I have been learning that my trials bring me closer to my Savior. That his atonement is meant not just for sins but for pains, sorrows and heavy hearts. I've learned that I can rely on him to help lift that burden, and somehow, even though it doesn't just go away, we can be strong enough to make it through. And when we have made it through with him, we have become more like him. We have learned some of his character... compassion, forgiveness, patience, love, faith, work and so many others. 
Things feel so much lighter and happy at home lately. Which is such a relief. Things get too heavy sometimes in our house. The funny thing is that not much has changed like I would have thought it should have a few months ago in order to make life easier. Instead, our attitudes have changed and our works have kicked into high gear. I've learned that faith without works truly is dead. You aren't going to get anywhere without the work. We've been working and it feels good. It has been and still is a process, but has made a big difference.
I'm learning how to make my home a temple. I'm so thankful for the process that has taken place to start doing just that! This one is still in the beginning stages, but it has brought so much peace to me and my family. I'm finally doing what I always thought a mother should do, but before had no idea how to do it (hope that makes sense). I'm learning to not let the world and Satan distract me. He is so cunning! And the world is so loud. I'm learning to shut out its noise in my house. It is so refreshing. I'm learning to take life at the Lord's pace, not the world's. No more chaos and rushing. No more putting off and distractions. Like I said, its still a work in progress. I'm not perfect! 
I am thankful for the talks and lessons in church today. It brought everything home to me. Kind of made it a full circle. I know that the Lord hears my prayers because that was an answer to prayer for me today. (Yet another thing I am learning... to recognize the Lord talking to me and answering me. And I'm learning to trust myself when I hear it! And the more I listen and follow through the more I will hear it!) I learned today that I have to get rid of the stony places in my heart due to weakness, hurts, and sins. And I need to pull up all the chaos of the worlds thorns so they won't choke out any progress I want to make. I need to embrace the trials and heat of the sun that life gives us and not let it scorch me but let it bring forth the fruits of my testimony.
I'm learning how to do it rather than just the know what I should do. I'm learning how to build character. I'm learning how to be more like the wife and mother my Savior would have me be. I've been married for coming on seven years, and am a mother to three beautiful children... its time I learn how to do these things. I'm sure life will bring on more opportunities to learn them some more. But I want the roots of my testimony to be deep and strong when those times come. And I want to always be found learning.
here is most of the party goers during the "Happy Birthday" song
Carrie and baby Drake
Ben and Cooper
Anyway, he gets so hungry that I don't know if I'm giving him enough milk to satisfy him sometimes. So we started giving him a little formula (I've only bought one can in his whole life). Hence my decision to fast... I can give him formula today and be ok.
Now to my point of this post.
