Something New

My dear Husband turned 29 this past week. I am exactly 354 days older than him. (He likes Older Women ;) We get to share the same age for a good 11 days! I wanted to take him to do something fun and new for his birthday. Something we had never done before and something that seemed adventurous. After all, his birthday only comes once a year and I wanted it to be memorable. We decided to strap on our snowshoes (which we borrowed from our ever so wonderful family member's and neighbors) and take a hike in one of the canyons. The drive up the canyon was beautiful. The weather cooperated nicely, even though we had been hearing rumors of snow fall the previous days. I was surprised at how easy the snow shoes were to move in. I was worried I was going to need some extra coordination skilz that my legs really don't possesses, but it worked out fine. (K- I may have fallen once into a bush while trying to cross a small creek, but it was only once and I was completely fine after that!) It was breathtaking to see the mountains and the canyon up close in the winter time. Everything seemed so crisp, so clean, so calm. I noticed that I would get distracted watching my snowshoes and concentrating on the ground so much to see where I was going that I would at times forget to look up and see the beautiful journey I was on. It was like a life lesson in bold right there for me! I had a small "lightbulb" moment on that hike. How many times in my life am I looking down, so focused on putting my one foot in front of the other, making sure the ground is still there so that I don't trip that I forget to look up and see the beauty all around me. This journey of life that God has set before me is filled with miracles and awe inspiring settings just like the mountains and canyons he so graciously has blessed me with to enjoy, and here I am looking down!!! I would stop every now and again just to look up, to take it in, to breath... and mostly to enjoy the companionship of my dear husband who walked beside me, sometimes behind me, sometimes in front of me.... but always close enough that I felt I was with him. It was definitely a special, memorable day for me. I am hoping it was the same for him. I vowed that day to look up more. To enjoy more. To appreciate more. To breath deep more..... and to make sure I spend plenty of time with that man that God placed on my path. Here's to being 29! at least for a few more days.....

Haittian Love

With all that has happened the past little while in Haiti, it is hard to not take a look at one's own life and realize how blessed we truly are. Or at least that was the case for me. My heart was and is breaking for all of those people that are suffering from a physical and emotional loss.... So much heartbreak and devestation. And at the same time it makes me proud of Humanity in general, for all the out reaching and support that the world... (well the good people that are in the world) have shown for this small country. It has been inspiring to me. It makes me want to be a better person and be a part of the sea of humanity that can bring relief and comfort to others in a time of need. To be of service and show gratitude for all that I have by giving to someone else. So even though we are small in number, our little family made 2 blankets to send to Haiti. We did it for a Family Home Evening the other night and the boys were awesome! We read them newspaper articles and showed them the pictures of little kids just like them who were suffering, and as little as they are... they completly understood. They were excited to help and be a part of something bigger than themselves. I hope it is something that sticks with them through out their lives. It has become a standard part of Mr. K's prayers "please bless the Haitties." It is so precious to me. As a mother I feel responsible in teaching this next generation how to give, how to not expect or have that sense of entitlement but to be greatful and appreciate all that is before them. What an honor! I love this calling in life called motherhood! As difficult as it sometimes is... And to all those mothers and children in Haiti, may you know that our hearts and prayers are with you.