It made my day...

When Elder Ballard basically concluded this General Conference talking about what I do for a living, I couldn't help but smile. He talked about what I love to do, help people who have addictions break free from the traps that they are caught in.
I felt like celebrating when he discussed the 12 step program and how it can and does change lives. I know that through the power of the atonement and turning to God and Christ people can be free from the snares that entrap them. I love that God has provided a way for His children to be clean from poor choices we all make.
It is difficult to describe what I do to people who do not understand it, but I wanted to share how grateful I was to hear Elder Ballard go into detail about my job and the professionals who are licensed to help ;)
(If you missed his talk you can click on General Conference above and search for his talk, it will be worth it.)

Dear Joey Truman

To my little buddy Joey,
If only I could be more like you and take life more slowly.
Today as I was listening to Elder Uchtdorf, an apostle of Jesus Christ, I thought of you.
Joey I love how silly you are.
You are such a genuinely funny kid. You do not even have to try and you make me and many others laugh.
I "love"(said with sarcasm:) how you take FOREVER to eat anything cuz you like to play and talk and pretend and you still ask for me to do the airplane one time while you eat and you are 5. I need to be more like you. I love to do the airplane with your food for you. You have such a great imagination and you play well by yourself as well as with others. I love what a sweet boy you are. You are a sensitive boy and such a sweet heart.
I love how you love to play video games and you are so good at them. You are such a unique boy. You are so smart and I am happy that you love Kindergarten. I worried about starting you and your brother as the youngest kids in your classes, but you have both excelled and I know I made the right decisions.
I love your angry face.
I love your little ear.
I love how daring you are, and how you trick people all the time.
I love your hugs and loves. I love how you have to be touching me or dad if you happen to be in our bed or on the couch with us. I love what a good little brother you are, and how David is your hero. I am so happy that you guys love to play together and have the same friends.
I love you. I am so happy you are a part of our family. I always wanted to have sons. I love you.
Love your forever Mom,
Mommarilla

Dear David Jr.

Dear David Jr.,

I Love you! You are such a sweet boy. Thank you for being my son and my buddy. I am so proud of you. You are so smart at school; reading, math, and writing. I have noticed you practicing your writing. You are such a sensitive boy. I hope that you stay just the way you are; smart, sensitive, sweet and caring. I love how you are so honest. I love that you make friends wherever we go and you are so friendly to others. I love that you come and talk to me whenever you need to. I am sorry that I am not always in the best mood and sometimes I get mad at you, BUT I Love You!

This week at work I have been helping some families who have sons who are addicted to drugs. I hope that you will listen to the Holy Ghost as you choose friends and as you make choices that will affect your future. Stay close to your Heavenly Father and He will always help you make good choices. If you ever find yourself in a bad situation making bad choices I hope that you will come to me and ask for help, but most especially I hope you will go to God in prayer. I hope that we can always be close and be friends. The moms that I have been working with this week said they never imagined their sons to make these kinds of choices and be hurting so much. The dads spoke of their "little buddies" growing up who are now adults making choices that are bad for them. You are you're dad's little buddy and always have been from the day you were born. I hope if we ever find our family in a similar situation that we will work together like these families are.

I love you so much. I love how you talk almost non-stop. I love how silly you are, how you are afraid of the dark, and what a great big brother you are (most of the time). I will always remember the day you were born and how much of a blessing you are to me and to your dad. I am so happy to be your mom, learning with you as you grow and as I grow too. Thanks for being patient with me!
Love your forever mom,
Mommarilla

A Healthier You?

I am thinking about doing this...

8 weeks to a healthier/better you.

Click on the title of this post to see.

There is $money$ involved.

See what you think. :)

One of my dreams...

Growing up I always imagined having a home where people felt welcomed.
I always dreamed that when I grew up and had a home of my own people would want to be there. (I once had a palm reader tell me my home would be a place of refuge/comfort for visitors.)
I hope that someday my home is a place where my children and all their teenage friends want to hang out. They want to be here all the time already, but it is so nice outside that I send them out.
I think Dave and I have created a welcoming, comfortable home where people like to visit and hang out.
We have family visitors all the time.
This weekend one of my older brothers and his wife were here with their 4 children. My sister and her best friend stayed a night, my cousin, my younger brother, and one of my uncles also stayed here this weekend.
I am so glad that people like to stay here. We have company just about every other weekend and I love it. Our parents come stay here, our siblings, our cousins, many family members and our friends.
Thanks People. You are all welcome anytime.

10 years...

Me and my BFF.
(I actually have a few BFF's.)
We went to our high school reunion together, it was fun!

Another friend, Lauren, at our reunion. Lauren's camera is the one that took these photos. Thanks Lauren. Remember our senior trip :) ?

Silene and Marilla.

I love this girl and do not know what I would have done without her.

She has always been the best righteous example!

Today is her birthday and I count my blessings to have her in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just for fun

Today we went on a bike ride as a family for the first time... It was a blast!
Dave got a couple more bikes this past weekend so now we have one for all of us :)
I had no idea how much fun that could be.
So sad I do not have pictures to share :(
I am planning to get a camera for my birthday next month.
Any suggestions?