Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

I do.

I believe that Heavenly Father is acutely aware of each of our lives...not only our lives, but the details of our lives. He knows about the private thoughts, the quiet actions, the trials, the missteps, the unsung good deeds, the naked-to-the-human-eye disheartenments, the heartaches, the regrets, the gratitude and ingratitude in our hearts, and the feelings we keep to ourselves.

What it comes down to is that He knows us. But even better: He loves us. Unimaginably. And He cares about the things we care about. His love is incomparable & unfathomable. We can try to wrap our heads around it, but we'll simply be left scratching them in doing so. But knowing and feeling are two different things. There are plenty of examples in the scriptures of people who have had knowledge, but have remained unchanged. But those who feel are those who are changed. So better than striving to understand God's love, is to strive to feel God's love. And that is something He desires for each of us. We don't have to understand it, because we can feel it.

Perhaps my most favorite talk I have ever heard is this one. (The man who gave it is John H. Groberg; his story was featured in the Disney film "The Other Side of Heaven.") In the talk, Elder Groberg says "All love emanates from God." Knowing this, we can be sure that when we have & feel love in our hearts, that feeling is from Him and His Spirit. What a beautiful display of his affection and a wonderful way to feel more connected to Him. I am so grateful the Savior did "not leave us comfortless." (John 14:18.)

As I drove back to Gainesville today from Tallahassee (which was undoubtedly the last time I make that drive without a baby girl in tow in the backseat!), I reflected on the events of the last few days in my hometown. Saying it was an "awesome trip" doesn't seem to quite cut it. (Lately I have felt especially inadequate when it comes to expressing my feelings in words.) I felt loved by others and love in my heart for others so purely throughout the entire weekend. As my mind pieced together how it seemed that one event led to another, and then another, I realized that it all could not have been a coincidence: and was reminded that everything really does happen for a reason. This realization filled my heart with such gratitude for a loving Father in Heaven, because it seems like the steps of this weekend were all orchestrated by Him.

I realized that things happen that may in the moment seem bad, unfortunate and unfair, but sometimes, those seemingly bad things happen in order for a greater good to occur as a result. And now I am left again, feeling so inadequate in my ability to thank Him for that love, care and concern. How He is able to care about the details in my life, when He has so much else to do and worry about, is mind boggling. But I won't try to understand it because I know I never will...at least not in this life. All I can do is be grateful, and to try and show that gratitude.

"When filled with God’s love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, and renew strength...

I know He lives. I know He loves us. I know we can feel His love here and now. I know His voice is one of perfect mildness which penetrates to our very center. I know He smiles and is filled with compassion and love. I know He is full of gentleness, kindness, mercy, and desire to help. I love Him with all my heart. I testify that when we are ready, His pure love instantly moves across time and space, reaches down, and pulls us up from the depths of any tumultuous sea of darkness, sin, sorrow, death, or despair we may find ourselves in and brings us into the light and life and love of eternity." -Elder John H. Groberg

ABC Maternity Book

My mother-in-law took these photos for us to make an ABC book for Ella Grace! I am so excited to flip through the pages and teach her the ABC's using pictures of her in my tummy! :) Thank you to Grandmommy, Candace and my mom for helping in the behind the scenes! This was so much fun!

Excellence

This photo depicts how I've seen my husband all summer long:

What is he doing? Being lazy in his recliner? (The bane of my existence, that recliner is.) Perhaps playing computer games? Answer: far. from. it.

He has been working hard on the 2nd biggest paper of his doctoral career (the first being his job market paper, which he'll get started on soon). It is called the "Second year paper" and it is part of the qualifying exams each UF Finance PhD student must take and pass. If one does not pass, one is kicked out of the program.

We are blessed in that Stace is able to work from home (and he prefers to do so even though he has a perfectly fine office at the university...he must like me and Boo Boo!:), and boy did he ever WORK.

On Friday Stace turned in a draft to his supervising professor, whom he & I affectionately call "D. Brown" when talking about him amongst ourselves. D. Brown contacted Stace this past Saturday & asked him if he could meet up at the office that afternoon. Stace obliged, of course, though he was fighting off the flu at the time. As Stace made his way to the university, he was a little worried about the feedback he might receive about the draft he'd turned in. As you may know, Stace is a very calm, cool & collected person. So when he gets nervous or anxious...I get nervous & anxious right along with him.

So I was so relieved when Stace called me after their meeting and told me how it went. It went a little something like this:

Stace walks into his professor's office, sits down and says "So...how bad is it?"
D. Brown: "It's excellent."
Not just "good", "fair", or "it'll do." "Excellent."

Excellent.

