April Adventures • Easter Sunday

Easter is my most favorite holiday.

The fact that there is less commercialization along with fewer obligations to go, do, and be in so many places throughout the holiday season like we experience at Christmastime may have something to do with it.  But mostly, I just love the majesty of the message of Christ's Atonement coupled with the beauty of new life emerging in nature.  I love teaching my children about the Easter story, and keeping the focus directly on the Savior.

We typically enjoy a nice Easter dinner with roasted lamb as the main dish.  This year there were some complications in that regard now that Reilly is old enough to put two and two together when it comes to consuming meat and recognizing the animal from which it comes.  She was surprisingly accepting when it came to the idea of eating lamb, but she insisted that we call it "meat" and not "lamb" when Sheepie was in the room.  Whenever we spoke of Easter dinner during the week, she carefully covered Sheepie's eyes and plugged her ears so that she wouldn't be traumatized.  Such a compassionate little shepherdess, that Reilly.

The other day, she asked me out of the blue, "Mom, do you know why I love Sheepie so much?"

"Why?" I responded, slightly distracted as I unloaded the dishwasher.

"Because she reminds me of Jesus Christ." came the answer.

She now had my complete attention.

"Really?  How is that, sweetie?" I inquired.

Taylor interjected, "Because Jesus is the Lamb of God."  Reilly nodded in agreement.

"That's true," I acknowledged.  "He is also called the Good Shepherd.  I especially love His story about the lost sheep."

Reilly spoke up again, "Yes, that is my favorite story.  I love the Lost Sheep story."

Those two... they sure know how to warm this mother heart of mine.

{five things xii}

- one -

I seriously woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.

For a good two hours this morning I was grumpy and generally unpleasant to be around.  I have no idea why.  There was no cause for it.  Life is good.  And it's Friday to boot! 

Luckily, I had my Domino handy to turn my mood around.  There's nothing quite like the unpretentious enthusiasm of a dog to make you feel absolutely ridiculous for not embracing the day at full throttle. 

- two -

Bryson & I had a wonderful Valentine's week.  No flowers or chocolates or anything like that-- Bryson is actually a little anti-flowers on Valentine's because it's the "expected" thing to do, coupled with the fact that all the vendors raise their prices so drastically in response to the demand.  He prefers to surprise me with flowers on random occasions, "just because."  I'm totally on board with that. 

Instead, we had take-out on Valentine's Day from our favorite local Indian restaurant after the kids were put to bed and made a fancy night at home of it. 

Then on Friday evening we went out on our big date.  Bryson made reservations at Caffé Molise in downtown SLC, which is an amazing regional Italian restaurant.  The food was absolutely fantastic and the live jazz was wonderful as well. 

Afterward we walked the half block from the restaurant to Abravanel Hall to enjoy the Utah Symphony's performance of Beethoven's 4th Symphony and Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto.  The Rach. 2 is one of my all-time favorites.  Although I must say that every time I listen to Rachmaninoff in general I feel a great need to practice the piano more often!  I can only dream to play like that. 

Classical music is so breathtaking live-- my favorite thing is the way the warmth of the lower strings (the cello and bass) wrap around you like a musical embrace.  Beethoven's 4th is a wonderful representative of that.  It's something completely lost when you listen to a recording.

I love that even though Bryson is utterly tone deaf and not particularly musically inclined, he loves going to the symphony.  Rock concerts and the like he could take or leave, but listening to a live orchestra is something he thoroughly enjoys.  I married well.

Thanks for a perfect evening, B.  I love you.  

- three -

Apparently, Monday was a Very Special Day.

It was Sheepie's 5th birthday.
(According to Reilly.)

There was a big to-do around here.
Taylor and Reilly spent the greater part of the afternoon getting everything ready.

Presents, party hats, colorful decorations.
Sheepie even had a party dress.

It's moments like these that I soak up, realizing that before I know it, the little sheep-toting Reilly that I know right now will be all grown up.

These are the moments I will miss so much.
Happy Birthday, Sheepie.

