Nikki + Sam = :)

Nikki and Sam GOT MARRIED!!!

And we couldn't be happier for them. These two have an amazing story. They both went through some hard times and were afraid to fall in love. But don't you worry, cause they did!

If you want to see their touching journey and the sweetest, most professional wedding video you've ever experienced, grab a box of tissue and CLICK HERE. (Beware: it will make you REALLY wish you had one like it of your own!)

Congrats Nikki and Sam!

Pee Pee

The other night during bath time, Brooke informed me that she often PEES in the bath tub. She's fully potty trained and hardly a baby anymore so I figured that was ancient history. Apparently not. . .

And just think! All this time I've been washing her hair and Emma's with urine water! Yay!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this quotation:

"When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. His loving heart knows how much and how long."
-Warren Weirsbe

Sometimes I feel like the pressure of Alan in law school and practically being a single mom, combined with our financial crisis (and yes, I am admitting to the world that it is a crisis) is too much heat. But a combo of our poor decisions, lack of preparedness, and just bad circumstances/ bad economy have brought us here, and if He feels we need this, then bring on the flames. Melt away every thing about me that is selfish and judgmental and materialistic and unworthy of the Lord's presence in the Celestial Kingdom.

....(is it still ok to appreciate shoes and clothes and makeup within moderation, though?) :)

I guess it wouldn't be so bad except I keep thinking about the fact that if Alan were a full time student instead of a night student, he would be done in May. THIS May. Like, the May that's in 4 months. I really can't dwell on that. It gets me down.

He's been in school for 2.5 years and we have 2.5 to go. Then there's passing the bar, finding a job, etc. It will be at least another 3 years before Alan can even start to make enough money for us to live without wondering how we will make it this week or month. We're in for a LOOOONG haul, and I'm already so tired! I feel like a pioneer walking across the plains and I'm n0t even half way to Salt Lake but I feel like giving up. My pantaloons are worn thin, people!

Alan and I have both had dreams lately that he quits school and he gets a job and we have less stress and more time and enough money. And we are so happy.

But we can't quit. Not when we can add hundreds of thousands of dollars more to our hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt we already have! ....kidding. Sorry, I'm not bitter or anything. :) Anyway, thanks for listening, friends. I feel a little better. I think I'll go take a bath and try to be grateful for things like not living in Haiti. May God bless those people.

My ultrasound results came back normal. Whew! I saw my OB/GYN on Friday and explained to him that even though the ultrasounds looked normal, I KNOW something is not right. He did an exam and we figured out the pain I was feeling was due to sore pelvic muscles, not fibroids/ tumors. Whew! He recommended that I do more stretching, yoga, or pilates. The muscle tension comes because of stress. Gee, it's getting kind of crazy how many times I've gone to the doctor in the last few years and the cause of my symptoms has been stress. I've had chest pain, acid reflux, anxiety, bruxism (sore jaw from grinding teeth), and now this. I guess I really need to learn how to deal with stress better, ya think? Any budget friendly suggestions?

As far as some of the other monthly female complications I was experiencing, my OB/GYN said it's a hormonal thing (which can also be linked to stress-- yeehaw!) Still not fun, but at least I know I don't need a hysterectomy or something! For a few days there I was starting to worry about whether I'd be able to have anymore babies. Not that we can afford it, but maybe someday. . . At least I know it's still an option!

Anyway, Peace Out!

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth;
believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
(Mosiah 4:9)

I think this needs to become my new motto. Especially that last line. I always seem to want to know everything. And why things happen, or don't happen. And figuring everything out-- making sense of this crazy world.

I wonder-- what would it be like if I put that energy into my Faith instead?

Question for the Ladies Out There

Have any of you ever had uterine fibroids (tumors in your uterus that are [hopefully] non cancerous)? I think I may have them and I'm not too excited about it because I'll most likely need surgery to have them removed. Fun. It's been a weird day.

I get the ultrasound results in a few days. . .

HAIR ONE CLEANSING CONDITIONER

I've become a fan. A fan of this product called "Hair One" cleansing conditioner from Sally's. If you've seen the infomercials for "Wen" by Hollywood's Chaz Dean, then you are familiar with the concept. (But Hair One is half the price of Wen). Basically, it's a conditioner that cleanses AND conditions your hair. It was born from the theory that unless you roll your hair in the dirt every day, you don't need shampoo. No shampoo? I know, crazy, right? But I'm totally sold! I used this stuff yesterday just to try it, half way expecting my hair to be oily still or totally dry or something. But it wasn't! My hair is super soft and I'm only going to need to use it every other day, (with a couple sprays of Batiste dry shampoo in between washes. That's to absorb some of the natural oils that I tend to have at the roots the day after a wash that make my hair feel "dirty.")

I'm so excited because the ingredients are all natural and they have one for color treated hair, which mine is, which keep it from fading. Trust me, regular shampoo with all the sulfates in it will wash your dye job right out. Regular shampoo also strips the hair of it's natural oils and then we use conditioner to put the moisture back in. But we don't really need to do that! Hair One doesn't strip everything out! Just follow the directions and rinse thoroughly, or it could feel greasy. Also, I'll let you know if results change in the long term. So far so good.

I love this stuff! If you decide it's for you, Enjoy!

P.S. After a week or so of using it, I'm still loving it. I think I may have to switch it up every once in a while and use something else for a few days, which is something they recommend, anyway.

Rachel's Mission Call !!!

My cousin Rachel got her mission call yesterday!!! A TON of friends and family gathered around to watch her open it and share in that sweet moment. She was very emotional, as a lot of us were. I've never actually been in the room when someone has opened their call. The spirit was so strong and the wording was beautiful. It talked about how she would realize a joy she had not known before in serving and teaching others about our Savior Jesus Christ.

We were all DYING to know where she'd be called to go!

Drum Roll Please
....................................................................

HONG KONG CHINA!!!
Big surprise for everyone!!!

Emma was very affected by the emotions and the excitement of the night. She is now telling everyone she wants to go on a mission just like Rachel. She already invited Auntie Cori and Auntie Carli to be there when she opens her call to "preach the Lord." She made a book for family home evening where she wrote that she wants to go on 81 missions.

I have a feeling Rachel has even more people to inspire in China!!! I can't wait to hear about all the awesome experiences!!!

Tyler is Seven!

I can't believe I have a seven year old nephew!

And here's a couple of cuties for your enjoyment:

Nothing like Bowling to Bring a Family Together

Our Music

Many of you know we have a tradition of recording a song for our families every Christmas. Alan has written many songs over the past 10 years or so but this is the fourth one we've given for Christmas. Alan is dedicating it to everyone who needs just one more day. It's called "Alright." Enjoy!

You can go to Alan's website to read more about it: http://alanlindsay.yolasite.com/alright.php

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO LISTEN: