I did it... (5/9)

Well thank heavens for a new day and a new start!
The end of March and beginning of April were full of many activities, visitors and such.
Apparently it's taken me until May to get back on here!

I am thankful for...
A brand new day.  No matter how rough the day or night before was, things always look different in the morning, and I'm thankful for that.  Sometimes we just need to close our eyes and stop, sleep provides that!
Today I'm thankful to be feeling better, felt yuck last night, even threw up, today I feel shaky, but better.  I'm thankful for my health.

Study time...
I finished Alma!  Hooray!  I read the first three chapters of Helaman today.
Let me go back a little because after all of the wars and killing, at the end of Alma in ch. 62:27, 28.  The Nephites took the city Nephihah w/o any bloodshed.  And, the Lamanites that wanted to, the prisoners, were allowed to join the people of Ammon to become free people.  Mercy is what we talked about for FHE last week.  It makes you wonder where the hearts of the Lamanites were at.  Did they want to fight?  Were they just being loyal?  Were they afraid to die, so said they wanted to join? 
In v. 29 they now begin to toil the ground, learn to work and become productive, making a change in their lives. 
Struck, by the mercy to offer freedom to someone so intent on killing you.
Wonder about the hearts of the Lamanites.
See the pattern today of those who are willing to change.  Give them tools, help them take care of themselves, maybe they haven't had a knowledge to work with.

POTD
Starting new challenge w/ prompts.
5/7 - Love... can't tell you how much I love my gel nails, best thing EVer!

5/8 - No socks
Inspired to shoot my feet, running feet and dancer feet. I do wear socks running, totally converted to the minimalist shoe too.

5/9 - Work
Oh the housework that never ends! Making my bed...

Wednesday 3/28

Wednesday
Thankful for...
Progress, being able to cross things off the list, accomplishing things.  Don't always do that, but did today and felt good.  Felt good to vacuum my craft room.  I've not been able to see the floor for a couple of weeks!

Study time...  Oh war chapters, what are you trying to teach me?  I'm almost finished w/ Alma and the inspiration has seemed to dry up just a little!  I'm looking for something new, want to see differently.  Ch 54 and 55.  Do you think Moroni acts rationally?  I think it is fair to ask for women and children in trade for a man.  Even though Ammoron rants and raves about his beliefs, in the end he agrees to Moroni's terms.  Why does Moroni re-nig and now want him to restate his cause?  Was that really necessary?  In the end they do get their women and children and a city back, so no harm.  I just wonder if he let his anger get the best of him, if things would've been easier, or how they'd have been different if he'd just traded.

Photo... It's been a while since I've taken a photo of Matt.  He needed a head shot for work, glad to get an updated one for us.  I like to record the steps he's taking in his career.

Tuesday & Wednesday 3/20 & 21

Wednesday 3/21
Thankful for...
That reminder call from the Sister missionaries!  I forgot I signed up to feed them!  I had it written, but hadn't looked at the calendar. 

Study time...
Alma 50:12 - Moroni's armies did increase because ...the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them.
He was a man of action and his righteous actions, his integrity is what people trusted.
First in v 26 there is a warm contention.  That warmth grows and now there is fighting and killing.  It amazes me that these people lived in such a way that you could go to battle and kill each other, then get captured or defeated and you could be restored to your land if you promised to keep peace.  That is pretty trusting right, because today people surely wouldn't be able to let it go!  I think it's forgiving to give these dissenters their land back.

Photo...
Bulbs are starting to bloom here.

Tuesday 3/20
Thankful for...
My good friend who just brings me a diet coke.  I had Tyce for a bit today.  Molly brought us drinks and we sat in the sun visiting.  Loooove the sun right now!

Study time...
Nothing!  Ah!  I can usually even get a verse in, but nothing today.

Photo...
Such a sweet thing to have O say, I want to 'nuggle' Garrision.

