Halloween Pics Overdue

Chickenfoot

Chickenfoot
(noun)
Emotional Blackmail. 


"If you love me you will buy me gum when you go to the store."
"You don't love me at all."
"If you care about me you will let me go to her house."


Non-Chickenfoot:
Mom: "Braelyn, get in the car right now."
Braelyn: "Not until I sit in the front."
Mom: "Braelyn, you will get in the car right now or you will get extra chores when we get home."
Braelyn: "Mom, that's a chickenfoot."

The kids and I have been using this term for over a year now and it works surprisingly well. We started using it for my sake. I was going through a hard time in my emotional life and I wanted the girls to have a word to say when they noticed me using emotional blackmail. It comes up quite often in a house full of females. They each know the meaning and understand how it works. Once said it helps us to see what we are doing.

I use my blog as a type of journal and history so I wanted to get this one documented. It's a keeper.

Matter Most

I have OCD. I like a clean house. This past week has been intense and hectic and my house leaves something to be desired. Last night though I was looking at everything on my bathroom floor and saw a pair of Bella's high heel wedge church shoes, my baby's puppy book and truck, my church shoes and my temple bag and realized what mattered most. We lived last week. My kids played. We worshipped our Heavenly Father. I love my family more than anything on earth. I need to learn how to keep perspective and how to let go...

I will clean tomorrow. Today I will thank God for the things that matter most to me.

Oh Crap

I wrote my last post then logged into Facebook to find my good friend post this after she's had a rough week. I feel sheepish. 


"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others." -Robert D. Hales

A day in the life at war with details

Well wow. Just want to jot down a few things from today.

My dad wanted me to take my car to the transmission shop today to find out why it's been pulling at 45 mph. I arranged a ride to pick baby and myself up this morning. She arrived and brought us back home (about a 15 minute ride) and pulled into my driveway only for me to recognize that the only way into my house was sitting in my car back at the transmission shop in the form of a garage opener. So back she took us to get it and then brought us back to my house...again. Then as I took my baby out of her car seat I noticed his diaper leaked on her seat. Oops. :( Ugh.

I laid Bentley down, got some work done though not nearly enough, and was about to shower when my dad phoned and told me my car needs to stay in the shop to rebuild the transmission so I need to find a ride to the rental car place. As I called my same friend who brought me home this morning she told me I could borrow their extra car and that she was on her way to pick me up. I got Bentley up, skipped my shower and was ready when she came back. On my way out to get into her car I stubbed my toe on a scooter that was laying in the garage and pulled my toenail up. I got into her car with blood running down my foot. Oh yay. After she got me all hooked up with her extra wheels I drove Bentley and me back to the transmission shop to get his carseat out of my car as well as a couple other items that I would have liked to have. After getting down to it I saw my car up on a jack in the shop and realized quickly that I wouldn't be able to retrieve my belongings. Turned around and came home wasting about a half hour.

Later today after the girls got home we were busy with homework (after I mentally checked out for 30 minutes and slept on the couch to escape) and somewhat of a dinner. Brae and Ken have these Veteran posters due tomorrow and they had to get them laminated. I took the girls to church tonight then the three little kids ran with me to Kinkos. I passed Kinkos initially and had to turn around at a light down the street. When I came back I turned in a driveway too soon. Finally I made it to the store and was told it would be $18 to laminate but their machine was broken. They were sending me to the Kinkos down the street a ways. All day the Spirit was telling me to try Mardels and after a couple phone calls to Mardels (which was just across the street from Kinkos) I found out they could laminate for me. We were in and out in minutes and it only cost me $.54 to do both. I could not believe the price difference! I was thankful Kinkos machine was broken and so thankful I listened to the small prompting. It was a small thing but saved me money and time and gas in the end.

We are back home now and am lucky that the little girls found time to shower and grabbed something to eat. My house is in disarray. I have laundry piled up on my bed and everywhere else for that matter. I yearn for the days past when life wasn't so hectic and bombarded with five million and five details. It feels like so much. Even a phone call seems overwhelming to me anymore. It's not ok.

I'm really blessed for so many reasons I know. But somedays I don't win the war against the details. What needs to change for me to feel better? I'm tired.

Ate lunch w Bella today. Conversation w a boy in her class: "Bella's mom, your girl is the nicest girl in our class." Made my day.

