I stand all amazed

I actually wrote this Tuesday night, but never got around to finishing it. I feel it is a great way to begin this post:

What a great night...again! We all know and, hopefully, have experienced, the immense love our Father in Heaven has for each of us. Tonight, once again, I stand all amazed at that Love. You know those times when you feel the spirit so strongly you become as a child wanting to squeal with delight from your ears, and you can't stop smiling?...When you know, without one ounce of doubt, that there is a God, and He is so aware of you, and loves you, and has blessed you beyond what you can even understand? (Well that's how it is for me anyways, but you know what I'm talking about) That's how I feel right now. I know there is a God in Heaven...A loving, kind, understanding, patient, forgiving Father, who loves us more than we can imagine. He has the ability to take the worst of things, and make them beautiful and calm to bless our lives and the lives of others. He knows us...our fears, hopes, dreams, weaknesses, pains, and knows the very best way to make it all "work out in the end." I am so thankful for all I've gone through in life, and the challenges I've faced. I know I could not have known the happiness I do today without it all. I have been blessed with a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's church on the Earth today just as it was established by Christ long ago. I know this because I had a desire to find the truth. So I looked for it, and when I found it I asked Heavenly Father in prayer, for myself, if what I had found was true. My life hasn't been the same since.

Now back to right now...There are some passions I have in life even though sometimes I forget I am allowed to be passionate about anything other than my kids. I have been so blessed this week with so many opportunities to remember all the little things that really bring so much joy and purpose into my life. This post is going to be all about my week.
1.

My husband. I love him, and am so thankful I was smart enough to marry him even though I was way to immature to appreciate him. As I grow up, I appreciate him, and the amazing man he is, more each day. Especially since he got a new hair doo! (J/K)
2. My kids.



I do have 2 other kids I know. If you want to see pictures of them, there are plenty elsewhere on the blog. Jorie turns 1 tomorrow. How fast time passes! I have really been trying hard to be a more passionate mom (besides cooking, cleaning, laundry, blah, blah, blah...) I really want to find that joy and be able rejoice in them.

My list is going to get a bit more shallow from here on out!

3. Vera Bradley

Purses are my one girly weakness. This week at the store on the AF Base I was introduced to Vera Bradley...She designs fabric, and then somebody in a foreign country makes bags out of it. That is a picture of my new purse. I have a matching wallet to go with it. At this point, I'm hoping she only has two new collections per year...Spring/Summer and winter/fall.

4. Yard sales and thrift stores. People in Nebraska love yard sales, and there is an awesome Goodwill right down the street from my house!
5. Quilting.

4and5 go together because today I bought these two quilts at a yard sale for $8. They are vintage...right out of the 70's. I know some of you may think these are ugly, but for the others...Check these out!

Look at those fabrics in that quilt!!!



That is the real deal for all you fabric snots out there! I have my dear friend Vanessa to thank for turning me into a fabric snot. Thank you V. Here is the other quilt. Not as cool, but it's still awesome!

Last night at a yard sale I found 3 white 11x17 picture frames-which I had been looking for FOREVER-new, still wrapped up, for $2 each. I actually thought today, "I hope there's yard sales and thrift stores in the after-this-life."

6. A good hair stylist.
I can't tell you how many times I have gotten a really bad haircut. When I find a good hair stylist, it's like finding a good deal at a yard sale! On Tuesday I got my hair cut and colored! I always want to be able to see the color when I'm done, but always chicken out. This time I told her blond. I want parts of my hair to be blond!

I tried to get a good shot of me from the front...

but I couldn't seem to get one. Anyways, I was led to a good hairstylist by divine intervention (seriously!...I'm excited to see what comes of this friendship...), and that makes my heart and hair happy. Refer back up to the top for my feelings about this night.

7. Stephanie Meyer

And her new book...

I was up till 4a.m last night reading, and I didn't want to stop. Most of you have read or heard of her Twilight series. the host is her new book, and it is a little different, and a little slower, but it is just as captivating. I love her style of writing, and when I read, it's like I'm not reading. She uses such amazing detail it's like the words instantly become a movie in my head. Read the book before the last book in the Twilight series comes out in Aug. I think you will be able to appreciate it more if you do.

If I weren't tired of blogging at this point I would go on to name a few more like Provolone cheese, and my re-newed SERIOUS passion for running (thanks Kamille!), but I have to go rest. I hope all you out in the blogging world find a little passion in each day!