There is something so incredible about Personal Revelation. After a scary delivery with Camden, Chris and I were fearful of going through another birth. We had decided we were finished having children. I set up an appointment in January 2011 to have a surgery to get my tubes tied. Right before the surgery, I had the strongest impression NOT to go through with it. I followed that impression and did NOT have the surgery. Soon after, I had a vivid dream of a little girl-not a newborn but a very little girl. I spoke to Chris about it and we revisited the subject of adoption- which we had been open to our whole married life up to this point. We quickly realized

that adoption would not be the road for us to take and started to talk about having another child of our own. General Conference was coming up and I chose to go into Conference with my questions looking for answers from the Lord. On the Sunday morning session, Deiter F. Uchtdorf was talking about your "road to Damascus" and how we should not wait around for things to happen in our lives but to take action and just do it.

Next was a talk by Paul V. Johnson in which he said: "Many have wondered why we must face difficult challenges. We know that one reason is to provide a trial of our faith to see if we will do all the Lord has commanded. Fortunately this earth life is the perfect setting to face—and pass—these tests. But these trials are not just to test us. They are vitally important to the process of putting on the divine nature. If we handle these afflictions properly, they will be consecrated for our gain. After much tribulation come the blessings. Mothers know that the challenges of labor precede the miracle of birth. Time after time we see marvelous blessings on the heels of great trials."

Lastly, there was another talk by a speaker that I can't remember but he spoke of a mother who had to give birth on the wagon trails in horrible conditions to "a little girl".

I went through my time of letting the Spirit work in me as Chris did the same thing halfway across the world from me.One night, I had the most profound experience as I could "hear" and feel a sweet little spirit very impatiently saying, "Mommy, hurry! I want to be there!" It was the closest I have ever felt to the veil in my life, including any time I've ever been in the temple. There was no doubt in my mind that there was another child meant for our family. Chris & I decided that we would trust in the Lord's will and try to have another baby. We got our answer with a positive pregnancy test on New Year's Eve, 2012. (I knew for a few hours on New Year's Eve but I waited until 12:01 am to tell the family) I was expecting. Today, April 5, 2012, we had an ultrasound that confirmed we are having a girl. I am so grateful for the Lord watching over me and my family and trusting me with another one of his precious children to teach, raise, nurture, and love. I'm so happy I was listening when He (and she) spoke to me!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to FINALLY make homemade bread with my mom. We made the BEST tasting rolls ever! (I've always eaten these rolls but never made them myself) We made two different types of bread and I was able to cross a couple more items off my list of things to learn from my mother!

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

My close friend, Carmen, came to visit last week with her son, Noah. We took a trip to Plymouth to see the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock since that was on their list of things to do. The weather was great for sightseeing and we really enjoyed our afternoon.

Next stop was Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill" in Foxboro,MA at Gillette Stadium.While they had a great selection of Southern food, Carmen just had to order the Fried Bologna Sandwich! She said it was good...I took her word for it! Their fried okra was the best I've ever had--and I'm from the south! We moved on to Gillette Stadium for some photo ops.

Over the weekend, we went apple picking at Breezelands Orchards.

The rest of the visit was spent baking apple pies, eating Chris's famous breakfast tacos (YUM!), camping out in the backyard, making smores, taking walks, LAUGHING, and spending time with great friends at a barbeque. Sadly, we had to say goodbye for awhile but we had such fun while they were here! Now, if only we could convince them to move to New England.........

FIRE! FIRE!

Tuesday afternoon, Chris & I had said our goodbyes for the evening and I went to the kitchen to start making dinner. Halfway through cooking the meal, I get a phone call from Chris. He sounded out of breath and a little wheezy. I was concerned and after a minute he was able to calm down a little bit and tell me what just happened. After hanging up with me the first time, Chris (he had been talking to me from his office) was making his way back to his living quarters when he saw puffy smoke just across the fence from where he was walking. He tore off the screen that covers the fence when he discovered that a B-HUT (living quarters) was on FIRE! Chris ran to his B-hut to get a fire extinguisher. He began spraying and yelling to see if anyone was in the B-hut at the time. It was 2:45 in the morning there and he was sure people were inside at the time-possibly sleeping. Someone in another B-hut heard Chris and came outside to see what was happening. Chris told him to call 911. Just then, it looked as if he had put the fire out when it started again. Chris needed to grab a second fire extinguisher and was also able to see where the fire had started. A refrigerator and a freezer were plugged into a converter that caused an electrical problem. Finally, 2 men were able to get out of the building.The firemen came and told Chris, "You did an outstanding job! These B-huts will burn to the ground in 5 minutes!" Chris went to the hospital and received 2 breathing treatments and was given additional medication to use as needed for breathing. I'm so glad he's okay but I'm even more proud of his bravery! I'm still waiting to see if he comes home dressed as a firemen~ I wouldn't complain! ;)

My good friend reminded me last night that I have seriously neglected my blog so here goes......Donovan has had a great month so far. We attended the seminary graduation on the June 5th in Ludlow and Donovan was presented with the Passport Award from seminary. This means that he put added effort into his scripture study,memorization, and specific Passport requirements. We are very proud of him for getting up early every morning to attend seminary and NEVER complaining!

Then, yesterday, Donovan walks in the door after school and informs me that he has been elected Junior Class President for the 2011-2012 school year! He decided the day before that he wanted to be class president. I asked him when elections are and he casually says, "Tomorrow". With no campaigning of any kind, I wasn't sure this would turn out well for him but I encouraged him nonetheless. I am most excited about the fact that when the odds were against him, he still went after something he wanted and he achieved his goal! :)

We are so excited to see what he does with his life! Go Donovan!

Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens

But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen

I have no rank upon my shoulders - salutes I do not give

But the military world is the place where I live

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get

But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget

I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line

But my job is just as tough.

I'm the one that's left behind

My husband is a patriot,a brave and prideful man

And the call to serve his country not all can understand

Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free

My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me

I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life

But I stand among the silent ranks known as

the Army Wife

~Author Unknown

Army Wife Prayer

Dear Lord,
Give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me. Give me understanding that I may know, when duty calls him he must go. Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when he's away. And Lord, when he's in a foreign land, keep him safe in your loving hand. And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield. And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen.