Diamonds or Pearls

When I was young I remember a story that was shared with me one summer while attending girls camp. I do not remember it exactly but it went something like this:

A young girl once noticed a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box while standing in the checkout line at the super mart. After a little pleading with her mother she was able to convince her mom to buy her the two dollar pearls.

She cherished the pearls and wore them everywhere. She was careful with them too.
This girl had a loving Father who would join her in her room every night for a story. One night when their story time was through the father asked his daughter, "Do you love me?"

" Oh yes, daddy. You know I love you." she replied.

"Then give me your pearls" said her father.

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my Princess. She is my favorite."

" That's okay honey. Daddy loves you. Good night."

A week or so later the father concluded their storytime with the same question to which he received the same answer but the little girl would offer something else in its place.

Then one night the father came to his daughters room and found that she was for him on her bed. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. And he tenderly asked what the matter was?

She didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, her daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

Now because I couldn't remember this story I had to look it up on the internet. In my mind I thought I remembered that he gave the daughter a diamond but I guess it was real pearls. Either way it still fits the point I am about to make.

Travis and I have been searching for a new home. We were offered a pretty good opportunity and have found some great homes in todays market. About 6 months ago we went into contract with one and backed out of it at the last minute. It ended up being a wise move as the market value of homes has continued to decline. Alas after putting bids on 13 homes in the past 9 months, our 12th offer was finally accepted. It was a great home and a great deal. Of course, as I pray I ask Heavenly Father to not let it happen if it is not the right place for us. I say this because I know that I do not have the will power to recognize a "no" answer or that it might not be the right thing because I want it so badly. I have begged with him to help us make the decision by blatantly denying us the opportunity if it is not supposed to be. Well, after waiting 3 months for the bank to get the paperwork moving on the deal we found out last week that we can no longer use the route of financing that we were going to. After a week of fretting about it and trying every creative solution I could come up with we were at the temple and the thought came clearly, "This isn't the place for you."
Of coarse I am a stubborn person and keep thinking to myself, "WHAT!" How can this not be the place? It has this and that and this....I want this to be the place!"
That is why this story came to my mind. I want this so bad that it is hard for me to let go of what I want and what I think is best and trust Him to prepare the right place. I know he can and will. Yet still, why do I insist on hanging on to the dime store stuff?

Day Trip

Today Travis was golfing in a tournament so the girls and I spent the morning at the Bellagio. We love to visit the gardens and fountains. I can tell though that the economy has hit even the casinos because the gardens have been as elaborate the last few times. Don't get me wrong though, they are still spectacular to view. Even so, mans creations cannot compete with Gods. The whole time the fountains were going the girls found it more exciting to watch the ducks swimming just beneath us in the water.

Grandma's House

Poor Avery cried her heart out when we had to leave Grandma's house to come home. I do admit that I thik my kids have the best Grandma in the world. Here are some of the fun things we did at Grandma's house this time.

Make Sugar Cookies for Valentines!


Visit the Kangaroo Zoo!





Eat Snow.



Play in Snow.



Build a Snowman!
This one was particularly fun because Madelyn kept eating our snowman. She ate the first carrot nose so we got another. The eyes and buttons were made out of chocolate candies and she would take them off and take a bite then stick them back on. Silly girl. Notice all the eaten candy pieces on our snowman?



Snow Fight!




Making Snowflakes and eating snow again!


And create many more memories with family and friends!

Snow Much Fun

My mom flew down from Salt Lake to help with Madelyn's surgery and so we drove her home last week. On the way we stopped at my sister's house in Cedar and stayed a couple of nights. The girls love their Uncle David and Aunt Shelley. Madelyn especially created a bond with my sister and calls her, "Lelly" it is so cute. I love that my sister loves my kids so much. She is so much fun for them to be around.

"Birday, me?!?!?"

We finally celebrated Madelyn's birthday. It was really exciting. The night before the party I told her she need her rest because we were going to have a birthday party for her the next day. When I told her, her face lit up and she said. "birday, me?" over and over again. Then it was "birday me daddy!" She had a blast! You could tell she felt special. I don't know that she would have got it a month ago and this was perfect timing. I think she is finally figuring out she also has a special place our family.

Madelyn's Surgery

Well, the surgery is over. Everyone told me it was going to be a breeze and that little kids recover so much more quickly than adults but it was a nightmare. Yes she has rebounded quickly but the hospital stay and for two days after were miserable. Anytime you have to stay with your baby in the hospital all hooked up to monitors and an IV translates to misery! I tried to check us out of the hospital early but of coarse for liability reasons they wouldn't do it. But they were just as ready to throw me out the next day and I was the first one that they checked out as a result. Orneriness can pay off in the right situation.

Now Madelyn is talking up a storm. Prior to her surgery she had quite a bit of hearing loss and developmentally she has been behind. Now that she can hear it is so exciting to see her confidence this week. Everyday she is saying new words and responding so much better. That isn't to say she still has selective hearing figured out quite well but overall we are loving our new Madelyn!