I am so proud of my genius husband. All that hard work in that recliner all summer has paid off. One thing I love about him is that he doesn't rest until something is perfect. He is definitely the perfectionist in our relationship...which is awesome when it comes time for me to ask him to help me hang pictures or do manly stuff around the house. ;D Ok, now we are off to celebrate the end of what has seemed like quite an arduous era!

Amusing Text Convos b/w Siblings

With my little sister this evening:

Kim: "Jess! mayday. One can no longer buy self-adhesive lampshades...this is what I have been planning on doing for Ella Grace's room like I did for Boo Boo's. May need you to get me one from Pottery Barn Kids...can't find one anywhere else that remotely matches."

note: Jessica lives in Atlanta where PBK's abound...

Jessica: "What the heck is a self-adhesive lampshade?"

Kim: "It's a lampshade you stick yourself to, duh."

Kim: "Sorry. Couldn't help myself! :D It's sticky so u can adhere fabric to it (to make your own)"

Jessica: "Smart aleck. Send me a link and I'll take care of it."

With my oldest brother earlier today, talking about my childhood/ high school friend Richard:

Aaron: "I heard about your first grade romance. Shameful!"

Kim: "Actually, it was 2nd grade! He came over and swam with Amelia and we were playing a game where you had to hold hands and so we did and I thought it was a huge deal!"

Aaron: "Well, I hope you've suppressed your feelings."

Kim: "I'll always have a special place in my heart for Richard, as anyone whose ever met him would say."

Aaron: "Yeash."

"I told you he's working for me?"

Kim: "Um, no?! Whaaat? Really?! That's cool. But wait. You're making him work on a Saturday?! Slave driver."

Aaron: "I'm training him to be my property manager."

Kim: "Wait, I though you were a property manager?"

Aaron: "I am, but my business is growing and I need people."

Kim: "u dah bomb son! :) Proud of u."

Aaron: "Well, I don't know if you heard but I am a pretty big deal around here."

Kim: "Well, I kind of assumed but no one has come out and made the official statement."

Aaron: "Check the news. It's all over the place."

Kim: "Duuuude. I'm lookin. But I didnt fin' nothing."

Aaron: "Try googling it. Keywords: Legend, Besht, Adonis."

Reminder from my older sister:

"Don't forget you need to give birth before the 21st so we can come visit you on my birthday:)"

Between my brother Chris' wife and I:

Beth: "Thank you so much again for letting us come visit. The girls LOVE Julian to pieces...as do Chris and I. I especially enjoyed my therapy session with you and Stace. Felt really good (Deb) to get all that out!"

Beth: "Oh yeah! What's Katie Newman's number?"

Beth: "Never mind...I figured it out...skadoosh!"

I love my siblings...they make me smile and or laugh...sometimes at them, most of the time with them:D

Turn this Ta-Do List into a Ta-Dah...ne list!

I'm sitting here at my computer about to sketch out the next painting, and all of these things keep coming to my mind of things I need to do...yesterday. Writing it down on a sheet of paper would require me to un-criss-cross applesauce my legs, which I'm unwilling to do. Plus, putting it up here makes me feel more accountable. Here's what I've GOT to do.

Craft projects to tackle (AND FINISH) for baby Girl's room before she arrives:
*Initials for above the changing table
*bird houses
*light switch thing
*2 more paintings
*lampshade!

For church:
*Finish planning lesson for this Sunday!
*Finalize rides for the youth temple trip on Saturday
*print out names to take to the temple

For Pete's sake:
*CLEAN this house!
*Take certificate to Courthouse showing I did traffic school!
*order cake(s) for Jen's going away party & Katie's shower!

Catching up Part 9: 3rd Anniversary w/ the Savages...

of dressing up like cows!

First year, July, 2009:

(I was pregnant)

Second year, July 2010:

(I had a seven month old and she had a one month old)

Third Year, July 2011:

What a fun tradition! We love you guys!

Fourth of July (Catching up Part 8)

There is no better way to sum up our 2011 4th of July experience than to just post some of the 7 trillion pictures taken that weekend (maybe there is, but I am too tired and too far behind to explain the weekend in words:). I will at least say that we went to Tallahassee and split up our time between my family (at my brother and sister-in-law's house) and Stace's family (with his sister, the birfday girl)! It was a wonderful weekend!

Julian did not like the loud fireworks too much!! He clung to Mama like a little monkey...even though it was 100 degrees outside, I didn't mind...:)

Soooo over the fireworks:

Julian, the little swimming daredevil, is obviously starved for attention:

Julian LOVED to play "Ring Around the Rosie" with his cousins and Aunt Jessica!