I've Found It, the Lord's Peace

      In church on Sunday, Jan 17, 2016, the lesson was out of the manual of the life and teachings of Howard W. Hunter.  It was called, "My Peace I Give Unto You."  It has been a while, admittedly, since I have been to church, let alone a Relief Society Lesson.  Hurray for fresh beginnings, and I'm so glad that this was the lesson.  It helped remind me of things I know, that I have learned in my life, but that I needed again.  I want to make this something I learn to live by this year.  I have a tenancy to stress out about everything, and every little thing makes me stress.  I just need to learn to find inner peace, and life will undoubtedly be better.
     First things first.  I learned this lesson about 6 years ago.  Matthew and I were trying to get pregnant, and things weren't going so well.  I was so overwhelmed.  We had been married almost 2 years, but I didn't think I was ready to become a mom yet.  We had decided after a year of marriage that we would see about starting our family.  When that year came I told him I didn't really think it was time.  Truth be told, I was scared.  We weren't in a good place financially, and having to be pregnant and work full time while Matthew was in school wasn't what I wanted either.  So, we kept going along.  That next March Matthew and I, for Family Home Evening, decided to read aloud our patriarchal blessings.  Sometimes we feel the need to do that together so we know what we should be doing and the path we should be walking.  After reading them, we felt and knew very strongly that we were to start trying to have a family.  So, scared and nervous and excited all at the same time, we decided to move forward.  I didn't really think it was time, but when the Lord tells you to do something, you don't talk back, you just figure it out and do it.  Little did I know the trial that was ahead of me. 
     The first few months were fine.  I tried to focus on the fact that I was on birth control for a couple of years, so it may take time for my body to get rid of all of that.   After a year, and a lot of worrying about what might be wrong I went to the doctor.  I was then diagnosed with PCOS, or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.  It is a long way of saying my hormones are out of whack and because of that I have cysts on my ovaries.  So, he put me on some medication to help break those cysts.  I decided after that I needed to find a doctor much closer to home.  So I went to a Nurse Practitioner.  I worked with her for a few months, but she treated the whole situation with hardly a thought.  So, after another bunch of tests and months and months later, she finally told me that my tests were all normal and she couldn't do anything else for me and referred me to a different clinic.  So, I decided to see an OB/GYN that my friend had also gone to.  I took in the papers with my test results and everything for the first appointment.  I also saw a nurse practitioner there, and I handed her the tests first thing, and just looking at those tests she told me she knew exactly what was wrong.  I felt so relieved!  It was wonderful to hear!  She told me that she could help me and I would be pregnant inside of 4 months.  I felt hope again!  I had been praying and searching wondering if I would ever get to be a mother.   So I started on the medications, in bigger doses, that she prescribed.  After 2 months and it wasn't working, because my cycle wasn't normal, she said I should go on birth control for 2 months.  I felt heartbroken.  I was thinking that 4 month thing was going down the drain.  I was very depressed, and thought it may not even be worth going back on birth control.  Matthew was very supportive, and he just knew inside of him that I would get pregnant eventually.  I decided that I needed a serious attitude adjustment.  So, during the 2 months I was on birth control, I decided to ask God for help.  I decided that I was going to pray and read and ponder and study and search until I could bring my life in line with the will of the Lord, not my will.  I needed to know that even if I couldn't have children I would be ok, and that life would still be good and full.  So, during those 2 months I was on my knees a lot.  I cried a lot, I studied a lot and pondered and searched for that peace that we all crave, especially when we are going through something hard.  And I experienced a mighty change of heart.  There was a song that really helped me through that time, and once I really understood what was being said, everything fell into place for me.  In the animated movie, "Joseph, King of Dreams" there is a song that is called you know better than I.  It is at the time when Joseph has been imprisoned by Potiphar for the issue that happened with Potiphar's wife.  It reads like this:

Better Than I

I thought I did what's right.
I thought I had the answers.
I thought I chose the surest road,
But that road brought me here.

So I put up a fight,
And told You how to help me.
Now, just when I have given up,
The truth is coming clear.
                                                                                         
You know better than I,
You know the way.
I've let go the need to know why,
For You know better than I.

If this has been a test,
I cannot see the reason.
But maybe knowing I don't know
Is part of getting through.

I try to do what's best,
And faith has made it easy,
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in You.

For You know better than I,
You know the way.
I've let go the need to know why,
For You know better than I.

I saw one cloud
And thought it was the sky.
I saw a bird
And thought that I could follow.

But it was You
Who taught that bird to fly.
If I let You reach me,
Will You teach me?

For You know better than I,
You know the way.
I've let go the need to why.
I'll take what answers You supply . . .
You know better than I.

      I have never done so many good things and then been thrown in prison for them.  I have never felt the betrayal of family like Joseph did.  His experiences taught me something so important.  Life is hard.  And it will continue to be hard.  It is supposed to be, because that is how we learn.  We have to go through the refiners fire in order to become the person Heavenly Father needs us to be.  And I guess this was one such experience for me.  I finally trusted in the Lord enough, I had the RIGHT kind of faith to just give my life over to Him.  Him who could keep it and protect it and let me have the hardships.  After that 2 months of waiting and wondering I went back on the medications to try and get pregnant.  And a wonderful thing happened.  Heavenly Father had blessed me with a miracle.  On my 4th wedding anniversary, I called Matthew to let him know that he would indeed be a father; I was pregnant!  And that nurse practitioner was right.  It took 4 months from the time I stepped into her office.  But even if I hadn't been granted that great privilege of becoming a mother in this life, I would have been ok.  Heavenly Father would have carried me through and I could have still found purpose and happiness in my life.  That is what the gospel does for us.  That is what Christ can do for us, if we let Him.  We have to have the kind of faith that gives ourselves over to Him.  What we want, and what is best for us are not always the same thing.  I knew that God had a plan for me, and He needed me to go through that, for whatever reason, and He helped me be stronger for it.  He helped me see the gospel in a way I had never seen it, and he built up my testimony and faith through that trial.  I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world.  The things I have learned from that have helped me so much in the years since then.  But, in the Relief Society room on Sunday, I felt all of that again.  I was reminded of those things again.  And I was able to apply it to the situation that Matthew and I are in right now.  We have a new years resolution to pay off a certain amount of debt, and to build up a savings, even if it is just a little bit.  We don't have money for groceries, but we have budgeted in our tithing and offerings, and even a small contribution to the ward mission fund.  I don't worry about it.  I don't stress.  Because I know that in the Lord's hands I am safe. I will get through the trial.  And we will have what we need.  We will be a good example to our children in so many ways, and I can feel peace every day.  That is a priceless gift. 
     The lesson kind of went into a string of how to get that inner peace, and have that healing peace in our lives.  It states we can only find peace through Jesus Christ.  That is so right.  But more specifically we find peace through faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  The second part of the lesson was discussing that we cultivate peace as we live the principles of the gospel.  There were some really amazing things said by these wonderful women on the things they do.  They go to the temple, they read the scriptures, they pray and they find a place that is quite and close to nature.  Also loving and being kind to our fellow men.  I brought up the fact that there are a lot of people who are struggling inside the church right now because of recent revelations or events that are confusing to those people.  And a lot of them are falling away because of it, and they are being judged and told they are wrong and dumb.  That isn't the way to deal with things.  Tolerance is something that is a big deal in the gospel, but not a lot of people are actually practicing it. It is really hard!  And so, the natural man continues to hold us back and we must continue to push forward and expand our views.  Not that we need to agree with everyone.  And everyone can receive personal revelation about the things happening right now.  But we need to still love those people so that we are always there to help them in other trials, rather than to make them feel they can never come back.  At any rate, those kinds of things are the tools that help us to get the faith, which in turn gives us trust in the Lord to guide our lives.  It's hard to do that. It's hard not to feel in control and see everything, and plan everything.  But that is the beauty of the Lord's peace.  We can feel confident because there is someone there that CAN see what we can't and WILL help us with what we need.  We just have to be able to do whatever it is He asks.  Even if it seems stupid or strange or even destructive.  Which brings us to the 3rd point, and that is that the Savior can help us find peace regardless of the turmoil around us.  We can be in the best of settings and still not feel peace.  Or we can be in a place that is rampant with stress and turmoil, but be perfectly at peace.  It's not all surroundings that make life peaceful.  I have found this to be especially true around my children.  There are other things I've thought of though, that would maybe help people.  There are a lot of scary things happening in the world.  The things that are happening or have happened in the middle east, or even the terrorist attack of 9/11 was scary and changed a lot of people.  They now live in fear of everything.  But, through faith and trust in Christ, and using the tools He has given us to get there, we need not feel that terrible pressure of fear in our lives.  We can know that bad things happen, and we should be prepared, but that everything is ultimately in the Lord's hands.  Instead of focusing on what's around us, we should be focused on the Lord, by reading the scriptures, going to the temple, and doing things that will bring us closer to Him, to build our faith in order to put full trust in Him.  
         A quote from this lesson really sums it up well.  "Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender--surrender to him who is the Prince of peace, who has the power to confer peace."  There was a picture of Christ raising Peter out of the sea.  It was at the point that Christ was walking on the water and asked Peter to come out to Him.  And Peter did. And then for some reason he lost faith, and was scared, and so started sinking.  And Christ reached out to Him and lifted him out of the tumultuous waves.  What a great thing to remember.  Faith and fear cannot exist at the same time.  And even when we think we trust in Him and are doing as He asks, we still fall.  It is just the nature of the natural man.  But if we keep trying and going down the path, we will have all the help we could possibly ask for.  I have a firm and abiding testimony of these things, and I pray we will all feel this peace and learn how to continuously utilize it in our lives. 

Growing Up

 

I was watching movies with my boys today while we went about cleaning the house.  It was fun to see some of those shows I haven't seen in so many years, and to see my boys light up when they see them.   We specifically were watching Care bears 2, then next Generation.  I don't exactly remember the name, so bear with me.  But anyway, there are a lot of things I remember about that show.  The music in it brings back all sorts of feelings from when I was young.  It was very nostalgic, and I loved being able to see my kids having the same sorts of fun with the movie.  Michael kept saying the whole time that he needed to get Dark Heart, who is the bad guy.  I would sing the songs along with the movie, and Ammon would look at me and laugh and giggle.  He thought it was so great to hear Mom sing.  I loved seeing the expression on his little face!  I was cleaning the kitchen at the beginning of the movie, and Michael went and sat down next to Ammon to watch the show together.   My heart was so full seeing everything come full circle.  This time is precious with them, and they will grow so fast and all too soon it won't be like this.  But I am enjoying every moment while I have it with them.  There is a song in that movie I wanted to put here.  It sums up a lot of what I was feeling today.

Growing up

Feelings, we all have feelings

We like to give our love and get love back

It's part of caring, you're learning caring

When people grow and share and start to know

There's more out there

Than just getting more and taking more

There's giving more, the best part of living.

Growing up it's something you can measure

Growing up, it happens every day

Being young is something you can treasure

but life is good when you're growing up

Waiting I know you're waiting

You'd like your turn to do, just what you want

It's part of growing, you're always growing

One day you'll see and know

All the changes you must undergo

You'll be stronger then and taller then

And you'll begin the best part of living

Growing up it's something you can measure

Growing up it happens every day

Being young is something you can treasure

But life is good when you're growing up

Growing up it's something you can measure

Growing up it happens every day

Being young is something you can treasure

But life is good when you're growing up

Life is good, When you're growing up.

Now Every time I sing this song to Ammon, especially if he is crying and upset, he will calm down.  I love that I can do this and have these fun things I share with my boys.  Love it!

We Wish you a Hemby Christmas!

December Blogpost 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  And so much was happening at the Hemby house.  There was a lot of parties, and fun, and laughter, as well as the normal stress of getting everything done and working as well.   But it was a great month that we got to spend with our boys.

            First things first.  Ammon is now 5 months old!  I can't believe how big he is getting.  He is rolling over really well from back to tummy, still learning to go the other way.  He is a little more stable sitting up.  He still can't do it on his own, but he does it for 30-60 seconds at a time.  He loves to play with Michael, and is having a blast!  He can also hold his own bottle and likes to hold onto toys to play with as well.  He definitely does better around a lot of people.  He loved going up to Brigham to be with family.  He was happy to be in the middle of everything and see everyone, and he was just so chill and happy the whole time.  It was awesome!  His smile and laugh just melt my little mother heart.