- four -

I had my 20-week ultrasound last Friday as well.
I was a little nervous going in, because I haven't felt much movement-- and after delivering four babies, I typically feel movement earlier and more frequently by this point than I have with this pregnancy.  With the ultrasound we learned that the reason for this is that the placenta is lying anterior to the baby, basically putting another barrier between him and my ability to feel movement.  Everything looks just fine, and that is a tremendous relief.

And, yes, it is a boy!!!!

To be honest, it really wasn't much of a surprise...  Even before we started trying for this pregnancy both Bryson and I had the strongest feeling that it was a little boy that would soon be joining our family.

We are so thrilled.
Well, everyone is-- except for Reilly.
She is a bit disheartened that the girls in our family are soon to be outnumbered.
She brightened up a bit, however, when I reminded her how much she loves the brothers she has now. 

- five -

This Sunday I am teaching a lesson in Relief Society based on Elder Andersen's Conference address on children.

It was my favorite discourse from our most recent General Conference.  I think it is an important talk, with so much that is timely and worth thoughtful consideration.  When I received the assignment, I was really excited.  Now after several weeks of careful study, I am struggling a bit.

In our ward there are women of all backgrounds and situations-- some that have never married, some that have not been able to have children, some that have not been able to have the number of children that they have wanted to have for various reasons.  I fear that there might even be a few that may take offense to the idea that motherhood and having children is a true blessing and an ennobling calling.  It seems that our LDS culture has shifted away from large families.  I've been hearing a lot that for many modern Mormon moms "three is the new six."

Now, I know family size is a deeply personal matter between spouses and the Lord.  The number of children a couple has is most definitely not an accurate measure of how righteous they are.  But I wonder at some of those flippant comments when I hear them.

I know that the Spirit will help guide me as I sort through my lesson material. I'd love to hear any thoughts you might have on the subject as well.  I know there are minds out there that are infinitely superior to mine.  :)

• • •

Those are my five things for Friday!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

The Loves of Her Life

Before sending her off to her afternoon kindergarten class, Reilly and I spent some time completing some schoolwork she had been assigned.  In recognition of Valentine's Day, she was asked to draw pictures of things that she loved on one of her workbook pages.

She didn't even have to think about what she would draw to begin with.  

"Sheepie!"  She exclaimed, happily drawing her favorite little grey friend.

Carefully labeling her drawing, she went to turn the page to start the next assignment.

I stopped her before she continued on.

Isn't there anything else that you love?

She looked back at me blankly.  "Like what?"

"Well," I elaborated, "what about your family?  Don't you love your family?"

Suddenly the light went on, as she realized that the assignment could also include people and not just things.

She looked at me aghast.
"Of course I love my family!  I don't love Sheepie as much as I love God and my family!"

She quickly amended her original drawing.
 

Her simple faith, full of trust and love for her Heavenly Father inspires me to do the same.

Just as little children trust, each of us must have that same childlike, unreserved trust. We must all remember that we are sons and daughters of God and that He loves us very much. If we truly understand who we are, we will have an unfailing source of hope and comfort.

- Elder W. Craig Zwick, "The Lord Thy God Will Hold Thy Hand," Oct. 2003 Conference Report. 

Thanks for the reminder, Ry.

... And Cue the Near Cardiac Arrest

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, I begin to drag a bit.

It is the hour of the doldrums for me.
Exhausted from the errands of the day, and sadly-- still so far from bedtime.

This day had run its course.
And I was feeling pretty good about my productivity.  I had even scrubbed the master bathroom from head to toe-- a task I had been dreading all week long.

So I sat for a brief moment, enjoying a moment of serenity before heading off to fold the laundry and prepare our dinner.

Just as I arose, Reilly skipped into the room-- with her ever-loyal Sheepie-- singing a cheerful tune.  I paused to watch her for a moment, caught by her endless energy and infectious enthusiasm.  Her eyes sparkled and I smiled for a moment.

It was then that I noticed Reilly wasn't the only one in the room that was sparkling.

 Just in case you missed it...

Yep, that would be both my engagement ring AND wedding band that Sheepie is sporting ever so blissfully.
The very same ones I had taken off prior to the bathroom scrubbing fiesta that had taken place in the early afternoon hours.

