Tender Mercies

It has been so long since I wrote a blog post!

It's ironic that the picture at the top of my last post was the kids with Grandma Beth. On Jan. 31, she passed away unexpectedly. It came as such a shock. My Mom had to do most of the funeral preparations until her brothers could get into town. I was able to be with her to make some decisions and that was very special to me. I wish that I had been there for her more often. I know she was lonely. We will really miss going to spend time with her at the fun activities her care center put on. I know they miss her there.

Her funeral was really nice. A lot of family that I hadn't seen for a long time came in. That was neat, I just wish it was for a better reason.

It is amazing how life goes on. It almost seems like the world should pause for a minute when someone you love and care about dies; but, I know loved ones are lost all the time so that wouldn't be possible.

Heavenly Father is mindful of us however. My nephew, Tristan, was born just 20 min., or so after Grandma passed away. In our last Stake Conference, the Stake President talked about "Tender Mercies" in our lives. He suggested writing a Tender Mercy Journal for our families. He encouraged us to look daily at the mercies Heavenly Father has provided to us. It would make us more grateful and humble. I really think that having a nephew born so close to losing my Grandma, was a huge tender mercy. It was a lot easier to break the news to the children the next morning, being able to give them something happy after the sad. I really felt like it was a teaching moment too.

At that same Stake Conference I was also given a new calling. I was called a counselor in the Stake Relief Society. It was a really big surprise! I have enjoyed my calling so far. It has been really busy the last couple of weeks, but, in a good way. I am so blessed. I know Heavenly Father has blessed our family with so much. I can see his hand in our lives everyday.

Our Busy Summer

We have been so busy this last few months! The kids finished the school year off, had three weeks off , went back and have been enjoying it. So here is some catch up for the year!


April 3 - Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Great Grandma Beth's Center:


April 14 Pierce's Birthday:






End of July Snow Family Camp out:






July 19 Hannah's Birthday:










First Day of School July 26:





Aug. 6Th Grandpa Richard's Surprise 60Th Birthday Party!:





Audrey's Birthday Aug. 18:





Pierce's First day of Preschool:



We also went to Lagoon, Cowabunga Bay, star gazing and the Clark
Planetarium. We had a fun, but fast summer . Now we are in the
school mode. However, we have been working on strep, pneumonia,
stitches and tests for my ms. I wish life would slow down!

We woke up to SNOW!!

I don't buy into this global warming thing. When I was a kid I remember getting snow late into the spring. My mom would make us were undershirts until the snow melted off of the mountains. This usually meant we wore them until sometime in June. We have had cooler wet weather this year, more like when I was a kid.

I know my kids hate that is still cool. They want to be outside playing. But, as for me I need it cool. The heat just does me in! For now though, I will enjoy the novelty of snow on May 24Th.

And the Winner is...

Me!! I can't believe my luck. Two blogs that I follow had contests last week. I entered both of them but figured nothing would come of them. Tonight I looked on facebook and had a message from Aubrey Mace, author extraordinaire (http://aubreymace.blogspot.com/), I had won a book in her blog contest. How exciting. I am eager to read the book I won. Check out her site!!
Well then I decided I better check the blogs I follow. Much to my surprise, I had won Jodi Browns, contest. (http://amiracleforjodibrown.blogspot.com/). Really go to her blog. It is truly an inspiration. She had an inoperable brain tumor. Found a doctor who would attempt surgery, and a little over a year later has not only survived but, thrived. I am sure it is because of her incredible faith.
I can't wait to be sipping on my Jamba Juice, while reading my new book The Mark. (That is if they don't decide it was a mistake.) I wish I had entered something really big last week apparently I had some luck then. :)

Has it really been 5 months!!

I can't believe it has been five months since I last posted! So much has happened, and yet not so much...

We had a wonderful holiday season. We received so many nice gifts from family and friends. We went to see the lights at Temple Square. We haven't done that since Emma was about 3 yrs. old. It was really fun, but really cold.

January is our birthday month. We enjoyed celebrating for Dusty and Kristi's birthday, not to mention our extended families.

I got called to YW awhile back and have been really enjoying that. It is so fun to work with the youth. Teaching is fun too. I think I learn more than they do.

The kids have been really busy at school; Hannah had invention convention, book reports, and the mini society where they went to the Gateway and did business for a day. She really liked being the CFO.

Emma has been working hard on her times table tests and has passed them all of. She has had book reports, and her wax museum. They dress up as the person in their reports. That was fun.

Audrey has been working really hard on her reading and has been improving soooo much. I am so proud of her and her drive to do well. She has also had a field trip, to the Children's Museum and coming up to the farm, here in Herriman.

