Angels Among Us

A few years ago, I attended a life training in Salt Lake City. One of the things that it taught me was about the many angels in my life. I had never before realized how many times I had been "saved" by someone else. The first person that I can remember being literally saved by is my husband, Ross. At the time that I met him, I was at a really hard place in my life. I was floundering a little bit, not really sure what direction I was supposed to go. There was always a part of me that had felt broken, so to speak, and I had just gotten used to it. I never realized it could be fixed. Needless to say, he very quickly began the first of many healing processes for me in my life. He has continued to be an angel through these many years.
I also have other angels. Some have swept into my life and then right back out again but lifted me to higher ground and taught me valuable life lessons. Some are people who probably have never realized the impact they have had on me. Some are members of my family.
There are 3 people in particular in my life that have changed it in the most profound way,as of late. They are 3 women that I have met while living here in Clinton, that I served with in the Young Women's program. Besides Ross, there are very few people who have ever made me feel so comfortable in my own skin. I have felt like it's ok to be me, in all my psychotic splendor. I have been inspired to be better than I am. They are such a good example to me and they are always there, even when I don't need them. They have become my sisters, in every sense of the word.
I am so thankful for all of the angels in my life. I hope that I can listen to the promptings of the spirit that will allow me to be the same for someone else.
"I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me, in our darkest hours, to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of love." -Alabama

Funk

I am in a funk. Do you ever get there? It's those moments when nothing makes you happy. You don't feel good about anything. Your appetite is gone and you just want to sleep instead of facing any responsibility. I don't know what my problem is lately. I have so many blessings it's insane and yet I just can't seem to wrap myself around them right now.
I'm at this weird place where I just don't seem to fit. We are going to be moving soon so people in my ward, as great as they are, are disconnecting themselves from me. I don't have a calling anymore so I kind of feel idle, which sucks to say the least. I also have this "friend" who at any given moment makes me feel like trash about myself. I have enough friends that I know love me so I can't figure out why I am letting this woman get to me.
Anyway, there's my giant pity party for the day. Moving on.

Happily Never After

The boys and I watched a movie last night called "Happily Never After". It is an animated kids movie. For the most part, kind of lame. But, (there's always a but, right?), it had a really good lesson at the end that got me thinking. In the movie, the balance between good and evil is tipped so that the evil side is prevailing and all of these classic fairy tale stories are not coming true the way they were written. There is a battle to restore order and balance is once again brought about. Here was the cool thing, the stories, although with happy endings, didn't turn out the way they were originally written.


It got me thinking about the stories that we write in our heads about our lives. We all have hopes and dreams and aspirations. Sometimes they come true, sometimes they don't. A lot of the time though, things turn out better or even just the same but we took a different route to get there. Does happiness have to look a certain way? Or can we find happiness despite our circumstances? I think so but really the decision is all up to you.


"Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

Widow For the 2nd Time

So Ross has left me for the second time. He is now at Youth Conference for 4 days. I have not quite recovered from the last time he left. I don't know what he is thinking!
We are going to have fun this week. We always do but when he is gone it has to be just a little bit more. Something has to cover up the fact that he is not here. The cruel irony though? He will get back and even though I will have worked my behind off trying to show the kids how cool I am and how much fun I can be, he will still be their favorite. Life just isn't fair sometimes.

The Deathly Hallows

Saturday, July 21st marked the end of an era. The 7th and final book in the Harry Potter series was released to the world to see how their hero faired against Lord Voldemort. There was much speculation about what would happen. It took me a couple of days to finish the book but I finally finished it last night. I have to say I was so sad to have it end! I laughed, I cried, I got mad, pretty much every emotion you could have, I had. I think that J.K. Rowling is brilliant. These books have captivated an entire world for so long. The Deathly Hallows was so well written. I can't imagine it being any different than it was. Long live Harry Potter! If only in our hearts.

Adversity

I have been thinking a lot this week about the trials that different people have to face in their lives. One of my favorite quotes is, "Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it." I truly believe that. I think that people really start to shine when their inner light is put to the test. We are all children of God. We are all born with the light of Christ. That being said, I don't think it is in our inner nature to roll over and die. There is something there that pushes us to be more, to be better.

Unfortunately, that does not make our life any easier sometimes. It just makes us push to find the end of the tunnel and hope with everything we have that there is something better at the other end. I believe there is. We find ourselves, who we are, what we can accomplish and just exactly who was standing by our side the whole time. Even though the journey can be long and painful and tiring, it is well worth it to find out who God intends us to be. Which just so happens to be the crowning glory of His creations.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Let The Games Begin

Last summer was the first ever Clinton 26th Ward Water Wars. Which is like a week long, gigantic water fight. After a very grueling week of hiding/stalking/running for my life, I was the winner. Yes folks you read that right. I was nicked named (by a guy in my ward) the "Kellyanton Robber". I was flattered.

This year I am in charge of water wars. I get to help others find their inner Gadianton Robber. I relish in this task. (picture me rubbing my hands together while laughing wickedly) I think it will be one heck of a fun time.

The only way I can do this task is knowing that I was the first ever queen of water wars. I know that everyone else has probably forgotten but you can be sure that I will be quick to remind them.

Feel The Burn

Ok so after I ran the half marathon, my plan was to take about a week off and then resume my running. After all, I do love it. Well, 1 week turned into 2 months! I have felt like such a lazy bum. So I jumped on the treadmill last night and ran a 30 minute interval run. That feels so good and so bad. Good to be moving again. Bad because I can feel the jiggle as well as the burn! Oh well. I'm back.

HOORAY! Dad's Home

So we made it through the week and Ross arrived home safe and sound to find us all relatively unscathed. We had a pretty good week. We had a lot of fun at the carnival, swimming, movies and seeing the progress made on our house. We also did a lot of yard work and cleaning out the house in preparation to move. We got a whole lot done.

I was so happy to have Ross home though and I think the boys were too. It just isn't the same without him around.

Hell Week

So Ross is at scout camp this week. I am all alone with 3 boys. You would think that with me being their mother that this would not be a problem, however this is truly scary. And what's worse is they can smell fear. And they usually use it against me.

I have been pleasantly surprised. They have been so good so far (knock on wood). We have had a great week of having fun and getting things done. They have been really good to each other too. It's made me realize just how good I have it. I could not imagine how my life could get any better. I have a wonderful husband and 3 amazing kids.

Now if I could just get that darn husband home.