History in the Making

I have decided that since I have nothing to do in my spare time I want to start writing some type of history about my life. I really want to do this for Nick too because I'm pretty sure he will never do it for himself. The trick is getting him to cooperate. I can just picture the look on his face now when I tell him "sit down honey I want to interview you about your life and write it down for you. So for now I'll start with a more willing subject.. me! Now this is a pretty boring subject to blog about I know, but for some reason I am going to do it anyway! So from now on I am aiming for a once-a-week post on the history of me. With all that said I need a break from writing. I'll be back next week:)

Mother Daughter Moment

Ainsley and I have a new diversion... watching cooking shows. I recorded one a couple of weeks ago and sat down to watch. She soon came and questioned me about what I was watching. I explained the concept of a "cooking show" and she eventually settled down next to me and we viewed together. It was a lovely bonding moment as she peppered me with entertaining questions and comments about the chef, ingredients, etc. It was pleasant to share this 30 minutes with her. We sit down to a cooking show at least once a day now. I find myself recording these shows with her in mind and looking forward to the time we will spend together watching. Our favorites shows so far are America's Test Kitchen and Simply Ming.

I love our new mother/daughter activity, and hopefully she will even pick up some cooking tips early on and turn out to be a better cook than her mama! I have to smile when I hear "I know Mom, maybe tomorrow we could make those chocolate cupcakes. Does that sound like a good idea mom, does it?" I cherish these small reminders of her sweet and genuine nature, especially on days when it hasn't been showing so much:).

So true, and so hard to live by

"It is not what we say or feel that makes us what we are. It is what we do, or fail to do."
-Marianne in 'Sense & Sensibility'

"There are things in life that are difficult to accept: That's where a testimony comes in."

When my cousin turned 16 a couple of years ago he asked everyone in our family to write down their testimony and send it to him instead of a gift. While I was doing some spring cleaning the other day I came across a copy of the letter that I sent him. I wish I could say that I regularly get up in sacrament meeting and share my testimony, but I really don't. As I was reading over the letter I was suddenly so glad that my cousin asked me to do this. Now I have my testimony in writing forever to share with my family. The past couple of weeks with Easter and other things that have been going on in my life I've felt the spirit often and my heart has been so full. I am so grateful for my husband and my children. I am grateful for extended family members that are loving and supportive. I am thankful for my home and the blessing that come with financial security. I am especially thankful for the gospel and the hope that it brings me. There have been many times in my life when I have sat despairing at how "unfair" life can be. At one point when life was seeming particularly unfair I heard a really great talk at a fireside that strengthened my testimony. I hadn't thought about this experience for a long time, but I had included it in the letter.

"One day I went to a fireside and the speaker was talking about testimonies. In his talk he said 'There are things in life that are difficult to accept: That's where a testimony comes in.' I cannot remember anything else in his talk. That thought struck me and I spent the rest of the evening replaying it in my mind. I finally understood. This was my answer."

After reading it again I felt the same feelings I did then of hope, and joy, and the knowledge that with the help of Heavenly Father, the savior, and the gospel all things are possible. My testimony may not be eloquent or sophisticated as so many testimonies are, but it is truly my life line.