Late night thoughts

It's almost 11 at night and I can't sleep. My mind is racing with thoughts of things I don't really have control over. Yet I find myself ready and willing to accept God's comfort for all the hardships life brings. The last couple of days have been eye opening. We found out on Tuesday that there are some major complications with our best friends Andi and Curtis' pregnancy. Since they are not quite sure what the diagnosis is yet I don't want to post any speculations. I just had to write down my thoughts and felt prompted to do so.

As soon as we found out that something was wrong with baby Addison, I found myself being chastised for worrying about my trivial little sorrows. The Spirit has opened Adam and I's perspective to a more eternal one. I feel his love constantly around me and I see evidence of it in the pure simple nature of a tree lined park. I sat there with Adam today eating lunch and discussing what has been on our minds, I could not help but feel that God's plan is in place and that He has many means by which he will bring about his purposes. I feel my faith in my Savior deepening as I try to put my sorrow for my friends in His hands. I know that I am just an outsider in this particular picture, a mere decoration in the background, but I absolutely love my friends and it hurts me to see them in pain. I would protect them from pain if I could. I find myself not knowing what I can do or how I can be useful through this hard time. As I sat down tonight I opened my Book of Mormon to 2 Nephi 9:21 which read And He (Christ) cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

God has a plan. Christ is the center of that plan. He knows us individually and sent Christ to suffer not only for our sins but also for our sorrows. Coming to him works. I know that to be true. I feel His comforting power even as I type. Nobody knows us better than He does. This life is not eternal, the next one is. The one where we walk with prophets of old. The one where our bodies are healed and we are no longer trapped by physical limitations. The life where we sit at our Saviors feet and can see Him in His glory as He teaches us through His love. The life where we embrace once again all of our loved ones. I feel almost anxious to be there, yet I am grateful for my time here.

God's plan is a wondrous one and I believe that as we come closer to him through reading His words and pondering them, He will be able to open our minds to better understand His eternal perspective.

Crazy Weekend

This weekend has been crazy. All of the family was up except my brother Adam and we had quite the party on Saturday. We went to this place in St. George called Jumpin' Jacks which is a huge jungle gym of sorts with blown up slides and obstacle courses for adults and kids too. It was so much fun. Adam and I even took baby Kevin down. I got a major slide burn on my arm, but I assure you it was worth it. At one point they turned out the lights and pumped up the music with the added affect of a strobe light. It was super hilarious to watch all my little nieces dancing around and even more entertaining was watching all of the adults trying to get their groove on. After the "bounce house" everyone tried to take naps... but Kevin was not interested. I helped prepare food for our BBQ later while Adam manned Kevin, then we all headed over to Travis' Stake Center for his baptism. For those of you who don't know, my brother Travis was re-baptized on Saturday. He has worked so hard for it and we were all so proud and happy for him. It was a very spiritual occasion and you can definitely see the spirit surrounding him now.
The house got loud and crazy as everyone arrived for the family BBQ. There was SO much food I thought we would NEVER finish it, but lo and behold we scarffed it right on down. Things got even crazier in the pool when at one point someone counted 20 people in it. And of course you know that with that many people and half of them being "BOYS" someone had to get hurt. Kris was the "lucky" one to get that job done for us. He slipped while coming down the stairs by the pool and sliced his toe on the rocky ledge. There was blood everywhere and it was obvious he needed to see a doctor. Two hours later they were back from the hospital with news that he lacerated his tended to his big toe and needed to see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as he got home. He now sports a beautiful cripple boot and red bandages. We hope all heals fine and that he will be back to his normal self soon. The injury came right at the peak of his training for his 2ND iron man. Maybe, just maybe it's the Lord's way of saying take it easy. I don't know... but that's my theory. If you want to see pictures of the injury I am sure my sister will post some in a few days. ktlesueur.blogspot.com
Sunday was a blast as well even though Kevin still didn't want to take a nap. It was Andelyn's birthday and so we all got together again for dinner. Tony made meatballs for our spaghetti and it was DELICIOUS.
The weekend was great but I must say it is wonderful to be home again and back to the routine.

Crawling... well maybe

So today Kevin is 9 months old and I am just in shock. How can it be that I had this sweet baby that long ago. Yet I feel as if he has always been in our lives. I know now that his spirit and the spirit of the other children who will come into our home have been around since Adam and I were married. What a blessing it is to have the sealing power of the Temple in our lives. I still think of baby as a baby. Maybe it's because I call him that. But at 9 months I was wondering what he "should" be doing now. One of them is crawling. Which he is not doing, or at least I thought he wasn't, until my husband opened my eyes to the fact that he just crawls a little bit different than other children. So here is the video of how Kevin gets around, his version of "crawling" if you will. ENJOY!!

MOVING

Wow... It has been two weeks since I last wrote and I am just amazed at what has gone on in that time. Let's see... the monday after I wrote last, Adam and I closed on our house (twin home). Tuesday I came down to st. george for a quick visit to see my sister Tiersa who was up with a bunch of friends of hers. Wednesday I spent the day packing and then we moved that night. Ever since then we have been unpacking. I had no idea it would take that long to get everything out of boxes. We finished the last of the inside boxes just yesterday. But our house looks like a home now with pictures on the walls and clothes in the closets.
We went to our new ward on Sunday. It is amazing to me that no matter where you go to church the teachings are the same. I LOVE that about our true and living church. In Relief Society we were asked about experiences where we have just felt so grateful. I raised my hand (which subsequently woke Kevin up who was asleep in my arms... but it was worth it) and I told them about our moving experience. my brother Travis and nephew Kaden brought our washer and dryer up and carried them up the stiars without a dolly or any other form of help. When 5:30 came around, there were at least 12 Priesthood bretheren there to help us and they had everything moved to our new house within 3 hours (and we have a lot of stuff). So many others were willing to help as well. Sister Ashdown helped pack what I didn't have ready, two of my friends tag teamed Kevin so I could just work and my wonderful friend Renae brought pizza for everyone. It was an amazing experience. I truly am grateful for the help we recieved. To everyone who helped I want to say THANK YOU.

