Hannah's first steps!!!

I finally figured out how to blog videos - of course, turns out it's very easy. So, enjoy!!! Don't forget to go to my playlist (to the right) and STOP it so you can hear the video.

WARNING: Both of Hannah's Grandparents live far away and hardly ever get to see her so there will be LOTS of videos going up. My apologies to the rest of you...

Through the 1st trimester !!!

This is so me. I don't know who's happier, Nate or myself. BTW, we'd love to hear your name suggestions.

The only thing that matters:

All the Sat chores are done, Nate's getting his hair cut and Hannah is napping - time to blog.

At first, this article seemed pretty predictable and I didn't think there was too much that I needed to glean from it. But, like 99.9% of all church literature, it proved very thought-provoking for me. President Monson is talking about how to live so that we have no regrets when death calls. And what do you think people's most common regrets involve? I would venture to guess,obvious in the Prophet's article, human relationships. Not the "big" accomplishments, but the mundane relationships that we construct every day.

When we were dating, I asked Nate what the most important thing he learned on his mission was. He said, "that the only thing that matters in this life is my personal relationship with The Savior." In the last 3 1/2 years, this principle has become SO important to me and has changed the way I act. Don't ask me why it took me 25 years to understand the concept that my love for Jesus Christ is directly reflected by my treatment of my fellow men. Nate, Hannah, my family, Nate's family, our extended families, our ward, and anyone I should come in contact with; like them or not. The Savior couldn't care less about my (seemingly contrite) outward appearance, words, or public behavior - the easy stuff...that we learn as children. The more true reflection of my devotion was in my private, heart-felt behaviors toward others - which were HUGELY flawed. Only recently have I begun to understand the meaning and significance of charity.

The fact is, we humans are not perfect. People have disappointed me. Family and friends. I marvel at people's enormous insecurities, and their attempt to compensate for them. (As if I have none of my own - please). But constantly being disgusted and offended serve absolutely no purpose. Again, the only thing that matters is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only do others' actions have little to do with my own salvation, but when I'm always so upset, it impedes my ability to feel the Spirit and see Heavenly Father's children as he see them. My point is that no matter the "why" or the "how" it came about, I am so blessed to have had this new, crucial awareness.

Things have been less than perfect with my family. I am striving to find how the Savior expects me act toward these most-important relationships on this earth. And how I want to feel when my time on earth is complete. There's nothing I want more than to be with my family forever. I want happy visits and vacations and birthdays, holidays, and special events. At the same time, I refuse to have unhappiness, violence, and manipulation in my family's life. Certainly nothing is accomplished by ignoring the problem. It's not an easy thing but through prayer and scripture I can feel love and peace. Just remember, the only thing that matters is...

ExCiTiNg update!

Quick update: We are here - Monroe, NC a.k.a Home Sweet Home. Nate has been in meetings and getting his classroom set up - class starts Thursday. He is excited! The ward here is good and I've made friends with a couple girls my age with baby girls Hannah's age. I'm trying to feel out the "working" scene and wanting the golden opportunity to come along. I'm pregnant with Nate Jr. #2, due in Feb. We are thrilled and unbelievably blessed!
Here are a few pics of Stone Lake, WI and last days in Roch, and me with sweet little Courtney Mecham. Life is good. We are very blessed More to come.

Yikes!

"Are we diligent in living the commandments of God, without running beyond our strength? Or are we just leisurely strolling along? Are we using our time, talents, and means wisely? Are we focused on the things which matter most? Are we following the inspired counsel of the prophets?"

This is a question President Deiter F. Uchdorf asks in his remarks "Heeding the Voice of the Prophets." And it really got me thinking... or more grieving at feeling like I am in the "leisurely strolling along group." I thinks it's a style of procrastination of mine to tell myself that I don't need to get serious about x,y, or z YET. For example, FHE, and food storage. I tell myself that when we have more kids, then I get serious about heeding those commandments, which are clearly just for large familites. So, here's the deal: I'm going to get more serious about heeding (action word) ALL the prophets' voices. When we get to NC, my food storage plight begins (however meager), FHE is on, and so forth. I know that if I don't take the initiative and organize these habits now, they may too easily slip through the cracks and that's not something I want on my head.
BTW, the moving truck is sitting in our driveway, all ready to be loaded up. Nate is finished with work now, so thank goodness, he can help pack for the next couple days. The trailer is being picked up Fri morning, we close on our house @ 4 pm and are leaving for NC Sun. I'm excited, anxious about the car-ride with Hannah, tired, and thrilled. Ahh, moving. Any good advice on taking an 8 mo old on a 16-hour car trip?