Life is a challenge each day that we choose to keep going through with hope or despair. Having the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life helps me daily to once again, even when I feel very down, choose that path which is filled with hope.

The car is finally going to go in for repairs, next Tuesday. I'm glad we don't have to pay the bill for a Suburban rental for 4 to 5 days. Wonder what color it will be?

Christopher now has a full set of braces. We have made sure to break him into them by calling him all the names a braces kid gets called--metal mouth, brace face, train tracks, railroad mouth. If you have any others to add let us know. We don't want him traumatized when the neighbor kids call him name--you know we keep them sheltered so.

Josh is lifeguard and CPR certified now. He is going to be working or the Orem Fitness Center and Scera this summer, if he passes the drug test. We have convidence that he will pass.

Ben has a new enjoyment--Yoga. He watched a kids' show with some yoga demonstrated. He came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, I'm a tree. Watch, now I'm a snake. I'm a dog." As he said each of these things he would switch from one pose to the next. Yesterday I got him Yoga Kids from the library and he loves it. I am amazed as each of my children picks something to learn about on their own, and then they have tremendous patience to work through learning about it. He is only five, but he is trying very hard to act more mature by not yelling and reducing his fits to about one every three or four days. I'm proud of my little guy.

Time to go back to the work I love--most all of the time. A baby crying through most of the waking hours of every day for the past 2 1/2 to 3 months has taken a toll. Yesterday was full of despair. But, today, I am feeling quite and hoping--hoping he will nap : ).

I will pray for you and yours.
Stacie

I am drawn today to express what joy I find in being a wife and mother. To see their eyes, share a hug, smile together each day is the greatest of all things on earth.

Little Jo sat on the potty for the first time and thought it cool.
Ben told me he is a good boy who does good things and doesn't hurt people. Also he has movies in his head for dreams.
Matt has turned into a prankster making us all laugh. He is a ray of sunshine daily to me.
Natey is joyous over his understanding of percents. "These are finally easy."
Chris is ever more mature on a daily basis--and the braces just look cute on him.
Josh is getting old and handsome. He'll soon be gone, so I must go enjoy his moments left at home with us as they are precious and few.

My wishes to you all to take a moment to smell your children today. They have to be pretty close to be able to smell them. Breathe in the bounty of love they provide you with. Take them in your arms for this smelling moment. Then end by saying thank you and I Love You.
Life is good when you are a Mom.