Pierce is developing his comedic skills. He makes us laugh so much. On Saturday he decided to change his name to "Brock-Pierce". We really don't know where that came from, but, we have had a good laugh when he corrects us on his new name. He turned four on April 14Th. I can't believe my youngest child is now 4!

Dusty has been interviewing for a new job and it looks promising. We have been praying hard for that to happen.

We have finally been doing Family Home Evening and Scripture Study. The kids really have loved the family time. The Spirit has been in our home so much more. It just feels right!

We are so blessed!!

Ten Days of Thanksgiving #9

I am thankful for civic and church leaders. (Although Church leaders are in a league of their own.)

I am grateful people are willing to serve their communities and beyond to help govern our laws and people. Of course, not everyone is in it for the right reasons, but they are tough jobs. I am most grateful for those who want to serve for the right reasons.

I am extremely grateful for the leaders of my church. Particularly the Prophet, His counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their selfless service enriches my life. If there were not people willing to live the way they have to, we would not have the gospel in our lives. The sacrifices they make of family, their work and countless other areas, so we can have the gospel, is eternal. I am blessed by these leaders in my life. Also, by those area and local leaders, willing to sacrifice so much to share and spread the gospel. I am grateful for their testimonies.

Ten Days of Thanksgiving #8

Today I am thankful for technology. It makes our lives so much easier, and complicated in one fell swoop. I remember when I was young, my mom would never know when my dad would get home from work. He worked his regular job, then was off to do "side jobs". She never knew when he would get finished and be home. Now I can call Dusty and know exactly when he will be home. When he was working out of town I talked to him during the day as much as I normally would. What a blessing cell phones are. I am also grateful for computers and the internet. I have been able to keep in touch with some people who I wouldn't have normally. I have church information for lessons and talks at my finger tips. When I need information medically, or the kids need it for school, once again right a our finger tips. Also, even though I haven't worked on it, family history and temple ready can be done right at home, on the computer. I am grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with these and many more advances for our good.

Ten Days of Thanksgiving #4, #5, #6,#7

OK, so I fell of the thankful band wagon. Oops... I really am grateful! So I will catch up, here goes:

#4- I am so grateful for my parents. They raised me in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They came from families that did not go to church or practice any part of it. They were activated and Sealed in the Temple not long after they were married and have never looked back. They are such an example to me of service. They magnify their church callings. They are always there for the people they serve, which is pretty much the whole ward. They also help their children and grandchildren with all that they possibly can. My parents are my friends too. I know I can call them anytime, to just even talk, not to mention to go to the hospital at all hours of the night. I am truly grateful that Heavenly Father sent me to them. I love them so much. Don't hate me for the picure Mom. I really like it.:)

#5-I am grateful for my parents-in-laws. I have to come to love and appreciate my in-laws. They like my parents are always there for us. They help us with clothes for the girls, which helps so much! I also consider them my friends. It is nice that I have some of the same interests as them. I don't know if everyone could say that of their in-laws. I love them too.

#6-I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that this is the Lord's Church on the earth today. I am so grateful for the path it gives me to follow in my life. That I can have a personal relationship with my Savior. And be sealed to family for all eternity.


#7-I am grateful where I live. A few months ago we thought we would have to move to Idaho. Although that would have been a good and interesting experience for our family, I am so glad we were able to stay. I love that we are so close to the headquarters of the church. That we are so close to so many temples. Our family is close when we need them. We live in a fun ward, that has some of my best friends in it. I think this is a pretty great place!


Well now I have caught up maybe I will do better this week!! :)

Ten Days of Thanksgiving #3

Today I am thankful for my husband. He works hard to be a great husband, father, priesthood holder, worker, and care taker. He puts up with me and my mood swings and helps me with my health matters. I love it when he plays with the kids, it means so much to them. He works hard a his job, even if it isn't his dream one. He honors his priesthood and fulfills his callings. Right now he teaches the eleven year old boys, and is loving it.


I am so thankful to have a husband that has the same goals and values I do. I know that I am the lucky one!!

Ten Days of Thanksgiving

On one of the blogs I follow, suggested to post for ten days what we are thankful for. I am a little late in getting started since I was in a bad mood when I read it yesterday. But, it is a new day and I feel better. So here goes.

Today I am so thankful for my health. As all of you probably know I have MS. I have had bumps in the road, but all in all I am doing so well. I know Heavenly Father has watched over me and our little family. I know that He blessed me to have good health to get our family here. I see other people with the same disease and realize how blessed I really am. I read a news story that says there is a promising treatment, that might even end up being a cure. :) :) Wouldn't that be AMAZING?

