Been a while.....

Hi, It seems that every time I post now, I am noting that it has been a while....Well, it has. I need to get better at this because this is my recording of our family's history, and I want all the details to be included. Some very exciting things are transpiring in our family. Jason was called to the Elders Chourum Presidency. It has been a blessing in many ways for our family. I am the Visiting teacher Coordinator and Supervisor. It has been a good calling for me and I have been able to get to know many of the ladies in my ward due to my calling. As I always am...I am striving to be better and more diligent in my calling. I was asked to speak at a Relief Society Conference and I am really looking forward to it. I guess because I really see the importance of Visiting teaching and creating a "Sisterhood." Max loves his new primary class this year so far. He is in a different class now from this kid that was really irritating him and causing problems at church, so Max enjoys primary much more now that he is separated from his "nemesis" as he calls him. I shouldn't find that funny....but if you only knew the issues he has endured from this very "disturbing" little boy, you would probably laugh too. Eli is doing great and is happy with entertaining everyone at church and brings a lot of smiles to everyone....I have never seen a happier kid. Love my boys! I am still plugging away at my Doctorate Degree...some days I can't believe I do this to myself! But I am hoping all the hard work will be so worth it...I have big plans. I am also selling Avon products these days, and it has been a lot of fun. There are a lot of people that know and trust the Avon name, so it has been really easy to sell. Jason is working hard at work and at home. Hopefully we can get things squared away so life can settle down a little. We are soooo looking forward to the spring and summer here. The snow was nostalgic for about a week, then reality settled in that it was staying for a while and now I am ready to say goodbye to the white stuff and bring on the sun! Today I am feeling hopeful. I have a lot to look forward to, and I am excited for Max and Eli, all of us to experience a really fun Spring and Summer. I am really excited to see if we will have baby goats and new eggs from the peacocks. I am also excited about my residency in the fall. Jason has been working on the floor in our kitchen and our home office. I get so excited when we accomplish projects in our home. It makes our home feel and look more comfortable. We still have a lot of work to do, but we will get it done. I am still working nights, which is challenging for my energy level. I strive daily to have the energy and (good) attitude that I need to keep my family going. I have recognized that I am the one person in our family that sets the tone for the feeling in our home. I am the one that can change and transform the day.....This is a huge responsibility, and I constantly rely on prayer to be the Mom that I constantly strive to be. Now that I am older, I know who I am, and I don't focus on outward judgements from anyone. Heavenly Father is the only one that can get inside my head and heart, and really that is all that matters. There have been people in my life that I have had to take breaks from due to the fact I didn't know how to really deal with their judgements of me, and didn't really have the energy to keep hashing out issues....Is that wrong? Well, I don't know if it is or not, but sometimes I think you have to let people go that don't encourage you to be your best. It has been a difficult for me to try to figure out what Heavenly Father would want me to do in these cases, but I guess I just try to trust how I feel. That is what I try to teach my boys, so I need to do the same. Having said that....There are times where I hear myself giving Max advice, and I think to myself "hmmmm, I need to take my own advice." Heavenly Father is very clever, and I know sometimes that is his way of letting me know I need to work on things. Well this post is very long, but I think I said some things that I really needed to say. Also, I need to say that lately I miss my baby girls so much! I have been so emotional thinking about them lately. But it seems that little Eli tunes into those moments because he seems to run to me or hug me when I am feeling the void of my girls, he sees angels...I know he does. And knowing that he does means they are close and, then I feel better for the moment. We are surrounded by Angels that we can't see. There are experiences that I need to share, but I will save them for another day. Goodnight! Love, Shay