Family treasures

I was most humbly delighted to be gifted another year of this blog. This one was year 2016. These kids were able to remember bits and pieces of the stories and pictures shared. I am so thankful for the generous hours that are put into correcting, formatting, and creating these precious books. There is no way I would remember life from back then. While I may have the pictures I wouldn't understand what they were or why I had taken them. It is a quick eternal experience to be a parent and I'm thankful for this space to digest and process the journey. I'm thankful for my parents encouragement and engagement. And mostly I'm thankful for the huge trust and gift it is to be the mother of this family Greg and I have created and been given. 

Millie was such the cutie in this book a  very curious two year old she and Livy made my days full and hectic. She is fast becoming my right hand go to girl at our house. She  is capable and willing, she nutures, and is dependable. How thankful I am we survived the multitude of messes to get to this point of enjoyment and gratitude for her skills.

This was general conference weekend. We gathered at home and pulled out the hide-a-bed. The kids think this a magical very fancy treat. They all pile on for a spot on this wondrous bed. Before long they are skuffing for who gets what spot and how much of a spot. They are teetering to stay on the bed and are walking or bouncing around to get on or off the bed. But alas they think it cool so as we watched and strove to tune-in our hearts and minds we enjoyed being together- albeit very close together! 

It has not been easy to craft this family. Honestly I read those old entries and I think Amanda slow down stop expecting so much. I honestly marvel and smile. At a women's conference the question was asked what stops you from studying as a woman? The answer is falling asleep and being too tired to focus. All this activity and responsibility isn't without cost. I know Greg and I are strengthened above what we should be able to do and I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful for the health and strength of our children of the completely normal kids each one is. I'm  thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that inspires hope and love from our Savior and His Father and in turn for each other. I'm thankful for a supportive and generous family that encourages and beckons us on. I'm thankful for sweet siblings of our own and watching our children who teach and share and bring richness to our lives. 

We are incredibly blessed with so much, and we struggle with mortality time to get everything done, never ending clean-up, dead calf today everybody failed to mention was having a hard time, eyes weakening and changing etc, etc. But overall we are just so blessed. Family is a gift. My patriarchial blessing says my family will look to me for many good things throughout my life.... this has made me wonder- Like what?" My generous long suffering sisters who format and create these books making them look good and cleaning up my typoes and wonky pictures are such a blessing to me. I so appreciate their time and patience. And to my parents who support my wanderings and strong-willed do what I want approach to life. I'm so thankful for their enduring patience and love. They are such a strong resource of wisdom and encouragement. I have been very fortunate to have such a team. My life is very good.