24 YEARS!

Today I turn 24. My favorite parts of the day?

• Josh coming to Sacrament Meeting in our married ward, and holding the kids while I played the organ. "You must not ever get ANYTHING out of church anymore."
• Family members calling me to wish me happy birthday.
• Having a clean house for going to bed is really nice, too.
• Ooh, eating this for dinner was definitely a highlight. Except I cooked it in the oven at 350 for 2 hours (a wee bit too long). It tasted like Autumn.

This week will hold mostly life as usual. I need to start making a plan for Thanksgiving, and get Leo's birthday gifts finished. Can you believe that in 9 days my baby will have his First Birthday? I look at my children every day and marvel at how quickly they grow and learn. The Lord has blessed our little family, and this past year has been one in which I've learned just how much he loves me.

One year ago, I was getting Christmas gifts finished and wrapped for my family. I was finishing my first read-through of the Old and New Testaments. I was feeling more than slightly crazy.

In the past year I had my first epidural. And delivered my second, most precious, little boy.

In the past year I lived in California for three months, two of which were without a husband.

I've learned that the Lord really does make good on His promises.

I realized that I am MUCH stronger, more motivated, and capable than I knew.

I've also learned that nothing is more important than my relationship with Christ. Everything else that I do is secondary to the fact that He is my Savior.

My marriage has begun to show that little bit of polish that comes from four years of work; it's been worth all those tears and difficult moments.

I taught a child how to use the potty!

All in all, I look back on the last year and feel satisfaction in where I am right now. I also feel anticipation that the future will hold even more joy and, yes, sorrow, for me and my family. It may not be easy, but I thrill at the challenge of making this life even more like that life Christ wants for me.