BIRTHDAY!!!

Today was my birthday and I've had such a great birthday weekend that I wanted to write it all down. I am so blessed. I have received so many good gifts that were meaningful. I woke up this morning to breakfast in bed by Cali and balloons on the floor from the girls. I slept in until 10:30 which is absolutely unheard of! We had an enjoyable day working on some church stuff and going to a Trunk or Treat activity tonight at Shannon and Jared's ward. I also celebrated yesterday with my friend, David and Shannon and Jared. So much fun. Earlier this week I had a birthday lunch with one of my best friend's, Suzanne and one of my favorite places to eat, Chuy's. There have been too many great gifts to list but among them my dad and Robin gave me a new saw for my business and that makes me SO happy. Now I don't have to play roulette at Lowes as to whether or not their saw is working and if I will get a straight cut.

Tonight the two girls who were still awake when all the madness calmed down celebrated with me by having some homemade brownies (which were a gift) and Blue Bell ice cream. It was the perfect way to end a great 33rd birthday!

I feel so overwhelmed by all the love shown to me. My phone has been blowing up all day with Facebook notifications and from all the love being shown there. This may have been my best birthday yet. Yay for 33.

But I Shall Not Know Any Better Then

I came across this quote this  morning and loved it:

Speaking of Jesus Christ...

"I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way." -Bruce R. McConkie

I couldn't agree more that "I shall not know any better then than I know now" of his divinity as the Savior of all. I am so thankful for my relationship with Him.

A Bad Day, Not Today.

Today has been exceptional! Nothing out of the normal really but just a great day all day long. I woke up with that amazing feeling that today would be great. Lots of energy and good sleep. Here are a few things that helped me see it was indeed a good day:

I needed 8 white furniture tacks for two boards I really wanted to finish today. There were exactly EIGHT white tacks left.

I needed to not make any mistakes on those eight holes to put the tacks into. I didn't make any mistakes on them.

I brought the boards into the house to work on the very last detail before they were complete. One of those tacks slipped and almost fell in between the washer and dryer and eventually into 'under the dryer oblivion'- you remember how I said I only had the exact amount left to begin with??? I caught the white tack before it fell.

I said out loud on all the above "That wouldn't have happened on a bad day." ;)

This afternoon I had this grand idea for my hair. I grabbed a cute barrette and put it in and when I had the thought to put a second- matching- barrette in I went to look in the drawer. At first I found a twin but quickly realized it didn't have a clip to hold it in so I was sad then I looked again and... I found a twin! Never happens. Never. "That wouldn't have happened on a bad day!"

See all my blessings today. All the things that could have (usually do) gone wrong didn't. So thankful for this good day.

I told the girls I should go do something since my luck is so awesome today. They asked what it would be and I couldn't think of anything so I guess I will stay home and work! :D

good. better. best.

I find myself always struggling to find a balance with everything on my plate. There is always so much I need to be doing. I need to take time for myself and read my scriptures and pray and exercise. I need to take care of my babies and our home. I need to run the business and I need to gain experience with photography. I need to sleep (I wish I didn't need this). I always have over a hundred things I could be doing so it's always a matter of prioritizing. It's always a matter of good, better, best. Exercise is good but it's not what's best right now. To fit that in my day I've learned I will need to get up before six and right now that's not happening! ha

Monday I was overwhelmed. It was the day titled "This day sucks!" on the post a couple before this one. I knew at some point I needed to make a trip to Lowe's to get supplies and it was also FHE that night (Family Home Evening where we are encouraged to meet with our family and do an activity or thought and just spend time together). I was inspired I tell ya' to combine our FHE and my shopping trip into one. I made a "Mission Possible" game, gave the spiritual thought on being good examples to those around us and we were off. The girls were on two teams and they were off to find certain items in Lowes while I shopped. They were to take pictures in front of the items they found and when they were done they were to bring them back to me. I thought 8 would keep them busy for awhile bc I had quite a lot of supplies to get. My first item to buy was wood and since my stinking saw broke two weeks ago I now have to wait upon the saw guy to make his way back to me (dread). So, while I was thus waiting so patiently both teams made it back to me with their completed lists...wanting more! haha They finished before I got the first thing done. I sent them back off to re-do the lists with diff items and that made them happy. After our hunt/mandatory supply shopping we went for frozen yogurt. I had gotten a refund back on something and it paid for our outing. It made us so happy to go somewhere we hadn't tried before and we ate our yummy snack and I think I counted each girl saying multiple times "thanks momma, this is so fun". I knew that this inspired activity that allowed me to do two important things was not only good, it was best. I will never forget this night.

