Overdue Update

Baby #13 silhouette-- sucking on her fingers!

Facebook friends: Our family is currently on a Facebook Fast, so if you need me, email! My address is libermama at gmail dot com...

I'm not going to lie-- it's been a difficult month. Probably one of the hardest of my entire life. And I realized the other day that when everything isn't sunshine and roses, I have a hard time sharing here in blog-land all that's going on in reality.

Huh.

I think part of my problem has been the let down after a super-spiritual 2 weeks surrounding the temple open house, Cultural Celebration, and dedication.

It. Was. AWESOME.

And I've been to the temple since, and just want to pinch myself when I think that it's located just down the road. Soooo blessed!!!

So, I think I need to count my blessings, and focus on the positive, even though there will be some sad in this post, too. Life really isn't all happy days and good news, after all...

Dierdre's Music

Since the Fall semester started, our Didi has been taking ukulele lessons. She loves it, and she's GOOD! (Her teacher tells me so!)

So it seemed pretty serendipitous when the Cultural Celebration called for ukulele players to learn a song and audition to be in a special number for uke players.

She auditioned and was IN! She played her heart out in the pouring rain, surrounded by 300+ other youth uke players. She had a wonderful experience, and told me that when the prophet came to the performance, she started to cry, receiving a witness that he is truly a prophet. It was such a wonderful experience for her!

She's growing up way too fast!

With the suggestion of Dierdre's teacher, Russell and I decided that she needed a better instrument, and she picked out a powder blue soprano uke. She loves it! And it was fun to do something a little extra for our girl that does so much for our family, yet asks so little.

More Loss

Last Monday, my sweet mother called me in tears. It was unexpected so soon after Granny's death, but my cousin, who was only 35, was found dead in his home by his mother, my Aunt Ann. Having already lost a son many years ago, my aunt was devastated, and we were all stunned. After an autopsy, the cause of death was inconclusive, but suicide was definitely ruled out. That was comforting, but it still is an unexpected loss, and I will miss his sweet spirit, and kind heart. He was a gentle soul with a warm and wonderful sense of humor, and he has left a hole in our family, for sure.

Parenting Ain't for Wimps!

We have been working diligently of late to shore up the spiritual foundations in our home, doubling our scripture study, and working to make the Spirit more welcome in our home.

It has surprised me to find that, despite of our best efforts as parents, our children still have to come to Christ all by themselves. We can do everything right, and yet our children can still walk a perilous road.

Loving them, teaching them, and setting our best examples are truly all we can do. The rest is up to THEM.

But still we try, and pray, and work. I am just coming to realize that our best-laid plans are not enough. And so we continue to testify, support, smile, and PRAY. 

HARD.

But the battle is not over yet, and the war is far from being finished. I still have hope. And that's all I'm going to say about that, at present.

Miss Eryn, after applying marker-makeup

Fun Pictures

And now, for family history sake and for familial enjoyment, here are some pictures from our March 2014:

Our Gavin turned 14!

Little girl attack!!!

Our adorable Davy-boy at 17 months old

Grayse, Lliam, and Bonny just hanging out

Counting down to baby #13; I'm now 36 weeks along!

Love, Mama Rachel