Perspective

As I was reading Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk Reflections on a Consecrated Life from October conference, this statement really jumped out at me:

"A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires." (Ensign November 2010, p.17)

I couldn't help but think about how this can, and should, apply to motherhood. All those long-ago days of changing diapers, wiping up spilled milk, picking up toys, and the current days of laundry, dishes, picking up (big-kid) toys--they all have meaning when I have the right perspective. I am consecrating myself while doing these repetitive, menial and unappreciated tasks. I just need to remember that perspective more often.

I Won!

Wow! I won a prize on a blog giveaway--a 45 minute photo shoot along with a CD of edited images from TreasureLayne Photography. (Check out her website) I think it's going to be a mother/daughter session. Check back for photos soon.

Missionary Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures of Elder Aubrey from Sister Pimentel--the mission president's wife. She has a blog where she posts pictures of the missionaries. I'm always excited when she posts new ones--I quickly look to see if there are any of Aubrey. Many times there aren't (there are a lot of missionaries in the Berlin mission), but sometimes I get lucky and see him. One time I could even see his neck--yes, that's a mom for you. Getting super excited because she recognizes her son's neck in a picture (do you think there's help for us crazy moms?)

This is his current district in Lubeck. He is the second from the left in the front row. His companion, Elder Brons, is third from the left in the front row.

This must be at a zone meeting. Elder Pauli, his former companion and now zone leader is on the left. The missionary in the center must be Elder Jensen from his district. The handsome one on the right belongs to me. And he's wearing the scarf we gave him for Christmas--glad he is using it!

Flood

Not a literal flood of water, but more like a flood of emotions (and tears, which I guess are water--whatever)

I've been on BYU campus many times since May 1, 2010. A couple of visits were more difficult than others, but boy, last night takes the cake. Out of the blue it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm so glad it was dark and I could sit in my car and cry without anyone seeing me. And then I had to pull it together and not look like I'd just spent the last several minutes crying in my car.

I don't like being lonely in the middle of a huge crowd, but that's just what I was last night. Thank goodness for texting--having a silly conversation with my daughter was just what I needed.

That and a good night's sleep. I'm doing much better today.

Newest Eagle Scout

I am pleased to announce that Carson passed his Eagle Board of Review on December 9, 2010!! Congratulations to you my tallest son!! He will be waiting to have his Court of Honor until Elder Aubrey returns home (in December/January), but if you see him before then you can still congratulate him.

It's Been Awhile...

I haven't posted anything here since Christmas--why is that, I wonder to myself?

Is it because we were just so busy in Texas with Nanette's family? Or perhaps because we made it surprisingly well through the holidays? Maybe it's because, until this week, January weather has just been too darn cold. I think it's been a combination of all these, plus the end of the kids' semester at school brought much anguish, tears, anger, and ultimately, rejoicing for miracles in the grade department.

So a quick update--Maren & Carson start a new semester tomorrow. M has a couple of class changes and C has just one. I'm taking an Excel class at BYU for 7 weeks, then possibly a PowerPoint class (Aubrey says these sound incredibly boring). Elder Aubrey is still in Lubeck, Germany and loves that city. He told me today that he's 75% sure he will be transferred next time, but to wait and see. Most of the snow that accumulated on our street and at the end of our driveway has melted, maybe after today's 45 degrees it will all be gone! But since it's still January it will snow again, sigh... But today we will enjoy the day off of school with warm weather by being lazy in the morning and going bowling in the afternoon.