Thankful

Today I am feeling so thankful. Thankful for life, family and friends. I value nothing in this life more than the people I love. I have always been blessed with such a wonderful close family. I am always so thankful when we get to spend time together. I know that loosing my Grandma has taken its toll on us all, but in the midst of our loss and grief I feel such a closeness. I never want to take for granted my loved ones. I love you all so dearly!!

These Words Are So Inspiring

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

My Big Birthday Surprise

Yes, this last Saturday I left my youthful twenties behind and joined the ranks of the thirties!!. I had been having so many mixed emotions about this birthday. Thirty to be honest has always sounded so old. No offense anyone, just something I have always thought. Well I feel the same, I look the same, and I had the best birthday ever to welcome in my new year. My husband is by far the most thoughtful guy, and boy did he pull a number on me. We started my day by doing some shopping and having lunch. He then asked if I would like to go to Harris Ranch for dinner and stay the night. It sounded great to me, although I was a little disappointed because I had mentioned I didn't care what we did for my birthday as long as my family was with me. We flew to Harris Ranch and I was greeted with Roses when we landed which was the sweetest. We then were able to relax a little before our reservation at 6:15. Well when Jay opened the door to a private room, everyone yelled surprise!!! Surprised was an understatement. I was in shock. There set all of my beautiful family and some of my closest friends. I was in tears!!!! I couldn't believe it. We had a wonderful meal and had a blast celebrating my day. It could not have been better. I am so blessed to have the best husband in the world, an awesome family and friends that have never left my side. Here's to the next thirty may they be as wonderful as the last thirty have been.

Camp

This past week we returned from Jr. Camp in Santa Maria. What an amazing time we had!! The theme of the camp was "ichooose". We had such a great time with our friends and family and enjoyed great church with preaching by Bro. Jason West. I truly believe that lives were changed!!! Madison received the Holy Ghost for the very first time, and what a precious moment watching her receive her gift. Thank you Sis. Parkey!! I am so thankful that I got to be a part of such an awesome time for our kids. I pray that God gives them all the courage to make that choice and gives them the strength to stand up for what they believe in! I CHOOSE to be a Christian!!!