It is funny how the patterns of writing/sharing and absence cycle around for everyone. It is no wonder that I have never gotten terribly far with writing books - can't keep the writing streak going too long. Even now, the forced thought of needing to post....something.....keeps drawing a blank. Thus, a bit of a photo catch-up and some words to say, 'we still exist.'

Faith was very excited to be helping Josh make our Sunday after church traditional quesidillas until the pan (as warned) jumped up and bit her a little on her hand. She resigned her desire to flip them and just was the official timer to tell daddy when to flip.

Sisters - No one ever had a better sister

It's Sunday. The day I get to work on family photo albums and stumble across some fabulous memories and great loving refreshers. I love comparing the past and looking at the present in a little captured moment.

Today, as I saw this photo, my eyes welled up with tears:

This is me and my three amazing sisters six years ago. Six years ago we were all starting to get to know each other all over again, as adults. My two older sisters were welcoming me into the world of marriage and my youngest bestest bud sister was embarking on world adventures. We were all great friends in this picture. Even more cool, we are all better friends now!

I so love my sisters. What an amazing blessing! Growing up in a small (by today's standards) house with six kids of completely different tastes and talents was a small miracle. I know we didn't get along all the time. I had made a general rule in my head at some point as a girl that it was impossible to like the person you shared a room with (we were all paired in twos in bedrooms). Jill and I may have been enemies for life had it not been for a mighty change of hearts on both our parts somewhere in the teen years.

My older sisters have always been great mentors. They are as different from each other as I am from either of them, but oh! how wonderful that makes the world perspective of a growing girl. I experienced first time dating, popularity, living on the outside, and your first love with those sisters. I shared their clothes and their music, and somewhere in the middle I figured out a bit of what I liked. I liked it all!

Recently, as Josh and I were projecting into the wishful future of the 'next life' after the desert, he asked me where I wanted to live. With adventures had, and life moving forward toward more 'steady' only one criteria came to mind - close to my sisters. They have been my best friends, those that stick through every move and every stage of life. Even now, I want to share in everything new with them, and be close, and be involved. Thank Heavens for all this wonderful technology that helps us talk - what would I do without free long distance calling?!

At some point I believe we all address the creeping question; why this family? There is that fundamental moment when we have to figure out where we fit in this world and why, oh why, did God put me together with this mash up of people. I asked it about the age of thirteen. I had a very clear answer from God at that point - because this is where you will reach your greatest potential. That was enough to get a reluctant compliance out of me for those more difficult years until it happened, I understood. My sisters are more than just people I grew up with, they have turned out to be the coolest friends EVER. Imagine, a sleepover any night you want without your mom disagreeing.

I shan't leave out my brothers - they are cool too. They are much older than me and have been the fierce protectorates for years and years. As I was playing the piano in primary today I looked up to see my older brother sitting with the class that he teaches of youth. He smiled at me. I smiled back. Then I thought, that's really cool. I wonder if he thinks it is just as cool to see a younger sister doing adult things; seeing really what we could have never imagined as we saw each other as kids. Yet, here we are, friends that are drawn to each other out of a much deeper and more wonderful love than just friends. I want to be with these people on all the special days of the year and the regular ones too.

My all time favorite musical movie is "White Christmas." All star loaded cast with fantastic songs. Best song? You can guess it by now I am sure - Sisters. It is great the first time that Rosemary Clooney sings it with her 'sister', then it is even better when sung lip-sung by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Yep, I have certainly preformed it with my sister. Best part - 'No one ever had a better sister.' And the brings me to the culmination of the 'bests' of this post; Best sisters, best friends.

Excellent Photo Post Script here:

My mom, with her three sisters at the same even six years ago. I believe they feel the same way.

Happiness Project #6 Becoming

I am so very very grateful for tender mercies of the Lord guiding thoughts, readings, and ideas. I have been thinking a great deal on this coming month, of course, because it is something I have tried to dedicate my life to; actually becoming what I ought to be. That is, living up to my divine potential. If I am not doing that, what on Earth am I doing?

Here's what I have boiled it down to for some pretty measurable goals for this month. Obviously, I have a lifetime of honing down this process but I am glad that I have had a bit of an understanding as to what is possible for me to do in the present to be better.

1 - I AM..... Each day pick an adjective for myself that I can aspire to become that will be a statement of affirmation if I am faltering and a good reminder of what I really am commited to doing that day specifically. Write it down and judge on a scale of 1-5

1=remembered

2=hit it a couple of times

3=was aware and working

4=changed some directions based on it

5=really lived up to that daily potential

2-Ponder Thoughts: This is to be both mindful of the thoughts that I am allowing to be in my head and also to direct certain thoughts in a mode that would be pondering the truths that will help me become a better person. Pondering is the process of watching all our thoughts (which then become actions) and choosing only good and ennobling thoughts. Consistent choice of good thoughts acheives true joy and happiness through self-discipline. Place treasures in my mind that will help me observe the commandments of God and His purposes for me.

D&C 6:20 “I have spoken unto thee because of they desires; therefore treasure up these words (answers to sincere prayers and scriptures, words of prophets, things to ponder) in thy heart. BE FAITHFUL and DILLIGENT in keeping commandments of God, andI will encircle thee in the arms of my love.”

3-Fix It: Knowing the helps and guidance that the Lord has given me in order to become what I really am I can make seemingly small adjustments to daily flaws in order to be better in the capacity and character of a person that I am in the circumstances I am given.

Specifically: Confident communication in positive ways. Share talents with others. Be willingly helpful and volunteer to reach out of my own sphere to be useful. [see notes ;)]

Halloweeny

Each of the kids made their face on their own face for Daddy to model their pumpkin face after. (from L to R) Danny, Faith, Vivy and Earl. Yep, Earl got a bit confused when Josh asked what face he wanted and pointed up and said "moomms."
Our trick-0r-treaters. The girls were running, really running for the first year, ahead while Danny pirate and Earl Fireman were lagging behind. Danny because of his boots and Earl because that is just his nature.
Really, if you could tell who this girl was on the streets after seeing her with this wig, I would be impressed. Viv's choice was Rapunzel. We did our best with what we had. I tried to keep my comments to myself but couldn't help but agree with Faith when she commented right after putting the wig on Viv, 'But Rapunzel doesn't have dark skin!?" I know, right? But the girl was satisfied and it was only a few hours of 'huh?'
Faith decided herself that she wanted to be Oddette the Swan Princess ballet girl. I had no complaints. She fit the part beautifully.
Josh's suggestion won out as both he and I were vying for our own costume idea for Danny. I was going for prince, but Josh got his little mind swayed to pirate. He turned out so dang cute, who cares!