I think I got it...

Ok, ok. Yesterday I had a "moment." I'm good now. I'll always be sad because life is constantly moving and changing, right?! I do feel incredibly blessed to have more than my fair share of "rocks" (and friends who are as stubborn as rocks...) in my life and friends all over the world. Thanks. Anyway, today as I was sitting in Relief Society, I think I got it. (Which is amazing b/c most of church was spent NOT paying attention to the lesson, but trying to get my kids to be relatively behaved:) I digress... The opening hymn was Abide with Me. A hymn I LOVE and have heard a million times, but today it struck a little different and now I get it. For the second week in a row music has brought me to tears... Follow me down this little path. See if it helps... The words say:
      "Abide with me fast falls the even tide
       The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
       When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
       Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

       Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
       Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
       Change and decay in all around I see;
       Oh though who changest not, abide with me!


       I need thy presence ev'ry passing hour.  
       What but thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
       Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
       Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!

Ok, I know all of you were WAY ahead of me on this one, but I get it. Even if I don't want change... I get it. That's what life is all about change and relying on the one thing that will never change, the Lord. Now carry on, life's too short:) and life is good. Thanks guys, love you!

I know, I know...

I'm a slacker. I know. This past month has been one of ups and downs, ins and outs. We have all worked hard to prepare Ben for his first dental boards. By that I mean I held down the fort and the two children who desperately wanted to play with their daddy while he slaved away memorizing and internalizing bits of knowledge I never want to know:) We budgeted time and talents very wisely:) and hopefully that will pay off! They went well (we think)! and we should know results in the next couple of weeks.
Since that time, we have been tearing up the countryside, but I think it best for me to save those details for pictures (coming soon)!
I guess the reason for my lack of posting at least partially has to do with the departure of some very dear friends over the past month. I spent most of May and June sad and mourning the loss of three of Ike's favorite playmates (and consequently, my friends). I have had a difficult time with life moving on. I wish it could just always stay the same. Really, I'm not sure why the plan is for us to make close, eternal friends and then move away. How does that make sense? I know you are thinking I'm whining and I am... I just know that I am a person who needs friendship. I feel like these women (and their families) have sincerely blessed our lives and made a life in the desert with a husband studying *most* of the time bearable and even fun. I don't know how I could've made it through this past year without them and I know that they are in my life for reasons. So, thank you, dear friends... and please, don't forget to call:)
Honestly though, I feel like my heaven will have to be a reuniting of all my friends and family where we can all be together and never be separated again... wouldn't that be heaven? I know I don't see the big picture that our Father in Heaven sees, and I'm ok with that... I just miss my friends:)