Senseless tragedy

After hearing word yesterday of the Bishop in California who had been shot during church, I have struggled to get a grasp on my feelings related to this tragedy. I feel sad, I feel sick (physically nauseous), and I feel so confused.

Where can we be safe, if not in our own places of worship? Do we not have the right to worship freely, where and when we choose without fear of something like this happening? Our schools have been invaded by these sick people out to hurt others, as have our places of employment, and now our churches.

My heart aches for the family of this Righteous servant, who was murdered while fulfilling his calling from the Lord. He was not paid to do what he did, in fact, he worked full time outside of his full time church responsibilities. He also had a family to raise. 6 children to be exact...the youngest only a few months old.

I am grateful however, for the knowledge that I have. I know that Heavenly Father has made a way for our families to be together forever. I know that man will be reunited with his wife and children again someday. I know that we all are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us. I know that the Holy Ghost will act as a comforter for his wife, as she struggles to learn to live this life without her eternal companion.

The song that has been going through my head all day goes like this:

"Families can be together forever,
Through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
and the Lord has shown me how I can."

I pray those words will bring comfort to the family and friends of this slain Bishop. May he rest in peace.

1. While cuddling earlier, Brody stated "Kids should always grow up." I replied "I don't want you to grow up ever, cause then you won't want to cuddle me anymore." To which Brody replied "I will always cuddle you! I will always be your Brody and your son!" Love that kid! I hope he can look back on this someday and keep his word.
2. An awesome girl from work, Brandy, gave me a TON of clothes for Peyton! She also gave the kids some books, a Leapster, and this cute little music making toy (pictured above). The kids have had a blast all day playing with their new treasures! Thank you, Brandy!
3. We spent the evening with Jenni Hall and her 3 cutie pies! The kids played in their inflatable water slide. After they were all done, they went inside and watch Backyardigans and played cowboy. I always enjoy my time with Jenni! It is so nice to have such a great friend in the area!
4. Nick just reminded me that we haven't seen Eclipse yet. This will be a reminder to self that the next movie we watch needs to be Eclipse. I think he is having Jacob withdrawals.
   
5. Finally, Brody just brought me 3 french fries. When I replied that I was on a diet and I did not care to eat french fries, he told me "No mom, I meant for you to save them for later...when you are done with your diet." He knows me all too well!
   

1. While cuddling earlier, Brody stated "Kids should always grow up." I replied "I don't want you to grow up ever, cause then you won't want to cuddle me anymore." To which Brody replied "I will always cuddle you! I will always be your Brody and your son!" Love that kid! I hope he can look back on this someday and keep his word.
2. An awesome girl from work, Brandy, gave me a TON of clothes for Peyton! She also gave the kids some books, a Leapster, and this cute little music making toy (pictured above). The kids have had a blast all day playing with their new treasures! Thank you, Brandy!
3. We spent the evening with Jenni Hall and her 3 cutie pies! The kids played in their inflatable water slide. After they were all done, they went inside and watch Backyardigans and played cowboy. I always enjoy my time with Jenni! It is so nice to have such a great friend in the area!
4. Nick just reminded me that we haven't seen Eclipse yet. This will be a reminder to self that the next movie we watch needs to be Eclipse. I think he is having Jacob withdrawals.
   
5. Finally, Brody just brought me 3 french fries. When I replied that I was on a diet and I did not care to eat french fries, he told me "No mom, I meant for you to save them for later...when you are done with your diet." He knows me all too well!
   

1. Today was a GREAT day! I thoroughly enjoyed my work today. I really do love my job. A lot of people don't understand how I can work for 20 hours a week, but I don't feel like it's work. I am helping people every day I work, and I feel like it makes me a better mom. I'm more present with my children during the other 148 hours a week I am with them. I left Circle of Life today, and came home to my sweet family and realized how much my cup is running over. I am very blessed to have found this opportunity in my life.
2. It's Monday! Which means 2 things! The first, I will talk about on this bullet point. It is Ben and Emily day! This is a favorite day around our house. Emily and Ben picked the kids up in the morning, and they spent the day playing, watching TV, and eating yummy snacks.
   
   
3. Second, it is Family Home Evening! Every Monday, we get together as a family, without the TV and noise from the world, and we spend quality time together, while learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Monday, we were blessed to have dinner with our good friends, Kenny and Erin, and then we all met our other good friends, the Hall's at the park. The park by our house was a little crowded and "big", so we went to Apple Glen Elementary and let the kids play on the playground there. The kids all had a blast...all 7 of them!
4. Ice cream! After the park we went to Braums and had ice cream. Brody and Parker played with the salt and pepper shakers and were laughing so loudly. It was adorable!
5. Finally, the kids are asleep. I love this part of the day because it's time for my hubby and I to have intellectual conversations and discuss our dreams together. Another reason I always feel my cup is so full is because of the fact that Nick and I share the same dreams and are on the same page with how we will achieve them. I thought this picture was only appropriate to end the day with (and the fact that Nick forgot to put the SD card in the camera before he started taking pictures of the kids today).
   