            Michael had a lot of fun this month too!  He is loving the Avengers, as usual, and he found something new that he likes too.  He loves the PJ Masks that come on the Disney Jr channel.  He watched them when he stayed a week with Grandma Gwen and Grandpa Roger.  Now he likes to be either Cat Boy or Gecko.  He does their moves and it is so cute!  He also likes to decide who he's going to be every day.  Some days he woke up wanting to be Sasuke from Naruto, and all of us he gives names to as well.  Or maybe it will be the Avengers, or from PJ Masks, or maybe from something else.  It is really fun!  He listens a little better when we call him by a superhero name, so it works out good for everyone.  We tried starting him on the potty training this month, and it was kind of a disaster.  So, we will keep talking to him about it and getting him excited and then try again in a couple of months more, when he seems more interested in it. 

            We had a fun White Elephant, Ulgy Sweater party with our Friends Jeremiah and Alyna and their family.  It was hilarious!  I loved the games and all the ugly sweaters were pretty good.  Alyna made homeade eggnogg and it was AMAZING!  Christopher and Ashley came to party with us as well, and Matthew made a murder mystery for us all to do.  He thought he made it easy, but it was actually pretty hard.  But it was super fun! 

            Nu Skin had the holiday party for us employees, and it was REALLY GREAT!  They got American Authors to come and do a concert just for us, and then they were very generous with us this year for Christmas.  The concert was amazing, and it was cool to be at a live concert.  I've never really done that.  Grandma Gwen and Grandpa Roger came to watch the boys while we went, and they helped us out the next day so we could do a Costco morning with the Nu Skin peeps as well.  We were able to get a lot of grocery shopping done, get some fun stuff for Christmas, and get some of the rest of the Christmas shopping done as well.  I love getting groceries.  It makes me feel secure and happy to see all that food sitting in the house.  You just never know when you won't have enough for groceries, and food storage helps.  We definitely have a firm testimony of getting your food storage. 

            One of the biggest movies of the year (or probably ever) came out the day before Matthew's 30th birthday.  STAR WARS!!!  Who doesn't love Star Wars?  So for his birthday, I bought tickets for the whole family and Pearson to go and see it.  It was great!  He also was able to spend some time that day with Alyna, Jeremiah, and J.R doing our role playing game.  He also got a new video game (Xenoblade Chronicles) he was really wanting.  All in all, a good day.  I even made cupcakes.  Because, lets face it, a birthday just isn't a birthday without cake!

            Then it was onward and upward to get ready for Christmas!  We spent the holiday up with family in Brigham City.  They boys had a blast!  They loved playing and laughing and running around with their cousins.  It was quite the Christmas.  Santa was very good to our family this year.  Michael was super excited about all the Avengers stuff!  As soon as we got home he wanted to change his bed and put up his shield 3D night light he got.  He has loved playing with the playdoh, the Lincoln Logs, the trucks, just everything!  Ammon is really loving the toys he got.  I was so happy to see Michael in his new Avengers pj's, and he loved his Star Wars pj's.  Poor Ammon, he will get that stuff when he's big enough. :)   But they are really enjoying everything.  I am enjoying the wonderful things I got.  I am liking having the laptop to work on things without having to be up to the other computer.  Plus, everything is starting out clean and happy and I like organized and clean things.  I got some new books, new shows, and new things to make me pretty.  All in all a great Christmas.  Matthew got some cool things too, and I hope he really likes them.  I will say though, I wish I had HIS laptop instead.  It's really nice. 

            Sister Eve, or Stinkerbell if you will, skyped with the family.  It was great to see the growth in her, the confidence and the love of the gospel.  I mean, she's always loved the gospel, but it is so different when you get to study it and live it and immerse yourself in it all day every day.  She looks good, and she is doing a great job!  It was really cool to get to see her and hear all of her adventures and the things she has experienced. 

            I am so happy for this time of year. I love the snow, and the music, the lights and the good heartedness of people at this time of year.  We were able to help people with some drives and things at work, and that was amazing to see all those people working together to help those less fortunate.  I always want to be able to do that, to teach my children just how wonderful it is to give and help.  Michael is already starting to get that, and it is so neat to see its simplicity through the eyes of a child.   I am so grateful for my Savior.  This season is all about being more like Him, celebrating His life and that He came into the world.  I also have to say I think about Mary a lot at this time of year too.  What she must have gone through just to get Him into the world.  What emotions would have come with that?  Did it make her feel inadequate?  Did she ever feel she wouldn't be able to do it?  In any case, I'm glad she listened to God and became the vessel for the one person who could change my life, and save it.  I love seeing the magic of the season through the eyes of my children.  If I thought it was cool to have Christmas as a kid, that's nothing compared to doing it for my own kids.  It's so amazing! 

