{ Me thinks Mondays...}

"Happiness comes first by what comes into your head a long time before material blessings come into your hand." 

— Jeffrey R. Holland

I'm still here life seems to keep getting busier and busier but not ever feeling accomplished. So much more like a taxi driver, cook, maid and referee but hey thats my job right :) Its all good... times and seasons this is mine:) I'm sure nobody else feels like this right;)

Well I decided there weren't enough updates on kid life and life in general between grade plays and basketball, piano and scouts and all the day to day things that keep us moving, growing and going we sure do keep busy... Kids are busy from day one aren't there but wouldn't have it any other way:)

 We've been basket balling like crazy... practices.... games and tournaments K has grown so much become assertive even game angry;) sometimes..... the fire in him is growing and he's pushing himself and practicing hard outside of practice because he wants it and is driven to try harder and I love that about him! Its so amazing to watch your children work hard and try hard and achieve little by little and step by step not only in this area but every area as they grow and thats what I love to see in my kids drive!

Grateful for great coaches who give their time and talents to these boys and do the best they can...

 foul shot boy..

Besides bball it was SO nice for a few days it felt like spring you could feel the sun and all the snow melted and we got OUTSIDE! K2 and I went on a few walks it was so so nice!

we had beautiful sunrises like these I got outside to run it was heavenly feeling so couped up and winter blueish lately it was a welcome change that is for sure!

 and just in case you wondered if M was still around:) crazy boy at heart! Love this kid! He keeps me on my toes well since he was born;)

 Little miss L does to but she runs when the camera comes out:( But she is loving getting ready for her grade 5 play and learning piano and a little babysitting in there too growing up way to fast:(

We had a surprise party for D's mom it was so fun and she was so surprised! Gonna miss them so much when they leave on their mission! {we also all got surprised when D's sister showed up from utah for the party talk about a double surprise when Grandma saw them too! So fun

Got to enjoy a beautiful warm walk around here on the same night so peaceful. heaven on earth:)

M e  t h i n k s

I read this quote this week and thought hard about it and had to read it a couple of times to fully understand it and its really true

"EVERY TRIAL IS JUST A HARD BLESSING"..

because lots of times we learn things about ourselves and what we can handle and what makes us stronger. I look at my family, my brothers and sisters, my in laws, my friends and people who are going through hard times.... really bad things sometimes. I see so many examples of
strength, faith and endurance that they've been through--some of the toughest trials out there. Some people feel sorry for themselves but for the most part people take what they are given and spend a lot of time on their knees, a lot of time searching asking why me even sometimes but enduring what they are given and through that give us all HOPE. Sometimes they are recipients of service which builds them up and those of us too with the opportunity to serve them.
Many blogs I read of people I've never met have touched my life in ways they will never know because of the faith they have had in the trials they are going through and what they are learning through all of it.
All I know for sure is that we have a loving Heavenly father who hears our prayers and sends others to help us, or teach us the things we need to learn. Or sends that one person at just the right time. We are watched over, protected and loved no matter how hard life is sometimes.
Life is a testing ground we aren't alone, and we aren't given anything we can't handle
He never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it. So I'll do all I can here and now. 

Because every trial is just a hard blessing.
True.
I think so.

Make it a beautiful week:)