12/17/09

Crazy, Busy, Happy Life!


Life has been pretty much a whirlwind since school started! I am grateful for so many many things.



A Few Minor happenings in the last few months:

• Bryan turned 30! We had a lot of fun celebrating his birthday! In fact, his balloons are still fully inflated and floating in our kitchen even 2 weeks later!
• Samantha read her first chapter book from beginning to end. She has a talent show tomorrow. Look what she made. It is called, "Samantha's Rose" If you don't know, her middle name is Rose.


• Laci stopped having accidents!



• Bryan was ordained an Elder
• We went to a Buffet for Thanksgiving and Bryan’s birthday dinner a week later. Samantha tried sushi!




• We went to a Voicemale/Jon Schmidt concert at the mall, and Samantha got herself a free CD by making friends with the members of Voicemale. Oh, and Laci smashed her finger in the car door as we got out of the car. That is why she is showing the world her finger in this picture! Luckily, I had a first aid kit with an ice pack and a bandaid in my bag on my chair!



• My mom and stepdad came to visit and we had an exciting birthday dinner for Laci at Winger’s which included a popcorn fight.
• Bryan’s last final is tomorrow!! Wish him luck

As we have ventured into our first semester as a family unit in college, I have noticed more and more what extraordinary children we have been blessed to raise.



When Samantha was born, I remember in a blessing I was given that she was to be "my gift from Heavenly Father to show how much I am loved" She has definitely proven that year after year. Samantha has grown so much this year. I believe she is wise beyond her years. I believe she knows what a special life she has. She knows her mom is different, and I believe she knows her divine role in our family. More than any other child I know, Samantha is concerned about her family, and things that a child should not be concerned with. She has overcome so many emotional battles from her past. She has handled her life with grace. She will not give up! She has jumped an entire reading level in a matter of weeks! She helps take care of mom, and our home. How many seven year olds do you know who offer to make dinner on a regular basis just to help out? How many do you know who, after working with the family to clean the house for an hour (rather than play Barbies, or whatever else a little girl does) cheerfully says, "This is fun mom, we should do it more often!"

Bryan said the other day how he can see glimpses of who she will one day become. Samantha is going to be a very kind person, who is watchful of the people around her, and would swim through fire for the ones she loves.





Laci is a pure joy to be around! She has a raw sense of humor and a tiny little voice. I cannot believe she is now five years old! Laci is extremely smart! She comprehends more than your average barely 5 year old. Not to mention she is a smart-alec too! She is full of funny things to say, along with lots of love. She is finally 5! She made her own birthday cake. It was a lava cake made in the microwave! Then we decorated it with Tinkerbell!

Though it may seem surprising, Bryan and I are still extremely happy! It is hard to believe we have been married for almost 7 months already! My husband is so good. Bryan has grown so much since I first met him. He was ordained an Elder in November! We have seen so many blessings from that! (I don't know if he sees the difference as much as I do)

If you would have told me two years ago, that this life was coming my way, that there was a Bryan out there needing me just as much as I needed him... I would have called you insane! I cannot believe my own personal nightmare was just two years ago. I think I have lived and learned the meaning of the song "Hope Hiding There" by Michael McLean. http://meloduckpond.blogspot.com/ For added effect of my entry please go listen to song #7 on my old site playlist :)

"Around every corner, though you're unaware
Protected by grace in the face of despair
There is hope hiding there"

And right around the corner, there he was :)

We are going home to Arizona for Christmas this year! I am so excited to get out of the cold!

What an amazing year we have had. I feel extremely blessed. I hope everyone else has a happy and blessed holiday season.




Oh yeah, and to those of you wondering....