Beautiful Heartbreak

My friend, Ruth, turned me on to the Hilary Weeks CD, Every Step.  All of the songs are absolutely beautiful, but there is one song that particularly speaks to what our family has been through over the last 2 1/2 years. A couple of days ago, I stumbled on the video which is absolutely phenomenal.  This song means so much to me and reminds me of how far we have come and how much we've grown over the last couple of years.

Beautiful Heartbreak

by

Hilary Weeks

I had it all mapped out in front of me,
Knew just where I wanted to go;
But life decided to change my plans,
And I found a mountain in the middle of my road.

I knew there was no way over it,
So I searched for a way around;
Brokenhearted I started climbin',
And at the top I found...

Every fear, every doubt,
All the pain I went through;
Was the price that I paid to see this view;
And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights;

I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I never dreamed my heart would make it,
I thought about turning around;
But heaven has shown me miracles,
I never would have seen from the ground.

Now I take the rain with the sunshine,
Cause there's one thing that I know;
He picks up the pieces,
Along each broken road.

Every fear, every doubt,
All the pain I went through;
Was the price that I paid to see this view;
And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights.

I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights.

I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

Celebrating Christmas on New Years Day

We celebrated Christmas with the Simmons family on New Years Day.

We had them over to our small and humble abode.  It was quite the full house.  We offered up Fred's award winning chili along with a new favorite, cucumber sandwiches.  The Simmons family brought queso, guacamole and bean dip to add to our non-traditional New Years Day feast.  It was ever-so yummy.

We opened presents, visited, played Kylie's new game and watched Jon and Kylie play Kinnect.  The big kids (Jess, Chris and Kaitlin) watched Pitch Perfect and Lauren read her latest find on her Nook.  I think she is racing to finish before school starts. 

And, I managed to take only one picture!  I guess my trigger finger was worn out as the holidays were coming to an end!

NYE = Game Night

We spent New Year's Eve playing games at the Garstka's!

We learned that Dave is really good at Headbandz and that he is really bad at Catchphrase!

The team of Angela/Donna/Fred was the big winner in Catchphrase.

And, of course, Abie was awesome at The Simpson's Scene It.

Great night.  Great friends. Great games. 

Resolutions

The new year is upon us and it is time time for resolutions.  Sure, I have resolutions both spiritually and temporally.  I am not sure if I will post them here, though.  However, over the past few days, I have thought much about Dieter F. Uchtdorf's October 2012 General Conference talk, Of Regrets and Resolutions.  I will tell you that I hope that I really take to heart his counsel:

Of Resolution

One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely.

To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:

• Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
• Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
• Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.

It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and remove the burden of our sins.  His Atonement allows us to leave the past behind and move forward with clean hands, a pure heart,  and a determination to do better and especially to become better.

Yes, this life is passing swiftly; our days seem to fade quickly; and death appears frightening at times. Nevertheless, our spirit will continue to live and will one day be united with our resurrected body to receive immortal glory. I bear solemn witness that because of the merciful Christ, we will all live again and forever. Because of our Savior and Redeemer, one day we will truly understand and rejoice in the meaning of the words “the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.” 
 

The path toward fulfilling our divine destiny as sons and daughters of God is an eternal one. My dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, we must begin to walk that eternal path today; we cannot take for granted one single day. I pray that we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

To read the entire article, you can go here.

I wish you all a happy new year and that you will resolve to spend more time with the ones you love, strive more earnestly to become the person God wants you to be, and find happiness, regardless of your circumstances.

Flashback Friday: Bowling Buddies

2008

Madison, Ally, Jonathan, Laura, Katy and Jessica

bowling together back in 2008!

It is so fun to look back and see how much they have all grown. 

No one would have ever guessed that little tiny Katy would surpass everyone to be the tallest. Jonathan is hot on her trail at 5'2" tall.  Although, I am sure Madison will end up the tallest girl in the end.  She looks like she will have her Mom's height.

We are so happy to have these sweet friends.  However, I am sure Jonathan wishes there were some boys thrown in the mix!

Once In A Lifetime

Jonathan and Mrs. Jeanne

(along with Mrs. Jeanne's granddaughter, Kelly)

As a working parent, it only happens once in a lifetime that you find someone that gives your child the same love and care that you would.

When I was pregnant with Jessica, I researched and found a small, family owned and run daycare in Carrollton that was close to my office.  Oh, how we loved Sunset Oaks Academy and all of the sweet teachers that our kids had.  Jessica was loved and cared for from infancy until it was time to spread her wings and fly to Kindergarten.  Poor Jonathan was the youngest, and being the youngest, you have to follow the big sister.  He only managed 18 months under their loving care.  After Pre-K graduation, we said goodbye to our Sunset Oaks Academy and to all the wonderful teachers and headed to find an equally as wonderful daycare close to Jessica's school. 

We didn't fall in love with our first daycare in Frisco, but we did fall in love with Mrs. Jeanne.  She worked at the front desk.  Every afternoon I would come in to pick up Jonathan and he would be happily sitting in Mrs. Jeanne's lap.  They had a love affair like no other.  Mrs. Jeanne left our daycare, but she kept in touch.  She would come by and take Jonathan for an afternoon of fun.  Then, Fred was laid off, so we pulled Jonathan out of daycare.  Mrs. Jeanne's daughter, Angie, started watching Jonathan a couple of days a week so that Fred could hunt for a job.  Thankfully, Fred wasn't out of work for very long and Angie started keeping Jonathan full time.  Mrs. Jeanne and Jonathan were able to spend lots of time together.  Jonathan loved her so much.  She was so sweet and good to him and such a special person.  We were so lucky to find such a loving friend.

Angie moved to Princeton and we eventually lost touch with both Angie and Mrs. Jeanne.  Several years ago, we reconnected with Angie and her daughter, Kelly (who is Jessica's age) through the miracles of Facebook.

I was so sad to learn that our beloved Mrs. Jeanne passed away on New Years day.  I am thankful for the impact she had on my life.  She taught me so much about love.  She loved her children, grandchildren and even little squirts like Jonathan with everything that she had.  I will always be thankful for her example. 

Thank you Mrs. Jeanne for adopting our family when we needed a little extra love. 

Hello 2013

 

We wish everyone a happy, healthy and a blessed 2013!  Hope you spent last night with family and friends and made beautiful memories.

 

(If you need a translator for the sweet picture above... Jess and Rylee are just looking cute - nothing to translate.  Jonathan is holding up his fingers to signify January 1st.  Put Madison and Ally's fingers together and you have 2013.  Pretty ingenious for a couple of kids that are up way past their bedtime!)