Here are two pics from Secret Agents Braelyn & Cali, Kensi's darn phone won't send the pics to me. I will work on it so I can upload some of Ken & Bella. 

The item was to find something for a family

The item was to find an "x"

A Surprise in Sacrament Meeting

The first hour of our block of church meetings is called Sacrament. We all sit together for that 70 minute block of time. This past Sunday Bentley was snacking on some Lucky Charms and eventually got my inhaler out to play with. I keep the medicine to it in my bag but he plays with the yellow shell. At one point Cali was playing with it and she pretended to inhale and to her surprise Bentley had put a Lucky Charm inside it and she inhaled it just right to cause her to choke. Probably because she wasn't prepared for that but regardless she came to me holding her throat unable to talk and faaaa-reaked me out. I grabbed her and we walked out fast and once we jiggled her she got it to go down. Crazy girl went out with bare feet and all. Darn that cereal in the inhaler- wasn't so lucky after all. We were so thankful she was safe and ok. Perhaps a blessing of being where we were supposed to be in the first place.

As a side note Cali serves as a Safety Patrol at school everyday. She does it in the am and after school. The teacher who is over these kids told me two days ago that she loves Cali and that she is so MIGHTY in a tiny body. I've always said that to describe her! She packs a punch! Believe me. And now my Mighty Cali Llama is going to play the fiddle! haha I learned tonight at a very long meeting that a fiddle is the same as a violin. Cali is joining the orchestra. Upon fitting her for the instrument we learned that even the smallest violin they had there was too big for her. She's the cutest!

Today Sucked! There, I feel better.

It's ok for me to say that. I did receive many blessings but overall it's just been a dumper of a day. Guess I have to feel this way so when it's good, it's really good. Thank goodness for sleep and fresh starts.

The Harder It Gets

I don't think I was amply prepared for the way my life would be this school year. I had no idea how intense this would be. After the first week of school I thought I'd find more peace during my days and that it would feel more settled. But how wrong I was.

I find myself shocked each weekday morning that by the time I get done running kids around that it's already 9am and Bentley and myself are not ready for the day. I've been getting up earlier this week to read my scriptures in search of more peace. I thought by doing that our mornings would also go more smoothly but au' contraire mon fraire.

 I do feel like I am making so many changes right now in my life for the better and I hope to find that peace. Our schedule is just so ridiculous that at times I just have to laugh at my life. I really feel like I am trying harder and it's getting  harder. Today I posted on Facebook, oh you know, my personal account on Facebook, the one I still have... this quote:

"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived." -Jeffrey R. Holland 

I honestly seek after peace and joy. I have felt this week that by reading my scriptures and getting up earlier to do so that although the storms are still raging- and they are- that the peace is found within. How valuable a lesson to be learning. Today as I was a little blue sitting and working on a hard order that was taking a rather long time I got a knock on my door. I wasn't expecting anyone but a lady from church showed up with a little gift for the girls. As she and I talked for a bit and she left I felt the love of the Lord. I knew He knew me and my "harder" efforts aren't going unnoticed. He sent her to stop by and see me. 

I love my babies. I want to be better tomorrow than I was today. I got a memo today that read "Hey Amanda, life is never going to be easy. It will always be something." And although others have read that same message to me I just got it today and knew it was true. Guess I should put my big girl panties on and learn how to deal with all the pressure. Up until now I have still been wearing my little girl chonies. 

Maybe the big girl panties will have super powers! Well, either that or the power I am getting from doing really good things. 

Digital Photography 101

I went to a photography class on Monday night, yes it was Labor Day and I didn't know that when I pre-paid for it online. I LoVED it so much and was so inspired and uplifted to learn from two master photographers- David & Ally McKay from California. It was a five hour class and at times I was so overwhelmed learning about ISO, F-Stops & Shutter Speeds. I was so anxious to practice on manual settings and finally taking my Lola off of her automatic stance she's been on for almost a year.

