Beauty & Blessings

 I feel so lucky to live by SO many beautiful places!

 I hadn't taken the kids to the Botanical Gardens all summer and I knew the flowers were in full bloom so we went for a perfect little walk.

 Can't help but snap a shot of 2 of my cuties! Wish it would have been 5 cute girls in this picture.

 My Baby walking with her backpack! :O)

Isn't she SO stinkin' CUTE!!!!

 Joey and I made bracelets from willow bark and added flowers, and then we raced them in the river. I love watching the kids get SO excited as they cheered their "floaters" on. :O)

 (Look at that clean face...who is this guy?)

Poor daddy's allergies almost killed him with all those flowers.

I love being with my kids.  When I look at this picture I am reminded of how blessed I am for Brian working so hard not only to provide for me but for his girls at their moms.  He really is a wonderful example to me of diligence and hard work. Regardless of the constant stress it must bring upon him, he doesn't complain he just tries to follow The Proclamation to the Family.  And he is quick to remind me of that when I find myself complaining.

I know the Lord blesses us and our home for his righteous acts as a Father.

It's nice to stop and see my blessing rather than focusing my energy on the unimportant. :O)

What matters most.....

     I have a testimony. A testimony that is shaped and shifted constanly, and that grows daily in my struggle to be better. The past 6 months have been so hard and a test which I failed so many times. But I am grateful to have been awakened to my weakness and ask the Lord for His forgiveness and strength to start fresh again.  Today as I listened to Elder Uchtdorfs talk "Of things that Matter Most." I was reminded of what I know and what I believe as he challenged to "...evaluate our OWN lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from a more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be reopened & we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life."  I lose sight daily of what I know I should do by allowing influences/thoughts that are not from God into my life.  I focus on what someone else thinks, or what someone else is doing, and how they are wrong!  

       As I listened to his talk I heard someone shouted in my ear "OUR OWN LIVES."  Oh, my life! Well, why didn't you say so?  I do get so busy in being busy and comparing, judging and feeling not enough.  I am enough! I am strong! I am brave! I will fight. I will be humble and ask for forgiveness. I will love and be kind! I want a huge picture of  Christ writing in the sand speaking to the women taken in adultery, with the word "Go they way and sin no more."
 
      We all fall short, we all need His mercy and grace.  Utchdorf goes on to say "We would do well to slow down a little - focus on the significant - lift up our yes and truly see what matters most. ...diligently doing things that matter most will lead us to the Savior."

    It is my testimony that we have a kind and loving Savior. One who forgives again and again and again! I am grateful for that knowledge. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Julys Happiness (phone picts addition)

 We found a new water spot!

 4th of July with the Lundell Family

 The Zoo with my sweet friend Kendra!

 

Science Day with the Neighbors. SO much fun!!!

 Bowling with my stinkers! :O)

 Brian first Triathalon this year! He beat his times! So proud of my hubby!

 Feeding 10 baby puppies in Idaho with cousins! :O)

 Sleeping baby on Brother, so sweet! :O) I love my Babies!

 Idaho Falls Temple with Sharla & Mom...then LUNCH! yum!

 Mini Golf- date night with Beth.

 HOTT man on a bike- yes please!!!  We ended the month with going up to the damn on Gailens bike and cuddling on the beach till sunset. It was a perfect way to end our busy crazy full month!