Thursday, November 3, 2011

Opportunities

I was just reading about my friend Tamari's trip to Disneyland -- obviously, the happiest place on earth -- and I got thinking about Ariel's Grotto. We ate there for the first time on our last family trip, which was roughly ten million years ago (or... 3 years ago. Seems longer.). Anywho, while there, I met my favorite princess of ALL TIME, Princess Aurora. I have often thought to myself "Why isn't my name Aurora? Why don't I live with fairies? Why doesn't my prince where tights and dance with me in the woods?" I just love Sleeping Beauty. I mean, come on. So here is a true story, I'm not even making it up. Princess Aurora came up to our table to chat. Olivia and K.J. got up to get a picture with her, and you know, I leaped out of my seat, too. And then she said to me: "We look quite a bit alike, don't we?"
And. I. Melted. Into. A. Pile. Of. Happiness. And. Eternal. Bliss.
I'm not even making it up, she said it. And because Sleeping Beauty said it, it is true doctrine. And as we know, true doctrine, understood, changes attitude and behavior.
Quite frankly, I realize the similarities start and end with blond hair and a love for both blue and pink, but I don't care. I'm happy.
Because Princess Aurora said it.
And I will be five years old for the rest of my life.

Speaking of being five-years-old, or very near it, yesterday Olivia informed her father and I that she is going to have one son, one tiny baby boy, and she's going to name him "Buuuuuud."
Later, when Daddy asked her if she thought she might have a girl, she decided yes, she could, and she would name her "Tinkerbell."
Which sounds perfectly viable to me.

To say the last few weeks have been adventurous, stretching, and a profound learning curve would possibly be the understatement of the year. It has been very adventurous, there has been much stretching, and we're whipping around a tight learning curve. But adventure, stretching, and learning are never bad things, so we accept the challenge and keep trying to be ever better. Have I ever shared with you my favorite scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants? It is in Section 50. There are several verses I adore and have guided me over and over again in my life, but one particular section has always comforted me. The Savior says "Behold, ye are little children, and ye can not bear all things now. Ye must grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for ye are mine..."
I feel like this is another opportunity to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth. Seems like I've gotten lots of those opportunities to do so, and I'm always surprised at how those opportunities come.
Life is so cool, don't you think? Personally, it's a journey I have enjoyed since my first breath, even when I haven't enjoyed it so much. But right now, I love it. Even when my hair threatens to be pulled out, I love it.

K.J. is getting so close to baptism! Can you believe that? Isn't that horrible and wonderful? He is getting baptised the Saturday after Thanksgiving so all of his aunts and uncles can be there. He's been working hard to get ready -- there is this awesome new children's book called "What Are The Promises I Make At Baptism?" that is really helpful (even for me, let's be honest) -- and we've read that about a million times. We're also pushing to finish The Book of Mormon as a family before then so he can ask for himself and know that he has read it. I am proud of K.J. I know I'm his Mom, and all, but he is truly a very special human being. He has brought me such great joy. He has his baptismal interview on Sunday with Bishop Wendt, and he's pretty darn nervous! I remember my baptismal interview so well. I was so scared! I thought he'd ask me to explain Quantum Physics or something. It's funny and tragic how many of my neurosis K.J. has inherited.
I'm excited for this special day in our family!

Well, my darlings, my dearest ones, I hope all is well with you.

1 comment:

Simmons Family said...

I love your sleeping beauty story!! I wish I looked like a disney princess!! You are so lucky :)