To which I am grateful for...

On our drive back home tonight, I was thinking of all the things I am grateful for.

After so many years of crushes, dates, sappy chick flicks, crying, impatience, praying & hoping, I am so truly grateful to have a good man by my side. He is everything I could have hoped to find in a good partner. I appreciate his patience. God knew I would need a man with an endless supply of love & patience. Levi makes my life more rich and exciting. I am so deeply blessed.

I am thankful that my relationship with my parents has improved, especially with my Mom. It's nice to be able to communicate well.

I'm blessed with a good sister (a.k.a. Ex Sister-in-Law) who loves and cares for my Dad. I'm thankful I can turn to her when it comes to my Dad's medical history and she's willing to assist in anyway possible. It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in this experience.

Man, am I grateful for Buzz. When I met him and his wife Reed 11 years ago, I didn't know how deep they would be ingrained in my heart. They are two of the best people to come into the life of my family. In fact, they are family! They have done so much for me and every single person in my family. They are the salt of the earth. Tonight, when I called Buzz, who was out to dinner with his family & his brothers' families, he said that he & his brothers would rush right over to help give my Dad a Priesthood blessing. The way they came in and encircled my Dad with love and friendship was truly beautiful. They love my Dad and it was witnessed in the words of the blessing.

I am thankful for my Dad. I don't think I'll ever be able to adequately express how much he and my Mom have done for me.  But my Dad, he's taught me everything I know about service. He's an honest man. There's no BS with him, he's a straight shooter and you'll know exactly where you stand with him. He's definitely one of a kind. Sometimes I see a little bit more of him in me and that makes me all the more grateful.

I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has placed people in my life to buoy me up when the waves of life get to be too much. He has truly blessed me with a circle of angels. 

Parenting.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about parenting....

This past Saturday, I watched the 4 Buzz kids. Oh I love those kids to pieces! I've known each of them since they were born and I love them so much because I love their parents dearly.  It's been a wonderful blessing watching Reed & JJ develop into the parents that they are today.  I take a lot of mental notes of what type of parent I hope to be, someday.  I learn a lot from my sister, as well.  She's amazing and I hope to be a mother just like her.
Earlier this year, as I was sitting in Stake Conference (church) I watched my friend Jude deal with her [youngest] toddler son who couldn't sit still.  Jude stood up multiple times, to retrieve her son from the doorway of the cultural hall.  He obviously didn't want to sit down, but there she was, standing up, yet again, to pull him back to his seat.  This went on for close to an hour.  Her husband and 4 older kids, sat contently, listening to the speakers.  I watched in amazement of how she never lost her cool.  How do parents do it?  I was amazed because I'm pretty sure that this is what she goes through every Sunday, just so her young kids can attend church.  How do parents do it? How do they have the patience to train their kids to sit still [and quiet] for church?  It made me think of a blog post, from a few years back, when I was bothered by the noisy children of a [family] ward/congregation.  I was VERY short sighted and quick to judge.  I have a greater admiration and respect for those parents who do their very best to train their young children to sit for an hour, in Sacrament meeting.  I can never pass judgement, again.  To my friend Christin, I apologize for not truly understanding the challenges of hands-on parenting.  It really isn't as easy as it looks, I know this, but I forgot when I passed judgement on the noisy kids in church.  That is not an easy job....but I am sure it is well worth it.  Someday, I'll come to know the blessings (and challenges) of being a parent.
On Monday, I attended the funeral of my friends' infant son, Noah.  He was six months old and passed away due to serious heart complications.  I've never attended the funeral of a baby or child.  It was unlike anything I had ever witnessed.  Just before the funeral started,  Noah's parents walked in.  I was expecting Noah's casket to be carried in by pall bearers, just like any other funeral I've attended. However, what I witnessed was something unlike anything I've ever seen in my life.  Patrick, Noah's father, dutifully and very carefully, carried in his son's casket.  Dani, Noah's mother & Patrick's wife, walked behind him.  There was a reverent silence in the chapel.  It's was a beautiful and heart wrenching scene that had unfolded in front of all of our eyes.  My heart hurt for Patrick and Dani, at their young tender age they were already burying their first baby.  They were no longer the young adults I had once known, because they grew up immensely during these last six months.  I marveled at their strength and the unity they shared during this most difficult time.  Watching Patrick carry his baby son's casket, with a good woman behind him, has made a deep impression upon my heart.  
I don't know when I'll become a parent, but I look forward to it, with all of my heart. I admire my friends who are such great parents to their children.  I know it won't be easy and there will probably be challenging times, but I cannot wait.  It's something I've wanted for such a long, long time.

Noah's two aunts sang this song and their version (not this video) was so beautiful. 

 I just wanted to share this beautiful song. 

Just the day I needed!

Today was just the Sunday I needed. 

I decided to go to my ol' YSA ward today because I didn't feel like driving 20 miles to church.  Sometimes that gets a little old.  Besides, I just wanted to feel the goodness of having dear friends nearby.  I got to see and hold BabyChleo, who's no longer a baby anymore :( She's so big and sadly, she's kinda forgotten me.  Major bummer! Yet another reason I miss going to CVYSA ward!  
I'm just so glad I was able to come across so many old friends that I love dearly.  They all mean so much to me and just seeing them all, and receiving so many smiles, hugs and warm greetings were tender mercies sent from above.  
The talks in Sacrament meeting were exactly what I needed to hear.  They were uplifting and made me ponder a lot about what I need to change in my life.  From one of the talks, I liked what he had to share...

*You can do whatever you want, as long as:

1. You have a plan.

2. You show your work.

3. You take responsibility.  

It's simple and I LOVE simplicity, but he applied that to all things in life.  Phenomenal! I love it!  I need to start living that way.  
Being amongst the Relief Society sisters was a joy! Oh how I miss serving in Relief Society!  I think I loved serving in that calling just as much as I loved being a missionary. My friend taught the lesson and gave a fantastic analogy for sharing the gospel.  
Afterwards, I hung out with some friends and it was just so good to be amongst friends....people who know me, who just get me and just all around like me.  Man, it was great!  I also received great news about going back to school in September. Oh man, it was out of the blue and I'm stoked for the opportunity!!!  
On the way home, I stopped in to visit with the Buzz family.  They're some of my favorite people and favorite kids!! Oh how I love them so!!  Just being around their kids, I feel GOOD.  Their home is filled with goodness and love.  I love spending time with them! They are truly heaven sent friends, to me and my family.  We sure love them, a lot. 
After my VERY crazy day yesterday, today couldn't have been better.  In the afternoon, I got to spend some alone time down at the Coronado Ferry Landing....so blissfully sweet.  Today was definitely filled with tender mercy moments, and I couldn't be more grateful.