Counting my blessings

If you know me personally or you are a regular reader, then you will know that my outlook on like is naturally and typically pretty positive. If you read my last post, quite some time ago now, than you may have been sorry for the sad edge to it. Lately it has been a pretty difficult for me to be real positive. Sometimes life is just that way, we feel bogged down, overdriven, and quite burned out. I'm experiencing this right now. These are the times that are the most important in finding the light ahead to pull us through. I haven't been seeing that light. It's a hard thing when the rain is falling the majority of the time and the clouds are covering the sun 97-100% of the day. My husband helped me to realize a long time ago that these are the times we need to have something to look forward to. Whether it be arranging a date with a friend or husband, planning a family trip, having a weekend getaway...what have you. For the last few weeks I have struggled to keep my head above water and have pushed myself to accomplish the things I know need to be done. It isn't an easy task, but is well worth it in the end. I'm grateful for a husband with great insight and an understanding that we need to simply find the joys in life to look forward to.

                    So I thank the Lord for my blessings. Each and every one of them. Every day.

Gift from Heaven

It's so important to talk to other moms. To know that you aren't alone in your experiences. Throughout the years of being a mom there are constant cycles that seem to keep flowing through, whether you like them or not. There are the times when life is busy, and then it's okay, then it's slow, then all of a sudden it's busy again. During these times we can get so burned out and yes, even a touch of depression. But what I'm finding is that no matter what, we aren't alone. Not only is there the Savior that understands, and yes we can receive strength and comfort by knowing this, 

photo found HERE

but also, he comforts us by other people.

It's not by accident that there are different prominent people in your life at different times. How thankful I am that the Lord is mindful of us and knows who we need, when we need them. Often times, if it were up to us, we wouldn't know who these people might be. It is a comforting thing to know that even when you are feeling low, you can always know that others are experiencing those same feelings. 

                                                       Photo found HERE
I'm grateful to have found so many wonderful people in my life. It is the blessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ has given to me...and many other moms like me. 

Light in the Storm

There are periods in my life where I feel burnout and realize that the natural me is hidden somewhere inside, but burried so deeply that I struggle to know that person again. These spurts can be short lived, or they can be long lasting. Usually they don't last long and the joys are easily felt and over ride the turmoil that was causing distress.

But for me, this has lasted a lot longer than normal and I have realized there is a need for change. When I started to evaluate the course of my life and what has been causing displeasure and even heavy mood swings, I came to realize how much more important it is to find the blessings in life. However small they may be, they are there. And in doing so, I'm able to see how truly merciful a loving Father in Heaven really is. It makes me grateful for all the great blessings of people I'm surrounded by.

This is Father's greatest blessing to me. He has given me amazing people who can listen, teach, and love me. Who give me an opportunity to serve and find joy in many ways I never dreamed were possible. The light in the storm.

We could use some Sunshine!

Growing up I was taught to love the rain. After reading my Grammy's life story, I understood where it all started. Her love for the rain rubbed off on my Mom and then on us children. There was never anything more thrilling to me than a good lightning and thunder storm. Being raised where I was, this was always a rare delight. The smells of the promise of moisture in the air and the promise of wet on a thirsty earth, was truly something exciting and enjoyable. I have memories of sitting on our covered porch swing, watching the storm and loving every minute. Though I have wonderful memories of the rain, I haven't always loved it so much living in Eugene. In a place that rains more often than sun is shone has brought about a brand new perspective on my view of the rain. It can get so heavy and foggy and go on for so many days in a row, that people actually have to take supplemental vitamin D to make up for the loss of what being in the sunshine offers. If you aren't careful and have your days planned out, it can get rather dreary and difficult to keep your spirits up.

This is one of those days. The rain has been coming down since I became aware that it was morning and the house was still dark. My dismal day all started at 1:30 in the morning when I woke to 3 children sandwiching me in bed and my husband having been called in to work late and working till then. By 3:30 and two hours of no success in finding any rest, I got up, did the dishes, caught up on laundry, including ironing, and mending as well...something that isn't common to get to around here. When time for the older children to go to school rolled around, I found myself ready for a nap. That wasn't very successful either. How do you pass the time when you know you have all your younger children out of school for the day, and know that they will demand things and want you to help them with every blessed thing they need throughout the day, while you are left without any energy? I have none. It makes me feel like the worst person in the world.

