A Sealing

Attending the temple always seems to bring many blessings and today was especially so. It was so great to serve and be there with family. Families are really what it's all about and today gave me a little glimpse into what life in the hereafter might be like.

I feel so blessed that we have the opportunity to have forever families that extend beyond 'until death do we part' and it was such a blessing to witness the sealing of the Haynie family this morning. The more I've gotten to know Jenna and Kevan the more I love them and I am so happy for them and the choices that they have made to make it to today. I am so excited for their new baby who will now be born in the covenant and for sweet Zariah who is now sealed to them as if she was.

It was also a blessing for me just to be reminded of the covenant made and counsel given when sealed. It really helps me and Drew to try a little bit harder and do a little bit better at loving each other and raising up our little sweethearts in righteousness. I am so grateful for the chance to join Jenna and Kevan in the temple today. I am blessed.

Wholesome Recreation

Today was such a fun-filled day. We went rock climbing in the morning and boating in the evening. I've just noticed recently how grateful I am for the fun, wholesome recreational activities that we have the opportunity of doing together as a family. Life last summer was definitely harder; we still had fun together, but I am just extra grateful and feel extra blessed for the opportunities we have this year now that Lauren's surgery is behind us and she and Abigail are a little bit older. I know some people mention that when they have kids their lives just seem to stop. Drew and I have always tried hard to make sure that our kids aren't the center of our lives, but a great part of them and that we can each have joy individually and together, and today I really feel blessed for that.

Six Months Later

Today marks six months from the day that I started this special kind of blog, and while I haven't been the best at recording blessings for every single day since then, I have definitely felt the difference in awknowledging the Lord's hand in my day to day life. I feel greatly blessed for the last six months- I can't believe how fast they have gone, and as I look forward to the next six I hope to rely more and more on the Lord and notice His blessings in all that I do.

Insurance Budget

Drew and I... okay, mostly me, have been shopping around for a new insurance company for all of our home, auto, and life policies, and tonight we are officially on board with a local agent with a great company. The best part is that we are getting better coverage on our home and auto and new life insurance policies for only slightly more than we were paying before for less coverage on only home and auto. This was my goal from the start: to have everything at one place, with an actual agent not a 1-800 number and to actually get a good deal and great coverage. Hooray! I feel very blessed that we have insurance- it really is a security and preparation and helps me feel at ease in case anything were to ever happen to us, and I feel extra blessed that we are getting the best rates that we can with a company and agent that we trust.

A Travel Buddy

Whew! Today was a loooong day in the car. The girls were just not excited to be strapped in for seven hours straight and it certainly showed, but I'm trying to focus on the blessings here- and there certainly are many. The first and main being that we made it safely. Long drives are always a bit burdensome to me and it is just so calming to be home safe, and I know that the Lord's hand watched over us. I am also so blessed to have Jill travel with me. Carpooling has its gas advantages sure, but, that doesn't nearly compare to being with your best friend for miles of open road. And, since the girls were so rascally, I don't know how I would have done it alone without a certain passenger's long arms passing snacks, toys, and wipes to the backseats at the girls' beckoned call. Yes, I am very blessed indeed.