The gift of Spring...

The springtime is always filled with beautiful shades of pastel colors mixed with green as the earth awakens from its winter slumber and finds new life again. Flowers fill the ground, grass begins to grow and turn a luscious green, blossoms overcome the trees, the birds begin to sing, the flies wake up from sleeping, Easter is coming, and there is much change to be seen before our very eyes.

Although the animals have begun to feel the temperatures warming up and have awakened from their slumber, the spring has not yet arrived here.

I am sorry for the poor geese who desire to return to their home again in our pond, but arrive to find it still frozen solid and covered by two feet of snow.

Yet, some change certainly has...

This past month has brought some significant events/changes in our lives. Some of which include, but are not limited to...

1. Jason was released as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric

2. I was released as 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency and had Strep Throat

3. Megan, Kimberly, Tyler, & Emma came down with strep throat and scarlet fever for the first time ever

4. Eli finally had four teeth come out of hiding, with two more waiting to make their debut

5. Jason was called to be the 1st Counselor in the Bishopric

6. I was called to be the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency (which I am not sure if I am excited or terrified about, but faithful and happy!)

7. Emma is almost officially potty-trained (definitely #2, almost #1)!!!

8. We got our tax return and paid off ALL of our debt with it (except for student loans, which will haunt us forever, but the car pmts/repair bills/medical bills/credit cards are all gone!)

9. Bryson received his Scouting Wolf Badge and his working on his silver arrows

10. Jason was just granted permission to have Sunday's "off" for the time being so that he might be able to fulfill all of the obligations of his calling... after almost two years of waiting... Wahoo!

So... 2010 has presented itself as a good year thus far. That is not to say that we have gone without struggle, heartache, or trials. But, we are keeping our heads above the water (and the snow!) and choosing faith and obedience - choosing to be on the Lord's side - and striving to endure faithfully!

My good husband reminds me everyday that I wake up, I have a choice to make... whether to be happy, or whether to be sad, whether to make a positive impression on life and all those who I encounter, or whether to leave a stain on those around me due to a negative attitude. Inspite of my own personal health struggles and emotional challenges, I am choosing to live HAPPY! While the Spring Time brings more diseases, flies, and spiders... it also brings flowers, grass, pastel colors, tax returns, snow melting, and a chance to become alive again! And that is why I love the gift of Spring.