Monday 3/19

I am recommitting this week to this journal.  For all of it.  We had a RS activity Saturday morning and keeping a grateful journal is a good tool for me.  I have been continuous w/ my scripture study.  I'm down to a chapter a day although Friday I fit a few more in.  I haven't taken the time to write so I need to recommit.  I enjoy the writing, it makes my thoughts more in depth, plus I have a journal.  For the photos, I have slacked there, to only a few/ week.  Recommit!

Monday 3/19
Thankful for...
that run is over!  I pushed the boys in the stroller today and it was hard, always is a challenge getting used to it again!
Study time...
Alma 49 - Amalackiah seeks first take over the 'weakest' city Ammonihah.  He attacks in the weakest area.  Satan operates the same.  Knows our area of weakness.  Interestingly enough the city has been rebuilt... and fortified.  It not only has been restored, but has been strengthened enough that the Lamanites won't attack.  When we are restoring an area of weakness it is necessary to not only restore and rebuild, but fortify and increase strength so that area of life is no longer a weakness.

Photo...
This past weekend Matt put up the trampoline, or bumpline as E calls it.  They are all in heaven!

monday 3/12

Monday 3/12
Thankful for...
Such beautiful weather!  It feels so good to be outside.  The kids were in heaven today.

Study time...
Going into the war chapters, things aren't necessarily in chronological order.  Ch 43.  Possible Moroni gained his new war tactics through benefit of translating the plates of Ether, reading about the brother of Jared and their wars.

Photo...
Today I'll put up the invite I did for G's party...

Sunday
Thankful for...
Accomplishing something.  Sometimes it just takes crossing something off the list to feel better in life.  Today I took photos of the kids to post for the spring mini shoot and that felt good... the sunshine did too.

Study time...

Photo...
kids

Saturday
Thankful for...
Coming home to a clean house.  I went to the temple w/ Molly of course thankful for that, coming home to a clean house was a great transition back into life.

Study time...
Didn't study, but learned so much at the temple.

Friday 3/9
Thankful for...
I'm so glad to feel better today!  I was thankful to lunch with my friends.  I'm thankful to get my blogging accomplished.

Study time...

Photo...
G wanted me to take some pix of him playing hockey.  He got some pucks at the ticket exchange today.  Cute kid really wants to learn hockey.

Thursday 3/8
Thankful for...
It's hard to feel thankful when you feel sick.  I was home sick today.  It's so interesting how when you are limited or feel vulnerable physically, it affects your spirit.  I just wanted to cry many times today at things non-related to being sick.  I'm thankful to have made it through the day.  Oh, and I'm thankful my Q forgave me after a rough morning.  I love her so much, but she can sure try me at times.  My best does not always come out when we converse!  This is probably the day I could've used a good study.  I read a little from my Ludlow study companion, but not much, didn't have it in me.

Wednesday 3/7
Thankful for...
The opportunity to donate for the VanRy fundraiser.  I hope to gain exposure for sure!  So thankful to Matt for watching all 7 kids so Molly and I could go together. 

Study time...
Alma 39 - Read and learned today the difference in an unforgivable and unpardonable sin.

Tuesday 3/6
Thankful for...
An increase of girls.  Sometimes it is overwhelming being in charge of activity days.  I need to get myself organized.  It went well.  The girls had fun tonight.  I had 4 extra girls, so happy to have visitors.  We had 16.  It felt good to have it done!

Study time...
Alma 38:10 love the words be diligent and temperate in all things.
Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English temperat < Latin temperātus, past participle of temperāre to exercise restraint, control. See temper, -ate¹
1. ^{moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement,}

^{2. moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, especially in the use of alcoholic liquors.}

^{3. not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.}

Is this not what life is about?  Self mastery, temperance?  I need so much work in this area, in so many ways in my life.  I was telling Molly that this is her word.  She is temperate in my eyes.
Monday 3/5
Thankful for...
Progress.  Want to get Liza's hair pieces done.  Did the giraffe today.

Study time...
Alma 37:9 Corrects himself, first says the scriptures or these words bring the Lamanites unto repentance.  I like the correction.  The scriptures actually bring us to a knowledge of our Savior and our faith in him brings us to repentance.

Photo...