A long Post but worth the read

Sacrament was really wonderful today. Kevin was super tired and showing no signs of going to sleep as he played on my lap. I started to bounce him on my knee and about two minutes later I look down and his head was drooped to the side and his arms limp. He had not had a nap yet that morning and I really didn't want to ruin his chances of a good rest time so I decided I needed to go home and put him in his pack and play (we are in St. George at my parent's house). Then I had a prompting to wait at least until sacrament meeting was over and that all would work out with his nap.
The High Councilman, Brother Madsen, spoke about The Scriptures. He spoke about the amazing gift they are in our lives. We have them right in our homes to feast upon. They are the actual word of God. He spoke strongly of how scriptures have changed his life and of how blessed he feels because of them. Then he opened them up and unfolded amazing doctrine through an analogy. He read a passage in Alma 37: 38-47. It made so much sense to me. I will put a few exerpts in so you understand what it says.
our fathers called it a Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow;(or in other words there is another meaning also) for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. (if we forget to exercise oru faith and diligence in Christ because we see the scriptures as "small means" then we too will NOT travel in a directg course). For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, (so) shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live.
It is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass. His word... which will point you a straight course to eternal bliss, is so wonderfully provided in form of 5 standard works and also the Ensign and we hear it also each time we go to church. With the spirit I felt today I have a renewed sense of direction which I do not wish to let go because of the "easiness of the way".
I love the Lord and I need him in my life. I am so grateful that I stayed to hear such wonderful words spoken but a simple High Councilman who probably had no idea he touched my heart with such impact. I don't know about you but I am guessing that we all want to return to our Heavenly Father and we don't prefer a life of wandering aimlessly and never getting to our "Promised Land". I will use my "Liahona" (the scriptures) in order to have my rest in the next life.

Parent's Day

Adam and I played a couple of games yesterday with our friends Josh and Megan. As the day wound down Megan tried to reach her father to wish him a happy Father's Day and mention to him (on his answering machine) that she had written a little bittie about him on her blog. It got me thinking about my wonderful Dad and also My Mother.
Growing up I always loved to just talk with my parents. I saw how my brothers and sisters (not all of them) butted heads with them over rules and borrowing money and I knew that I wanted a good relationship with them where we could talk and I would be able to listen and take their counsel and apply it in my life.
That being said, I truly have come to know how good and honest my father is. I have come to see my mother as a kind, loving and giving woman. I see their relationship with one another as a happy, solid and nurturing one.
In watching my parents love the Lord, eachother, their kids and others (in that order), I see how I want my life to be. With that vision in mind since I was young, I married someone a lot like my Dad, I find mannerisms like my mother in my actions everyday, and I too have a solid, nurturing, communicative relationship with my wonderful husband.
I look at my life and I KNOW their will be challenges, but with all that I have I also KNOW that I can get through them with a smile on my face. I am who I am today because of the examples I have had in my life.
So Dad and Mom, even though I didn't get to see either of you on Father's or Mother's Day, I love you both with all of my heart and I want to thank you for all you have done for our family.

My little Adam

My little boy!!
I just have to post about my sweet little man. Espesially being Father's Day I just want to show off my cute little one who looks just like his Father. I sure am grateful for Adam in my life and that he helped bring sweet little Kevin to our Family.

Mom's Birthday Dinner at Ernesto's

Kevin LOVES his Grandpa Stuart.
It was my mom's birthday dinner so they came and sang to her in spanish and made her wear the sumbraro. Apparently it was quit heavy on her little head.
And you think my parents are so refined. Oh the pictures I could show you. (I have two blackmail worthy pictures of my dad with certain items of food up his nose)
They can be normal also!

Adam is 27!!!

Well it's been a while since I wrote partly because I am lazy, but mostly because this darn computer is in the office which doubles as the baby's room (hard to get workin' on the ol' blog when your baby is so active and wanting to be held). Soon that will be rectified since we are moving into a new house... our new house. (YEAH)
So first things first. Adam's birthday was on the 29th of May and I tried hard to make it special while being told I was not to buy him ANYTHING. I did my best with what little was allowed. It started the day before. I cleaned his car inside and out so that he could drive to work the next day with a clean shiny Prizm. The morning of his birthday I made his favorite morning meal... Breakfast Burritos. Schockingly he found a little version of his wife sitting beside him in his clean shiny car to remind him of my love for him and that my thoughts were with him throughout the day. Next I cleaned the house really well (he likes stuff like that, it helps him know I love him enough that I would go out of my way to make our home peacefully clean). Next I cleaned our "Family Car" and when I was done with that I brought him an icee and a doughnut at work. Lastly I made him tacos for dinner and had his friends over for DQ ice cream cake (if you were in attendance at our wedding you would know that it is our choice over regular cake anyday).
All in all it was a wonderful day and I am glad I am able to say once again that he is older than me. Just Kidding Babe.

TEEFERS

Baby now has 6 teeth either in already or coming in soon. I can't believe he is old enough for that. He sure is cute though.