Today I have been blessed with the opportunity to take stock of the good things in my life. It was a nasty, cold, snowy, windy day. But periodically throughout the day, the sun seemed determined to remind me that it hadn't given up on Spring!
Each time it struggled to break through the storm, the sun cast the mountains around me in beautiful contrasts of light and shadow. I couldn't help but be grateful for getting to live in such a beautiful place.
I had to pay bills today. As I did, I realized how blessed I was to be able to pay my bills. In these economic times, so many people can't.
I thought with more than a little trepidation about the surgery I am facing in May. Rather than dwell on my fears, I thought of the gift of modern medicine that allows this surgery to help prolong my life. Also, the fact that we have medical insurance to help defray what will surely be a major expense.
As I rushed around to pick up my kids and run the errands needed to care for my family, I realized how lucky I am that Kevin has the kind of job he does. Because of him and how hard he works to provide for our family, I can stay at home and be the mom. So many other women don't get the chance to do that. I am SO grateful!
Finally, we went to our dear friends' house for Family Home Evening. The Price family is awesome. Warren and Marnee have really done a great job teaching and raising their kids. Joseph gave a lesson for Family Home Evening; about the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and the "First Vision"
The lesson was simple, but the spirit was sweet. My faith and testimony were strengthened. The kids were profound in their genuine expressions of faith and testimony. Their faith bolstered mine.
This day ended with another example of Heavenly Father's "tender mercies" in my life and that of my family. We had a wonderful family night with great friends who made us feel welcome and included in their sweet family. We left with our stomachs and spirits filled and our hearts overflowing with fellowship, testimony and love. Thank you, SO much; Warren, Marnee, Joseph, Matthew, Hyrum, and Abby!
It's been an awesome Monday!
What a great way to start our week!
Monday, March 28, 2011
More Tender Mercies...
Friday, March 18, 2011
DUCK!!!!!
...-LINGS!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, here they are! The newest denizens of Happy Acres!
and why I won't let her sleep!
Welcome to Happy Acres
and life at the ZOO!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Precious Moments...
Sometimes it's the little things that happen each day that make that day exemplary. Tuesday night it was the discussion we had over dinner. It probably didn't seem like much to the kids, but the conversation presented many opportunities for Kev and I to teach our children correct principles...without making a big "teaching moment" out of it.
Tonight, after Kev and I put away the last of our clean laundry, Jackie popped into our room to "chat". Again, the conversation turned to topics that allowed us to reinforce correct principles without coming across too "preachy" or "heavy". I consider these moments some of Heavenly Father's "tender mercies"; where we are given the opportunity to guide our children without seeming too pushy about it. Jackie & Manda probably didn't notice too much, but Kevin and I both recognized Heavenly Father's hand in these "parenting-moments" in otherwise ordinary days.
Here's another "tender mercy" moment from the Webster-archives... A Sunday outing to Temple Square. The bag contains lunches that the girls made so they could give food to the homeless people in the area. 
In this picture, the girls are heading for a homeless man sitting next to the wall ahead of them. It's one of my favorite memories...
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mandy has had an eventful week...
After the final performance on "Closing-Night", the cast let off a little steam so the parents could take pictures...
(That's Amanda with Joe's little sister, Abby)But thanks to Joseph, the evening ended with a bang!
