Thanks for the pep talk Christy. So many times I feel like I'm failing because I'm not doing EVERYTHING the prophet teaches. I know that I can improve on so many things but with a non-member husband it's hard to do everything. I know, I'm justifying things. My oldest boy is 21 years old and very inactive in the church. My husband would never allow him to receive the priesthood so he lost interest in the church when he was about 14 years old because he couldn't participate the way the other boys did. He's a good boy and I have mothers tell me that they are so glad when my son hangs out with their boys because they know that the boys won't get into any trouble or do anything they shouldn't be doing. My daughters are 19, 17, 6 and 4. They are all VERY active in the church and my 17 is planning on going on a mission. I needed to hear your pep talk today. Thank you for making my day. Okay, laugh 3 times a day - well, I can laugh at least one time today. We went to my brothers house, had dinner and let the young children hunt easter eggs. My 5 year old nephew came in with an egg he had found and told us it was "leaking". We looked at this egg WE had dyed and found a RAW egg. How it got in the batch is beyond me but that's one laugh for me today. Melody

Glad to hear that things are better for your dad. I lost my dad several years ago and my husband has lost both of his parents. Its hard when we get older and the roles of concern change from parent to child. Look for something bright and positive and focus on that rather then all the bad/sad things happening. If you don't it will bring you down and make you ill. My daughter and her husband are moving out today...with my youngest son leaving on his mission a week ago, that leaves us with an empty nest. At first I shed a few tears but they were mixed joy and saddness. Its a very weird time of life for those of you that haven't gotten there yet. You are so happy to have the house to yourself, but then you miss all the hustle bustle and general chaos. The funniest thing is I couldn't wait for all that to end and now that it has....it leaves me pondering my life. I must have done okay because my four married children all married in the Temple. My 3 sons have all gone on missions and my 2 daughters have married return missionaries. Wow! I know I sure didn't do all the standards to achieve that either. We weren't real faithful about family scripture reading, family prayer and family homevenings. In fact when our youngest kids got to be early teens, I can't remember having home evenings at all. They all were so involved in sports, scouts, cheerleading etc. But we always took them to church no matter what. We stuck to our guns on the big stuff (drugs and sex) and let the little things go like what they wear or friends (as long as they don't cross over into the big stuff if you know what I mean). No tatoos etc. We taught our kids that respecting the church authoritities was vital and that they should have solid good goals. So, aside from those things....I feel so blessed that though we didn't do all the things we should have done, my kids turned out great so far. I'm sure life will throw us some new trials...they aren't over yet, but it will be different. okay....enough venting. Brothers and sisters, be positive and find three things a day to laugh about. Even if its at your own expense. If we make everything something to stress over, we will never see the joy in learning. Blessings Christy

Well, I'm off for the day here in a few moments. Thought I would drop a line and give an update on my dad and my corner of the world. Yesterday my dad went to see the neurologist. He believes that my dad either had a small stroke or seizure. Thankfully with no lasting neurological effects. he never lost consciousness so therefore he is able to drive. He will be going threw a battery of tests to try and get to the root of what caused this to happen. He is feeling much better and is adjusting to the seizure meds pretty good. Get a call from one my daycare moms yesterday about 1/2 hr before she is supposed to come get her little boy. Says she isn't going to be at work but going to the hospital for an ultrasound. I asked if everything was okay and she said no that she was spotting. She comes to get him few hrs later and I asked if she was okay and she said "No it isn't good news". WOW!!! Some days I think the Lord truly must have a sense of humor. Why one women has to go threw so much pain and heartache is beyond my comprehesion. Bit of history - Ev had a baby born at 28-29 weeks who lived for 2 weeks. Then had a baby that died at 4 months of SIDS - she then had Braden who is a happy healthy little 3 yr old. She has had numerous miscarriages. This baby wasn't planned - just happened. When she told me in the interview that she was pregnant I could tell that she was scared - and rightfully so. I don't know her well enough to offer to take meals or anything like that. I offered to keep Braden last night and she said no all she wanted to do was go home and rock and hold her baby. Poor thing. I am going to a "year of scrapping and cards today" Where I will be making a year of scrapbook layouts for each month and then also a card for every month and a few others I believe. So I will be sure to make a thinking of you card and put it in Braden's bag on Monday. I don't nkow specifics if indeed she did miscarry or if that it is in the works. From the looks of her I'm guessing that the inevitable is/has happened. Then I come home last night get an email from friend of mine titled 'lousy day' - Indeed it was a lousy day. Her father died of a massive heart attack yesterday morning. I'm quite certain he wasn't that old. Sheesh...when it rains it pours. Anyway -- that is all I know. Oh - And I seem to be on a stall where I'm not loosing. I loose 5 lbs, gain it back, loose 6 lbs gain it back, loose 5 lbs gain back 6. I've only lost 17 lbs since we came back from our vacation in Janurary. Have a good day. Gala

Gala- It's scary when you don't have the answers. I hope that your poor dad is getting some help from the doctors and will find out what is causing him to have these tremors, and that will ease his mind, and yours. I will pray for your family, too. Keep us updated on what's going on, we are all here to listen and support you! ((hugs)) lynn k

Great to meet you all. We are all so different yet the same. Christy