God's Grace...Heaven knows I need it!!!

I love Sundays because it is the one day in my life that is not rushed and chaotic- after the whole getting ready for church routine of course! I love that I can partake of the sacrament, renewing my promises I've made to God. I love seeing my girls in dresses and my boys in shirts and ties! I wish they would choose to dress up more often, but I know why not. I'm the same way! Give me jeans and a t-shirt any day! I love that my son blessed the sacrament today and the other was an usher, opening and closing doors that lead to the chapel. I love singing hymns with family. I love learning new things each week, or relearning and committing to do better. I love hearing Christ's teachings.

Today the talks were on tithing and God's grace. I love both of these topics. Each has been a learning process for me. Tithing I understood much earlier, but I'm still learning about God's grace. It is such a HUGE topic to explore! The brother quoted from a  talk given by Brad Wilcox, His Grace Is Sufficient (well worth the read). I love this talk! I love hearing that I don't have to be perfect at what I'm trying to do when it comes to living the gospel. I just have to be trying, honestly trying. And each day the honest effort looks so different. Some days I feel I'm on my game, I nailed it! Most days it's back to the drawing board. I love knowing that I am not alone in this journey. That my Savior is with me each step, carrying the burden if I'll let Him. With Him as my partner I will be successful and I am promised peace. He is the difference.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." -Matthew 11:29

With Change Comes Plans

We have been in our home for almost 6 months. I say that and it seems like so long ago!! In reality, however, it seems like we haven't found our footing in those 6 months. Why does it take so long to adjust to change? I feel my kids are doing better than Dustin and I. They are slowly moving forward with friends and feeling comfortable, but the adults still seemed lost!

Dustin looks at me all the time like, "What have you done?" I want to hide my head and  yell. "I don't know! It seemed right at the time!" lol I can't, it did feel right at the time. I know it was the right choice for us. It is good to get out of your comfort zone and stretch yourself. I think the problem was that we stayed too long in our comfort zone. Once we were settled, we were ready to never leave! I'm so grateful we did though.

We have been deciding on what to do with our .27 acre lot. That's a lot of land to landscape! That;s a lot of money, too!! We have come up with a few fun ideas. I have convinced my husband to build a fire pit. Surrounding the fire pit will be two yard swings and a bench. It will all sit under a square pergola. We can see it in our heads. The inspiration came from a photo I saw on Face book.

We will have a spot for a shed to house the quad and yard tools, a garden, and an area for a future deck. That's just the backyard! I was voting for a splash pad, but Dustin won't do it. It would be better than a pool, I think! HE says it would be too expensive. He's right. I can't believe how much things cost. Even concrete! Holy smokes! This is the reason this will all be done a little at a time. This year we hope to get the sprinkling system, yard, fence (almost done), and fire pit in. It's going to be a busy Spring and Summer! Yeah for busy days though! And yeah for projects that will help us to get to know our neighbors better!