What’s in a name?

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from the happiest woman I know.  No, literally, she really is always happy.  She always has a smile on her face.  She always has the kindest things to say.  She always finds the good.  I think that is why she is always happy.

The phone rang, I picked it up and said, “hello.” Maria said, “Hello.  Andrea.  Did you know your name means, “she who walks with God?”

Isn’t that the sweetest way to start a conversation.  Now I don’t know if that is what my name really means; but I am rolling with it.

I have thought about that almost every day since.

I hope I exemplify someone who walks with God.  Am I really walking with him?

I often find that most days; at most hours I am carrying some sort of prayer in my heart.  Almost as if I am constantly praying about something.  I wonder if he ever gets sick of my constant asking and pleading.  Then I thought to myself. If I am constantly praying to him, then I am constantly walking with him.

Of course, there are moments every day that I fall short and I trip and fall, but I always find myself trying to catch up so I can walk along his side again.  Sometimes, I can even feel him holding my hand.  God is good.

I have been keeping a gratitude journal this year. It has helped me find the good in life also.  Hopefully I can be continually happy like dear sister Maria from our church.

Here is what I wrote in my journal this last week:

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Today I am grateful for:

1. Personal Revelation

2. My Parents who listen to me

3. An extremely guided journey through medical school, residency, fellowship and up to now with the Lords hand in all things; through out the journey.

4.  The prayer that was answered 15 years ago to follow Jonathan to Utah State instead of going to Southern Utah.  It was during that next year we became engaged.  Best decision I ever made.

5. My understanding this week of how special and capable my husband is.  That God has great things in store for him. (all things I have always known.  I just have a deeper understanding.)

I encourage you to take the time to find what you are grateful for, to thank God for it, and to run and catch up to him sometimes.  Walking beside him is always easier.

What was on the menu?

Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day this year.

Dinner was delicious.

What was on the menu you ask?

Turkey

Sweet Potato Souffle’

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Homemade Rolls

Pistachio Pudding

Stuffing

Corn

Pumpkin Pie and Whipping Cream

Pecan Pie Bars and Icecream

YUM!!

The table decorations were so fun and eclectic. (pictures taken by Krysta Moes)

I used a menagerie of dishes.

Complete with a name card and napkin ring.

Krysta helped me set the tables, and snapped the majority of all the pictures. 

It was so nice to have someone here to help with that.

The boys table turned out adorable.

I think the boys enjoyed sitting by themselves.

We enjoyed such a nice relaxing meal.

As we shared what we were thankful for I was amazed as the majority of thankfuls were for Family and Friends.

Isaac however, was thankful for his Mac truck.

I am thankful for a day to reflect on all the blessings we have been given.

I am also thankful for my time spent away from home that has forced me to learn how to cook a turkey and a complete Thanksgiving meal.  This was our 7th Thanksgiving away from home.  It is hard to be away from our family, but I am thankful that I can recreate the feelings I felt as a child in my own home.

What a wonderful tradition we have to celebrate our blessings by preparing the best meal we can make.

Blessings are certainly worth celebrating.

I also love that we only eat this food together once a year.  It makes the meal even more special.

It was fun to share it with the Moes family.

After dinner, we loaded everyone up for a movie.  We saw Tangled; it was adorable.

After the movie, we cleaned up, had dessert and put the kids to bed.

The adults enjoyed some time doing what we love; playing cards.

The whole weekend was so much fun.

I am glad we have a reason to celebrate and good friends to celebrate with.

Stay tuned for Holiday Decorating posts and What I have learned.

{Top Five}

... things I am grateful for today.

1.God's Beauty {Sunrise @ 6:45am)

These are my bushes.  Isn't it amazing how green and beautiful they are despite the frigid temps?  I believe that Icicles are Snow's accessories.  Everything needs a little bling. 

Are we taking the time to notice the beauty that is all around us?

2.  Exercise

I love waking up and getting my exercise done.  There is nothing better than feeling the stretch of each muscle.  Pilates is good for my soul.  I enjoy my time all to myself.  I listen to music, and enjoy my own little quiet moments.