Here are some of the glorious shots I got while practicing the next day:

and some of Brae that same evening:

Pretty, aren't they?

This stuff is HARD!!! I have been trying to not get discouraged and just remember how much I love to take pictures. Braelyn told me a quote that's hanging in her math teacher's classroom. It goes like this:

"A professional in anything was once a beginner." 

Here are some of the more appealing shots from that day. Thankfully the lighting, shutter speed and depth of field all lined up for these few...

I wanted to get him feeding himself since this is new for him

I will keep moving forward with my plan. It's a simple plan and it brings me peace so I will set the fear and inadequacy I feel aside. I will keep practicing. And I will keep it on manual even if I don't want to. 

A Big Mistake

Making mistakes is not new to me. I had taken this picture of a giant eraser we got and was planning to write an eloquent post about repentance and how much it means to me and I was going to use the picture to express how BIG my mistakes are generally. Well, this week is no exception, I made one so big that something valuable to me was taken away. And I didn't even know what the mistake was!

Tuesday (yesterday) I got an email from Facebook that said a third party reported something offensive from my Mandy's Wall Candy Facebook page and that they removed the offensive content: the entire page! Honestly, when I read it I supposed that Facebook just removed whatever it was that someone reported as being "offensive". I got on my computer to find that my entire page was gone. I have been working hard to build it up for over a year and had almost 700 fans. I get probably about  half my work from this page and the advertising it gives. I have many pictures on it and now it's vanished. I have no access to it at all. Facebook doesn't have a customer service department, no telephone and very measly means to get in touch with them. I've submitted the form I could find to appeal what they did and followed the directions but there has been no contact. I have no idea what exactly it was that got me in trouble. I have an idea on a couple bumper stickers that could have infringed on copyrights. I am hopeful they will communicate with me and give me a second chance. After all, I was going to blog in the same entry as repentance the principle of forgiveness, mercy and second chances. So, tonight I am posting both of the pictures I had but in different circumstances that what I had planned. 

I am trying to embrace calm and find what Heavenly Father wants me to do if I don't get it back. It makes me so sad.

Dreaming

My girls have been coming in pretty often this week into my bed at night. Cali walked in last night when I was dog tired and dead asleep and I heard her say something about having a nightmare then for some reason I mustered the words: "Just wait there until the police come."

If you know Cali you know she is always worried about something. So what woke me up out of my sleep was her response:

"gasp. Huge intake of breath in horror!"

haha That woke me up enough to realize I didn't know what I was saying and I mumbled for Cali to get into my bed.

I've been laughing out loud today thinking about her intake of breath to my response. haha That's some funny stuff. Doesn't take much these days to amuse me. :D

From the mouths of strangers

Today I was checking out at the craft store when I heard the cashier say something very quietly and though I thought I knew exactly what she said I asked her to repeat herself.

Cashier: "I don't know why some people have six kids".
Me: "I have five children".
Cashier: "You do!" "And you like it?"
Me: "Yes, I love my kids"

Duh!

She then said "well it's just a lot of work."

I don't understand how our society has come such a long way. To me, family is the most important thing. Not giving our children everything they want or having the nicest possessions. And yes, lady, having any amount of children is hard work. And it's so worth it. :D

My favorite part: "And you like it?"

I don't understand why some people offer their opinions so openly. I have opinions and I keep them to myself. I think it's so important to always use our words to uplift and show love to others. I try not to judge.

The cashier didn't mean harm, she seemed very sweet. Just thought I'd take a minute to share how much I like raising my kids. Even though it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Each day I fall short and make mistakes. Thank goodness we have Jesus Christ to make up the difference. Thank goodness for family.

First Day of School

We went outside to take some pics before school and it was so MUGGY that my camera fogged up and I was upset these were the best pics. haha 

Cali- 5th Grade!!!!

You'd think she was mad but...

NOPE. She was super excited to go ESPECIALLY since she is a big Safety Patrol girl this year! 

She wore this shirt on purpose. It says "CALI" on it for California and she told me if anyone forgets her name she will just point to the shirt. Smartie! ;)

Bell 3rd Grade :D

Ken 7th Grade

Bentley - How'd he get in the school mix? haha Home with his momma!! 

