Homeless Shelter

Last Year in November we decided we wanted to give back to the community. One way we decided to do this was by serving dinner at the Lantern house.  This is a facility that houses homeless individuals and helps them get back on their feet.  The girls when they lived with their Birth mom had been and lived in the homeless shelter.  We felt this was on thing we could do to serve and give back.  For the past year we have gone 1-2 times a month on Monday nights.  We invite a different family with us to go each time to have the same experience we are able to have.  It is something we have really enjoyed doing together as a family this past year.  So grateful we have been able to do it.
 
Passion and Asher with some of their friends

Our Family








Me, My Mom & Brandt


Our family with the Dixon family

General Conference

If it was up to me I would just stay home and watch General Conference in the comforts of my home. Lucky for us, Asher is always wanting to go down and be in the Conference center. He encourages us often to go be apart of it.  I am so grateful he does. I always seem to get more out of and love being surrounded by all the people.  My all time favorite is the picture below that Nelson captured of Max helping Lily see the prophet as he came in.  Watching the kids see the prophet is one of my favorite things in the whole world.
  

my summer with shingles

This summer wasn't much different than any other. It was busy,crazy and we had tons going on. I was in charge of a 3 stake daughters of faith camp. But, other than that it wasn't any crazier than normal. I had just gotten back from girls camp at the Heber valley camp and noticed bumps on my face and on my right ribs. I didn't think anything of it, just thought I had a rash. I been went to the doctors a few days after but didn't say anything, as it was just a rash. I even did a spartan race and didn't think anything of it (although I didn't feel good during it).
A week later things just were not changing so I texted nelsons brother. He put me on medicine for poison ivy. During this time I felt horrible- super bad headaches, no energy and just felt like I had the flu all the time. I definitely didn't have time to rest but didn't know how to handle it. I decided to just move forward and push myself even though I didn't feel good to do so.
I have struggled not feeling good for years so I knew how to handle this. Some of the amazing things that I learn each time is:
- that Heavenly Father is very mindful of me
- He never gives me something I can't handle
- I often have to say Heavenly Father I'm going to move now and I need your help. I'm putting all my faith in you. If it means I have to crawl to move I will. I have learned that I have to put my trust in him and do my part to move.
- I am truly blessed
-the truthfulness of the gospel and a loving Heavenly Father is what always gets me through.
It's been 7 weeks now and I still don't feel my best, but would never trade this experience. I learn so much more from it and become a much stronger person (alothough I sure hope it doesn't happen again).

Recommitment to journaling

At Lily's field trip to the tree house museum the other day I was sharing our story of adoption to a lady. He said one comment to me that really hit me . She said regarding the adoption , I sure hope you have written all this down.  To be honest with you haven't written any of it down. I am so grateful for this ladies comments and helping me feel the need of journaling.  There are so many learning activities and experience s that I truly need to be writing down. The last time I wrote a thing is April of 2013 (3.5 years behind). I will be going back and adding all that I can so I truly have a better record 😀.