            May we all keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts, all the year long and always.  May we remember Him who was born to save us from ourselves, to lift and brace us and hold us up.  The King of King, and Lord of Lords.  The Counselor who helps us all, whether we accept it or not.  Let us remember that He is always there for us no matter what, and so should we strive to be the same.   "Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God."  And as Tiny Tim observed, "God bless us, everyone."

I Believe In Santa Claus

Santa Claus: The personification of the spirit of Christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a red suit, who brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve.  2: The legendary patron saint of children, commonly identified with Saint Nicholas, who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve or, in some European countries, on Saint Nicholas' Day.  Often shortened to Santa, also called: Father Christmas

                These are the definitions I found online of what Santa Claus is to us in this day and age.  I, personally, have a firm belief in Santa Claus, even as an adult.

                Now, before you think I’m a really weird crazy person, just hear me out (or read).  I was told a long time ago, although I don’t remember actually being told that Santa Claus isn’t real.  Over the years I’ve known that he isn’t a real person, but what he represents and what he stands for are very real.  And they are very important.

                Santa Claus is a symbol.  He helps us to remember what is good and what we ought to be doing in this life.  We should be helping people, and he specifically helps children.  He gives them something, if they are good, because it is very important for children to have something to strive towards.  Not that they always need that kind of incentive their whole lives, but he also is teaching them to do the same for other people, less fortunate than themselves.  We are teaching Michael that even by going through his toys and giving some away that he doesn’t really play with anymore is helping someone else, and may mean a lot to them to get something they wouldn’t otherwise have had, due to any number of circumstances.  He also does this because it isn’t necessarily that they got something they really wanted, it’s the fact that someone took the time to listen to them, and to show they care by showing that they listened. 
              I love the song that is on the movie "A Year Without a Santa Claus".  He says, I believe in Santa Claus like I believe in Love.  That's basically what believing in Santa Claus is, it's remembering the reason for the season, it's remembering the love that God had for us, that He sent His Only Begotten to live.  And because He lived, so can we.

                There is a movie that my parents watched with us when I was little.  It’s called “The Stingiest Man in Town.”  It is another version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  It is amazing the things I’ve learned from that show, and one of the things is about the personage of Santa Claus.  It is a musical version of the story, and these are the lyrics to one of the songs that perfectly describes my feelings of Santa Claus.

 YES, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS

There is a spirit in the world of generosity,

That brings good things to all of us whoever we may be.

So, I believe in Santa Claus for it can't be denied

That he is generosity personified

Yes, There is a Santa Claus for children everywhere

Though you may watch the chimney tops and never see him there

People say his magic sleigh flies in the sky above,

But you might find it anywhere you find unselfish love.

Oh yes, he really does exist, and Santa Claus will live,

As long as hearts can realize how good it feels to give.

So when you are feeling blue, keep up your hope because,

If there is kindness in this world, there is a Santa Claus.

Yes there is a Santa Claus.

REPRISE

Martha and Tiny Tim: Yes, there is a Santa Claus.

Tiny Tim: Yes, there is a Santa Claus for children everywhere.

Martha, Peter, Belinda and Tiny Tim: Though you may watch the chimney tops and never see him there

Chorus: people say his magic sleigh flies in the sky above,

But you may find it anywhere you'll find unselfish love.

So when you are feeling blue, keep up your hope because, if there in kindness in this world, there is a Santa Claus!

Yes there is a Santa Claus.

 He exists in the sentiment of the season.  He exists in the way we treat others, and how we choose to live our lives.  In the movie, “Miracle on 24^th Street”, there is a quote given by Santa about what he really and truly is.

"I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor.

You know, I'm a symbol.

I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives."

"If . . . you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith . . .

 . . . then you are doomed for a life dominated by doubt."

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

I teach my children that there is a Santa Claus.  Even when they stop believing in the person, they will believe in what he stands for.  They will believe in helping others and to give love and faith and hope.  They will know a little better how to be Christlike and to remember to give and love others, regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality or anything. 

A Time to Give Thanks . . . With Family!

