In a very small Nutshell

A little reflection time. Now that we are a month into 2012, I've decided to take a quick look back at 2011.

• Shane had his two-year anniversary with the Amalgamated Sugar Co. Still makin' lots of sugar! Great job for many reasons. STABLE. Good people. Family-friendly company. Promising opportunities for growth. Shane's job is such a HUGE blessing. He worked hard, hard for our family.
• Carson and Cade turned 4 in 2011 and started preschool. Mrs. Patricia has been amazing and has such a way with these kiddos. They love her and she loves them. What more can you want for your children? I can't believe the amount of growth since the start of preschool. The boys play "preschool" regularly together at home and chant cute sayings and songs from school. It's the best. And let's not forget the 5 hours per week of FREE time. All. to. MYSELF! I almost feel guilty about it, but the guilt passes quickly. It has been wonderful. Shopping and cleaning were made so much easier in 2011.
• Shane and I took on the name of "Ma and Pa" this last summer when we went on the pioneer Trek with our Stake. That is an experience I will never forget, for so many reasons. Our first meeting was held in January of 2011. I can't believe it's been a year since the planning was in full swing. P.S. I hate bonnets.
• 2011 didn't pass us by without a few downers...disappointment and hardship. I've mentioned my struggle with infertility a few times in the past. In 2011, this trial and I had a major duel...smack down...staring contest...disagreement...whatever you want to call it. At first glance you would think that it kicked my behind completely. Our first IVF transfer was in January...one year ago exactly. Our second was in July. In October I had surgery on my ovaries. Yes. We fought all year long. But I didn't lose. True...no baby. But I think the Lord had other things in mind for me. And for Shane. Faith must be tested. It is a given and absolutely necessary. My 'bout with faith this year promoted growth. And I feel that growth. Immensely. My testimony today is not the same as it was a year ago and the sense of peace I feel a year later is almost tangible to me. It is bright and clear to me that the Lord wants me to be close to Him. To seek Him and do all that He asks of me. And sometimes (most of the time) that means not always knowing the answers. I count my blessings everyday. They are plenty and my life is full. The Lord is very aware of me and my family and we most definitely did not lose this battle. Elder Uchtdorf said something beautiful that has stuck with me. His thoughts have been a sweet source of comfort and a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven. In referring to a woman who dwelt on the fact that she did not have children of her own, failing to recognize the children who surrounded her said,
  

  "The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us. This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life. The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."

2011 was a year filled with a lot of everyday moments. Lunch at the park, evenings with piano students, trips to Fred Meyer, bike rides, loads of laundry, primary singing time, weekend date nights, hide and seek, popcorn and movies, time outs, holidays, haircuts, toilet cleaning, swimming, girls nights, garage sales, Sunday drives, trips to Twin...Utah...Mississipi..........

Yes. My life is very, very full.