After Luis and I got married I was organizing his things in the spare closet in order to fit more in. I was consolidating all the packaging he had kept from all the computer software, there were so many boxes. Later we determined that apparently I had thrown away the Quicken box that had a special number on it needed to reinstall Quicken on the computer. A virus required us to restore our computer to factory settings and reinstall programs. We weren't able to reinstall Quicken and have been without it since. We have been wanting to be more organized in our finances and use Quicken again, and so I was praying and hoping that I had just misplaced the Quicken box. I searched Quicken online to see how much it was and they have a free online Quicken that we are able to use. What a big little blessing.

Quote of the Day: "As we ask in faith, we can receive revelation upon revelation and knowledge upon knowledge and come to know the mysteries and peaceable things that bring joy and eternal life. The mysteries are those matters that can only be known and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost." Elder David A. Bednar

Heartache

I am sitting at the computer trying to put together some activities for Mimi to keep her busy and help her listen to the General Conference of my church tomorrow. I came across some pictures of President Hinckley. While I whole heartedly support our new president, President Monson, there is still an ache in my heart and tears in my eyes every time I see a picture of President Hinckley. I miss him so much. For the last 10 years or so, he has been the person on earth that I have looked to the most for guidance. I know that he is a Prophet of God and that he is also the most Christ-like person I have observed.

Whenever he spoke, I felt his love so deeply in my heart that it melted away other concerns. Though his body became feeble his testimony and his eternal vision was always clear and strong. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. This strengthened me during pivotal years of college and work before marrying. His counsel that he imparted has shaped me, my life, and my family that my husband and I have created. His counsel inspired me to be better, to be the best person, friend, wife, mother that I could be. I truly miss him. I thank my Heavenly Father for sustaining President Hinckley for so many years, that he was able to have such a profound influence on everyone that knew of him. His example of being steadfast, and hardworking motivates me to "go to work" and accomplish great things. I love you President Hinckley and continue to miss you!

Jars of Baby Food

Today I was at the grocery store and saw a clearance bin had baby food jars for 30 cents each. I was shocked to see them that cheap and loaded up. On my way home, I pieced it together. This was a direct answer to my prayers a couple of weeks ago. I had prayed that I would be able to be more wise in my spending and staying within my budget. Baby food is a necessity, but the cost does ad up quickly. I recognized that the Lord was helping me and not just with today's purchase. But the last time I bought baby food, I was at Target and again found a lot of baby food on clearance for a great price. And then between these two purchases, a friend asked me if I could use the baby food that her youngest doesn't eat anymore. We often look for the Lord's hand in our lives in big important ways, when he most frequently helps out with the small and simple things. By noticing this answered prayer I know that my Heavenly Father listens to even the small things that are important to me. He truly does love us.

Quote of the Week

To open the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye, a Russian dairyman of Jewish descent, speaks these lines:
“Here in Anatevka we have our traditions for everything—how to eat, how to sleep, how to work, even how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered; we wear these little prayer shawls. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition get started? I’ll tell you—I don’t know! But it’s a tradition. Because of our traditions everyone here knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”
I hope that as I teach my little daughters how to pray, love, worship, and study the scriptures, that they will know who they are. That they are daughters of a loving God and that they will know His will for them in all things. This quote is a reminder to me that our daily activities become our traditions and I must choose wisely.

Pink Sprinkles

Last night I read a scripture that caught my attention. 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." The trials we face are not a strange thing that has happened to us but they teach us principles and compel us to turn to God. And if we have faith in Jesus Christ and pray for his help and the healing power of the Atonement we will know joy. The trials won't be taken from us but we will know joy and peace in the midst of them.

Last night I really wanted to attend a parenting class on power struggles. And since Gracie is 2 it was warranted. Everything worked out, Lydia napped up until I left and I took her with me. She was happy and pleasant during the class. Luis agreed to put Gracie to bed and I told Gracie that if she went to bed on time at 7:30 pm she would get pancakes with pink sprinkles for breakfast. When I came home, Gracie was in bed asleep and she got pancakes with pink sprinkles for breakfast this morning.

February

The Lord has truly blessed us this month. Our smoke alarm alerted us in the middle of the night that there was smoke in the hall. The smell of it didn't wake us up. We were also lucky that there wasn't a fire (our furnace died and was filling the house with smoke.) I am also thankful this month for Lady and the Tramp and the Wonderpets, without whom I wouldn't be able to get my picky eater to eat spagetti and celery. And today, I am thankful for Aunt Shelby who found the crib toy I was looking for 2nd hand. She packed up the kids and went and bought it for me at a fraction of the new price. Thanks Shelbs for being so kind! Hopefully this will help our little one to fall asleep with less crying.