Jillian June and Eliza Lane

"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden."

They have expanded their garden by four feet! And the new blossoms are beautiful.

Congratulations to the master gardeners, Heidi and Jacque!

I Will

Scott and I have been married seven years now. Our anniversary was yesterday. I still can't believe that I am married to this wonderful man.

When I was 14 years old I started thinking about my future husband. I became obsessed (surprise, surprise) with the idea that I might never get married. {A really smart kid also attended Butler Middle School at the same time.}

To comfort myself I started to pray for my future husband every once in a while. I met a lot of guys and hoped that each one might be the ONE. In highschool I scanned the halls for the man of my dreams. {That smart kid from Butler was in my AP History class.}

BYU seemed like the only option for me, since that institution provided my mom and sister with their husbands. {Eating my first dinner at the Morris Center was lonely until I was asked by a fellow Bengal and his parents to join them.}

Nearing 21 years old, I was DESPERATE, and would date anyone. I knew that if I went on a mission, I would miss my chance to find my husband at BYU. {That cute fellow Cougar was on his mission at the time.}

I prayed that I wouldn't miss him. On my mission I had an 18 month hiatus from my obsession (what a relief)! After my mission I divided my time between scouring the University of Utah Institute {he was too busy to be there}, BYU Art History Department {that fellow student was in his master's program in the Tanner building}, and my Wasatch Stake Singles ward.

I felt like an old maid as the years continued to pass {from the halls of Butler, Brighton, and BYU, that smart man was now working for KPMG}. At only 24 years old I was beginning to accept that my worst fear might actually come true, until one day in September. . . At church, I heard the sweetest words from a smart, accomplished newcomer to the singles ward. . . "I have a boat that I could bring to the ward activity." My mind raced through all the times I had run into this guy. I said, "Hey, I know you! You're Scott Robinson, right? Welcome to the singles ward." {In other words, WELCOME TO MY LIFE.} It didn't take long for us to recognize that we were meant for each other. He had been the right person all along and now was the right time, FINALLY!

Over the years I have come to appreciate that the Lord was listening to me the whole time. He understood the silly fears of a 14 year old girl {I was blessed with a wise mom},
the smitten cluelessness of a 16 year old student {I was blessed with good friends and lots of fun activities},
the high hopes of an 18 year old co-ed {I was blessed with an opportunity for a great education},
the heart break of a 20 year old {I was blessed with comfort},
and the lonliness of a 22 year old returned missionary {I was blessed with wisdom and inspiration}.

This doesn't always happen, but while the Lord was blessing me throughout the years, my future husband was living a life parallel to mine. I've known Scott since I was 14. We had friends, classes, schools, and a stake in common! That's the sweetest and perfect answer to my girlish prayer. I have a great belief in President Hinckley's advice to marry "the right person, in the right place, AT THE RIGHT TIME." I'm so thankful that the right time finally came for me. I have been blessed with a wonderful life because I finally trusted the Lord.

Maaa-maaa

I have a little flock of sheep
And they are mine to tend and keep.
And I must guard them every day
For little lambs, when left alone,
Will lose their way.

So many voices say to me,
A sheep fold is no place to be.
Your time in there is dull and slow,
And lambs leave very little room
For you to grow.

Oh, surely there will come a day
When all the lambs have left my side,
And I am free to roam about,
And go exploring other meadows,
Green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart
That when my sheep have left this pen
I'll long to stroke their little heads,
To draw them close to me
And have them young again.

So while they still are in my care
I pray that I will clearly see
These little lambs within my fold
Are tender gifts the Master Shepherd
Has given me.
--Lisa Bearnson

Roundup Woundup

Here's some pics from Jessica's party.

Jessica's Roundup

Happy Birthday to Jess! My second child is turning four. I can't believe that we've made it this far so quickly. She's having her first "friend" birthday party today. She wanted everyone to dress up like cowgirls (so she could wear her favorite boots). I've made bandanas and sheriff's badges for the little guests. We decorated her heart-shaped cake with little toy horses. We'll be playing "pin the badge on the cowgirl" and "wild horse round-up". We will also be making miniture hobby horses with paper and craft sticks and reading "Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa." For prizes everyone will get candy, ginger cookies and harmonicas. I love birthday parties for young kids. The highlight is still eating cake and drinking rootbeer floats. I think I might be just as excited as Jess and Chloe.

Simple Gospel Truths

During Sacrament Meeting yesterday, Jessica was being very fidgety. To get her to sit still I started whispering to her. I asked her what she loved about Jesus. After a lot of thought, she pointed to her hands and asked if she would have to get nails in her hands and hang on that "star thing" like Jesus. It was hard to explain in a whisper and I wasn't doing a very good job helping her understand the Crucifixion. So, after a strong feeling I should, I went up to bear my testimony. I told the congregation what Jess asked me and then went on to bear my testimony of the Atonement. I told Jess that we don't have to suffer like Jesus. If we do what is right and try our best, Jesus has made it possible for us to live peacefully and return to Heavenly Father. It's a simple truth, children can understand the atonement without knowing all the details. I'm thankful for Christ's gospel. It is "plain and precious."

In the Spotlight

What are 5 compliments you remember receiving?
That I have great hair.
That I have an artistic eye.
I always look feminine.
I'm a good mother.
That I look like my mom.

What is a talent you wish you had developed more fully?
I wish I had time to take some art classes. I would love to be able to create with paints.

Who is a person that exemplifies courage to you, and why?
My sister, Gabi. She looks at challenges and instead of crumpling, she sees the good side and lives happily.

What did you do this week that made you happy?

I took care of my sister and her two cute girls for the day. Me and my girlies had a great time with the cousins while Heidi got to sleep.

Use 5 nouns, 5 verbs, and 5 adjectives to describe yourself.
Wife, Mother, Open Book, Friend, Teacher
Obsessing, Care-taking, Seeking, Serving, Envying
Voluptuous, Detail-oriented, Patient, Geeky, Creative

Thanks, Oma, for making me think and helping me find positive ways to see myself.