I am grateful...

Tonight, my heart is heavy. Rather than focusing on the things that have brought me down lately, I want to use this post to focus on the good.

There are so many things I am grateful for in my life. Tonight, I am grateful for the little things:

I'm thankful for little sticky hand prints on mirrors...

I'm thankful for little baby girls who LOVE to be naked, no matter how hard I try to keep clothes on her...


I'm thankful for pictures that I wasn't expecting to find on my camera...



I'm thankful for dishes that may not always get done...
I'm thankful for the pile of laundry that seems to be revolving...
I'm thankful for slobbery kisses...
I'm thankful for a million stinky diapers...
I'm thankful for babies sleeping in my bed because their "finger hurts and mommy needs to take good care of it."
I'm thankful for all of these things, because these things mean that I am a mother.

Today, a Mother and a Father left my place of employment, Circle of Life Hospice, without their baby girl. Their baby girl drove away in a separate car, on her way to the funeral home, while her mother, father, and proud big sister returned to their home to learn how to live without their precious angel here on earth.

It's moments like these when it is easy to see the blessings in your life. The things that may drive you the craziest seem the most precious. I don't know what my life would be like without dirty laundry, screaming babies, and a bed that often seems to small.

Of all the things I'm grateful for, I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan of Salvation, and the fact that I know that families are forever. It brings peace to my heart when I think of that sweet family today, to know that they will be reunited with their little baby girl and their baby boy that they lost two years ago, once again someday, and they will have the opportunity to raise those children in the Eternities.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't say it often, or say it enough, but I do. I am so thankful for the things that I know to be true. Without this knowledge, I don't think that I would be able to do the job that I do, and go home and be okay at night. Don't get me wrong, my heart is aching, and I have welled up with tears several times today, but then I remember the things that I know, and peace fills my soul.

It's time to go to sleep now. Time to go cuddle those sweet babies who have once again, manipulated their way into our bed. Tonight, I will love every kick and every stretch that seems to make the bed smaller and smaller. Tonight, I will marvel in the beauty that is my children.

Snow Days!

This past weekend, NWA got hit by quite the snow storm. The Petersen's never fail for excitement when snow hits the ground. We baked a "Big Top Cupcake," watched movies "on demand", made snow angels, created a makeshift sled out of a TV box, and cuddled up together all weekend! It was a little slice of Heaven for me.

Brody's First "Date"

Last Wednesday, Nick and I decided to take Brody and Peyton to go see the Chipmunks movie. Brody's good friend Bentley is absolutely in LOVE with the Chipmunks right now. The idea popped into my head to see if Bentley would want to go with us. 3 kids, under 3 at the movie theater. Some may think I'm crazy, but I thought it would be a blast...and it was!

The kids were PERFECT during the movie! Bentley and Brody sang their little hearts out, while Pey Pey shook her groove thing. They enjoyed chex mix (snuck in strategically in Bentley's "purse"), popcorn, and skittles.

After the movie, the kids hammed it up in front of the Chipmunks themselves. On our way back to April's, Brody asked if Bentley could come over and play. Of course we said yes, and they had a BLAST together! They played in the play room, ate tacos, and watched Dora and Backyardigans!

Bentley Dawn, you are welcome to come play any time!