Finding Krissi

Often when we pray we thank our Heavenly Father for our blessings. I can't help to think that frequently our thanks is a statement we utter in thoughtless repetition. Not to say we are not thankful. Of course we are thankful. No matter our circumstances we can think of blessings in our life. The silver lining in the clouds. I am thinking more about the thanks we feel. Those moments where in quiet reflection we feel peace and happiness. An overwhelming thanks for all of our blessings. I have thought a lot about my blessings, and the things I consider blessings. I have decided that blessings come in all kinds of packages. Over the past couple years I have even learned that blessings do not always come in pretty packages. Sometimes those things that we have to be the most thankful for come at the end of a long trial. Trials are the most unwanted yet most needed blessings. Trials humble us humans. Trials make us look past ourselves. Trials change our perspective. Have you ever ...

About a year and half ago Al received a keyboard for Christmas. I think at the time Brent and I figured it would gather dust, and even though Al said she wanted one... well kids say they want many things. After a few months, Al started asking for piano lessons, and so she started piano lessons. Again, Brent and I figured it would just be a matter of time before she lost interest. In September, Al started with the first book, by the end of October she had moved into her second book, and in April, she moved into her third book. Much to Brent’s and my amazement, Al practiced. She practiced daily without being asked. When it was time for her first recital, she chose a hard song. A hard song! Our Al chose a hard song! A song that I felt was way above her abilities. It is hard to describe the transformation Al has went through this year. Piano is only one of the areas that she has impressed Brent and I. Her grades in school have improved dramatically and her motivation to do her b...

Yesterday was a day full of surprises. First off the boys had an orthodontics appointment. I have been dreading this visit because this was going to be the visit in which I would walk away 5,000 dollars in debt. A. started phase 1 orthodontics at 9 years old, I have been told, since his first dentist visit at 4, he would need braces. There was also a point in time that A. would not smile because of his teeth. So I accepted the brace debt and have known it was coming. The same pattern has repeated with H. at his first dentist appointment I was told that he would need braces. So you see going to the orthodontist was bound to happen. It was just luck that the boys had to do it at the same time. So there we were, at the orthodontist, a guy who has already fixed S.'s teeth, and performed a small miracle on A.'s teeth. I like him, he is a nice guy, even if he is an Orthodontist. Like I said there we were Brent, the boys, and me. First up was A. he jumped in the chair as t...