Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!

I ponder a year ago..last Thanksgiving....it was such a day of mixed emotions. I wanted to soak every moment with my kids. Rich and I were leaving for Ecuador the next day. I was ready to go get this new son of ours, but my heart was so sad to leave my other children.

I feel so blessed to be home with them this year. I spent the day yesturday baking rolls, cookies, and making chocolate covered strawberries. This is what I longed to do all last Christmas season with my children around me helping. I got to do that in preparing for Thanksgiving. I felt so grateful for all the many blessings of family, being together as a family, not having to be apart, and seeing God's hand in our families lives every day this past year.

It has been a very very hard year for me, but I see such tender mercies in my life and the lives of my family. I have felt guided how to teach and love my family. I have felt protected from so much at the same time facing so much heartache. I see the growth of our family's unity...

I'm here as a witness that Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He IS here to help us make it through what ever trial we face. He is there waiting for us to turn to Him so he can wrap His loving arms around us. He is there to enjoy with us all our joys that we face as well. We are His children. He knows us and loves us...I can feel it so strong even as I write this.

I am grateful for this knowledge. I am grateful for His love and knowing.. I am a daughter of God.

I didn't post for Sarah's Birthday.... November 12

All Sarah wanted for her birthday was to be in her house before we move. She got her birthday wish. Angie Wach made the most yummy red velvet cake ever for Sarah. We were able to eat this and open presents. I tried hard to have it as special of a day as possible because she wasn't very happy about moving the next day. We ended our evening all cuddled in mine and Rich's bed watching a Barbie movie. It was great to be together like that.

Sarah is such a sweetie......my little angel. She loves to take charge and be the little mother. She is such a silly goober. She keeps us laughing at the dinner table. She can be fearless when she sets her mind to it. Now, if I could get her to think that way about eating strawberries. :) I have enjoyed watching her grow into such a big girl. She did swim team this past summer. It was very hard for her, but she did it. She didn't want to switch schools when we moved, but after praying and fasting she felt like she should switch and she did (although it was hard for her). She got up to bear her sweet testimony in church in November. It was so tender. She said she knew that when we are having a hard time that Heavenly Father will help us and that she knew Thomas S. Monson was a true prophet. That was it, but so from the heart. My little girl is getting so big in spirit and strength. I love this little girl of mine...she is my JOY