Fine Finishes in 4-H at the Fair

This year we decided to put the kids in 4-H. I wasn't prepared for the amount of time and energy it would take on some days--but I wasn't expecting it to be so rewarding and fulfilling for the girls, either.

They worked hard for months on their projects. Melody grew a beautiful garden (those are her squash on top that earned first place!), painted some ceramic pieces, learned to sew and grew to love her 4-H group and their service projects.

Hali crocheted a blue ribbon beret (thanks to Grandma's guidance), sewed a skirt that took second place, learned to bake some wonderful cookies and biscuits and realized that there is more to life than basketball!

I was proud of their accomplishments and ribbons they won at the county fair. Hali's beret and Melody's sewing kit both took first place and were sent to the state fair. They each qualified and placed in the local Home Ec Skillathoon (Melody was the high point individual!) and went on to compete at a district level where they both brought home ribbons and Melody came home beaming with her High Point Individual medal she won at district as well!

It was so great to see them progressing in areas they never knew they were skilled at, and learning new things that will help them when they become adults. Definately it was a lot of work, but the payoff was worth it!

I Love to See the Temple

Hali turned 12 a few weeks ago and we thought it would be special and meaningful to take her to the temple to do some baptisms for family members.

The session was unique, especially since it was just her! It was a wonderful feeling to watch my eldest daughter turn her heart to her ancestors and perform a work for them they could no longer do themselves. There was a wonderful spirit of peace and love that filled the room and I know she felt it as well. I'm so blessed she is in my life and grateful to be her mother!

I hope that she will remember the advice and counsel given to her by one of the workers inside. "How wonderful that this is your first visit to the temple. Don't let it be your last."

It's Going to Be Fine

Thanks to the faith of a six-year-old little boy we found out a few weeks ago that Roman's prayed-for little brother is coming down from the universe to join our family in January.

Probably because my faith isn't as strong as a child's and certainly because of the experiences we've been through, it has been a nerve-racking ride up to this point with me wondering and worrying every step of the way. I've been so thankful for the daily prayers of my children for their growing baby sibling and their (growing) mother.

Things are finally beginning to change within me. More than just literally. We invited Melody to the ultrasound with us when we went. She was with me at the ultrasound with River when we found out he was gone and we wanted her to experience the joy of seeing a miracle at work. When we saw our little baby squirming and moving around, the light in her eyes was a memory worth sharing. Watching the little beating heart, the waving hands, the kicking feet--it was priceless. And even though ultrasounds can seem pretty commonplace for a family whose experienced so many, this one was especially remarkable for us.

There he was, our precious prayed-for baby boy. Alive. Awake. Amazing. All of my fear and pain and worry washed away in that moment. Looking at that little life inside of me, I knew right then and there that no matter what happened-- it was going to be just Fine.