Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

I just looked at my blog and realized I haven't posted in a couple weeks. Since I'm trying to keep this up better, I've been racking my brain about what I could write.

Basically, nothing is new. Our life is still crazy busy. Russ and I picked up the cookie order yesterday from the warehouse. Can you say Girl Scout Cookies everywhere? I have them stacked in our third garage - under lock and key! We delivered the cookies to the girls who had ordered them and now it is time for me to help MeKenna get her personal orders together and out to the various people she needs to deliver them to. This is a picture of our trailer loaded with cookies as we were preparing to leave the warehouse. We put the "other" kinds of cookies (is there REALLY anything else but Samoas?) into the back of the Suburban.

Happy Birthday, Kenna-Girl!

My beautiful MeKenna is now 8. I have yet to figure out how time has slipped through my fingers! Kenna is full of life, love and is THE socialite of the family.

I was thinking about the first time I ever layed eyes on my sweet princess. We were so happy to have another little girl in our family - finally! How sad I was when they whisked her off to NICU for a few days. How happy I was that the NICU experience would be nothing like Tanner or the twins!

Kenna: Everyone was so excited to have you come home. Your brothers were inquisitive and protective, but no one was more loving towards you than your big sister, Brenna. She adored you (and still does)! I want you to know how special you are to us. I want you to know how much you add to the dynamics in our family and how I'm in awe of your spirit. I want you to always remember your Heavenly Father loves you and you really are a princess! I love you so much, even though you are a little "sassy". I guess that is what makes you Kenna though. I'm happy you have made the decision to be baptized and to wear your 2nd white dress. Someday after your mission, you'll put on your 3rd white dress and be somebody's else's queen but you'll always be our little princess. I love you so much, Kenna-girl!

(Above: Here is proof of your natural "sassiness" that we laugh about so much!)

New Beginnings

New Beginings is over and gone. The entire YW board put a lot of work into the theme of "Becoming..." Each table was decorated in a value color, a woman from the scriptures was assigned as "representative of that value" and one of our YW was assigned to spotlight her along with doing the centerpiece for that table. Brenna did Esther and focused on "Choice and Accountability".





We found "Who Is Your Hero" posters and displayed them at various points throughout the gym. A special musical number called "Daughter" was sung and then the girls learned and sang another song called, "Strong and Courageous" (this year's Mutual theme).





For weeks, the YW Presidency and their husbands have been meeting at our house to put together very simple boxes that we gave to the girls. The boxes were given with the idea that the girls could place inside the boxes items that are helping them to "become" their full potential or things they might use in their future homes. Here are a few boxes (with three different stains available) that we made - beneath one of the "Who Is Your Hero" poster (Mary and Baby Jesus).



We were also served an Italian dinner of pasta with our choice of Alfredo or Marinara sauce, homemade breadsticks and a Ceasar salad.
Our rising Beehives were given these cute wreaths to wear for the night and to take home.


Today as I unwind, I'm grateful for the hard work that everyone put into the evening to make it a success. I'm also appreciative of sleep and the satisfaction that we did what we could to make the evening special for the girls. I just hope the girls know how much we love, admire and want to serve them!

He listens

I'm interrupting my latest blog pattern (of paying tribute to my children as individuals). The past few days have been extremely hard for me to get through. External issues have brought with them extra pressure, sleepless nights and much grief.

I was listening to a series of talks on CD about Love. Dr. Lund sighted some interesting facts about the female brain which explains more of my dilemna. It seems that studies have proven at night - the female brain sleeps only 10%, with the remaining 90% being active. The old saying that men sleep through everything is also a proven fact. When they go to sleep, 70% of their brains sleep. Wow....What that would be like? At least now I understand I really HAVE been thinking through the night and it hasn't been my imagination. :)

Anyway, I'm just writing to say how grateful I am for my marriage and for Russ. He supports me and helps me through tough times. He works hard for us and is helping me to face what lies ahead with optimism. My children are everything to me and for them, I'm also grateful. I realized this morning when I was laying in bed mussing over the trials that are before me that Heavenly Father is listening. I felt peace in my heart - even for a few small moments - before the "natural man" brought back all the doubt. (Laughingly): I sometimes think I need just a fraction of Brenna's faith thrown into my system so I would not panic. I'm going to work on that - and the fact that I know (and need to remember) that Heavenly Father is beside me!

The Biggest Teddy Bear Ever...

Taylor has to be the best 10 1/2 year old snuggler ever! There is nothing like coming home after a tough day, getting up after a sleepless night or turning the corner and finding Taylor's arms open wide waiting to embrace you. His laugh is infectious and his easy going manner lets everyone know how welcome they are. Those around Taylor are comfortable. What a gift to be able to accept others regardless of their state of mind or state of being. I love you so much Taylor! You help ease my burdens even when I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. You rock!