Fourteen Years

My son, Gabe, is fourteen years old today.
FOURTEEN YEARS. Where has the time gone???

I can't seem to get the pictures to go in the order I want -- I keep erasing them. We're getting ready to take Gabe out to dinner so I've got to hurry... Here's 15 pictures, one for each year and one to grow on!

Love at first sight: February 24, 1998

July 1998 at Grandma Rosy's

First Birthday 1999: Grandma Patty didn't think Gabe was getting messy enough (or Dad)

Dad and Gabe: Christmas at Grandma Patty's cabin, December 1999

First birthday with the cousins, 1999

December 2000: Gabe the new big brother

Gabe and Kaia: April 12, 2004

Gabe: 6 months old

Gabe and Grandma Patty's dog, Girl. (He loves Girl.) At Grandma Patty's house, summer 2010?

Gabe lost his two front teeth within a week of each other. September 2004

Zoe and Gabe: August 2003 (We just moved into our house )

Gabe (STATIC!!!) and Beck on the trampoline: Summer 2009

My boys: Zeke, Beck, Gabe -- March 2008

Gabe getting a shirt ready to tie-dye: August 2011

February 24, 2012: Gabe and his friends being crazy

He wants a new hoodie, a 12 pack of mountain dew, and a donut tower (instead of a cake). 

He is definitely a teenager.

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

This is just what I needed today. I love the part that says, "Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever." I'm grateful to know that I can't do it all in one day and Heavenly Father will forgive me for my imperfections (and they are MANY). I'm so thankful to wake up each morning and have a new day to try and be better. I know the Savior can heal all wounds -- physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual -- He has atoned for them all.

Curvy Diva Seeks Sexy Prince

Happy Valentine's Day!
(This was the card I gave Zeke last year 
because he always calls me Lola)

Barrett's Unusual Ice Cream Party

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a link to my friend's book she recently published. Her name is Michelle King and well, I think she is just FABULOUS in so many ways! :) Way to go, Michelle! I hope to follow in her footsteps, she has really helped me take that first leap trying to get my book published as well.

Here's the link to her first book:

Barrett's Unusual Ice Cream Party

And here's the link to her blog:

Michelle L. King, Children's Book Author

Happy Windsday!

Please: open mouth, remove foot, insert spoon.

Yes, it's Thursday and I should be posting about "Threads and Things"... Here's an old chair of mine that I recovered and painted last week. I think it turned out great. Thanks for the inspiration, Sharon. :) I fudged and bought a $3.00 can of spray paint... oops! It had to be done!! I'll add it to my list.

BEFORE

AFTER

This post is for all of those people who don't really know me. Or people who do and they don't listen or get it. I don't want your sympathy, but I do want people to stop saying things like:

• "I wish I had your problem!"
• "What's your secret? It's not fair!"
• "You're so LUCKY; you're just 'naturally' skinny"
• "But you don't LOOK sick!!"

STOP. Please. It bothers me MORE than I can say. I've heard more, but these are the ones I hear the most. You'd be surprised how many people say these types of things to me. Friends. Family Members. Strangers. Do you want to know my "secret" for being so thin? I don't feel lucky at all and I would never wish my "problem" on anyone. Assume nothing. You never know why people are the way they are.

I remember back when I was 18 and I used to ride my bike to work 12 miles round trip, 5 days a week. I remember going for bike rides or walks when I was at Snow College for hours and hours and not feeling tired at all. I remember going to Slick Rock in Moab with my brother, Brady.  I was very active.

Then, right before I turned 19, I got really sick and to make a long story short, (Too late!) I had some serious kidney problems that changed my life forever. Now, I'm not on dialysis or on a waiting list for a transplant or anything. The major problems cleared up in about six months. But I have never been the same since. I have been SO blessed to be able to have four children (something I was told by my doctor might not happen).

Most days I'm fine, but I get worn out quite easily and can't do all the things I used to do. It's hard for me to see other people doing things. I feel left behind. I feel lazy. I feel guilty. I feel old. 

I have a lot of health problems. Some of them, I'm not even sure what they are yet, but this week I've been blindsided by another kidney infection. It's been a year since my last one and it's so hard not to get discouraged. But I feel so blessed to be alive and to have such a wonderful family. I seriously do NOT deserve my husband. He has been so kind and patient with me this week. Too kind.

My friend, Shauntae, had a link on her blog called: The Spoon Theory. It's about living with chronic illness. I read this about a year ago and it made me cry. PLEASE don't jump to conclusions: I DO NOT HAVE LUPUS like this woman, but her analogy is so true to my life. It's a bit long, but it's worth reading to help you understand what it's like for people with chronic illness.

It's so hard for me to slow down and realize I simply cannot do everything I want to. But I know God has a plan for each of us and we need the FAITH to hold on.

2 Nephi 31: 20 "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."