Needless to say, a certain little girl had a talk with a certain hyperventilating mommy.

But what can I say?
Sheepies, they like their bling.

Art Imitates Life

Some days you're the bug catcher.
Some days you're the sheepie.

For the last two months now our entire family has been cycling through various lovely bugs brought home from preschool, kindergarten, church, and work.

I am getting major cabin fever.

Santa, if you're listening, I could really use that Grecian island cruise right now.

Thanks in advance.

One Giant Leap for Sheepkind

You've really got to hand it to Reilly, she has decked Sheepie out with every accessory a stuffed animal could want. Tiaras, purses, necklaces... she has it all. She even has her very own four poster bed, motorcycle, and picnic table for festive gatherings. Sheepie is an excellent hostess, by the way.

But lately, with all the baby accessories laying about the house, Reilly has become quite creative in acquiring new and exciting trinkets for Sheepie's world.

Case in point, the other day while feeding one of the twins their second breakfast I noticed Reilly running off with the bottle cap. I called out and asked her just where she thought she was going with it. As she turned around, I noticed that she had prominently placed the cap completely covering Sheepie's fuzzy little head.

"Ummm, Reilly?" I asked, "What is Sheepie doing with the bottle cap?"

I braced myself for what was certain to be an interesting reply.
It came with true theatrical finesse.

"This is ooooooooouter spaaaaaaaaaaaace Sheepie!" she exclaimed.

Look out, world.
The Sheepie has landed.

Small & Simple

It's amazing, the lessons I have learned from a tiny grey stuffed sheep.

To say that the last several weeks have been a challenge would be slightly understating things. As the due date for the twins' arrival continues to tick down at an alarming rate, my energy level and ability to stick to my usual routine has degraded terribly.

This morning was no exception.
But when you're a mom, some things just need doing regardless of what you're feeling up for.

So we got up, got the kids dressed and ready for the day, packed up in the car and drove Reilly to preschool. As I hurried her out of her booster seat, I noticed that Sheepie had made the journey with us and that Reilly had every intention of bringing her into school. She didn't want to leave her alone in the car, so I introduced a compromise. Reilly could put Sheepie in my purse, and I would keep her safe while she was at school. Knowing that Mommy would take good care of Sheepie, she agreed.

Into the purse went Sheepie.

After Reilly was happily situated in her class, the rest of the day began. A stop at the grocery store. A quick return home to grab some library books that were due today. A stop at the library for storytime and to pick up some new books & videos to keep the kids entertained while I needed to stay off my feet.

As Taylor & I approached the librarian's desk, I reached in my purse to pull out our library card. To my horror, I realized that Sheepie was nowhere to be found. Panicked, I searched the purse again. And again. No Sheepie.

Great, I thought. All this time we've been so careful about Reilly losing Sheepie, and now it's me-- the responsible mom-- that has finally gone and done it.

As we made the drive back to Reilly's school I was near tears. And so I did the only thing I had strength left for.

Please, Heavenly Father... please help me find Sheepie. I feel silly asking for Thy help in locating her yet again, but I simply don't have the energy to retrace all my steps today. Oh please.... with all the upcoming changes in our family that Reilly is trying to deal with, I don't want her little heart to break over the loss of her favorite toy too.

As I went through the school's entryway, the main foyer was packed with students and parents. I maneuvered my way through the crowd to the coat rack, retrieved Reilly's jacket, and with a heavy heart went to pick Reilly up. Walking her back through the now nearly empty hall, I took a deep breath as I tried to think of how best to explain the situation of Sheepie's latest-- and seemingly final-- disappearance. But just as I was about to open my mouth, something caught my eye on the linoleum just a few yards ahead of us. Something small, grey, and infinitely valuable.

Relief flooded my heart.
Reilly ran over to Sheepie and picked her up. She cradled her in her arms and immediately began her ritual of smelling her. I wasn't about to stop her-- even if she had been on the school floor for over two and a half hours.

Over two and a half hours in a crowded school with tons of kids big and small coming and going. And there she was, just waiting for us right in the middle of our path.

Coincidence?
I don't believe in coincidences.

