Texas Year Anniversery

One year ago we entered the state of Texas. I wanted to do a post saying some things I have learned over the past year. From one of my favorite movies comes, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." I have felt that way many times this last year. My trials didn't kill me they made me stronger and I like to reflect after each trial to see what I have learned. So I have learned:

1- I can survive over 115 degree humid weather, with no AC & it won't cook the baby inside me.
2- I need to read EVERY WORD of EVERY contract I sign, who knows what is really in it.
3- I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for.
4- I have learned I can give natural birth to a child.
5- I learned how spiritual natural birth can be & the instant bond it creates with the infant.
6- I gained a new respect for family and the support they can give even so far away.
7- Don & I learned to truly communicate. We were good before, but when you are all each other have, you learn really quick to be united and talk things out.
8- I gained a testimony of food storage. Have it! Who knows when you will need it.
9- My faith in my Heavenly Father's plan for me, grew immensely as I learned to rely on him for EVERYTHING.
10- I learned the importance of temples. Dallas is two hours away. But going is so vital to a happy home, the sacrifice is worth it.
11- I learned the basics of putting up sheet rock.
12- I have learned to be self-reliant spiritually. I struggled, but did learn to be happy no matter what was happening and who was upset.
13- I learned how to plant a garden (still not awesome at this)
14- Although I learned I am strong, I also learned my body has limits and not to push it.
15- I learned how to cook all over again at a different altitude.
16- I learned to make my own laundry soap.
17- I learned the difference between needs and wants.
18- I learned the in-and-outs of buying a house.
19- I learned no mater where you live the gospel is true.
20- I learned to be humble and except help sometimes.
21- I learned the value of friendship.
22- I learned that I can find great joy in being a mother.
23- I learned from the people here to just relax sometimes.
24- I have learned to identify many insects, snakes, and spiders. Including the brown recluse.
25- I have learned that love really can solve so many things : )

My time is up, but these are a few of the priceless lessons I learned this year. I am sure I will forget some and have to learn them again and again. After all I am just human.

My Dog Pepper

After 13 years my little dog Pepper finally went to heaven.
I got her for my 13th birthday from the pound. She was two years old and had been severely abused by her previous owners. She had several ribs that had healed incorrectly. Her windpipe had been crushed, making it hard to breath at times. Her hip also had been injured and fell out of socket when she ran. I saw this little dog in the window and knew no one else would want her. They said she was being put to sleep the next day. So I took the ugliest of the bunch.
She was always a very loving dog licking my tears when I cried and seeming very concerned. She never bit out children unless she was approached while in her bed, her safe spot. She even would act as if she was going to bit, putting her mouth around their arm or leg, just letting them know she didn't like what they were doing.
Father's Day morning nothing was out of the norm. She ran with me to get Eldon up and then ran back down the hall to go to her door. When I came out of the boy's room she was laying in the hall. It looked like she was trying to itch her ear so I bent down to scratch them for her. But I realized she was not okay. He breathing was really labored and her eyes glazing over. I continued to stroke my little dog, her chest filled then all the air went out. It was very peaceful and appeared painless.
She was buried under out tree that night in her blanket, in a box. We all said some words about her and covered her. She now rests in our backyard awaiting the resurrection.

The boys were her care takers. Bryson got her food, Jaron the water. Bryson woke to go check on her and asked where she was. His major concern was that we no longer have a dog. His request is a brown dog. He still remembers the lesson we had a Easter about the resurrection and talks about Pepper coming back to life often. Jaron was a little sad, but also has a lot of faith in Heavenly Father's plan, even for our pets.

We love ya Pepperoni, thanks for being such a great dog.