up the canyon and one tired sister they ended up quitting about four miles from their goal. I find it kind of cute that these two were up for spending the day together!

Seven Things About Me

I have been tagged (sort of) by Krysta.
So here are seven interesting (or strange) facts about me...

1-I enjoy mowing the lawn...I think its the lines...kinda like vacuuming. :)

2-I have visited 23 states.

3-I was born in the same hospital as my mother and all of my children...the weird thing about that is I didn't grow up here.

4-My dream vacation is a tornado chasing tour...seriously.

5-I won an award for being the tallest girl at my session of EFY when I was 15. (this was out of hundreds of other girls)

6-I LOVE roller coasters...the scarier the better.

7-I am 6'0 tall and HATE basketball (no, I didn't play it when I was in high school...so don't ask!) :)

"It's gonna be okay..."

"What is gonna be okay?", you ask.

Inquiring minds want to know! I was reminded of an "incident" tonight that will forever be seared into my brain. So I figure, why not share it with the rest of the blogging world?

Before I share this story I must first post a disclaimer...

Remember, I started this blog to keep a journal...journals are important...one needs to write things down that are important to be shared with future generations. If you take offense that I put this story in writing...well... I just don't know what to tell ya! :) Moving right along...

All of my children are unique. They all have many different qualities that I find endearing. The subject in this story says many interesting things...let's just say she is a little more "unique" than those around her at times.

One afternoon, I was walking down the hall toward my bedroom. The bathroom of course is right next door to my bedroom. I hear talking coming from the bathroom...not unusual...but this time I stop to listen...and this is what I hear...

{grunt}"It's gonna be okay..." {grunt}..."It's gonna be okay..." {grunt}. Now understand, this went on for a good minute or two. I had to brace myself and literally cover my mouth and bite my tongue to keep from absolutely falling to the floor and howling with laughter. When she was finished, I heard a flush, then washing of the hands(miracle in itself), and then the door opened up and my littlest bug Gracie was staring up at me with the sparkle in her eyes and her happy grin and she says, "Hi Mommy" like all was now well with the world.

She has found her calling in life...look for her in twenty years on an Infomercial near you...she will be a motivational speaker like no other...I'm sure of it!!

It makes a mother proud!

This is Jacob and one of his best friends, B******, last Halloween.
These two young men were a sight to behold in their suits with their father's old name tags. Sharpest looking costumes around that Halloween, for darn sure!
They are a pair of goofballs most definitely, but for being thirteen I am impressed with both of them and the example they are to others. They are fine young men and will make even better fathers and husbands. I look forward to doing a fast forward photo six years from now. :)

"If I could write a letter to me..."

I was driving kids to school this morning and one of my current favorite songs came on the radio..."If I could write a letter to me..." by Brad Paisley. This particular song has gotten me thinking on many occasions..."What advice would I give my seventeen year old self...exactly seventeen years later?"

Well, you can imagine there are probably A LOT of things...most I won't write here because mom is reading this...some things are just better left unsaid. :) (No worries mom...I turned out ok didn't I?)

The very first thing I would say would be PLUCK YOUR EYEBROWS!!! Changing out your hairstyle periodically wouldn't be a bad idea either. I would also say don't go to Olan Mills for your senior pictures. (This one was for you Gerb, cuz I know how much you love this picture. Sorry all for the poor quality...a high dollar scanner I don't have.)

But onto more serious, meaningful things...

I would say... your'e all right...your'e a good person and the things you think and say matter. You have talents you don't even know exist yet and you will turn out to be a good mom and wife. (No ugly kids in your future, so rest easy.)

Your life seems hard right now, feels sometimes like the world is coming to an end. But just know it will only get harder...and you will eventually be grateful for your life experiences...they will help you down the road and you will be a much better person for them.

Read your scriptures. Read your scriptures. Read your scriptures. Yes, I know seminary is waaaayyy too early and you are trying to take advantage of the time to catch up on sleep. They aren't always the easiest to understand...do it anyway. The Lord will bless you and eventually you will learn to love them. You have kids to teach the Gospel to later down the line...read your scriptures already!!

Pray...everyday...many times! Heavenly Father is just waiting to help you with your problems...but you have to approach Him...He's just a smidge busy...save Him the headache and initiate the conversation.

Go to the beach more often...you will miss it like you have no idea later on in life.

Be proud of your height...just think of it this way...you can find your way in a crowd so much easier than short people. And stand up straight, by the way!

Spend more time on your homework. Don't wait until your senior year to realize your'e pretty darn smart.

Slow down!! I know racing with Brother Dan from seminary to school is fun...but for crying out loud...your older self cringes at the thought of the chances you took...well, I guess you made it to now, so what the heck...carry on...it will be one of your favorite memories!!

Listen to your parents...yes, I know...you are already tuning me out on that one. But seriously...you have no idea yet how much wisdom they have...they know a thing or two about life, I promise.

Enjoy yourself...don't take things so seriously. Treat your family like you do your friends...I'm pretty sure they'd appreciate it.

And finally...stay close to your Father in Heaven. He can help you get through anything if you'll let Him.

Frick and Frack

Frick and Frack... Two Peas in a Pod... Chip and Dale... Dumb and Dumber...(yes, mom that one is horrible)

These are commonly what our beautiful Emma and Gracie have been called over the years...please note that the Dumb and Dumber has only been in jest and never said in front of them. :)

They are a pair. They do everything together. They are pretty much attatched at the hip. I don't think one finishes a sentence without including the other's name. They fight just like normal siblings...but they love each other even more.

I have seriously thought many times over the years that Emma came into this life and Gracie followed her so quickly because she couldn't stand to wait her turn...she couldn't bear to be away from her sister any longer. I love watching their relationship develop. I never had any sisters, so seeing this special bond grow is that much more heartwarming for me.

I am anxious to see what the future holds! One things for sure...its bound to be entertaining!

Okay...I give up!!

As if I didn't already have too many things that need to get done!! Laundry and more laundry come to mind! :)
I have to say I thoroughly enjoy reading other blogs. I have thought about creating one myself for quite some time now. I haven't for many reasons...time, for one thing....and of course, time...and oh yeah, time. I could just be using that as an excuse though...apparently I have the time to read other's blogs.

The main problem is that life is passing us by too fast. The kids are growing in leaps and bounds right before my eyes. Soon enough they will be adults and I will be looking back with many regrets that I didn't record more of their lives. However, I am not much of a journal keeper. I have tried scrapbooking as well, but just can't seem to get in the groove of it. There are waaayyyy too many things that I keep telling myself, "I really need to write this down". I keep thinking I will remember the funny things the kids say...but who am I kidding? I can't remember my own age half the time. (Seriously)
So basically I am just going to have to bite the bullet and do it. Thanks to technology I can record some kind of journal, even if its not the typical kind. So here we go...hope you all enjoy my ramblings!

-Trish

P.S. You'll have to forgive me for gushing about our kids...I'm just a smidge biased that way! :)