Thursday, December 08, 2011
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Halloween 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Britton Again
Practically right after I wrote that last post, this happened...
Britton was holding Lily and staring at her and said, "Who knew the love of my life would be short and bald?"
I know he heard that on a commercial or something, but it was still so cute hearing him say it to her. He really is smitten by her.
We all are.
Britton was holding Lily and staring at her and said, "Who knew the love of my life would be short and bald?"
I know he heard that on a commercial or something, but it was still so cute hearing him say it to her. He really is smitten by her.
We all are.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Overheard
The other day Britton was holding Lily and talking to her. He said, "The day you were born was the best day of my life!"
It was the sweetest thing. I love seeing them together and how happy they make each other.
It was the sweetest thing. I love seeing them together and how happy they make each other.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Consider the Lilies
One of my all time favorite passages of scripture is found at the end of Matthew 6.
"...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
I love these words, I love the concept of the Lord taking care of us, of seeking the kingdom of God and not worrying about anything else, but it's not an easy thing for me to do.
I am a planner. I like to make lists. I like to budget. I like to save. I like to know what tomorrow (or the next 10 years) will bring. I like to be in control. And, I'm proud and stubborn and I think I know everything. So, when things don't turn out as planned, it's hard for me. I get scared. I panic. I don't deal with it very well.
I feel like that's been the story of my life for the past 3 years or so--the fear, the panic, the "not dealing so well".
We had been wanting another child ever since Haley was 1 1/2. After a pregnancy ended in miscarriage, we felt prompted that we needed to go to China for a year. What a remarkable experience it was for our family, something we would have never even considered with a young baby or one on the way. I was sure, though, that as soon as we arrived home and got settled, I would be able to get pregnant and it would be the perfect time for another child to come into our family.
Over the next few years, our family had many trials. Things that I could never have predicated and definitely couldn't control. Things that were really hard for me. Through it all, I kept wishing, hoping for another child. I began wondering if it wasn't supposed to happen. If I should just forget about it. I was given a blessing that said everything was fine and it would happen when it was supposed to happen. So, I stopped trying to plan and started trying to trust.
When I found out I was pregnant, it was at a time when the stress and trials were so overwhelming. I was working long hours, both day and night. We didn't have enough money. We didn't have adequate insurance. The kids were struggling. We had just lost a loved one. My marriage was weak. My whole family was worn thin. And we were just so busy trying to stay afloat. I didn't even realize I was pregnant (the thing I had been longing and yearning for) because I was so preoccupied in just getting through daily life. It didn't possibly feel like the ideal time. And while I was sincerely excited and grateful, it was overshadowed by more fear and panic. I couldn't see how everything was going to work out.
As I look back over the last 3 years of my life, they have been, without a doubt, the most difficult. I feel like I have been tried and tested in every facet of my life. I feel like my family has been under constant attack. While we haven't always dealt with it perfectly and are still dealing with a lot of things, we have learned so much, we have grown so much. We still aren't free from trials, but we are strong.
Recently, we received the ultimate blessing for our family--our beautiful little girl, Lily Emily Kemp. I can see now that the Lord's timing may not be our timing, but it is the perfect timing. When we can't figure out how everything is going to work out, He can. He will take care of us. He will bless us. And He will do so abundantly.
In the future, when I am afraid and feel out of control, I will "consider my Lily" and remember to trust in everything Heavenly Father has in store for me.
"...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
I love these words, I love the concept of the Lord taking care of us, of seeking the kingdom of God and not worrying about anything else, but it's not an easy thing for me to do.
I am a planner. I like to make lists. I like to budget. I like to save. I like to know what tomorrow (or the next 10 years) will bring. I like to be in control. And, I'm proud and stubborn and I think I know everything. So, when things don't turn out as planned, it's hard for me. I get scared. I panic. I don't deal with it very well.
I feel like that's been the story of my life for the past 3 years or so--the fear, the panic, the "not dealing so well".
We had been wanting another child ever since Haley was 1 1/2. After a pregnancy ended in miscarriage, we felt prompted that we needed to go to China for a year. What a remarkable experience it was for our family, something we would have never even considered with a young baby or one on the way. I was sure, though, that as soon as we arrived home and got settled, I would be able to get pregnant and it would be the perfect time for another child to come into our family.
Over the next few years, our family had many trials. Things that I could never have predicated and definitely couldn't control. Things that were really hard for me. Through it all, I kept wishing, hoping for another child. I began wondering if it wasn't supposed to happen. If I should just forget about it. I was given a blessing that said everything was fine and it would happen when it was supposed to happen. So, I stopped trying to plan and started trying to trust.