Thanks be for a loving Father in Heaven who knows just how important a silly little stuffed animal is to our family. I stand in awe and with immense gratitude.

Silent Night

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And nary a peep
Was heard through the house--
Not even from Sheep.

Merry Christmas!
And God bless us, every one.

Hoofin' It

"1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8..."
Reilly was counting aloud.

I listened, assuming she was simply practicing her number skills.
But then came another familiar voice...

"Mom? I only have eight toes!" squeaked Sheepie.

"Eight toes?" I asked, playing along. "Really, Sheepie? You have eight toes?"

"Yes! Reilly counted them for me."

"Oh my!" I smiled back at them.

There was a pause... and then a most concerned reply.

"Something is wrrronnnnnnng with me!"


Perhaps Sheepie has figured out that she isn't quite as human as the rest of her family after all.

Small and Simple Things

Truly, God answers prayers.
And not just the big ones.

One of my personal goals in life is to rely more on my Heavenly Father and to understand more fully the promptings of the Spirit. It is most definitely a work in progress. I have learned to act on certain feelings and impressions I have concerning friends and family-- although I wouldn't have necessarily considered them inspiration at the time-- and through these experiences have become increasingly aware that the Holy Ghost speaks to our hearts much more often than we might think.

Over the past few months I have tried to seek out a little more time for quiet meditation-- to turn off the TV, computer, music (that is a tough one for me!) and just reflect. I'm not always consistent with it, and I'm definitely not great at it, but over time it has made a considerable difference in my life.

This year there have been a lot of things to pray about on the grand scale. A dying friend. A newborn nephew's struggles. A beloved aunt having heart surgery. A favorite uncle suffering a horrible spiral break of his arm in a freak accident. A sister getting married. A horseback riding accident that seriously injured my mom. It is easy to pray when the heavy trials of life come knocking. Our faith tells us that God will hear our prayers during these times of adversity. But-- for me at least-- sometimes it is difficult to remember that God stands ready to answer all our prayers. Even the seemingly insignificant ones.

Last week we had the misfortune of Sheepie going missing again. (Yes, again.) It was late. I was not feeling well and was completely drained of all energy. Reilly was beside herself with grief for her missing friend, and Bryson could not find her anywhere despite his extensive search efforts both within and outside the house. He crashed on the couch, telling me that he simply couldn't look anymore. There was nothing left in the tank. He put Reilly to bed without Sheepie, and she continued to cry inconsolably in her room. I knew we would be in for a long night if we were unable to locate her. To complicate matters further, the next day promised to be long and hectic even without a broken night's sleep. Not finding Sheepie just wasn't an option this night.

Feeling slightly silly but not knowing what other options we had, I took to my knees. I prayed for the insight to find Sheepie. Afterward I got to my feet and instantly knew she was in Bryson's & my room somewhere. I had felt that impression previously, but now the thought was all-consuming. I knew she was in our room. I walked in our bedroom and immediately my eyes were drawn to Bryson's laptop briefcase. I couldn't help laughing to myself as I unzipped one of the compartments and rescued the poor, trapped Sheepie. It was just so like Reilly to put her in a small zippered compartment (purses are one of her favorite hiding spots), but we would have never checked the laptop case in a million years. The kids *never* touch it. We had walked past it several times in our previous searches.

After that evening, I pretty much learned my lesson. Our Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and knows our needs-- even the small heartfelt desires of a little child. So when the same thing happened just a couple nights later, my faith was already in place. After we did all that we could do, I said another simple prayer on Reilly's behalf. However, this time I didn't get an impression of where Sheepie was; only that I needed to do a load of laundry. Tired and grumpy, I had no desire to do laundry-- and did not grasp the concept that my stray thought just might be related to the ongoing search for Sheepie. We went to bed. Just after midnight, I awoke to Reilly's cry for her beloved friend. She went back to sleep on her own after a couple minutes, but I was left wide awake. I could not sleep. After deciding that lying in the dark staring at the ceiling was pretty pointless, I got up. I decided to get that load of laundry in the washer while I was at it. After the cycle was over, I opened up the washer, and much to my chagrin discovered Sheepie right on top of the clothing. I still have no idea when or how she arrived at that location.

