Play time with Porter

Here's Belle trying to play with Porter. So cute.

Mother Eve

A couple of Sundays ago, Dave and I went to my sister's ward for church. In Relief Society, our lesson was about the Fall, but mostly centered on Eve. This morning, that lesson has been replaying in my head, and I am feeling nothing but gratitude for Eve and her courage and faith.

During the lesson, many of the sisters in the ward were asking questions and making comments about Eve's decision to partake of the fruit. I'll admit, that as that discussion took place, a bit of frustration grew within me. I feel that too often, and especially in the Christian world, Eve and her decision to partake of the fruit are misunderstood.

I feel that in most depictions, Eve as portrayed as a naive woman who unknowingly ate of the forbidden fruit simply because she was "beguiled" by the serpent. Yet, I feel that Eve was a much wiser and much stronger woman than many people see. I do not think that God's work and glory was started by a woman who naively followed the temptation of a serpent.

I believe that Eve was as so many other women in this world -- she was smart, strong, faithful, and willing to do anything for her God and her family. As a woman, she was already a mother with the instincts of one. I believe when she partook of that fruit, she knew what she was doing and why she was doing it. She understood her divine calling to be a mother, and that the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth was the greater commandment. She understood her purpose in God's eternal plan and she expressed great courage in making sure she fulfilled her divine calling.

Just as we are all indebted to our mothers, we are indebted to Eve for her great sacrifices in moving the plan of our Heavenly Father forward.

Happy 60th!

Yesterday was Dave's step-dad's 60th birthday. Although a day late, we had a surprise party for him and most of his kids, step-kids, and grandkids, all came to Blanding to celebrate. It was a special gathering as Steve is an incredible father, step-father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Devon and Storm did a great job of planning the surprise and putting together a video of pictures of Steve and his family. It was good to be with family today and to feel the strength and love of the "BS Ranch."


Dave and Belle waiting to surprise Steve:



Steve arriving to his big surprise (just after getting out of the hospital for knee surgery):


The family all gathered together watching the video. (This is only part of the big bunch.)


Cute little Belle having fun in the rope swing in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard.

i LOVE this girl

Lemonade

I think we all know the old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Well, I think I have officially tasted some lemonade today.

It's not that life has been full of trials and tribulations lately; we have definitely experienced harder times during our married life. However, it also has not been the ideal situation for us, and of course there has been a lot of wanting and wishing for more or different. It is not always easy to have me working full time and Dave going to school. There are many days (and sometimes multiple times a day) that I wish I could be at home with my cute Belle, and Dave wishes he could be out working bringing in the big bucks (or really any bucks). Of course, that's just not the way life is right now, and we know we are where we need to be for the moment even if it is hard at times.

Along with the difficulties of our situation, we have also seen huge blessings. One of the biggest blessings that I feel we have received and of which I have tasted today, is the growing bond between Dave and his baby Belle. Dave has had the privilege of staying at home with our cute girl while he is attending school full time. It has been incredible for me to watch his love for her grow and the connection that has developed between them. Not all dads are lucky enough to have an opportunity to spend so much time with their children. So we consider ourselves truly lucky that he is getting this time with her and creating a special bond that will hopefully carry on throughout our lives.

It is a blessing for them, but also a blessing for me to watch their bond and to see Dave's love for Belle grow every day. I feel truly lucky to have such an incredible husband and lovable daughter. I could not ask for more.

Within a week

Copays for Doctor's visits:
$75.00
Prescriptions for everything:
$200.00
Gas to and from Doctor's offices and pharmacy:
$10.00
Bills to come to go toward deductible:
$$$ Who knows? I don't want to...
Having a healthy, happy family:
Priceless (I think???) :)



We might be poor, but by golly, we are on our way to being healthy.
Who knew so many problems could be had by 3 mostly healthy people?

Some Videos

I finally downloaded (or uploaded - I'm not sure what the difference is) all my pictures and videos from my cell phone. I had lots of fun looking through these and was amazed at how much Belle has changed and grown (sigh). I thought I'd just share some of these with you.




And she grows .....




... and she continues to break my heart as she gets bigger....




She's now almost 7 months old! Guess I better start recording some more videos.

Is she not the cutest baby you have ever seen?!!!