We have everything...

Today was the last Saturday in a while that we had completely and totally free. We had originally planned to go to the temple, but with money tight and another week before pay day we decided that we would make the trip later in the month. Instead we made it a family day and enjoyed a picnic by the river. It was an amazing day with absolutely gorgeous weather.

The first park we went to didn't have a playground, but sat right on the river. We laid our blanket down, ate lunch and then enjoyed a game of Barrel of Monkeys, courtesy of Marvin the monkey who is visiting this weekend. Then we took a walk down by the river and the girls played the running game with Nathan.


Feeling bad that the first park didn't have a playground for the girls to enjoy we decided to stop at park number two on the way home. The second park sat right by the river too. The girls loved it and we enjoyed just being together.


Once home we enjoyed a nice afternoon nap. As you can see it was game day hence the game day attire. The girls giggles have been muted as they have drifted off to sleep. The only sounds in the house are the keys as I type, the washing machine cleaning our picnic blanket and the game in the background.

Life really is good. Last weekend during General Conference President Thomas S. Monson (our prophet) had this to say:

"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, 'He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.'

Gratitude is a divine principle...Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings."

I often find myself developing a motto for what is going on in my life. Last year my motto was "It is what it is". Recently my motto has become "Life Happens". Life happens daily; things come up and we have to respond. A child gets sick. You get sick. The bank account is low and the expenditures are high. I get it. We feel it right now, but like I said, "life REALLY is good". It is because I choose, we choose to rejoice for that which we have and when we have each other...we have everything!