Faith isn't something that has come easily to me all the time. I have a tendency to over-think, over-analyze, and rationalize that my emotions are just messing around with me. I wish I were more like Bryson, whose faith is an unshakable gift. I have difficulty not knowing all the answers to the questions that perplex me. It has taken practice to let go of that and simply hold on to the seed of faith.

I have a deeper appreciation for the words of Alma:

Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.(Alma 32: 26-28)


In today's society, it can be easy to dismiss God as an active participant in our lives. Some even doubt whether He exists at all. Religion is rejected as merely the opiate of the masses, and spiritual experience is believed to be nothing but a series of chemical reactions in the brain. However, I truly believe if even the smallest part of you wants to believe in Him-- if you work at it-- you can feel His continual presence in your life. Faith will replace doubt, and His love will flood every aspect of your life. Even the small and simple parts.

Take it from someone who's been there.

Of Siblings & Sheepies

As much as our family has welcomed Sheepie into our family with open arms, well... sometimes there's just a time and a place when we'd like Reilly all to ourselves.

To illustrate, just the other day our family had packed up our bags and were making the long drive up to Grandpa Bob & Grandma Brandy's home for a visit. As Bryson & I were carrying on a conversation in the front of the vehicle, we became increasingly aware of a heated discussion taking place behind us between Taylor... and Sheepie.

Reilly had Sheepie placed prominently in front of her face and was refusing to speak in a voice other than the high-pitched squeak we have come to affectionately recognize. Taylor, wanting only to talk to his sister, was quickly growing impatient with talking to a small stuffed piece of grey fluff.

"Sheepieeeeeeeee! I want to talk to Reilly!"

"No!"

"Sheepie! Please, I want to talk to Reeeeeeeeiiiillllllllyeeeeeee!"

"No!"

This dialogue was repeated multiple times in multiple variations before I intervened, asking them to please stop arguing with one another.

"Okay," squeaked Sheepie.

Taylor glowered into her beady little eyes.

"Sheepie," he muttered venomously, "go back to the barn."


Sometimes a boy just needs his sister.
♥

The Spare

Do you remember Dolly the Sheep? She was the first mammal to be cloned from a single adult cell back in 1996. Well, here at our house, we have been working on trying to clone a sheep of our own.

Due to Reilly's propensity for hiding Sheep in odd and sometimes near-irretrievable locations, I decided to take out a little insurance policy: find a duplicate Sheep. Now, this was not the simplest task in the world. You see, Sheepie was a limited edition stuffed animal put out by Kohls in order to raise money for a kids' charity. They don't make Sheepies anymore.

Thank heavens for eBay.
A few weeks back we received Sheep's clone and she has been living happily in my home office-- giving me that just-in-case reassurance. (We have had a few close calls the past couple of weeks!) I hope that we never have to break out the spare, and one day Reilly will be able to give her daughter her very own Sheepie. We have had so much fun watching Reilly with hers, it only seems fair to pay it forward. But, truth be told, there is another reason I hope we never have to resort to Sheep No. 2...



How on earth am I ever going to pass the new Sheepie off as the old one?!?!?

What's That Smell?

It's funny, the things you pass on to your children.

As I'm sure it is with most people, I find certain smells to be extremely nostalgic and comforting. The scents of lilac & peony take me straight back to my childhood home in suburban Chicago. Get me within one-hundred yards of a chlorinated pool, and I will feel completely in my element. Basil, homemade bread, lavender, freshly cut grass, rosemary, the scent of a newly fallen rain... all heavenly. When I get stressed or anxious, one of my (many) quirks is to smell my hair. I don't know exactly when this tendency emerged, but to this day you can always tell when I'm trying to focus my troubled mind or simply relax. You'll find me with a lock of hair pressed to my face.

Now, for quite a long while I've noticed Reilly toting Sheep around with her little body of grey fluff held close to her face. I honestly never really thought much of it, until the other day when Bryson asked her what she was doing. Reilly looked at Bryson as if the answer was completely obvious. "I'm smelling my Sheep!"

