A Beautiful Sunset

This was from last night. I was so grateful I got to see it at its peak beauty.

I am Mom

I have been feeling rather run down lately and today is no exception. I've done very little which violates my sense of what's important in life. I finally got off the couch and tried to function, but, because I'm still doing half of what I normally do, I have been feeling guilty for being "lazy."

Then I saw this video on Facebook.



I'm doing laundry today. I'm making lemon sorbet for my kids. I'm keeping my house clean. And when my kids get out of school, I will be there for them. Me, their mom.

I am a mom.

Hardest job in the world.

Best job in the world.

Busiest job in the world.



I love my job.

And the Diagnosis is....

I love the popsicle stick in her hair. And how she's  missing a shoe. And how she looks like the walking dead.

Yep, she's a mom. Hardest job in the world.

Copy Cat Animals

 Apparently, all the animals feel like being in the dog crate is fun. 

Our Free-Range Tortoise

Hermy used to share the backyard with our chickens. Here she is with Princess. They gave each other lots of room.

She liked sampling different types of greens and flowers.

Isn't she beautiful?!

Every Summer she works on digging a hole.

She loves to explore the dirt in the backyard. You can hear her smelling new things.

She's got some powerful legs! Plus on her shell you can see the microchip that keeps her identified.

This is my most favorite picture of Hermy. She has the  most distinctive face. 

Here's Hermy in her travel box. She likes to visit schools and meet new people.

Here she is checking out 3rd grade.

Both the dog and tortoise like the sunny spots in the kitchen.

Our Free-Range Bearded Dragon

Here's our bearded dragon, Lizzie, who is actually a boy lizard (we found that out later, obviously)

We let Lizzie run around the house and explore almost daily.

Then we play the game "Where is the Lizard??" and try to figure out where Lizzie is.

For some strange reason, he adores the dishwasher (but only when the dishes are clean).

He loves going under the couch. He's frequently there.

He likes the warmth from the stereo too.

He's a big fan of sun bathing in the kitchen window.

And his favorite place of all-- in the arms of my daughter.

Indexing

My sister and I have been having a "race" between us to see who can do the most arbitrating. We both got to 10,000 names yesterday. It's been so much fun to see who can do the most or what random names we are getting or the frustrations of the forms.

I've enjoyed indexing a lot, but I adore arbitrating even more. I have 1,506 names indexed and 10,025 names arbitrated. I was thinking I could get my indexing names up to 5,000 or so, but I really just don't enjoy indexing as much as arbitrating. Last night I got an email saying I had indexed my 100th batch. Woo hoo! It said I was part of a select group (of addicts, I would think ;o) ) and good work.

It's been fun to have something to work on-- though I will admit sometimes I have a hard time shutting down the program and walking away (especially when I'm trying to beat my sister). I feel like right now I'm in a waiting mode. Waiting for my Spring classes to finish, waiting for my Summer classes to start, waiting for my acceptance letter into the substance abuse program (and then I'll wait for that to start in August). Just hanging out, waiting. Indexing has been a great distraction.

Are you indexing yet? You should be! It's way fun. Go HERE to find out more.

Be Happy!

Be happy today! Like a dog going after his favorite ball in the pool!

A Thought for Today

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service, because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right, to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."

—President Henry B. Eyring, "Mountains to Climb", General Conference, Apr. 2012

The Meaning of Easter Morning

This is a beautiful video depicting Easter morning.

Perspective or Realizing you Don't have it That Bad

I like to check in with Blogger every morning and I read a handful of blogs I follow. Sometimes blogs make you feel bad because of their "oh-so-perfect" life described. Sometimes they break your heart...

This morning I read The Sullengers blog. Ashley & her husband lost their 2 year old daughter a few years ago when she drowned in an irrigation ditch in Idaho. Her story is heartbreaking AND inspiring. Today her post was about another family who is breaking HER heart.

Last month, on her birthday, Julie's husband took their 3 year old son on a canoe ride. They never returned their bodies were found in the lake. In one day, she lost her whole world. Her story is heart wrenching. She her blog HERE.

I found myself praying "Really, Heavenly Father, really? She had to go through all that? How can she handle that? Why so much? Why is she required to give so much?"

But I must admit that I know Heavenly Father to be just and above all caring. He knows exactly what he is doing and exactly what his beloved children are capable of. He pushes us-- ALL of us-- to become more than what we are.

What an inexpressible comfort Faith is. To know that there is a bigger picture. To know that a divine, loving being is truly in charge of this world. To know we are in His hand. It might not make sense, but to know He is there and waiting to help us... what a comfort.

I can't help but pray for this sweet sister. I wish I had the power to help carry some of her grief, to help her bear this immense burden. I believe in the power of the Savior to carry her grief totally, completely, and tenderly. Another inexpressible comfort. For her and for us.

We are not alone.

If we choose, we can be wrapped in the arms of love by our Father in Heaven and our Savior. There you will find peace and love.