Patience...a virtue I have yet to posess

Now that things are going in the right direction in my life, I find that my patience is constantly being tested. I was never a patient person to begin with, but now that I am really trying to be patient, I find this task VERY difficult at times. Like, for instance, I am driving in the car and there is a young girl next to me TEXTING while driving and almost sideswiping me. THIS is a test of my patience. I want so badly to lift that dreadful middle finger that I have not used for so long. I want to use all the horrible words that I use to use to get my point across that this is NOT okay. But I don't and it is hard. Instead, I smile and hold up my phone and mouth to her to STOP TEXTING ON THE ROAD.

Another for instance is when my kids are fighting and I feel I have successfully stopped the fight, spoken to them in a even level tone of voice (which is unheard of for me:) I feel I have resolved the situation just to turn around and see them hitting each other as soon as I turned my back. GRRRRR!! My patience, out the window.

Okay, I realize these are tiny situations that I am using but they are just examples of when I try to practice this new patience thing. I think it is so good to recognize our shortcomings and always be striving to better ourselves in any way. (did you notice how I tooted my own horn there:) hehe. Patience, I need you, come stay a while. :)

Busy, busy, busy!

Lately I have neglected my blog and have been super busy making the final touches on the yearbook for Kai's school. I've been at the school almost everyday this week taking pictures of new kids. It has been fun! I am also preparing for my Utah trip next Wednesday to go to General Conference and I am particularly excited to see Elder Gregory Schwitzer speak. He is on the Quorum of the Seventy and married Tyson and I. He also has lived in my in-laws ward for years and Tyson knows him very well. Tyson's dad and him also served a mission together in Germany. What a small world huh? Anyway, he is such a good man and he has been in Russia for a while so it will be good to see him at Conference.

Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer
We are celebrating Easter here one week early with the kids, so do not be surprised by early Easter pics I put up. I will not be home from Utah until next Sunday night, so I will miss Easter with my kids... I thought this would be a great weekend to pretend it is Easter. Will anyone be watching "The Ten Commandments" this year? I think I will make it our tradition. I hope everyone has a great weekend!! :)

The Queen doesn't fight

I was listening to Kai and Ashtyn play outside today and heard the following conversation;

Kai: "Ash, let's play cowboys and Indians. I'll be the cowboy and you be the Indian and we will fight each other."

Ashtyn: "No Kai, I am a Queen, and Queen's don't fight!"

Kai: "It's called cowboys versus Indians, not cowboys versus the Queen!!"

She bangs

This "bangin" new do is a big deal to me. I LOVE it! So, bare with me while I post a bunch of self pics..hehe:)

The Work and the Glory

I started reading "The Work and the Glory" a week ago and I CANNOT put these books down!! I am on volume 3 and I love these books so much. I am also reading the Doctrine and Covenants and I find it is a little more difficult to read than the Book of Mormon was. BUT.... now that I am reading The Work and the Glory, a lot of the events coincide with the scriptures and it makes it that much more interesting. I know some of the events and characters are fictional, I love the books.

Reading these books along with D&C has strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith so much. It hurts my heart to read all of the horrible things Joseph and Emma had to endure and all of their followers. What a good man Joseph was. I am so eternally grateful to him for the Restoration of the church, he went through so much heartache and so much pain. He is still mocked to this day and it is so sad. People can be so ignorant. Anyway, I have plenty more reading to do and I cannot wait to read all of them, but I think when I am finished I will be a little bit sad only because I love these books so much. Then, of course I have the movies afterwards! :)

School Days

I went to Kai's school today to take pictures for the yearbook. I was the MOST popular person at the school today (for the first time in my life:) and everyone wanted to get their pictures taken. I tried to explain that they all wouldn't be in the yearbook, but that did not matter. It was so fun! I ended up with 178 pics! YIKES!

Oh, what a night!!

This weekend was AMAZING!!! My in-laws drove into town Friday night from Salt Lake and were able to make it in time for me and Valerie to watch a movie and just enjoy each others company while everyone else was asleep. We love to just talk and laugh with each other. I am so grateful for our relationship as mother and daughter and also as friends. We stayed up so late and finally passed out around 2 AM.

Saturday, we all spent time with each other and then Val and I decided to leave the men with the kids and go to a movie, Remember Me with our beloved Robert Pattinson. Skip the movie, at least wait until DVD. :) While we were in the movie, our feet were sticking so badly to the floor, it was so gross. Tyson and I always go to that certain movie theater because it is so clean. Val and I were not going to let this go, so we pulled a manager aside after the movie and kindly told her that the floor was so sticky that our feet were literally stuck to the floor. We were just telling her so that they would know for the next showing, but, the woman was so sweet, she offered us free passes to come back and watch whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted! It was so great and so refreshing that she cared about our concern and she was so nice. So, we have a free movie for date night...whoo hoo!

