For many years I have needed and wanted to have a family motto, but in my ever to search to make it just right (perfect) I have always came to a HUGE brick wall. Well this weekend it came to me, partly because I prayed for the inspiration to have something help us at home right now and partly out of pure desperation. This is what I came up with during a "family mtg" again on Saturday, we've averaged 2 each day for the past week...

I will RESPECT myself

I will RESPECT my family

I will RESPECT my home

I will RESPECT others around me

I am a visual person and have always loved putting my thoughts to photographs... here is what I came up with tonight while I couldn't sleep, because Chris still hasn't been to sleep yet tonight and just got through asking me if he could just get up and get dressed for school now.......... mind you that was at MIDNIGHT!!!!!! UUGGHH!!!..... 

See DESPERATION!!!!!

*note that I have included one of my best friends paintings in my collage and haven't had a chance (since it is midnight after all) to ask her permission to use her photo, so I might need to change the collage.

Women's Conference September 2011

Like just about everyone else that I know that saw 

President Uchtdorf's never forgettable talk: Forget Me Not 

I was truly touched and even though I'm posting this a week later I started it the night we all heard him address us. I put together this collage that night because I couldn't get his words out of my mind and I just wanted to capture the the way I was feeling and one of the best ways that I could do that for me was through pictures. I have had it on my wall paper all week and printed and posted on my front door so that I could think and ponder his words during the entire week.

I haven't gone to the church to listen to Women's Conference in some time, I have either watched it online or read it latter when it was posted. I was inspired that I needed to attend this time. I had been struggling some with all that we have going on in our lives right now and just that morning was feeling a failure as a Mother. Now I know that all parents have such feeling; that is just where I was last week. I enjoyed all of the talks, however when President Uchtdorf began to address us I knew that his words was the reason that I had been inspired to be there that night. The 5 pedals represent the 5 points of his sermon. I will not ever again be able to look at a Forget Me Not again and not think of and ponder on his talk, it was beautiful and touched my life for good.

I was also inspired to ask my niece Ashley to attend with me and I am so glad that I was able to listen to the Spirit in-spite of my failing feelings at the time. We went out for Ice Cream afterwards and we were able to just sit and talk like we haven't been able to before... no kids or teasing husband around to interrupt us! It was a great girls night out and something I really needed and enjoyed the opportunity to bond more with Ashley.

The night was a spiritual and personal high for me and helped me to

regain some ground and start anew. Something that I was truly in need of!! 

I am SO GRATEFUL that the LORD still reveals to us his love for us through his Disciples. 

I am SO GRATEFUL that I listened to the spirit and didn't ignore the promptings that I received. 

I am SO GRATEFUL that we have a LOVING Heavenly Father that knows his children and what they need, and that he never leaves our sides, and caries us when he knows we don't have the strength any longer on our own. 

I am SO GRATEFUL for the knowledge that I am HIS Child and I will be once again in his arms one day!! as well as my earthly Parents!! Oh how I miss them and having that cheering section in my corner, but also GRATEFUL for the knowledge that I will once again be with them as well and my boys will have the opportunity to know and love them.