Proud Moments ...

Yesterday, Kason got to do the "theme" in Primary (I still can't believe I have a Sunbeam!) so, I stuck around to watch him do that. It was super cute to watch him stand at the podium and repeat the theme. He did a great job! 

Before Primary started though, I had the Primary President come up to me and told me, "Kason's teacher is so impressed with him. She said that as they talk about things, Joseph Smith, Nephi, the Prophets ... it's not new to Kason. He knows all the answers and all the stories. She's just very impressed with how smart of a boy he is. So, good job, Mom!"

As a single mom, most of the time not knowing what I'm doing, I almost stood in the Primary Room and cried! I was so proud of my little man and that he can impress the teachers. He really is a smart little boy but, it makes me proud, as his mom, to have other people tell me that.

Aside from church stuff the kid is always impressing me ... He knows all of his numbers and letters and can write his name. And the other day we were walking up to the grocery store and he sounded out "food" on the side of the building. I kind of looked at him in shock but, still very impressed that the kid just read 'food'!

He's a stud and such a good kid ... I'm pretty much lucky to be his mom! (Even on the days that I'm ready for bed at 5:30!!)

Mind your Mother!!

Last night we were helping a friend get moved in and Kason walked up to me and had a penny in his mouth. I told him, "If you swallow that - you're gonna die! Take it out of your mouth!" (this is a common thing around our house ...). He took it out and walked away. 

I kid you not, 3 minutes later, Kason walks back up to me with PANIC on his face. I ask him what's wrong ... he says, "I swallowed it!!!" followed by panicked tears. 

I had to suppress my laughter and ask him, "Where IS the penny? Is it in your throat?" 

With tears streaming down his face he pointed to his tummy. Okay, we were good - he wasn't going to choke on it and die. I relaxed and picked him up. 

"Kason ... you're not going to die. The penny is already in your tummy. You'll be just fine. I promise."

He took awhile to believe me and to really understand that he wasn't going to die from swallowing a penny! I felt horrible but at the same time, I was laughing so hard about it! I never actually thought he would swallow the penny and I would be sitting there eating my words! 

I'm hoping this puts an end to money going in that little boys mouth!!

Today ...

I am feeling ... 

Grateful

I sit here and read back over everything I went through in 2009 and I realize that my life was turned UPSIDE DOWN at that time. During the actual trial I don't think I realized how upside down it really was because, well, I was in survival mode. I did whatever it took to make it through each day, and sometimes, each hour. I read back now, and I wonder how I ever did it. How did I survive the roller coaster of the hospital? or the emotional exhaustion that came along with it? 

Then I continue to read and I realize, I survived because of the blessings Heavenly Father gave me at that time ... a bed to sleep in, a wonderful son to make me smile, amazing friends to hold me up and support me, and wonderful family to guide me through everything. Yes, at the time, I was very grateful for these blessings but, now, I am even more grateful and appreciative of these blessings. 

To steal from my own facebook page ... "when you get right down to it, each and every one of us, regardless of our current situations in life, is very, very, very blessed. Heavenly Father will never leave us with out the blessings we deserve. However, it is entirely up to US to recognize the blessings placed in front of us. As I sit here and think about my husband passing away, or being a single mom, or struggling through certain periods of life, I realize that all along, I have had EXACTLY what I needed at that time. As I read back through what I went through... in 2009, I was INCREDIBLY blessed to have people standing by my side who love me very very much and they supported me through 6 weeks of hell in the ICU, they supported me through the death of my husband and they supported me through the aftermath of his passing. So, yes, life isn't easy, and life is challenging as HECK ... but if you EVER think that Heavenly Father leaves you stranded - you had better think again. He gives you just what you need - but do YOU recognize it?"

I think that too often, we are left wondering why we're left standing alone during a trial. In reality, we need to look right in front of us and realize that we HAVE the blessings we need to make it through a difficult time. Are we too stubborn to recognize them? Are we too blind to accept that they are our blessings? Perhaps the blessings come in a way that we weren't expecting and we let them pass us by without acknowledgment. 

Yes, life is challenging. Life is HARD. Life is exhausting. But, look around you and realize that there is SO much to be grateful for. It can all be taken away from you in a split second, so why not live for today ... enjoy this very moment ... recognize the good around you ... be grateful for what you have, regardless of whether is easy or hard ... and thank our Heavenly Father for the life he has given you. 

Life is short, why not make the best of it.

Be grateful. 

Be happy. 

Recognize your blessings.

(collage can be clicked on to be seen larger ...)

 Kason turned 3 ... Michael Buble concert ... Brian Regan ... Cabo cruise ... made lots of new friends ... hiked all over Utah ... trip to Arizona in May ... BYU vs. Utah game ... Denver trip ... Lupus walk ... 4th of July ... day at Lagoon ... Davies family reunion ... drive-in movies ... viper races ... trip to California and Sea World ... trip to Arizona ... YEAR MARK ... Halloween ... meeting Neon Trees ... Nickelback concert ... Temple Christmas lights ... meeting the Grinch ... and so so so much more that made our year full of fun and new experiences! 


Welcome 2011!