Still good...

Do you ever have one of those moments when you are right in the middle of some course of action and realize that it isn't what you want? I'm not talking about some monumental situation like deciding half way up Kilimanjaro that you didn't really want to climb the mountain after all, but more about life's small moments...

I was on Facebook today reading about what is going on in my friends' lives when I came across a post that piqued my interest. It was a news article about a teacher in California who was told by the school board that he had to take the posters in his classroom down. The reason? They all contained radical ideology like "one nation under God," "united we stand," and "I pledge allegiance." If you know me well, you know that I am passionate about our country and the rights and freedoms that it was built on and stands upon now, and the article bothered me--a lot. My friend agreed, too, that it isn't right, the kind of reverse discrimination that is rampant in our country, but one of the responders to her blog vehemently supported the school board's decision.

So I immediately started replying to the thread, all passionate about freedom of speech, reverse discrimination, etc. when it hit me--I was not reacting in a Christ-like manner and needed to stop. It's one thing to have a discussion about something when both parties are open and the discussion will be productive, but it's another thing entirely to step right into the middle of a fight with your gloves raised.

It's given me quite a lot of food for thought, and it's made me realize several things about myself and my personal beliefs. I haven't changes much since doing my internship in the Colorado state senate. The only difference is that I no longer want to be president...

1. I believe that our country as a whole has lost sight of the values that make it so inherently good.

2. I believe that the voices of the few are often louder than the voices of the many, even when the many are right. I also believe that just because you yell louder, it doesn't make what you're yelling correct.

3. I believe that the voices of the many should be able to be expressed without the few calling it discrimination.

4. I believe that sometimes we have to call wrong wrong even if it isn't the popular opinion.

5. I believe that the constitution does indeed "hang by a thread" in many ways.

6. I believe that we have a personal, moral, and societal obligation to do all we can to uphold goodness and right.

7. I believe that there is still much good in our country and that there is joy to be found in every moment of every day if we only follow the Savior.

8. I believe that it is worth it.

9. AND, I believe that my children deserve better.

It makes me sad.

Thankful...

I have been thinking all day about the wonderful people I've had the privilege of walking down the road of life with, however brief some of those walks have been. I am eternally grateful for the goodness and joy you have added to my walk and love you all. Thanks for being such wonderful friends and for sharing your life with me. It has made all the difference...

Along for the Ride

My important truth for the day is this: blogging the way I used to and my Relief Society president calling do not coexist well. So really all I can do is give you a snapshot of the last three months...

In the last three months 1) Jess got her driver's license, continued teaching piano lessons, prepared for and sang in two different choir concerts, continued studying extreme amounts for all of the A.P. classes she's taking, and tried to catch a few hours of sleep a day; 2) I spent three weeks in London with Kyle, during which we traveled to both France and Turkey (yeah!); 3) Kyle worked like crazy and was finally able to come home, where he's again working like crazy; 4) Derik and Aubrey performed in both Annie AND MacBeth, having five million play practices for the performances; 5) Laurel turned 12, entered the young women's program at church, and performed her first bassoon solo in a band concert; 6) Eryn didn't stop growing up for even a moment, loving Activity Days, excelling at school, and charming everyone around her; and 6) the family left out of New Orleans on a cruise to Central America (Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico) for spring break (after waiting three months for the Christmas present to mature)--all while everyone moved steadily forward in that little task called "living life."

Is it any wonder that we feel a little frazzled? Summer vacation will be a much needed break--you know...girl's camp, high adventure scout camp, Philmont for Kyle and Derik, our friend Shawna's wedding, band camp, some sort of a trip to see family in Idaho and Utah... All that resting is going to be SO boring...tee hee. Never a dull moment, my friends!

Also, on a completely unrelated note, every once in a while, someone says something that really makes you think. Earlier today I had one of those experiences during an assembly at Eryn's school. She was presented with an art award (being chosen from her grade as the best artist). She didn't know she was getting it, and when they started introducing the award, they said, "This young lady is very creative, and her beautiful artistic style reflects all of the different places she's traveled..." I guess I haven't really thought about it much lately, but it's pretty unique for an eight-year-old girl to have been the places she has, and the experiences have changed her and our other children. When I asked her about it afterward, she said, "Mom, when they talked about the girl having been all over, I thought 'that's SO me'--I'm so happy!"

As that sweet little girl's mother, I am SO grateful for the experiences we've had the last few years. I feel beyond blessed that my children have been able to experience the world a little and that I had the privilege of going along for the ride!

Moved In and Moving On...

Since I'm WAY behind on blogging, here's a quick update on our lives (in pictures).

October 3 was a great day at our house, as our wonderful Eryn was baptized. She has such a sweet budding testimony, and we are so pleased at the decision that she made. Here are pics on her special day:











We also had two birthdays in October..



and poured a new section of driveway (thanks, Kyle and Don!)...



had family pictures, choir concerts, and Halloween...




AND, got a old/new kid car (pronounced "junk heap with wheels") as evidence of Jessie's continued disobedience--she NEVER listens to us about stopping growing up...big grin:



(Then again, I guess we want her to grow up. After all, I do want grand children some day. Hmm. It's SO true that the only thing constant is change!)

Whew! All that with Kyle being in London 3/4 of the month, my calling, all of the activities the kids are in, etc., etc., etc. Never a dull moment!

Also, my fabulous sister-in-law, Ashely, mentioned that we've been in our house all this time and she still hasn't seen any moved-in pics. So here you go, Ash--proof that we've actually hung our hats:
























I think I just got a little insight into why I'm so tired all of the time... : )