blessings

Grant took this super fuzzy picture of me and Eden while we were at Gracie's dance class this week. I didn't even know he had my phone. I am so grateful to have been sent such happy little people in my life. Other blessings I'm counting tonight:

• A busy Church-filled weekend- We went to the Temple Friday night and then have had Stake Conference the rest of the weekend. We have made it a set-in-stone rule to do what ever it takes to get to the Saturday night adult session sans children. To quote our Mission President who spoke that night, "It is the best kept secret in the Church." Elders Malm and Villareal from the Quorum of the 70 were with as our Stake Presidency was reorganized. They are gifted teachers and we have felt so uplifted from everything we experienced this weekend. I made note of things I need to improve, but felt a lot of validation and encouragement regarding the things we are trying so very hard to do right. 
• Personal goals that I am committed too- I wasn't in the best place emotionally or mentally to make goals last new year, as has been our custom. Cori is super good at this. He writes them down. Makes spreadsheets to track progress. He has a great attitude about trying again and again rather than giving up. One goal we made together this year was to attend the temple every month. So far, we have attended every month but one. It has been a HUGE blessing to us as a couple and to me personally. Achievement of my fitness goals, on the other hand, has been coming in fits and starts. It is so hard for me to find that magical time when exercising (and showering afterwords) fits into the schedule during a time when I actually have energy to do it. But I am determined. I bought a groupon for a month long bootcamp which starts at precisely 5:30 AM a week from tomorrow. And I'm 99% sure that Sara and I are running a half marathon for her 30th birthday. Actually signing up and paying for these things is providing much needed motivation.
• Our Fall getaway on the books- Like last year, we have selected a weekend to drive up to the high dessert and get out of the heat for a few days. This year we are going up to the Strawberry/Pine area. I'm packing the kids' National Park Passports... The trip can't come a moment too soon. Temperatures are predicted to crest 105* again next week. 
• Being a citizen of our great country- I didn't post anything about 9/11 on its 10 year anniversary. But I have been reading and thinking about it so much. I was in the MTC on that day 10 years ago and was so very sheltered from the horrific scenes that flooded the media. To this day, I haven't watched much of it. But my first area was Pentagon City. The first thing I did on the first night in the mission field was attend the funeral of a member who perished in the Pentagon. We spent our days talking with fellow Americans about what all these events meant personally, as nation and religiously. I sat with a grown woman who fell apart because she couldn't get herself to board a plane to fly home to be with her family for the holidays. I met so many wonderful, respectful, and kind muslim families who displayed American flags in their homes and were so grateful to be here. I sat with my companion on a lawn that faced the devastated wing of the Pentagon and listened to the address President Bush gave on that following 4th of July. In my heart, 9/11 is a deep feeling attached to so many faces I can still remember. I think the monument that has been built at ground zero is a powerful and fitting tribute to the valiant people whose lives were claimed that day as well as to the American spirit.