The past three and half years while in Milwaukee there have been so many memories that have etched their way deep into my heart. There are numerous of these moments that happen with my children as I stay home with them but outside of that there was the first Relief Society Stake meeting where Jenni, Carolyn, Abby, Kim and I ended up home in tears as we talked about how we met and married the men we did, the times I gave birth to my sweet boys and then received meals and help with my other children, the time Katie took Dax when I just had Lucas so Greg and I could spend a little time with our new baby at the hospital, the time Abby took my kids for me until Greg got home because I had bladder spasms so bad I couldn't hold my baby, the time Jenni showed up to say "I'm sorry" and Micah brought a meal because she felt like she had to when I found out there were possible problems with my baby, the time Amber took my kids all day and said they were "good" when I had to sit in the ER because I was dehydrated, the time Greg told me that he was going to schedule an appointment to find out why I had hematuria, the time Greg told me that he was really worried about what might be wrong with me and didn't want to to lose me, the time we found out that there was nothing wrong with our baby, the times I looked back and realized the Lord's hand in our lives, and the time we decided we were (are) going to Burlington, Iowa for two years.

Last night I had another couple of those moments that. . . . . that I hope I n e v e r forget . . . .

Greg's Senior Ball. (thanks to the Ogilvies for watching our three kids so we could go)

All us "mormons" as everyone called us, sat around one of the many tables and played a little black jack for fun with no money at stake (I don't know why but this was a moment for me), ate some good food, had one too many non-alcoholic Shirley Temples and visited with our good good friends (another moment)

Katie, Sara and Stephanie

As we were getting ready to leave Greg introduced me to one of the doctors that he is very fond of. I don't know that this man will ever know how much that moment affected me as I saw how fond and impressed he was of my husband. Just everything about those 10 seconds keeps replaying itself back in my mind making me love my husband just a little bit more. Sometimes I wonder what people think of me, what people think of Greg. There was no question last night what this doctor thinks of my husband. It is a moment I hope I never forget.

Greg and I were devastated 3 weeks ago to find out that we were wait-listed at the AEGD program in Pocatello, Idaho. We had received so many promptings reinforcing that decision to apply and that we would get in.

This verse from the Book of Mormon comes to mind: “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance”. Elder David A. Bednar said this about tender mercies, "I believe...the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ". For the past 3 weeks His tender mercies for us have been peace, strength and comfort to know that things will work out.
Elder Bednar also said this, "We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

We are catching glimpses of other tender mercies that the Lord has in store for us concerning our future and how grateful we are that Heavenly Father can see the big picture and knows what's best for us. We believe that one of the reasons we felt so impressed to apply to the AEGD was to help us consider options now that we never would have considered now. We are excited and anxious for our future and are grateful for the constancy of tender mercies in our every day lives.

Often times I get these big ideas that I need to run to the store or the mall for something. Today I talked myself right out of that idea and ended up enjoying my time with my kids.

This is one of their favorite things to do inside. All you need is a little (or a lot in Lucas' case) washable paint and shaving cream, cornstarch, sweet and condensed milk or whatever you want to mix the paint with to give a little texture.

Then it quickly becomes my wall art. I wish I could keep every picture painted or drawn. Dax brings me an endless supply of paper decorated with numbers, some words, his name (always followed by a 5), deer with antlers like you've never seen, rainbows, temples, snowmen, trees, and hearts, hearts, hearts (indicating he loves, loves, loves me). I don't know how my life will ever be complete when my kids are all big and grown. Today, I'm just so glad I stayed here in this 500 square foot apt and hung picture after picture plastered with paint.

THE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

What do you get when you mix New's Years Day, -2 windchill, Lake Michigan and a swimsuit? Stupidity, RESPECT, and The Polar Bear Plunge!

Greg, Tim, his wife Sara and Mike agree to be stupid .......and want some respect

Greg ready....

When to hit the floor?

"Now" say's Tim

"I agree" says Greg

"Let's run for it. It hurts" (Sara gave herself a nice "sissy splash" which is a whole lot more than I did--way to go Sara)

DONE.