Tim and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary just two weeks ago and I have been thinking about all that has happened in that time. We have been so blessed and I am truly thankful for the life we have built with the help of Heavenly Father, because honestly it would be so different without Him. We have lived in five different places and three states, completed six college degrees between the two of us, bought a house, and have almost four children. It has been a crazy roller coaster the past six years but I wouldn't trade any of that time for a different life.
As I have been watching the children grow and change the past few months I can't help but realize how quickly time has gone by and continues to go. I find myself remembering random little things they used to do and say and it makes me so happy and sad at the same time. Each one of the children are so wonderful and give my life so much meaning and love. There are definitely bad days with a lot of meltdowns, tears, and yelling, but there are sooooo many amazing days that remind me of the love Heavenly Father has for me and for every one else. As I work and play with my little ones every single day I feel His love for me and for them. It is very discernible and I am grateful for those opportunities I receive to catch a glimpse of how my Father feels about me.
I struggle so often with feeling as though I am doing enough for my children but I know that as long as I do my best that He will be there to help me the rest of the way. It's wonderful knowing that we don't have to do any of it alone and that our Savior knows exactly how we are feeling. I am overwhelmed with gratitude at all the Savior has done for me in that I don't have to feel sad or stressed but can receive help to be strengthened in my efforts each day.
The time for this new baby of ours to arrive is growing so very close. I am less than a week away from my due date and I am so excited to see him. As the time gets ever closer I am being reminded more and more of how much I can be strengthened by the Lord. I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable but am truly trying to enjoy these moments of being pregnant with this little miracle. I am grateful for all of my children and the light they bring into our home. I am anxiously awaiting the added light we will have very soon.
Lately I have been trying to focus on teaching the children how to make our home a temple. I try to take each family night to teach them another lesson about how we treat one another, keep our toys and clothes picked up, or take care to speak nice things. I talk to them about how these are all things that Heavenly Father and Jesus have asked us to do and that it makes them so happy when we follow them. I try to tie in some scripture story and we sing songs that have the same theme. Then I relate all of this back to making our home a temple. It's a good reminder to me as well of what I can be doing to improve. I am loving this theme but it is definitely difficult when every family night ends up being loud and crazy. Right now, I'm focusing more on the fact that at least we have the consistency and some family nights are actually really nice and I feel like the children are listening, even if just a little bit.
I have had so many emotions and thoughts lately that I wanted to share just a small portion of it all on the blog before life gets away from me again and I forget to take the time to record some of these little things. I am grateful for the journals I have kept in the past and what it has allowed me to remember that I otherwise would have forgotten. I was much better at journal writing when Tim and I first met and I can honestly say that I am so glad I have those first days of knowing each other at EFY recorded.
I want to end this blog post by saying how grateful I am for my family and friends. I am especially grateful for Timmy and all that he does to take care of me and the children. We are truly blessed and I am completely amazed by the direction our life together has gone. We have been led and directed by the Lord to be where we are at this time and we are so thankful for the people He has surrounded us with. We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members. I am so excited for this new year and all that will come along our way, especially our new little baby boy who will be here any day!
Listening to Grandma Cathy read them a story.
First Sunday of the new year.
Santa picture...without any crying!
38 weeks and 3 days pregnant!