Brabes 8th Grade! I can hardly believe this! 

A sharper pic! My 5 babies!!! 

He's so hilarious. When he's full he does this! hahahahaha

...and he knows he's funny! :D

Sample of Photo Album

This is a post particularly for one person I love who I know isn't on Facebook.

Click here to see one of my recent albums :D

I HAVE to share this somewhere!!!!

This was part of a photo shoot last week and I am not posting it on "The Facebook" but I really do LoVE it! 

The End of Summer

Normally, I am not ready to send my angels off to school after a lovely summer break. I am ready this year though! :) We've been rather cooped up and there's been so much bickering that my arms are outstretched as the morning comes of the first day (tomorrow) of escuela (we practice Spanish in our home) haha

Here are a few shots of us the last few weeks:

Girls playing in my heels! 

He climbs on everything now. His big accomplishment (at least he is thinking so) is going down the stairs standing up. Yes, he's about to give his mother a heart attack but he's proud! He thinks he's as big as his five mothers. 

hahahaha cute bunns! He was losing his diaper the other day and I saw this from under my desk. 

Such a beauty! This is one of my favorite shots of her!

Ken! LoVE

We took this today after church. 

Cali: "Mom, the other day Bentley was walking around touching his man-boob"

Details

On Father's Day I made the decision that we needed to move from Clear Lake (home shown below) to Spring. I knew with all my heart it was good and what the Lord expected me to do for reasons I won't share on here. So, that's the day it all began. 

I LoVED this house and the neighborhood, schools, ward for church, the streets, people... EVERYTHING about Clear Lake. Loved it. It felt like home to me. I was planning on living there for at least another year before making a move. Shannon and her family are in Spring and the girls dad is in Dallas so I had "future" plans to move up closer to them (if circumstances permitted moving to Dallas). 

Through some events I knew it was the right time to move now. The confirmation I received was the strongest one I've had yet as to any  move I've made. So I knew it was right. However, July brought with it the most horrid month. Every small detail was left for me to deal with. It felt like none of the details of the move were made easy. I felt so much opposition that I had to take a step back and see the big picture more than once. I've had experiences where the opposition was a reflection of something being wrong. But I knew this opposition wasn't coming from a wrong choice but rather opposing the right one. I knew where it was coming from. It was a lot to handle. 

Here is a bit of what happened in July:

4th: We had a sleepover at the Hair's (Bentley and me since the girls were in Dallas for 5 weeks) and then that night he and I drove to Kemah and watched the fireworks from our car on the bridge. It was amazing!!! 

5th: Babysat three extra kiddos WHILE foundation work was done on our home. It was so loud that I literally could not hear myself talk. Lights were flickering, the house shook but we survived! Well, I survived because my friend, Rana, brought me a Super Size Dr. Pepper because as you can see I was trapped in with no way for help (help from my Dr P)

I had my little friends I babysat over at our place up until the day we loaded the U-Haul. It's not something I write to gloat about but rather the challenges it brought in more ways than one. We have had Mees since he was 7 months and now he's 17 months old. He and Bent are best buds. They love each other and we love him so much. It killed to say "goodbye" to him. He's one of our "twins" and we are crazy about him. 

I don't have pictures but the beginning two weeks of July were consumed with getting a house to live in up in Spring. We tried two houses that fell through and the third one I wished at times would have fallen through too. The management company had me jump through so many hoops to get in and get approved. I had to chase down bank statements from an account that had been closed for over a year to prove we had a residence at some apartments all bc the apartments wouldn't answer their phone, fax and when I went there in person I found out their entire system would be down for two more weeks and they don't show any of our records until the system is fixed. The management company finally agreed to let me move in without the apartments help but then the financial burdens came. I had TWO rent payments in July bc their requirements for the new house were different than what we expected it to be. That plus a move in itself was about to do me in. 

I taught a lesson in church on the 10th and got the girls home that night as well. Then had one day to pack them up and get all the shopping done for them to go to Girls Camp for church on the 13th. Babysat extra kids (many) on the 12th, sent the two oldest to camp on the 13th, got them home on the 16th, then we had Bella's baptism on the 23rd (the next weekend). All of this while babysitting, doing my vinyl work, and packing to move! 