(Photo found here) 

 So although I do love a good summer desert rain, I could use a LOT more 

SUNSHINE! 

Halloween

Just wanted to share a few pix of our Halloween before out Thanksgiving and Christmas! 

Justin's outfit was my favorite to put together this year. 

I got his leather (vinyl) coat at our local thrift shop, trimmed the sleaves to fit, and sewed them up.

He's the Lone Ranger. Yes I know his hat should be white, but we did what we could, m-kay?!

He enjoyed the night with our neighbor with hamburgers for dinner, school Halloween party, and trick-or-treating. He made off with a killing of candy! (get it? haha!)

                                                              Here are the 4 Musketeers. Yep, 4. These kids Pal around together non-stop when able to, and it was no different Halloween night. They enjoyed trick-or-treating with each other led by their friend's mom. 

(sorry for the blurry photos...issues with the camera AGAIN. Need me a new one. *sigh*)

                                           Alyssa was a beautiful Princess Fairy

              Amy was a darling witch. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she was a good witch.

Michael was a brain surgeon. I know, YUCK! What isn't shown is the heart he's carrying in pocket. Eeek!

                           Jeremy was a Karate Master. He shared some pretty amazing moves!

After going out for a couple hours, the boys came back and changed into Ninja costumes and shared their skills with one another.

                                 Alyssa and Amy enjoyed going through their candy and trading. This brings back so many memories from my childhood days. I have fond ones of trick or treating with my dad and sharing with my brothers and sisters. My mom always made our costumes so great. 

Alyssa taking a rest after changing into her pajamas.

                                                             Michael gave Justin a candy burial...

                             I think he thought he'd died and gone to heaven. (hehe! I made that one up myself.)

Tyler spent the night studying and watching a movie, and Steve was out of town at a class. 

That leaves me. Scarecrow Mom. 

With a nice night off, I enjoyed passing out candy to trick-or-treaters and watching Man of Steel. 

It was a GREAT Halloween! 

Austen Fans

For those of you who don't know, I'm a hopeless Jane Austen fan. I love the time period, the stories, the romance, the hopelessly smitten love and the main plots to all of Jane Austen's novels. I have read most of them and seen as many of the movies as possible, in a variety of each version. I just finished the last book she wrote, but never completed, called Sanditon. It was finished by another, and, I might add, very well done!

source

Being the Jane Austen fan that I am, and a part of a wonderful book group, we recently read the novel "Austenland". 

Source

It was hilarious and fun in a degree only an Austen fan can fully appreciate. So you can imagine our delight when my friends and I found out that the movie had come out! 

I went with a long time friend, fellow Austen lover, and book group member. 

We laughed until we were almost literally in stitches!

  

Source

If you haven't seen it, you must! You'll be glad you did. 

Snow Days

5 Days ago we got snow.

To people that live in colder climates, that doesn't mean anything unusual. But here where we live in Eugene, Oregon, it's a rare deal. So they say.

 When we first moved here 9 years ago, the real estate agent told us that we wouldn't see much snow because it was so rare. It's snowed every year since we've been here. Granted it isn't a large amount, and when it snows, all the schools close and buses don't run. They just don't have the equipment for it. For the first couple years this would upset our older boys, being from Spokane WA and Utah. They were disappointed at how once the sun came out, all would be melted by mid afternoon if not, mid-morning, and they missed school that they knew they'd have to make up later.

 This time, however, we have gotten so much snow, that the buses can't run and many churches have canceled their services.

Everything is capped in white and the the temperatures are making no promises of rising above freezing real soon, leaving a layer of ice on the roads.

School has been delayed giving the children time to play and enjoy sledding, tubing, and hitching. Our neighbor across the street even took them snowmobiling (They frequently visit their family in Montana). 

                                                   We received 8 inches of snow in total.

                                                  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!