We're doing it!  I think I may have created a monster…I don't really know how to go about completing a successful yard/garage/rummage sale!  People have been SOOOOO generous.  Our living room, back porch and garage are full to the brim!
I'll let you know how it all turns out!
To those who have donated,  THANK YOU for support, love and generosity!!!!!

Law of Compensation

Compensation:  com •pen •sa •tion  noun  \käm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen-\

: something that is done or given to make up for damage, trouble, etc.
: something good that acts as a balance against something bad or undesirable

(http://www.merriam-webster.com)

Unfortunately, I have not been able to "rise above" as much as I hope I could!  Some days are better than others, but the infertility issue, adoption paperwork, holidays, unfulfilled expectations (mine, of course!), feeling like I need to explain everything to everyone when they ask how things are...is overly tiresome!!!  And yet, as I look at those "things"/tender mercies/blessings...etc I am "balanced" and filled!  I believe in the Law of Compensation!

Here are just a few of my 2013 "compensations":

A Jazz game with Mr. AMAZING!!!  Isn't he handsome?!?!  He is a gentle, loving, caring, compassionate man!  I am blessed to be loved by him!

The chance to spend some time with ADORABLE nieces and nephews!  I am blessed!

Being silly with my "bestest bud Is"! I THOROUGHLY enjoy our time together!

M.K...what a fabulous friend!  We have helped each other through some difficult times since our friendship began in 1994!  I miss hearing her laugh everyday!!!  


My life is GOOD!  I am compensated abundantly!  

I LOVE the month of November!

I love the month of November for so many reasons.  I love Thanksgiving, gathering together with family and friends and spending time playing games, talking and just being!  I love the changing of the seasons.  Growing up, my mom would say that the mountains looked like a "bowl full of Trix cereal" because of the changing leaves.   Although I HATE being cold, I love wondering if I will wake up to snow, and hoping for a chance to wear my cozy, fluffy sweaters!  I love the taste warm apple cider and herbal tea on those crisp cold mornings.  Most of all, I LOVE, LOVE,  LOVE counting my blessings daily.

"A grateful heart will give you a touch of refinement that 

can come in no other way."  

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I try to be grateful everyday during the year, but Joe and I have a tradition specific to November.  I tape up a "cutsy-pootsy" paper on our door and we list our blessings each day.  If anyone comes, to visit, they are invited to add to our list.

So for this post, I thought I'd post what we are grateful for!

November 1:  
Joe: "The sweetest, awesomest wife EVER!"
Shan:  A day off of work

November 2:
Joe:  Temple covenants
Shan:  Home!  K. & E. 's backflips, M.'s "Aunt Shannie!", and the twins' cuddles

November 3:
Joe:  I don't have to push handcarts with little-to-no food in the snow
Shan:  The chance to fast and commune with Heavenly Father

November 4:
Joe:  To be sustained by the Spirit when absolutely needed
Shan:  Bestest bud, Issy

November 5:  
Joe: Time to work on a car
Shan:  Warm, cozy, comfy bed

November 6:  
Joe: Great colleagues
Shan:  AMAZING Young Women

November 7:  
Joe: Inspiration from the Spirit of God
Shan:  Supportive, gentle, loving, patient "Mr. Amazing"

November 8:  
Joe: Good friends
Shan:  Good friends--Old and New

November 9:  
Joe: Service
Shan:  Living so close to so many temples and the chance to attend

November 10:  
Joe: Peace & Home Teachers
Shan:  The Spirit of God

November 11:  
Joe: A day off
Shan:  Veterans--I am grateful for those who have sacrificed and given so much for me to be free!  Thanks Mike!

November 12:  
Joe: Coolest, bestest wife ever!
Shan:  Salvation and Exaltation that comes because of Christ's birth

November 13:  
Joe: To witness testimonies
Shan:  Creativity and talents of others--especially the Young Women Board

November 14:  
Joe: Leaves are raked!
Shan:  Miracles

November 15:  
Joe: Good friends
Shan:  Technology

November 16:  

Joe: Warmth

Shan:  Joe's willingness to help me correct papers!!!

November 17:  

Joe: Sleep?

Shan:  Hugs and kisses from niece & nephew 

November 18:  

Joe:  Not being on call

Shan:  Grades are DONE!!! 

November 19:  

Joe:  To be able to turn off my mind

Shan:  Tender mercies

November 20:  
Joe: Grateful that stress of Shan's activities--finished
Shan:  Memories of love, happiness, and contentment

November 21:  

Joe: One more day of being on-call!  

Shan:  Fun day with students

November 22:  

Joe: Sleep

Shan:  Able to serve others 

November 23:  

Joe:  Able to go to the temple

Shan:  Temple covenants and peace 

November 24:  

Joe:  A low-key day

Shan:  Kind words and actions of others

November 25:  

Joe:  Getting things done

Shan:  Joe's service to me--He cleaned the house on his day off!  WOW!!!  I LOVE Mr. AmAzInG!!

November 26:  

Joe:  Clean home

Shan:  Able to serve others 

November 27:  

Joe:  Friends

Shan:  A home where others feel comfortable to visit and play 

November 28:  

Joe:  Family

Shan:  Tender moments with T cuddling and hearing her "adventures"--I love being an aunt!

November 29:  

Joe:  Only two more work days and then the most critical time of the year is done...at least for another 365 days.

Shan:  New opportunities and a chance to reflect on blessings

November 30:  

Joe:  Time

Shan:  Beautiful mornings

WE ARE BLESSED!!!!

Canadian Geese

This morning I awoke to the sound of honking...not from a car, but from a flock of Canadian Geese.  The sound brought a smile to my face because I was reminded of their beauty and symbolism in my life.  Several years ago, my dear friend, Monica, shared with me an interesting concept about the Canadian Geese's flight.

Canadian Geese support one another as they fly in a V-formation.  At the front of the V, a goose will fight the wind and basically carry the burden of the flock.  The other geese fly at the precise angle, rather than directly behind each other, allowing the birds to easily fly in the draft.  The honking is their encouragement to the front goose.  The geese continue this pattern of flight until they reach their destination and land gracefully.  Another interesting fact is, if one of the birds become injured, two other birds will stay with the injured bird until it is ready to fly again. 

I am SO blessed to have family, friends, young women from my church, and loved ones who have helped me "fly through the winds" of this most recent heart-hurt--infertility.  Many have stayed by my side and provided a shoulder to cry on, a kind word, and numerous prayers on our behalf.  Through their acts of service, I have also recognized God's tender mercies and love for me.  Their acts of love have provided strength and encouragement to weather the dark storms of anger and the "unknown".  

President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us.  But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."  

I am grateful for the reminder that God is there when we are in the midst of trials and difficult times.  THANK YOU!!!  

My hope is that we can all reach out beyond our personal heart-hurt and lift one another.  I know I'm going to try a little harder.  Life is made beautiful as we support, lift, and strengthen one another just like the graceful Canadian Geese!