My New Life

Easter Blessings

For some reason I felt inspired to share my blessings.  Not sure why, but I have had a few stressful weeks...as I'm sure everyone has.  And with all of my stress and complaining, I found a video clip on Mormon Messages that made me think about exactly how lucky I am and how grateful I am for the Atonement of Christ in my life.

I have found this year prayer and what a great and almighty power it is to have.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to talk with our Father in Heaven and let him know the righteous desires of our hearts.  We can turn to him when we need guidance and peace.  I have had to be on my knees several times this year and ask for help because I felt I needed him to guide me.  As a parent, this is a great friend to have on your side when we try to protect our children from the world and all of the enemies that try to come in and destroy the family unit. 

I am also grateful for the ability to repent.  There are days that can bring us down and all we can do is be negative.  The Lord doesn't want us to be unhappy.  He wants us to CHOOSE to be happy.  It is a choice and I have to keep telling myself that and just be happy.  We are after all his children and as any parent, he wants to see us getting the most out of life that we can and being the best that we can. 

During this Easter weekend, remember why we celebrate Easter.  It is because God's son gave his life for us so that we will one day live in His presence again.  And right up to the end of his life, Jesus was still on our side saying, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." 

Have a blessed Easter,
Shelly

Spring on the Prairie

Ahhh...March!  I have grown to love March since living in Minnesota.  I never used to because it was just a month that really wasn't that much closer to school being out or no spectacular holidays and days off to speak of, but out here....we treasure March!  Why you ask?  

This is the way it was LAST Easter!

Because when you have spent a good 6 months in the cold and have had as much snow as we did this year, you look forward to March.  We had 76.8 inches of snow this winter...so when the snow begins to melt...it's only a little at a time.  We don't see dirt until April.  Last year we had a fast thaw and major amounts of flooding.  This year it has been thawing slower and there aren't as many roads closed due to flooding.  Then comes the fantastic thunderstorms of April.  I love them!  The lightning is unmeasured out here when you can see the entire sky to the ground and can see where the lightning strikes down the road.  It is amazing!


Alot of fun has been going on here at the homestead the last couple of months too.  Jerry has accepted a transfer to a territory out in South Dakota.  He will be covering (is already covering) his new territory which means another move is on the horizon for our clan of Gypsies.  Yes, we are moving after the school year is out or soon after.  Don't ask if I'm happy about it yet though...I haven't decided yet.  I have a little too much going on to think that far ahead at the moment.  


Grace turned 8 in March.."It's Great to be 8!"  She had her birthday party at the local bowling alley and had an all girl party this year.  It was fun to see her with her buddies from school and watch them try and hold up bowling balls!  That was funny!.  Luckily there were bumpers on the lanes for them.  She had asked for another American Girl Doll for Christmas and the deal in our house is that you have to read the entire series of books about the doll to get the doll.  Well....that back fired on me.  She receive the Kit Kitteredge book set for Christmas and read it in the week of Christmas break.  She loves to read!  So she had to wait until her birthday to get the doll.  She was so excited and that makes 4 American Girl Dolls living in our house.  Dad is going to have to make a doll house soon with some nice closets for their clothes.  They have a great wardrobe.  Grace will also be getting baptized on the 30th of April from our close family friend McCall.  We can't wait for him and his mom to get here! It will be a great day to see friends and family we haven't seen in quite awhile.  

Sam finished up his basketball season and the team only had one loss the whole season.  They are an amazing group of young men with a huge amount of athletic talent.  Sam has been playing with the same group for a traveling team where they go to tournaments throughout the southwest region of Minnesota.  The first tourney they won in Worthington and today they came in third going up against schools that were twice their size.  It was a hard fought day for them and the refs didn't help out at all...but that is another topic for another day.  He has really improved his basketball skills tremendously and I am so proud of him.  

Katey had a concert in March and low and behold landed on the front page of the paper!  She was surprised when I texted her at school and told her.  She didn't believe me....LOL!  She is also going to Prom with one of her good friends.  She is so excited and so am I for her.  Prom is one of those rights of passage that you remember forever.  Especially the dress!  I am sure she will have a great time and guess what day it is on?  Yep!  April 30th.  Should be a busy day I would say.  

So when I get a few more minutes...rather than at 10:30 pm at night....I will tell you what Jerry and I have been up to more.  Right now I have made myself tired writing down all of my children's events.  It's no wonder I'm tired!  Oh! One more thing....I am now the second shortest in my house.  That is just not fair at all!  

Good night all.