Val and I drove home and on the way, decided to grab Ron a In n Out burger since he has never tried one. I guess in Utah, they only have 2 locations and the wait is hours long.

We came back home and were exhausted, so we just relaxed until it was time to go to dinner, then to my blessing. I got a babysitter and left to go to dinner at P.F. Changs, one of my favorite restaurants. The reality of everything really hit me on the way to dinner. I was sitting there in the backseat of the truck, feeling completely freaked out. I was so nervous.

We had a wonderful time at dinner, I just love my in-laws so very much. They are so loving and supportive and have always been there for me. It was so fun to spend time with them and have a fun night out with great food.
After dinner, I realized that I was about to get a personal blessing from my Heavenly Father and I really was freaking out. I think I felt a little unworthy of the blessing and I was scared.

We arrived to the Patriarchs home and it was such a peaceful home. As soon as we walked in, I asked to use the restroom, I mean, I was almost in full-on panic attack mode. I collected myself and joined the missionaries, my in-laws, and my handsome husband in their living room. The Patriarch spoke to us about Patriarchal blessings and he was so soft-spoken and humble, I just loved him right away.

The spirit in that room was so thick, it was almost tangible. I felt very sick though, before the blessing when he was talking to me and asking me questions. I was trying to hard to focus, but I was finding it hard to breathe and I was feeling dizzy and literally sick to my stomach. I had to stop him and excuse myself to the restroom again because I thought I would puke. I went into the bathroom and took deep breaths, I splashed water on my face and said a prayer, begging Heavenly Father to help me calm down. I prayed for peace and for the ability to get through my blessing and be able to be at ease and to retain the words which would be spoken to me. When I returned to the room, the Patriarch spoke to us about some more things pertaining to Patriarchal blessings and I appreciate everything he said. The fact that he took his time with me made me feel special even though I was begging him, in my mind, to stop talking and get on with the blessing. :)

Then, it was time. I sat down in the hot seat for my blessing. What followed was utterly beautiful. Words were spoken that absolutely blew me away and made me feel complete joy. My heart grew three sizes that night. It was specific and so incredible that words cannot describe and will never do it justice. I am so grateful for this experience. It will never be forgotten. It was much more than I had expected.

We left and we came home and Valerie and I shared some special things with each other. It was the perfect night and I cannot tell you what it did for my soul, my spirit, and my self worth. I love the gospel and all the blessings that come with it.

Eclipse!

YEsssss......The new Eclipse trailer!!

Dieting

So, I am just starting out on Day 5 of my HCG diet. I have lost 7 pounds as of this morning. It is hard though. 500 calories a day is not a lot of food. Do you realize how many food commercials are on TV?! It's maddening! I have 5 1/2 weeks left of this diet and I hope I can make it. I cannot wear any lotions or makeup with oil (or chapstick or lipgloss) and it is really restrictive. The drops taste like Vodka (EWWWW) and I cannot drink my beloved Diet Pepsi. I get light headed sometimes. BUT, it works, really, really great. I am 7 POUNDS LIGHTER IN 4 DAYS!! :) I will no longer bore you with my diet info on this blog, that is why I made my HCG Journey blog up on the top left corner of this blog. :)

Goals

As you all know, my cousin, Rochelle, and I have been reading the Book of Mormon. Although she lives in Oregon, we read together over the phone. If, for some reason, we cannot read on the phone or we are not both ready to read at the same time, we just text each other where we are at and the other catches up. Well, WE FINISHED READING LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! We started January 6th and finished at 1 AM last night, so technically, March 6th. Something we thought would take us 90 days, we did in 60.

We did not rush it, we were not trying to finish reading it faster than our goal, we just were SO into it. I mean, I prayed every night that I would be able to keep the desire to read because I was truly worried that it would fizzle out and I would lose all my motivation. That did not happen. I was so excited to read and so excited to find out what happened next. It was like when you cannot put the book down, last night was like that and when we finished reading, we both cried. We cried because we had reached our goal and it felt so good, we cried because it was over and it had been such a special experience for us both. I decided that it does not need to end, so we are starting Doctrine and Covenants soon. I need to learn about Joseph Smith, I know little about him. I have to share some of my favorite BOM stories.
In no particular order;
~ The story of Abinandi. I loved this story and it made me so sad to think of Abinadi standing up for what he believed in even when he was threatened with death by fire. It was an amazing example of courage and faith.
~ Samuel the Lamanite, another example of courage. When he stood upon that wall and tried to tell the wicked people that they needed to repent or witness the wrath of God. They tried to kill him with arrows and swords, but nothing could touch him because he was protected by God.
~ The brother of Jared, he had so much faith in the Lord, that he was able to see him in person. I want to know why they do not say his name though. I am sure there is some reason why they do not say his name.
~ King Benjamin and King Moroni were two of my favorite kings. They both lead by example and were such wonderful leaders.
~ Alma the younger, this man is a wonderful example of repentance and how no matter what negative place you are in your life, you can always repent and change things around for yourself and become a better person. Not just for your own sake, but for everyone around you.
I have learned that the gospel is such a positive thing to have in your life. It is all good, and all good things are of God. Nothing evil can come from God, just like nothing good can come from evil. God blessed us all to know right from wrong and if we just strive every day to live the commandments and to be like Christ, we will receive eternal life. That is the one thing I want more than anything, for me and for my family.
Thank you Rochelle for sharing this experience with me. Now, onto the Doctrine and Covenants... :)

