Balance

I was recently told that I was admired at how I'm able to jump into things with both feet. After really thinking about that I could see how that could be. I love to be involved, I love being around people and helping out, learning new things and really it comes down to the need to feel needed.

Many times I've been asked "is there anything you can't do?" And of course there's many. There is however one thing that I wished that I could do. And that is making connections with people that have meaning. I know it's because I feel that something will happen to come between myself and that person (sure surprised that I'm married). I live feeling like at any moment my world is going to crash down around me, so if I'm busy with "things" that somehow I'll be happy because those things can still be there even if the people I really care about aren't. I know now that is not the case.

I am aware that in my family there is history of  depression...and yes everyone at some point goes through some form or another of it (whether they'll admit it or not). I haven't ever gone to be tested but  I know what I can do to help me through days that I feel a little low. I tend to find something I like, dive in and then become slightly obsessed with it for a while. Eventually even that doesn't work and I become bored with it so then it's on to something else. Running and excercise have always been a good way for me to keep balance and if I allowed myself to I could become very obsessed with that...I'd look fabulous but I know that too much of a good thing can turn into a not so good thing.  So it's finding the balance in life that allows for all those things one loves with the things one needs.

Now I suppose really I can't say that I haven't been able to make meaningful connections with people, after all I am married and have three wonderful children who come to me with their concerns and we have wonderfull heart to heart conversations.  So what is it that I'm really looking for? Should I even feel like I am missing out on something? Maybe the real need is for me to have a better connection to the one that matters most.   ...have I let there become distance between myself and my Father in Heaven?

Knowing that I am able to connect with my Father in Heaven allows me a comfort that nobody or nothing else ever can and I'm greatful for that knowledge. So I guess when asked the question "is there anything you can't do?" I should be answering no...because I know that with the connection I can have with my Father in Heaven He will help me do whatever righteous desire I have...but only with His help am I able to do so much.  It's not possible on my own, even though it may appear to others that I have done it, they just weren't able to see that I was just the puppet used by the master himself!
So I guess the fact that we all need to find a connection and feel needed comes from the pre existence where we knew more specifically the needs of others and ourselves. We have the desire within us the find it again and possibly become saddened that we've lost it while we are here on earth. But knowing that the lost can be found is the best possible thing I could ever strive to accomplish. So I'll continue to jump in and do what I can to build those connections and make life count because who doesn't what to feel needed?

Hope this puts a little smile on your face....

 

I am not  Mrs. Incredible but I'm trying and want my children to try too!

Sandy ~ There she blows!

So Sandy gave us a little wind, rain and miscellaneous items that flew around in the wind. Thankfully none of it doing any damage to our property, with the exception to the loss of our rain barrel-it was cracked at the bottom and will no longer hold water. I was able to secure the items I was worried about. And those I didn't secure I guess if they were still here when it was all said and done I didn't notice either way, after all stuff can be replaced. So I had a video that I took showing the damage around us but it's not cooperating (it was too big for facebook so maybe it's too big for here too), so you'll just have to make due with some of the pictures I took in the neighborhood.

 

                                        So this one, once removed, did damage to the roof.

                                           
                                            This was one of many fences that were down.

 

                         This one was Lucky...car wasn't damaged and neither was the roof!

The neighbor to our north lost 1/2 of their big Willow tree and part of their olive tree (because the willow landed on it). To the south the neighbors fence that seperates our backyards lost 2 sections. Every once and a while I find their dog in our backyard...just hope he doesn't leave any presents for us!!! Unfortunately it's not a shared fence so we just have to be patient and hope the weather holds out long enough for them to have someone come and fix it for them.

 

So there it is...now we'll wait for the snow and see what fun things I can capture with our next weather system that comes this way.

God bless all those on the Eastern part of the USA who've suffered major losses and those who are helping with the clean up efforts, may you all find comfort, peace and safety as you rebuild.

Summer of 2011 ~ Cousins

Welcome cousins. After a long drive it's good to get out and scooter! I know that they were happy to be out of the van knowing that they wouldn't have to get back in right away.


(Abby, Brayden & Tanner)

Funny how Tanner never wanted a scooter...until after his cousins came...we even sold one in a yard sale because he never even took it out of the box.

So once we all got settled, figured out sleeping arrangements and hugged and all that good, mushy family stuff we made some plans. A day at the beach was underway and the following is an account of that adventure.


So here we are at Mitchell's Bay...I blogged about the "event" that occurred upon our arrival and the slight miscommunication. The picture doesn't give a good idea of the distance that they actually could go out...and did!



The next few pictures are also from our day there!


(Little Joe finding shells)

(Abby)



Next you'll see that boys will be boys!! These two made me laugh so hard and it took me back in time to a day on the beach with Mishel and I and some really cool and smooth wet clay! It was so fun to watch them and see how much fun they were having...it's when instead of it going on their heads and was being flung threw the air to unsuspecting targets that it wasn't as fun to watch anymore.
I do absolutely LOVE this picture of these two...it totally captured the moment!




(Brayden and Tanner)


(Brayden ~ I love the sign behind him...totally not intended)



(Brayden and Tanner ~ I think they were discussing their next move?!)

Now I know Mishel isn't going to like me for this next picture but it was the only one I had of her (sorry sis)



So this was our day at the beach...for whatever reason I didn't get many pictures (could have been the fact that I had to be in the water as lifeguard for a bit and then I was tired). We had a wonderful KFC picnic lunch with all kinds of other snacks that all enjoyed. Even little baby Lauren was in the water for a bit with Mishel. All said and done I think it was a good memory making day!Goal accomplished. Bonus was the kids were tired after their day of fun:)

My Baby is 8!

I knew that this day would come, but I tried to not think about it! It's sad and wonderful all at once and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. So many new things that Sarah is going to expereince. I'm so excited for her but at the same time because of the challenges that she has (and hides very well), I'm nervous for her also.

She is my girl that LOVES life.
LOVES her family.
LOVES church.
LOVES that she's now 8 and preparing for her baptism.
LOVES people (especially babies).
LOVES trying to figure out how things are done.
LOVES to try what others are doing.
LOVES to help.
LOVES to be wild and crazy (which is fun to watch).
LOVES paper.
LOVES creating.
LOVES to dance.
LOVES to sing.
LOVES music.
LOVES to cuddle(still).
LOVES to be outside.
LOVES to go on adventures.
LOVES her relatives.
LOVES talking on the phone.
LOVES school.
LOVES to do things in the kitchen.
Loves letters in the mail.
LOVES things in order/organized.
LOVES washing her hands.

I guess I could say she's my girl who LOVES the most the best! I LOVE her and don't know why I've been so blessed with such an angel! I'm so happy that she is a part of our family. She brings a smile to my face daily and is always so warm and caring to those around her....I LOVE HER!

Coming Soon......

(picture in Drumheller Alberta...summer of 2010)


Believe it or not there will soon be pictures to accompany my blogs (when appropriate)....I am so very excited that one of my wonderful sisters were able to walk me through the steps for my computer to do this as any attempts on my own left me picture less and beyond words. So I truly think that I will be able to do this unaided from here on in and any followers I have (be they few) will now be able to see visually the things I speak of! I'm excited and nervous all at once (I wish not to fail you my faithful followers).

Now that being said don't expect anything too soon as I have over 6000 pictures to organize first and then find the time to tell you about them!