Of course.
It's a security thing. Some people suck their thumbs-- we smell things.

I have to admit, it makes me smile now to watch Reilly wander around the house with Sheep these days. She may have her daddy's eyes, but she did get a few things from her mommy too... for better or worse.

"Do you want to smell my Sheep?" Reilly asked Bryson, as if this were a perfectly natural inclination.

"Oh, yes, please," replied Bryson.

Ahhhh, it is wonderful to be loved by a man that finds your little eccentricities adorable.
Everyone should be so fortunate.

The Real

Looking at Sheep today, I was reminded of some words of wisdom from my favorite children's book of all time, The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" 

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." 

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." 

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.

But the Skin Horse only smiled.

Count Your Blessings... Instead of Sheep

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!"

This is not a noise you want to hear in the middle of the night.

No, it's not a cry for help, or even the exclamation of someone who has just spotted a particularly hairy spider.

This is Sheep's talking voice.
Yes, Sheep talks.
In a voice eerily reminiscent of Mickey Mouse... on helium.

The other night, around three in the morning, I woke up to Sheep's oh-so melodious voice coming in over the baby monitor.

Several minutes of monologue that I couldn't translate for you if I wanted to.

After glancing at the clock I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, praying that a certain little girl would go back to sleep with her furry little friend.
The seconds went by slowly.
Then minutes.

I was beginning to sit up when Sheep was suddenly interrupted by a very stern Reilly.

"Sheep," she exclaimed, "It is time to go to sleep. You need to be quiet and go Back. To. Sleep!"

Grinning in the dark, I put my head back on my pillow.

Some people count sheep in order to fall asleep.

My daughter talks to one.

...And Found!

After a tense 36-hour period of frantic searching, we are happy to announce that Sheep has returned home.

Hopefully she has learned her lesson, and will not hide again any time soon.
We shall try and get that same lesson ingrained in our little shepherdess' mind as well.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers-- I'm certain you were all on edge waiting to hear the latest. ;)

Missing!

Have you seen this sheep?


Reward: 5 dozen cookies for information leading to Sheep's safe return

Reilly and her family thank you in your efforts.

Feed My Sheep

When you're in the trenches of motherhood, there inevitably come those days when you question the decision-making process that led you to the present situation in which you now find yourself.

Not that you regret those decisions by any means, or would wish to go back and change things... it's just that there are those overwhelming times when you reflect and wonder how on earth you ever came to find yourself at this moment.

Back in high school I was one of those crazy over-achiever types. You know, officer in the National Honor Society, captain of the swim team, in the school musical... yep, one of those. 

Consequentially, I was surrounded by like-minded crazy over-achieving friends. These friends have gone on to impressive careers, some of them spanning the globe. Doctors, lawyers, consultants, scientists, professors, nurses, teachers... And I have to confess, there are those days I wonder what they must think of the personal choices I made with regards to my life's path, so different from their own.

Recently, Reilly came up to me, holding Sheep in her arms. Sheep is Reilly's most treasured possession. A little gray ball of fluff that she absolutely dotes on. Sheep goes everywhere with Reilly, be it the gym, grocery store, library, or church. Even in this year's Halloween pictures you can see Reilly running after Taylor to go trick-or-treating... with Sheep.

This day, however, Reilly had kicked it up a notch. She had found one of her baby doll's bottles and was cradling sheep in her arms with it. Bemused, I asked Reilly what she was doing. Reilly looked at me for a moment, then said rather matter-of-factly, "I'm feeding my sheep!"

Well, that gave me a chuckle... I bent over to give her a hug and was suddenly overwhelmed by the emotions I felt for this little girl. So precious, so vibrant, so important to me.

And through my tears the words of John 21 entered my mind...

"He saith to him again... lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

My path might perplex some of my friends, but I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I truly believe that the world can be made a better place through the smallest and simplest of actions. It is my desire & hope to be the change I wish to see in the world-- as Mahatma Ghandi so eloquently stated before me. And I truly believe this world can be changed one child, one small act of kindness, one life at a time.

So I continue... doing my best to feed His sheep.