A New Year again

 

My memory is already failing me.  Why the heck did I not take any pictures of New Year's Eve?  What did we do that night?

 

I do know that we woke up early enough to head to Alpine and enjoy a quick hello and good-bye with the Matthews and Yorks.  We played a couple of games with them and ate taco salads.  With the York's 4 boys and my 3 girls we've at least got to have 1 marriage from that group. 

Love these fun people!  A lot!

Then we had a great get together with the Matheson cousins.

One of the kids thought it was so fun to take pictures of Uncle Wes who was posing so nicely for them.

Marianne was bonding with our little Milo.  (grrrrrrrr).

best cousin boys with milk mustaches.

Most of the cousins. 

It's been such a long time since we were together.

Why the heck? since we like being together so much?!

Anyway, Happy New Year.

My theme last year was PRESENT. 

I think I did a good job of living in the Present.  I was grateful for the daily reminder I gave myself to stop, breath, live in the moment, make it through the day.  I would make today a great day and remember that tomorrow hasn't happened yet,

so all is well.

 

A lot has happened in the year 2012.  I finally have a direction.  I'm not fighting for my marriage anymore.  I don't have a million question marks about that part of my life.  Although I'm still closing that chapter and wondering what my new chapter brings I have peace knowing that I fought a good fight and can now move on.  I had so many wonderful Spiritual moments of peace during the year.  I had several great Priesthood blessings which comforted and strengthened me.

I can look back to the last year and definitely see that I was sustained by a higher power. 

I can't believe that I am through that storm but it living in the PRESENT sure helped me.

I sure learned SO much about myself and life. 

Trials Teach!

 

Now I have different storms to pass through.  I have moments of being fearful.  I don't yet see the light at the end of the tunnel.  There are many burdens that I have to carry alone which are lonely and heavy.

 

The thing that I do know  without question is I am on the path that will lead me to happiness. 

Heavenly Father has happiness and joys waiting for me.  I want to be ready for them.  I am a pioneer women, pulling my handcart. 

I have my children.  They are great!  

Nothing will deter us.  My determination is set and my faith is strong.  I will just keep on pulling my handcart and praying.  We will have holes and rocks in our path.  It will be hilly and cold.  But, I want to make it!  I want to cross the finish line as THE WINNER! 

I know it will be hard but so worth it.

 

 

I still think that I need that reminder of living in the PRESENT because as I think of the future I get fearful and worried.  I worry about myself.  I worry about money.  I worry about my children.  I worry about my children's trials.  I worry that as the past unfolds to them that they will suffer more.  I worry about things that I never had to worry about before.  It's hard and it's a heavy load to carry.

But, if I live in the present then life is GOOD! 

Right now is good.

We are happy!

The laundry will always be screaming and someone is always hungry. 

This is our normal.

Right now is normal and that is what I will focus on.

 

Happy 2013! 

The closing of a chapter and the starting of a new one.

Can't wait!