Saturday at the Ranch

We went out to Adam's uncle's place in Star a few Saturday's ago for a BBQ. We had good food, wonderful company and plenty of entertainment. Nothing better than family get-togethers!

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

Somehow no pictures were taken at the actual celebration, but there were was this one on my actual birthday:

And to celebrate my birthday Jacob rolled over for the first time (only to be followed up almost a month later by his second roll over) Of course I wasn't prepared for it, but I did get a great picture of what we lovingly refer to as "torture time" I promise it's for your own good Jacob! :(

Going Back To Indiana

Mixed feelings. The Michael I loved (still love) listening to has been gone for sometime, replaced by a lonely sad man. Yet, you could always still catch a glimpse of him on stage. I'm sorry he is gone, but glad at the same time. He's moving on to greener pastures.

Jacob's first laughs

What a lazy afternoon looks like:

Jacob's 3 month pictures

If you flip through them pretty fast like an old slideshow... they are actually pretty entertaining to watch!

While this post is really late , the pictures were taken at 3 months! Enjoy!

Impressions

The day Jacob was born (before I went into labor) my mother was sharing with me her journal entry from the day I was born and the days following. It was so special to me to be able to hear what the experience was like for her and her first impressions of me. I don't think it was any coincidence my mother shared that entry with me the day Jacob was born. It has left such an indelible impression on me and a deep desire to provide a record for my children. While my journal writing still leaves a lot to be desired it has markedly improved since that experience.

Almost like a confirmation and motivation to continue diligently writing in my journal. The speaker in church on Sunday spoke about impressions. She shared many entries from her journal about the impressions she had of her children as they were growing up and the impressions she had that brought her back into activity in the church and ultimately led to her husband's conversion. As she shared those carefully recording feelings I couldn't help but feel extremely grateful that I was working hard to record my own impressions. While my journal entries are far from poetic or organized... they are often choppy, (it's hard to edit an entry after it's written in pen... truly adds new appreciation for the prophets who had to record on gold plates. I can't imagine how carefully they must have thought out each entry before even beginning.) at least they are recorded.

This desire to be better about my journal writing also goes so well with my new years resolution to daily record three things that made me truly happy. My somewhat belated response to President Eyring's urging to Remember ! My hope and desire is that I will develop more faith in the Lord. To have a record of God's dealings with me.

A wise teacher I had a Rick's college gave me one piece of advice before I left on my mission. She said, there are miracles to be seen every day-- if you look for them.

As I've made an effort to recognize and record these daily impressions, I have noticed I'm quicker to turn to the Lord with my problems, I'm happier, and more peaceful. I am better able to remember.