GREAT QUOTE!

I just saw this quote on pintrest this morning and it made me choke up. "Your first breath took ours away"

I thought about each one of my boys and their birth. I wasn't awake for Aaron's first breath, but I was for the rest of them. It is so true, they took my breath away! I was in love with my babies from the very beginning and have loved them more and more each day.

I remember how tiny and precious they were....how helpless they were and how much they needed me. They need me still, but are growing up to where they don't need me as much. I am saddened by how quickly time is passing and how fast they are growing. At the same time, I am happy that they are growing and learning and becoming righteous men of honor. I am taking every chance that I can and cherishing every moment that I can with my precious children.

I love them dearly and pray that they will always need me in some way, just as we need our Heavenly Father. I am always here for my children, in good times and bad. I love them no matter what!

Better to look UP

Sunday I taught the lesson in Relief Society. I was asked a few weeks ago to teach for someone who would be out of town. This lesson was on a conference talk by Elder Carl B. Cook "It's better to look up". This talk was one of my favorites from conference!

Elder Cook shares an experience that he had when he was new to his calling. President Monson entered the elevator where Elder Cook was looking down. Pres. Monson asked him what he was looking at....when he responded that he was looking at nothing... President Monson said "It is better to look up." This phrase is so very important. Throughout everything that we do, whenever we are feeling down or overwhelmed, all we need to do is look up.

Look up to our Father in Heaven for strength and comfort. Just as the children of Israel were bitten by the serpents, all they had to do to be healed was to look up....just the same for us...We need to look to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation.

Elder Cook shared an experience that he and his wife had while in South Africa. At the Stake Relief Society meeting there, the stake RS President had everyone go outside. There they had a balloon that represented whatever burden, trial or hardship that was holding them back in their lives. On the count of three, they released them. What a relief it is to finally let our burdens go, just as those balloons.

We can have that in our lives always. The atonement makes these blessings possible, to not ever have to be held back by any burden or trial. We can rely fully on the atonement for comfort, forgiveness, salvation and happiness. As we remember our Savior and turn to Him, we will feel His love for us and be strengthened and bouyed up through all of our trials. I am so very grateful for the Savior in my life. For His atoning sacrifice in my behalf and for His constant love for me, even in my weakness. His love is infinite!

I'M GOING TO DO IT!!!!

After long thought and much encouragement from my dear friends, I have decided to join the doTERRA slim&sassy competition! I have not relished in sharing such personal information with others or putting myself totally out there for everyone to see. However, since January 1st when I started using grapefruit and lemon only in my water, I have felt so good and have loved using the oils. On monday when I got my slim & sassy oils in my order, I opened them and have been using my slim & sassy since then! I love it! I feel great! I am not fighting any cravings! I have so much energy and have the desire to get up and keep moving! Before I started using slim & sassy, I would be so tired and drained by noon each day and want to just sit down and take a nap. I don't have that problem anymore with the lack of energy. I can get through my day and actually get so much more done than I have in a long long time.

Since January 1st, I have lost 6 pounds and 1.5 inches in my hips! I have not even begun to exercise, only eating better. I have not had to cut my calories to the starvation levels, only listening more to my body and what it needs. I have desires to eat healthy foods, not sugary or comfort foods.

This competition that I'm doing is about weightloss, lifestyle change, uncovering the real me that has been hiding behind this padded prison cell for more than 17 years. I have set some goals for myself! One goal is that I will be able to ride all of the roller coasters with my kids at Lagoon, without having to suck it in or squeeze or even leave the line because I can't fit in the car :( Another goal is to be able to fly and not have to use a belt extender! I want to fly to share my amazing doTerra experiences with others, therefore I need to be able to buckle with just one belt, no extender :) I also want to drop at least 3 pant sizes :) I want to continue the weight loss so that I am down at least 5 pant sizes by the time my 20th class reunion comes up in July :)

I know that I can accomplish my goals! I have been so blessed to have such wonderful, amazing support from friends and family! I have loved the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical healing and health that the doTERRA oils have brought me so far in my journey.