The Start of a Blog

I figured I should again start writing down what happens in my life.

Pepper was born about two months ago. She's getting a little better at sleeping which is nice. Henry is back to taking naps again, too. I got to take a nap today. We had a photo shoot this morning (but more on that later).

After nap time we went to the mall as a family (Eric's favorite). Henry played at the "dinosaur mall," and Eric got some new gray jeans at Banana. He's good looking. Not only that, but he's a good dad. He loves our kids.

It's not that having two kids is so much harder than having one kid, it's that having a new baby again is hard. It's the whole feeding, sleep training, crying, entertaining things. Pepper is so sweet - it's like she's a very understanding soul. She knows what I need. She's an angel, but she's still a baby.

I always know when I am supposed to bare my testimony before fast Sunday comes along: This past month has (obviously) been difficult at times. I got to a point when I just felt like I couldn't do it any more. I was tired and frustrated and tired.

I was pleading to Heavenly Father for something, really just any kind of comfort. Then a scripture came into my head, the one about the very jaws of hell gaping it's mouth, but I opened up to D&C 121 and saw verses 7 and 8 underlined, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it will, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

And that was great. I felt...okay. But it was something that we in the Church hear a lot, and it still wasn't what I needed. Then I read the next verse and broke down: "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." Shortly after that spoke with my sister, my long time best friend, and have since been surrounded with friends at various social events.

I just feel so blessed to have a Heavenly Father who loves me, who knows me, and who knows what I need.

Tonight was the first ever Women's conference where all girls aged 8 and up were invited. President Henry B. Eyering spoke and he said (something like), " You will have tests, trials, and opportunities chosen specifically and perfectly for you." It's comforting to me to know that at least some of the crap that happens to me is specifically designed to make me the best me. And I'm not alone. I have my loving, supportive husband who works hard and cares about me. I have my Father in Heaven. I have my family, who I can call any time. I have friends. I have Henry and Pepper. I have Annie.

Tomorrow is fast Sunday and we are blessing Pepper. Look out for an emotional me.