3.  Speaking of Quiet Moments that is #3.

With four small children any mother would love her time to just think all on her own.  I steal that time in the morning while I exercise, while I am in the shower, and then again in the evening when I am nursing Tessa to sleep.  I think about so many random things, but I believe this is when I do my best thinking. I am reminded of my blessings, and this is also when I receive personal revelation.

My husband wrote a poem several years ago all about Quiet Moments.  I wanted to share with you:

Quiet Moments

In the quiet moments when the air is clear

and our minds are prepared to be taught,

I think of events from the archives of life

and the tears and joy that they’ve brought.

In the quiet moments when the Spirit is warm

and the love of the Father is felt,

I think of my friendship with the Savior of man

and my heart begins to melt.

In the quiet moments we hear a soft whisper

that brings peace, and light, and love.

A tear comes to my eye, and I don’t know why

I’m so richly blessed from above.

The goal of our lives is to become like Him,

yet the journey can seem so long.

But in the quiet moments we hear the Spirit say,

“You can make it… have faith and be strong!”

By Jonathan Swenson

Summer 1999

Isn't he adorable?  I love this man.  I just had to share how amazing he is, and how insightful his words are.

4.  Listening to my kids

They are hilarious, innocent and so sweet.

Today, I asked Isaac when he was going to be potty trained.  He said, "Tuesday."

When you ask Isaac what his name is, he says, "Isaac."  When I ask, "Isaac what....?"  He replies, "Isaac Jexy's Brother." 

He has just realized what it means to be a family.  What ever is going on, he will ask about each family member.  It is so adorable.

The other day I was asking Jex about a situation that had happened at his school to a classmate and how he would handle it if it happened to him. 

I said, "What would you say if a girl had said something like that to you?"  for example, She walked up to you and said, "My mom lets me date, so I would like to take you on a date and kiss you." (I know... can you believe they are talking about this in 1st grade?)  Anyway, he responded, "I would say; I can't date until I am 16, so I will give you a call then."  

I love that boy.  I just gave him a big hug and reminded him how special he is.  It was also a good reminder to me that by giving our kids guidelines and open communication it helps them to make the right decision on their own.

Stella came to me the other night with tears in her eyes.  She said, "We are all growing up too fast, pretty soon we will not be little anymore and we will not live with each other."  Pretty perceptive for a little girl. 

She cried and cried.  I think it broke her heart to think that her life would not always be like this.  That someday each of her siblings would grow up and move away, including herself. 

So... I made her pinky swear that she would marry someone that would let her live next door.  Then I told her, "We will kick our husbands out of our bed once a week and have a mommy-daughter sleepover."  ...and then she smiled.

5.  Re-purposing

I am really in to taking what I have and re-using it in some other way, or buying from a thrift store to re-purpose and re-use.  I have so many people who ask me where I shop for my kids clothes. 

Well here is my secret:  Hand-me-downs from friends, thrift stores, or I make it.  I never pay full price, and hardly ever shop at fancy children stores.  However, my kids clothes are almost all name-brand. (not that it matters)

Look what I found today @ our local Goodwill:

Total cost:  $20.80 for 12 items.  WOW!!!

Those 2 white shirts in the back are 4 Stella.  I am planning on putting a transfer on them. 

Isn't the Jean jacket shrug soooo Cute? 

Most of my finds were for Stella today. 

I did find the adorable red wool coat for Tessa, and matching sweater and hat.  The red dress was free because Yellow tags were buy one get one free today. 

The flip flops are brand new for me. 

Isaac had to have some camo pants like his daddy, and Jex needs a new swimsuit. 

I love the thought of using all of this again so these perfectly good clothes don't go to waste.  Imagine if we all threw away every article of clothing that was still in good condition.  What a waste that would be.

Tip:  I wash all articles twice, and then dry what I can on high heat.

Have you checked out your local thrift stores lately?

I am grateful for so many things. 

Today it was important for me to record them.