When I found out I was pregnant, it was at a time when the stress and trials were so overwhelming. I was working long hours, both day and night. We didn't have enough money. We didn't have adequate insurance. The kids were struggling. We had just lost a loved one. My marriage was weak. My whole family was worn thin. And we were just so busy trying to stay afloat. I didn't even realize I was pregnant (the thing I had been longing and yearning for) because I was so preoccupied in just getting through daily life. It didn't possibly feel like the ideal time. And while I was sincerely excited and grateful, it was overshadowed by more fear and panic. I couldn't see how everything was going to work out.
As I look back over the last 3 years of my life, they have been, without a doubt, the most difficult. I feel like I have been tried and tested in every facet of my life. I feel like my family has been under constant attack. While we haven't always dealt with it perfectly and are still dealing with a lot of things, we have learned so much, we have grown so much. We still aren't free from trials, but we are strong.
Recently, we received the ultimate blessing for our family--our beautiful little girl, Lily Emily Kemp. I can see now that the Lord's timing may not be our timing, but it is the perfect timing. When we can't figure out how everything is going to work out, He can. He will take care of us. He will bless us. And He will do so abundantly.
In the future, when I am afraid and feel out of control, I will "consider my Lily" and remember to trust in everything Heavenly Father has in store for me.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Things making me happy right now:
- I made a dress for Haley yesterday
- I've been jogging the last 3 days in a row
- I got to shower today :)
- It's Friday
- The free Kindle app on my iTouch and all the free books at amazon.com
- Excited for the Walk-a-thon tomorrow--go Team Emily!
- My cute little baby girl
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Monday, September 05, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
The Last Week of May
Here are a few pictures. I love the big back yard although it needs quite a lot of tender, loving care.
Monday, June 06, 2011
School's Out! School's Out!
Yippee! School's finally out!
Actually, we couldn't wait for school to be out and we decided to head down to St. George last Thursday. So, the kids missed their last day. (actually their last hour and a half since that's all they had on Friday) We left right after school Thursday and drove straight to Tuacahn Theater where we got to see our nephew, Payton, in The Little Mermaid. He is Flounder. The play was AMAZING! All the choreography, costumes, and visual/technical effects were really phenomenal. I loved how they made it seem like they were under the sea and swimming. And all the actors were great. If anyone gets the chance to go down there, definitely go see it--it's worth it and fun for the whole family.
We played in St. George on Friday and then came back Saturday for our other nephew, Hayden's baptism. It was such a fun weekend seeing so much family.
Then we headed up to our cabin to kick off our summer with just our family. We always have so much fun up there. Britton, Haley, and I spent most of Sunday writing a play together to perform for Jason. We were being so silly and having so much fun. Britton and I laughed so hard we were crying and we couldn't stop. I may or may not have lost control of my bladder. :) It was the best. Haley even said it was probably the best day of her life. I love that. I love making memories with my kids, even when it's just something simple. We made fires, roasted things, sang silly songs, went on a few hikes, played games, and just enjoyed each other.
I love summer!
Actually, we couldn't wait for school to be out and we decided to head down to St. George last Thursday. So, the kids missed their last day. (actually their last hour and a half since that's all they had on Friday) We left right after school Thursday and drove straight to Tuacahn Theater where we got to see our nephew, Payton, in The Little Mermaid. He is Flounder. The play was AMAZING! All the choreography, costumes, and visual/technical effects were really phenomenal. I loved how they made it seem like they were under the sea and swimming. And all the actors were great. If anyone gets the chance to go down there, definitely go see it--it's worth it and fun for the whole family.
We played in St. George on Friday and then came back Saturday for our other nephew, Hayden's baptism. It was such a fun weekend seeing so much family.
Then we headed up to our cabin to kick off our summer with just our family. We always have so much fun up there. Britton, Haley, and I spent most of Sunday writing a play together to perform for Jason. We were being so silly and having so much fun. Britton and I laughed so hard we were crying and we couldn't stop. I may or may not have lost control of my bladder. :) It was the best. Haley even said it was probably the best day of her life. I love that. I love making memories with my kids, even when it's just something simple. We made fires, roasted things, sang silly songs, went on a few hikes, played games, and just enjoyed each other.
I love summer!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Dance Festival
Yesterday was the kids' dance festival at school. It's always so much fun to go to. The videos are horrible quality, but I want to remember anyway, so they are there. Both kids are on the 2nd row back, so it's kind of hard to see them. I was so proud of both of them for doing so well.
Haley's Zoo Field Trip
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