Since I didn't do one yesterday, I will do two today.

I am sooo thankful for my children. I love them soo much. Their individual personalities are so unique and wonderful. Hannah is so grown up and smart. Emma (who turned nine yesterday) is kind and loves animals. Audrey is a princess and is sweet and loving. Pierce is jumping off everything (is that what boys do?), wants to do everything the older kids do, and is so lonely while they go to school all day. I feel so blessed to have such fun kids. Oh, also, they are almost as tall as me. I have a feeling when they get their height I will be the short one!

Pumpkin Patch

On Friday my Parents came out to a pumpkin patch by our house. We had fun. The kids tromped through the field trying to find a pumpkin that wasn't rotten. Then we bought them along with yummy vegetables. Thanks for taking us Mom and Dad!!!

Baby Connor is here!!

My Brother David and his wife Brittany had their baby today @ 4:59 Pm. He weighed 8lbs. 3 oz

Isn't he darling!?!?!

I took a cute picture didn't I?!

Great Weekend

This weekend was such a good one. The kids had Thursday and Friday off. On Thursday my Uncle Richard and Aunt Teri came in from Phoenix. We visited and went shopping on Friday. Saturday was conference, always sooo good, Saturday night my mom and I went shopping. We didn't buy much but it was fun to spend time with her. Sunday was Conference and the talks were so good. It is fun now with the kids, especially Hannah and Emma, they are old enough to understand and listen to Conference.Nothing extravagant but such a nice way to spend my free time!!
Now today the kids are back to school. I am however, awaiting the call that my brother's new baby boy is born. It should be anytime now!!

New Calling

Since we are not moving, I got a new calling. Of course I was just getting used to Primary, so of course its time to change...
I am the Mia Maid advisor. I have taught two Sundays now, and it has been fun already. I always say that my heart is in Young Women's. I was lucky enough to have my mom in Y.W. with me the whole time, in one calling or another. After Dusty and I got married and moved into our first home, I got put right back in Y.W. (I had only been out myself about 1 1/2-2 years!) Since then I have been in that organization a lot. It is good to back after almost 3 years. I am excited to be back working with the youth. There is a spirit and maybe an excitement, with them you don't get anywhere else. :) Of course maybe I am just as mature as them, so I fit in...

We are Staying!!!

Dusty got a new job here in Utah so we don't have to move! The job in Idaho wasn't working out so Dusty started the search all over again. He started last week and it has been going well. I know we have been so blessed. I am sooo glad to have Dusty home with us again.

My Friend "the Author"

I got the opportunity to meet up with a friend from High School the other day. I had so much fun, I didn't even realize it had been three hours. She was so good to put up with me for so long! She has been writing and publishing books. It was fun to hear about that process. I read one of her books it was really fun. Everyone should check them out!! Spare Change, My Fairy Grandmother, and Santa Maybe (Sept. 2009) all by Aubrey Mace! My Fairy Grandmother is in Wal-mart right now! If this sounds like a plug, it is. It sounds like it is hard to get the word out about your books, unless you are J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. So check them out and let me know you read them so I can pass the good news onto Aubrey!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple and long over due updates

We were so blessed to be able to go to the Temple dedication yesterday. We got to sit in the baptistery. Hannah and Emma are old enough to go and what a neat experience it was. It was neat to be able to tell the girls a little bit more about the temple, and have them excited for the future when they will get to come back. The talks were so good and the Spirit was so strong.

I haven't up dated my blog in so long, there is some things I guess I should up date.

Dusty has been at his new job for about 2 months. It's not working out. He is so unhappy with the company. (There is a lot more to it than that.) I guess it's good we didn't move before he figured this out. Now he has been looking and looking for a job at home, but nothing so far. He has had some good interviews just it's not what they are looking for I guess. It is really frustrating for me because I can't do anything to help. It is really hard for Dusty to leave us every Sunday night, to go back to a job he really hates. All I can do is pray and pray, that something will work out and He can come back home.

A side effect of the stress I have been feeling has been the MS flaring up. The beginning of July, my legs got weak and I was really shaky. My doctor gave me some steroid treatments and I got a lot better. The symptoms started to come back and when I saw my doctor they thought another treatment would help. When I was waiting at the office, I read an article about stress and women with MS. In a study done, women with short term stress seemed to have no complications with the MS. However, women with prolonged stressful situations, had something like a 75% chance of having a flare up of the disease. I had been feeling that's why my health had been bad, but it was kind of sad to confirm it.

I can't take stress away. And I can't brush off the things in my life that are stressful. I just wish Dusty could find something to bring him home.