Nov was a wonderful time for the Hemby family.  We were able to see lots of family and spend time remembering all the things that we are grateful for.  I know that I am grateful for a wonderful and loving husband who is always there for me and our little family.  I am so grateful for my Mother who is tried and true and always is there when I need her.  She taught me everything I needed to know in life and has let me learn sometimes the hard way as well since I was too stubborn to heed her advice.  I am grateful for all the many opportunities I've had in my life to go and do and learn so many things. I'm grateful I was able to serve a mission.  The things I learned there are priceless, and the people I met have made an impact on me and linger in my heart. They will always be a part of me.  I am SO grateful for my children.  I am so happy God gave me the opportunity to be able to bear and raise children in this life. They are such a joy to me and I love them dearly.  It is fun to see them grow and learn every day and to play with them.

     So, this month was really fun!  Ammon is now 4 months old!  I can't believe how big he is getting.  He loves to eat!  He eats and eats and eats.  We have started giving him baby cereal and he LOVES it!  He also loves to play with his brother, Michael.  Michael doesn't really care one way or the other, but Ammon gets so excited and laughs and just really wants to be a part of everything.  He likes to be in the center of everything.  Not necessarily that people only pay attention to him, but he likes to sit up and feel that he is a part of everything.  He is so darling! 

     Michael is learning and growing every day.  He says the funniest things.  Right now he loves to be the Flash, and he loves to play with the lightsabers.  He is very active and is wanting to touch and get into everything. He is definitely deep into the terrible twos, but he is still really good anyway.

    This month we had some friends living with us for a while.  They were waiting to move into their new place so they stayed with us for a couple of weeks.  The boys were inseparable!  When Andrew finally left Michael was heartbroken.  But we still see them and visit and he is getting better at it now.

     We also had a lot of fun at Thanksgiving!  We went up to see our families in Brigham City and Willard.  We did Thanksgiving day at Matthew's family's house.  It was really wonderful!  We got to spend some great time with his parents and grandparents, and Matthew prepared the turkey, which was AMAZING!  We also got to share our meal with the sister missionaries.  Then we got to see the other set of sister missionaries as well while we were there.  Michael had a lot of fun having a lightsaber duel with one of them.  She is a BIG Star Wars nerd. 

     We spent the day after Thanksgiving with my parents and family.  It was our tradition when I was young that the day after Thanksgiving we did baking for 2 days.  The first day was cookies and the second day was homemade donuts.  So, to honor that tradition a little this year Mom, Michelle, my sister Mary and I decided to do a little baking.  We did some rolled cookies, and some choc chip cookies, and Michelle made some sort of date filled cookie.  My Mom made homemade eggnog, but I wasn't able to try it. All in all, it was a great day. Aunt Michelle also took me and the boys to the movie, since Matthew was in Brigham trying to get the car taken care of.  We went and saw the Good Dinosaur, and it was AWESOME!  Michael keeps asking if we can watch it, and I have to tell him that we don't have it, because it is only in theaters right now.  We also went as a family to see the Peanuts movie.  I LOVED IT!  You feel so good at the end that Charlie Brown has a friend, and wins just for once in his life. It was kinda fun to see this as well because I had just read an article about Charles Shultz, and his daughter.  She was baptized as a member of the church, and she served a mission.  He would write to her on her mission, and he sent her fun comic strips about the things that happen to missionaries.  He really didn't agree with her being LDS at first, but by the end of everything he thought it was great they could talk about Christ, since he was a firm Christian, and they were able to share that part of their lives with each other. 

            I love this time of the year.  It is so wonderful to feel the magic of everything.  I have also been thinking a lot about the things I would like to accomplish for next year.  I have written a list of things for my new year’s resolutions.  It is a lot, but it is because I will be working on one thing at a time, a month at a time.  so, hopefully it all works out.  Matthew and I got a nice little present this month.  I got a new laptop to keep all my pictures on and do my blog and Shutterfly stuff.  We got Matthew a MAC so that he can learn coding.  If he can get into a job doing that, then I won't have to work anymore, and that would be amazing.  It is also so that he can get his books written.  He is so talented, and has so many wonderful stories to tell about the people in his world, Dryat, that it will keep him busy for a while.  But, it will be great fun to see if all come together.

            I wanted to put up here the lyrics to a song that I love during the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is called, "Something to be Thankful For", by Josh Groban.

"Thankful"
Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

            I am thankful for so much, and I hope that we can remember this all the year long, not just at this special time of year that we celebrate it.