For All Seasons

As I sat down tonight to write a blog post - I realized I had quite a bit on my mind.  A couple paragraphs in I realized that I was getting far to personal to be sharing with the whole wide world (even though there is really only a handful of people that read our blog regularly, but you know what I mean).

But with all of that said, I still want to share a little something to remember my feelings of this week (after all, that's the purpose of this blog).  The other day I was reading this article about the different seasons of our lives.

I have been very blessed to have the life that I have.  It's been a very happy one.  I hope it continues that way :)  I've definitely had my share of trials and hard times, just like anyone, and I know that there are more in store for me.  But nevertheless, my life has been a happy one.

I love the seasons.  All of them - except for maybe summer (ugg...I hate the heat), which is maybe a little ironic because of the comparison of seasons I am trying to make right now...but moving on!

"We have seasons in our lives as well.  Some are warm and pleasant.  Others are not.  Some of the days in our lives are as beautiful as pictures in a calendar.  And yet there are days and circumstances that cause heartache and may bring into our lives deep feelings of despair, resentment, and bitterness."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I have been blessed with many "warm and pleasant" days.  But sometimes things can get rough.  I wouldn't say I am feeling any "deep feelings of despair, resentment, [or] bitterness" (I promise this isn't a cry for help!) but sometimes things are not very warm and fuzzy either.

But one thing is definitely pretty certain if you ask me.  Every year, no matter how hard the winter has been, spring always comes.  I completely believe that to be true with our lives as well.  And I am actually grateful that I see things that way.  That I still have hope for things to get better.

Especially, though, I am grateful for my little family that helps me remember this important truth.  On the side of our blog I have this quote by Elder Richard G. Scott.  He is speaking of marriage, but I believe it also just speaks of life.  "...You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together."

I realize that this post may not make any sense.  I guess I just hope that we can all find happiness in our lives.  And if it's hard to find happiness in an aspect of your life right now, know that spring will come, and with that comes happiness.  

Now, enough serious talk.  I will end on someone that makes me super happy!  Seriously, how can you look at this face and not be happy?! 

This is totally my life right now.  Jacob and I had come home from a walk (yep, sometimes I take Jacob on walks when he's still in his pjs - we HAVE to beat the heat!) and I went to put my shoes away, I come back and this is what's happened.  He LOVES his books!!!  And apparently, likes to have a wide variety of books to choose from at all times :)

And this is the smiling face I get to wake up and see every morning - yep, I am a blessed woman.  ***I also get to see Mark's cute face every morning but I am not sure if he would have appreciated the close-up as much as Jacob did!***