Friday.

Today is a good day.

Eve, Ben and I went to the library yesterday.  We are headed to the animal shelter today (heaven help me).

I feel my life easing a bit... 

I feel myself "continually holding fast" (1 Nephi 8:30) instead of "clinging to the rod" (1 Nephi 8:24).  Funny thing is- in my gentleness I am accomplishing more than I did in my stress.

Sigh.

Remind me of this 100 times, ok?!

I so enjoyed this book

I actually ordered a whole slew of children's books illustrated by her.

Her illustrations are charming.

(I just searched Tasha Tudor on Amazon.)

One of Tasha's favorite quotes was from a letter by Fra Giovanni in 1513... 

"The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.  Take joy."

Take joy.  Joy is within our reach!

What a beautiful idea.

When I take a moment to clean up my blog, this quote will take a place on my sidebar.

Eve continually points to "Ben" in this picture...

Oh- we were all babies.

I absolutely loved this devotional by Elder Oaks, "Our strengths can become our downfall."  Sorry I can't link from my phone... You can copy and paste this link-it is really a great article.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/10/our-strengths-can-become-our-downfall?lang=eng

Happy Friday friends.

I'm so grateful to be alive today.  I'm grateful to be a mother.  I'm humbled to see how quickly and beautifully my prayers are answered.  We are loved.

He hears you.  He is near.

I am reminded of one more of my favorite quotes,

"Nothing will surprise us more than when we get to Heaven and see the Father and realize how well we know Him and how familiar His face is to us."  

President Ezra Taft Benson

Life is good, because God loves us.

Take joy!

Don't you think my Eve is brilliant?

She builds these creations all by herself while I study and write my blog.

I love her.

Happy Weekend.