Returning the girls (Laura story)

What a crazy roller coaster ride we have been on for the past 13 months. I canonestly say up to this point in my life his is the hardest thing I have ever experienced. But, I would do it again, in a heart beat. The lessons and experiences I have learned is so worth it.
The strength in the gospel is so tremendous. Moving day for the girls was amazing but hard. We celebrated Christmas with the, before we took the, back. We had a prompting to write them letters. We read them our letters, gave them a scrap book of heir life with us, said a prayer and loaded up. Yes tears were associated with this whole process, but so was an overwhelming peace. Christ had comforted us with peace at this time.
One overwhelming thought that came over me was it was time for me to let go. I at points of raising my children will have to let go and realize I have taught the, what I needed. I know I have done what I needed the ,sat 13 months and now needed to let go and put it in the lords hands. 

7 year house anniversary (Laura post)

7 years ago today we moved from Harrisville to our home in Farr West. I remember being worried and scared. I remember wondering if we would fit in and love the area like we did harrisville. I remember my cute 4 year old Max putting his head down and just crying the first day we went to church. He missed his old friends and worried no one would like him. I just cried, it broke my heart. Well I'm proud to say 7 years later he totally fits in. We have a loving neighborhood, amazing people to be with. We realize daily how blessed we are to live where we do and associate with the people we do.

Girls going home to their dad

The girls are getting ready to go home , but we are hoping their dad is ready for it. There are many things we know from this experience:
* we know the girls were suppose to be in our home
* we know for some reason the bowen family was suppose to meet the Sanchez family
* we may never know the full purpose behind all this but we know we were suppose to bring those two girls into our home for the last 13 months.
* I know my faith has tremendously been strengthened.
* I know I have faith in a Heavenly Father who knows me and trusts me and has a plan for me. He has lifted me through so many things so I know he is aware of me.
* I can honestly saw that every basic principle of the gospel has been strengthened. Susan as prayer, faith, scripture study, relying on the Holy Ghost and priesthood blessings. We have had to use all of these to help us get through our days.
The other day I had the boys list the blessings / lessons they learned. Max said that he has Learned to not even deal with girls while they are throwing a fit. Oh man does he realize this is a lesson he will need the rest of his life???
I can see Heavenly fathers hand in helping me cope with the girls leaving.  Two words have totally stuck in my mind- happy and capable. I was reminded the girls still have another chance to be happy even though we may not see it that way. Also capable, it is time for the dad to show what he is capable of.

faith- (Nelson story)

Today Nelson taught me a great lesson on faith. As always I pushed it more than I should have to get ready for church. I am sure I was trying to squeeze in accomplishing one more thing. As I was getting ready Nelson had come home From church with a migraine. He had a bad headache that morning, but headed out for meetings hoping he would be ok. He came home the worse he has ever felt. He couldn't stand the pain he was in. He laid down for 5-10 minutes and was convinced he was going to sacrament to support the primary program. I told him to just lay down because he looked miserable. I had asked the young men president to have the young men bring sacrament into him. But what do you know, 5 min after church he came walking in. I knodded my head a bit because of his stubbornness. But at that moment I had an overwhelming reminder of Gaithersburg. Reminder how my faith needs strengthened. I thought he should have just laid down and called it a day. Nelson was convinced to be a part of something and knew heaven,y Father would help him to accomplish it.

reaquanting with our neighbors - (Laura story)

On Monday nights we try to take treats to different people in the neighborhood. A few weeks ago I had felt a prompting to take treats and reaquant ourselves to the people who lived behind us.  It took me a time or two to follow through with that prompting. We made pumpkin cookies and headed over to the street behind us. We made a few stops then went to the Bushell's. I know John (the husband) but if I ran into his wife at the store I would not recognize she was my neighbor.
We knocked on their door and they let us in heir entry way. Lily jumped up in my arms next thing I knew she started barfing all over me. I started pushing my way out the door as she pukes all over the entry way, white carpet, front porch and driveway. We found ourselves standing outside completely covered in throw up. We couldn't jump in the car so we found ourselves walking home.
As I was washing the throw up out of my hair I was thinking what bad timing, and that the situation wasn't really ideal. But what do we do? I asked Nelson what we should do, can't really take treats to replace the throw up treats. I ended up calling and apologizing and having a fantastic talk with her. I decided this meeting couldn't have turned out any better. She in turn brought us a big bowl full of juicy apples and Carmel. We a few days later picked bushels of their apples for them and us as well. She in turn brought us a nice apple pie.
This mistake made our exchange greater than it would have been with just a plate of cookies. Grateful for that embarrassing moment and what we gained from it.

What a day - (Laura story)

Not sure what happened today, but the past few days have been super tough with lily. When she returns from her visits she is hard. She starts and ends her days with huge fits. Today I found myself in a downward spiral crying to Heavenly Father saying "I cant't do this anymore". I think in my frustration I was crying to the lord to take this from me and bare it for me.  I am often reminded many times that Christ bore a lot more than I am asked to bear.
While sitting outside the Brigham temple an hour after the fits I had an impression that heaven,y Father created and blessed us with so many beautiful things including the temple. Just as he does that, he also created us to be beautiful. We just have to take the opportunity to do something about it. To become the beautiful person we are meant to be through and with Christ.

10/12/2012- bodies
This weekend we were out of town to island park with our neighbors. Nelson and I went for a run together. I expressed my frustration with always having pain in my body. Nelson reinsured me that I keep figuring out it by bit and he strong,y felt I would continue to do so. In relief society our lesson was on the word of wisdom. The teacher stated...... we are all here to master our bodies no matter the challenge. I fell this applies to me especially where I have plenty to continue to figure out.

Heavenly Father has buoyed me up- Laura story

Today as I walked out my deep tissue massage I realized how blessed I truly am. I have gone to the doctor a number of times to figure out why I have so much pain. The last appointment I had he told me my back muscles are constantly spasming. I have been trying to keep it under control, but sometimes I can't. When I just can't that's when I need help. I go to a massage where they dig all the knots out of my back. It is rather painful and far from enjoyable. With the girls in our home, Nelson as bishop and stress in my sisters life, I have a lot going on.
Today I realized how much a loving Heavenly Father is aware of me how he has buoyed me up and giving me the strength to keep going. He has shown me many tender mercies.
I know my Heavenly Father knows and most of all loves me. He gives me no more than I can handle