Happy Thanksgiving All!

Aloha!

I just wanted to take 5 seconds to list the things I am most grateful for!

My Husband (Always and Forever the top of my list!)
My Boys (Usually a close second.)
My Family
My Testimony
My Friends
My Seminary Students

Happy Thanksgiving!
Dawn

I know, I know, I know...

I know you are tired of seeing "Tears at Scripture Time." (That is if you even still check my blog for updates - If you are seeing this, thanks for not giving up on me.) It has been a crazy couple of months and I seem to have a hard time finding time to sit at the computer. However, since this is my only form of journaling, I suppose I should at least attempt to catch up once in a while.

Life here is good. We are just finishing soccer season, HOORAY! I always love it when soccer starts and I love it even more when it ends. It has been a good year. All three boys played on different teams and it has been a really positive experience. Jeffrey played U12 and even though he is more academic than athletic, he had fun. Jackson had a fabulous coach (Jeff) and they had a lot of fun. Kevin's coack is Brazilian and calls his the White-Brazilian-Goalie.

Seminary is good, it still consumes a huge part of our lives but we love it. The youth of this generation are amazing, they face temptations that I can't even imagine.

I am doing pretty good. I have been struggling a lot lately with my depression. But I feel like Heavely Father is really trying to teach me something and I know that I need to be patient and learn to depend on Him more.

I am missing the fall like crazy now. I want to see fall leaves and put on jeans and a sweatshirt. Instead, I will put on some shorts, turn on the fan, pray for a breeze and pretend that GREEN isn't driving me insane!

Jeff and I were able to go to the "Hoedown For Hope", a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, a few weeks ago. It was so much fun. That boy is H-O-T in a cowboy hat!

Tears at scripture time...

In our family scripture study, we have been reading the account in the Book of Mormon when the Savior appears to the people in the Americas. Tonight we read about the time when the Savior gathered all the children around him and prayed to Heavenly Father. I was struck by the simpleness of the love that our Savior has for all of us but especially for the children. No wonder He asks us to be like the little children.

I can think of only a few times in my life when I have submitted myself to Heavenly Father with child-like faith and the outpouring of love is astounding. I am so grateful for the knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves me and the testimony that Jesus Christ died for me that I can be with Him and my family forever!

Oh yeah, after we finished reading scriptures, Jackson said, "Yes, we finally made mom cry during scriptures!"

I love Hawaii

I just had to share this really fun picture of our seminary graduation last week. The kids have so many leis that you can barely see their faces. I wonder what high school graduation is like...
This is Ryan, Kainalu and Caira (We miss you, Shatell!) - We are so excited for these guys!

This is the 15 graduates from our stake.

Windshield Wipers

I have been thinking a lot about windshield wipers this week. It has been a VERY cold and rainy winter (sweatshirts every night and morning - it sucks) so I have seen a lot of my wipers over the las few months. They were very obnoxious. They would squeak if the window was even a little dry and there was always a stripe down the middle of the swipe. The back window had a rather wide line that was being missed. But I just ignored them and cringed everytime they made that awful sound. Then the back wiper up and fell off. I decided that it was definitely time to invest in a new one. At the store I decided to splurge and buy 3 new ones. I put them on and would you believe that the swipes, smears, lines and squeaks all disappeared?

It is amazing how clear my windshield is now.

It occurs to me that our spirits are like windshields. When our "wipers" are strong and well maintained, our vision is crystal clear. There are no swipes or smears and the squeak is completely forgotten.

So, how are your wipers?

Awesome Movie!

A few months ago, Jeff and I decided that we would start a reward program with our boys. We set a goal with each one and when they work on that goal each day, they earn a "bead." When their bead jar is full, they get to go on a special date with mom and dad. Kevin has been working so hard and finally filled his jar. So last night it was his turn.

First we stopped at Burger King for dollar-menu-dinner and then we were off to the Lihue Bowling Lanes. It was an amazing game of bowling and no one bowled higher than a hundred (with bumpers.) It was so fun.

Then we decided that we (okay, I...) needed to see Inkheart. (It was the last night and I so wanted to see it in the theatre.) Can I just tell you that this is a FANTASTIC movie. It was suspenseful and exciting but there was no swearing (that I blatantly noticed) there was no sex, there was no gore or graphic violence! It was so great. Kevin said it was a little scary at the end but not too bad. I was so happy. But here is the big news... this is the first time ever that I can honestly say that I liked the movie better than the book. Can you believe it? It was a great flick! I have to say that it is very high on my list of favorite movies!


Oh yeah, and here is a picture of Naiya and Holly with the super cute mermaid onesie that I bought her. It has nothing to do with the movie but isn't she darling?

March Already?

First of all...

This is my birthday month so please feel free to tell me how much you love me. (I told my kids that they needed to tell me everyday.) Also, I gave myself a birthday pedicure and in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I did a French manicure in greens. I must admit, it's pretty fabulous - sorry, no pictures today... you'll just have to imagine.

Second of all...

Whew. February was full of amazingly fun trips and visitors. My house is a disaster but I am hanging on surprisingly well. (Thank You Celexa!) Anyway, I hope to post some pics of my crazy month. If not, I want the world - well, at least my world - to know that I love my best friend so much and that it is super hard to be so far away especially when times aren't easy. Thank Heaven for the gift of prayer and fasting on the behalf of others. And... I love Jeff's sister super lots and it was so much fun to have her and her family here! I really do hope that some day we can live closer together so we can spend more time together (Hey Kirst, let's move to Silver City!)