3rd Nephi, Chapter 17

Right now, at this point in my life, I am going through a very spiritual and positive experience while reading the Book of Mormon and on my way to getting my Patriarchal Blessing next week. I have bigger goals set for after that, I just want to really get everything I can out of this experience. The last few posts have been details my feelings and my experience through this special time in my life. Thank you for your support and sweet comments. :)

Rochelle and I had am amazing experience last night. We were reading to each other aloud over the phone and we were reading through 3rd Nephi (AMAZING book) and I got to chapter 17. As I read through Chapter 17, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and of empathy for what I was reading. The spirit I felt last night with my cousin, who felt it to just listening over the phone, was indescribable. Something I will not soon, or ever, forget.

This chapter was when Jesus descended out of heaven and was speaking to the people. He said it was time for him to leave them and the people were sad because they wanted to stay in his presence. They did not want him to leave them. Jesus felt for them and asked them to bring forth their sick and afflicted, so he could heal them.



Then he asked for them to bring forth their little children, they all knelt before him and kissed his feet and washed his feet with their tears. Jesus then knelt to the ground with them and prayed to Heavenly Father things that cannot be written. This is my summary of the book, I loved it so much and was so totally affected by this chapter, that I wanted to post it because I am not doing it any justice at all. I am sure you can see why I was so emotional.

1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand.
2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.
4 But now I ago unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not clost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.
11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their alittle children should be brought.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.
13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.
14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.
19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And anow behold, my joy is full.
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.

Have an amazing day.

Book of Mormon stories that my teacher taught to me....

Are about the Lamanites in ancient history. Long ago their fathers came from far across the sea. Given this land, if they live, RIGHTEOUSLY!!!

I cannot get the song out of my head lately. My cousin, Rochelle, whom lives in Oregon, and I, have been reading the scriptures together for the past 2 months. We will call each other late at night when all the kids are in bed and we will take turns reading aloud to each other. Some nights when we can't be on the phone while readin (hubby sleeping) then we will set a goal for the night and we call each other the next day with our goal set and talk about what we read. This has seriously been the most fun thing to do, and it has brought my cousin and I, who are already the best of friends, even closer.
I was worried that my desire would fizzle out and I would have a really hard time keeping up with my goal, but my cousin is there when I feel blah and I am there when she feels blah. It works out wonderfully. I have fallen in love with this sacred book and I swear I eat of every story and I get SO into it. One night while I was reading out loud to Rochelle, I heard her husband say, "Hello Kylie" and I said hello, but then I was right back into reading Rochelle the book. I was so intensly into the story that after 1 hour of me reading to her, when we were finished, Jeremy told Rochelle that I was hard to break. Apparently the whole time I was reading, he was trying to mess me up by saying funny words into the phone and making annoying noises. I remember hearing something, but I ignored it and really got so much out of that night, we read 15 chapters and talked about it.
I guess my point is that I have prayed every night that I could keep the desire in my heart to read, and I have so far. I have looked forward to reading. I know that Rochelle and I will make our new goal set for March 13th. That date is very special to both of us because I am getting my Patriarchal blessing that day, and she is being sealed to her husband and 4 children the very same day. I think it is perfect timing.
This Sunday I am also going to talk to my bishop about going to the temple. I have faith that I will make it there sometime this year.
Another awesome blessing came. Rochelle was able to get 2 tickets to General Conference in Utah and asked me to meet her there and that we could stay at my Aunties house together and spend time with each other since we only get to do that once a year. I was positive I could not go, but the dates were exactly the dates that Kai was suppose to fly out to see his dad.
My ex mother-in-law booked my ticket along with Kais ticket to Utah on March 31st and home on April 4th. She understood how much it meant to me and she said it wasnt a big deal to do this. I know that I need to go to General Conference, I have never been before and I am so blessed to be able to go and I am noticing many small but very important blessings coming to me since I have changed my life around. My ex mom-in-law is also having Rochelle and I to her ranch in dueshesne to go horseback riding with her and to spend the day at teh ranch with Kai as well. It should be a great weekend.