Paradise Cruise

We just got back from a cruise to Catalina Island and Baja Mexico. It was so fun. We went with my brother and his wife and my sister and her husband (we missed our parents - who couldn't go last minute). We went left our kids with Sam's parents and had a blast with just us. We enjoyed snorkeling, shopping and exploring Catalina Island in a golf cart. In Mexico kyaking was quite the experience with our local guide we found on the internet - so funny and just plain fun. We also got the full experience of barting in Mexico as we shopped the strip back to the ship. We ate ALOT of really good and different kinds of foods - I haven't dared get on the scale yet. The weather was beautiful mostly so it was hard to come back snow. I am so glad we went!

We are on our way!!!

Catalina Golf Cart Exploration.

Dinners were awsome!

Who knew the candy from Mexico were filled with Tequila? Brandi enjoyed them :)

Kyaking was beautiful. We saw tons of sea lions, seals, starfish, sea erchants and clams. We then were taken for authenic mexican tacos (none of us got sick although we worried).

I love Sam! We still have things incommon that do not involve our kids.

It was fun. I wish we could go again.

A Heart Like His

Our Stake Relief Society gave us a challenge in October to try to have a "Heart Like His." We were asked to be aware of our own heart - whether is was open and soft or closed and hard. We were asked to try to have an open heart toward others without making any special arrangments in our day. We just go about our normal day and try to face each situation with an open heart. The whole challenge was inspired by this book by Virginia Pearce.

I read the book and really took the challenge. I wasn't successful all the time - in fact I noticed how often I had a hard heart. But I also had experiences that I would not have had if I hadn't been aware of how my heart was. These were not huge experiences just sometimes I was nicer to people at the store and while driving. I took more time to listen and really be a friend to others at work - when I felt pressed for time. And most importantly I took a little more time to read and play with my kids. I did not get as angry as I could have with them or my husband. I recommend this book and this experience to everyone. It definately makes me happier when I have a heart more like his. I plan to re-read this book every so often to help me remember to try and have a softer heart more like my Saviors.

In His Hands

I want to share with others how much faith I have in my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I have been pretty anxious lately about life and all the unknown. I found out a few weeks ago that there is a good chance that I will be loosing my job. I only work twice a week and I really enjoy it. I have thought about quitting after we had made the life changes we had planned but we haven't sold our house or made any progress in our plans. So I planned to work till I was sure of our expenses. Now that I may not have a job and Sam's work is in construction, it is pretty stressful to think about. For days I was so anxious and almost in tears at any moment. I could not stop thinking about it and couldn't sleep. Needless to say I spent a lot of time praying. I finally was able to calm down and realize things would work out when I was praying. I looked and on my wall was the Mormon Ad above that says "You are in His hands." At that moment I realized that my life is in his hands and everything will work out. Imediately I was was able to calm down and have been ok since. I will know after the legislature sessions are over if I still have a job.

I Know that my Heavenly Father loves me and things will work out how they are supposed to!