Great pic of Bella we got as we took pictures for her Baptism

Bella and Madeline were baptized on the same day. In our religion we wait until they turn eight (8 is Great!!!) and reach an age where they know right from wrong and can be accountable or their actions. This was the picture on the front cover of their program. 

It was the most beautiful ceremony. All of Bella's family in Texas made it down. Her dad and step mom, new baby brother, aunts and uncles from Dallas ALL came down and Shannon, Jared and all her cousins came. Skyler baptized her. It was so special and in the chaos of the day (because OH YEAH Bentley had the stomach flu that day and was throwing up all over my friends) I forgot to get family pictures :( Such a regret! ha

The day after the baptism (Sunday before our move) Kensington gave a talk in Sacrament meeting. She did a really great job preparing for it and seemed calm while delivering it as her dad and his family came to hear. It was her first talk in church!

Since we got the keys to the new house two weeks before we needed them we were able to do some work to it. This is a pic of the day we drove up to meet what I thought was the "Water Guy" so he could turn on the water. What I didn't realize was that I was actually meeting the "Gas Guy" (who never showed that day but I guess it worked out bc once the Water Guy came and went so did we). The next day the Gas Guy attempted to come but we weren't here obviously so he had to re-schedule (which is where Shannon came in to SAVE me bc I was going to have a melt down with all of this)

The day we got this there was no electric in the house and I had 8 kids with me. Totally hot and bored. It was pouring down rain outside and everything just seemed out of control. 

July 19th Abandon came to our side of Texas and played at Kemah. Me and 3 of my babies went to see them. It was amazing. I had a lot on my mind that night so I felt pre-occupied but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Ashley, Josh and Justin. The boys put on a fabulous show! I was so proud of them. 

The thing that actually went smoothest was the packing and loading itself for the move. I felt organized and ahead of schedule the week of the move. So much so that on Wednesday (27th) (day before we loaded the truck) I took my babies and two of Ken's friends to Putt Putt Fun House where we had free tickets to play. It was really fun (HOT)!!! Then we went to Snoball Hut for one last hoorah! 

Bentley was always amused! 

So, I had high hopes that after the move things would calm down. At least as far as the million details were concerned. After all, I was done dealing with the water company, gas company, ATT, internet, house hunting, packing. BUTTTTTTTT, a million tiny new details waited for me at the new house. 

A lot of things are broken and I am struggling to have anyone call me back from the management company. I took two cold showers the first two days bc it hadn't dawned on me to find the water heater and do something to it. WHAT- I didn't know,  but something to make it get hotter. ha 

Lights are flat OUT and need to be replaced. Towel racks are falling out of the wall, leaving gaping holes behind. Both garage door openers didn't work. The kicker for the house is in regards to the mail. I was left a key but it unlocked NO mailbox (those silver community boxes where you have a little cubicle of space with a lock). 3 different people tried that key in EVERY box with no luck. So I was told to go to the Post Office and show them my lease and id to get it figured out. I hate the post office anymore. I swear it is torturous! One worker, line out the door, hot summer day in July, 4o minutes I waited in line. Four. Zero. 

I got up to the counter and the lady told me it would be $25 and three weeks before they could replace my locks and in the meantime I could come back in 3 days to get the mail retrieved that's been waiting in my box for a week. Then, next week I could call the 800 number and find out about my new keys and when it would be ready. Never moved into a rental and have to PAY to get my mail. Just feels like it's not functioning. It's not smooth. It's not ok. I want to know where my peace is. I am following the Lord. I am praying and reading my scriptures and trying SO very hard. And here I am floundering. I feel so vulnerable in a new place. I feel like I can't handle anything anymore. I am barely getting to any of my responsibilities even though I am getting up and trying every day so hard. 

Oh, and my car is acting up. It died on me the day after we moved and freaked me out. It's been acting up since then and I am so paranoid that it's going to end up needing work done. 

This was taken today while Brae and Bent were listening to her ipod. 

This is our new pad. It's super nice! I really DO love it (believe it or not). I am just struggling with details that seem to overtake my life. My counselor said that all the details and everything I've been struggling with are not of eternal importance. I wonder if this truly is a test for me to keep an eternal perspective. If so, I'm clearly failing. haha 

...to be continued! 

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