   

1. Today was a GREAT day! I thoroughly enjoyed my work today. I really do love my job. A lot of people don't understand how I can work for 20 hours a week, but I don't feel like it's work. I am helping people every day I work, and I feel like it makes me a better mom. I'm more present with my children during the other 148 hours a week I am with them. I left Circle of Life today, and came home to my sweet family and realized how much my cup is running over. I am very blessed to have found this opportunity in my life.
2. It's Monday! Which means 2 things! The first, I will talk about on this bullet point. It is Ben and Emily day! This is a favorite day around our house. Emily and Ben picked the kids up in the morning, and they spent the day playing, watching TV, and eating yummy snacks.
   
   
3. Second, it is Family Home Evening! Every Monday, we get together as a family, without the TV and noise from the world, and we spend quality time together, while learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Monday, we were blessed to have dinner with our good friends, Kenny and Erin, and then we all met our other good friends, the Hall's at the park. The park by our house was a little crowded and "big", so we went to Apple Glen Elementary and let the kids play on the playground there. The kids all had a blast...all 7 of them!
4. Ice cream! After the park we went to Braums and had ice cream. Brody and Parker played with the salt and pepper shakers and were laughing so loudly. It was adorable!
5. Finally, the kids are asleep. I love this part of the day because it's time for my hubby and I to have intellectual conversations and discuss our dreams together. Another reason I always feel my cup is so full is because of the fact that Nick and I share the same dreams and are on the same page with how we will achieve them. I thought this picture was only appropriate to end the day with (and the fact that Nick forgot to put the SD card in the camera before he started taking pictures of the kids today).
   
   

August 29, 2010

1. Today's photo was hard to choose. Brody came to me for some snuggle time. Something that doesn't happen often enough anymore. I felt this was the perfect photo op for today's photo so I had Nick grab the camera and start shooting. He took so many great pictures that captured mine and Brody's special bond, but I thought this one was absolutely perfect. I love the way he giggles. I hope I never forget the sweet sound of his laughter at this age. It is contagious.
2. Church was great today! The kids were perfect, and both enjoyed their own respective classes. Nick and I were in combined Relief Society and Priesthood sessions, so it was nice to be able to sit with him during the 3rd hour and learn about Temperance.
   
3. Frozen pizzas for dinner! Could life get any better than this? There is something refreshing about not preparing a healthy meal occasionally, and just having fun! Brody set aside the pepperoni pizza before it was cooked and said that it was "kid flavored" and not "grown up flavored." Nick and I were left with supreme (okay by us!)
4. Peyton is doing SOOOOO well with potty training! She left church after 3 hours with a dry diaper and asked to go potty as soon as she got home. I'm so proud of her!
5. Finally, Brody started telling us about the Prophets. He began telling us about this one named Bremen Beyond. Nick and I could not figure out who in the world he was talking about. So, I began naming Prophets, and when I said "Brigham Young?" he said "YES! That's what I said!" I love that he is learning about the Prophets and love his cute little pronunciations!
   

August 29, 2010

1. Today's photo was hard to choose. Brody came to me for some snuggle time. Something that doesn't happen often enough anymore. I felt this was the perfect photo op for today's photo so I had Nick grab the camera and start shooting. He took so many great pictures that captured mine and Brody's special bond, but I thought this one was absolutely perfect. I love the way he giggles. I hope I never forget the sweet sound of his laughter at this age. It is contagious.
2. Church was great today! The kids were perfect, and both enjoyed their own respective classes. Nick and I were in combined Relief Society and Priesthood sessions, so it was nice to be able to sit with him during the 3rd hour and learn about Temperance.
   
3. Frozen pizzas for dinner! Could life get any better than this? There is something refreshing about not preparing a healthy meal occasionally, and just having fun! Brody set aside the pepperoni pizza before it was cooked and said that it was "kid flavored" and not "grown up flavored." Nick and I were left with supreme (okay by us!)
4. Peyton is doing SOOOOO well with potty training! She left church after 3 hours with a dry diaper and asked to go potty as soon as she got home. I'm so proud of her!
5. Finally, Brody started telling us about the Prophets. He began telling us about this one named Bremen Beyond. Nick and I could not figure out who in the world he was talking about. So, I began naming Prophets, and when I said "Brigham Young?" he said "YES! That's what I said!" I love that he is learning about the Prophets and love his cute little pronunciations!