I just came across this quote from David A. Bednar, and I love it: "The tender mercies of the Lord are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

I have been thinking lately how incredibly well our Heavenly Father knows us. I mean, yeah of course He knows us --> He created us! But, just the things that we go through in our lives, there just doesn't seem possible to get out of certain situations sometimes, either by our own doing or by someone else's doing. I know without a doubt that by being obedient and following His laws and commandments there is just no way for us to fail. I have such a testimony about tithing. I don't see it as my money or as something that I have to do - it really is a privilege to be able to give that back to Him. After all we are NOTHING, absolutely, positively, nothing without Him. The tender mercies of the Lord are also something I am extremely grateful for. He knows us, wants what is best for us, He rejoices with us, cries and mourns with us. I can't even start to understand what He goes through as He watches us humans do the foolish things we do each day, and all the justification we do as we do some stupid thing(s). I don't think that there is a day that goes by without me wondering how in the world people are so dumb as to think that they can get through this life without Him. It was never meant to be that way, we are totally dependent upon Him, and that is how it should be. Life is not easy, but boy is it worth it! I am so grateful for the joy that I get from my family. I get annoyed with them at times, but there is no one either that has my back as I know that they do. I am also extremely grateful to live on the earth in this day and age - I doubt that I could have made it as a pioneer woman, talk about amazing people! Changes are in the air I believe, and for good or evil, it is an exciting time to be alive! Oh yeah, how could I forget to mention this? DUH!!! My nephew Nik, has been called to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he is going to the South Carolina, Columbia Mission, and he leaves 6 days after his birthday, on December 12th! I am so excited for him, I know he will be a great missionary! So proud of him and I love him sooooo much!

Jake has been on my mind a lot lately. I so miss that boy and his kisses and hugs. I think it's because I have heard about 3 different kids close to his age that have passed away too. There was a girl in California in August that drowned in a swimming pool, her grandparents live in Heber. It broke my heart to hear about that. Then there was a girl that had a heart transplant as a baby, she was 4 this year, and the Make A Wish Foundation sent her to Florida to go to Disney World. Well, on her way there she got sick, her body rejected her heart and she passed away. And then just a couple of weeks ago, there was a 4 year old boy that drowned in the swimming pool at Derick's work. I guess they were there for a family reunion and there were a bunch of people in the water, so he got lost in the crowd and drowned. My heart goes out to all these people, especially to the parents and siblings. It really and truly is something that you never plan for, or even want to think about that might happen to you. But, I do know without a doubt that EVERYTHING happens for a reason, and that there is no use in blaming anyone. Little children are perfect in God, and if they were meant to live, they would have. They were just too pure and innocent to live here any longer. It's hard to think that as a parent, but if they can't be here with us, at least we know where they are and that they are safe, surrounded by people that love them and are watching over them until we can be with them again. And they are also watching over us and encouraging us from the other side to be a better person. 

Who knows when I'll get around to writing here again... so I just wanted to mention that on Friday, it has been 9 years since my little sister died. I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen her or talked with her! I miss her a lot too, and I love her so much! Marita, you are my sweet angel too:)

About our trip to Silver Lake September 9, 2012

We love going to Silver Lake. We try to get up there once a year, and every time we go we see a moose, or sometimes a moose and it's baby. This year though we saw 4! It was pretty cool. There were 3 bulls and one cow. I was so glad that they stayed away from us, you just never know what kind of a mood any animal is in, so it is always good when they go about their business and let us go about ours. It was incredibly busy there this time - people were every where. I guess I am selfish, cause I really wished that it was just us and a few other people there, but I guess such a beautiful place does attract people... We took pictures of each other, and the one that I took of the boys, Derick decided that they all should cross one leg over the other, it made for a funny pose, especially cause it looks like Derick is sticking his chest out:) In one picture, I was trying to wiggle my sun glasses down a little so I am making a funny face - oh well, those are pictures that makes it fun:) We had a great day and I am already looking forward to the next time we go there.

Silver Lake September 9, 2012

Ummmmm, I am so confused - again... This setting on my blog, I want to change it, and since the last time I changed it, it is has become completely foreign to me, so I guess I have to leave it this way because I have no clue whatsoever in how to make it different, extremely aggravating!

Anyway - it has been a little while since I wrote here last. School started up again, and the kids were excited.     I think they both have gotten wonderful teacher's again this year, which makes a world of difference in how they view school. The Saturday after school started (they had only been going two days) we decided to go to Lagoon. This is something that Derick and Zane were supposed to do just the two of them sometime during the summer, because McCall went with his friends right as school was out for the summer, and Zane wanted to go, but I didn't cause I really don't like those rides, so Derick was nice enough and said that he would take him. Well, we all ended up going, and I am SO glad - we had a blast! We went on ride after ride after ride after ride, went swimming, went on more rides and so on. I have to say there were a couple of rides I would not go on, but Derick and the kids went, except for one ride that Zane wasn't tall enough for, that time he kept me company:) It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of summer/back to school, and I'm thinking this should be a yearly thing for the Davis family;-) 

We had Swiss Days here last weekend, and as always I did one shift in the scone booth during the day on Friday, and Derick did an evening shift with McCall. McCall loves doing that and so do a ton of other kids. I went perusing with my sister, niece Amanda and Zane. The only thing we bought were a calendar each to give my mom and little brother. It is a Greg Oleson calendar with beautiful pictures of Christ - he is one talented artist. We also bought some cute earrings, and other than toasted or roasted or smoked almonds(I can't remember which...) and caramel apples we didn't buy anything else. 

Tuesday was Derick's birthday, and we celebrated a little with just our family. Today though is when 'everyone' is coming over to help celebrate this wonderful man, and instead of sitting here writing about it, I really need to get going and do things here at home and also go shopping, so see ya later!

Last week was our yearly Bear Lake trip. We wanted to leave last Wednesday when Derick got off work, cause he was planning on leaving early. That didn't work out the way we had planned though... He ended up not coming home until 8 that night, which he wasn't thrilled over. He had a major headache cause he didn't eat lunch thinking he would be out of there soon. I had talked to the kids about waiting to leave really early the next day, since it was late before Derick would come home, and the drive is about 2 1/2 hours. They agreed, which I have to say was definitely fine by me since that meant I got to sleep another night in my own bed:) We all got up early the next day and we were on our way by 7:30. It was so much fun to be at the beach, all relaxed and nothing to worry about except when to lather on some more sunscreen. Our first night there was awesome. Seeing everyone again and talking around the fire, there is just something about that. The next day was also spent at the beach, more fun, sun, sand, swimming, snacking, talking, laughing, enjoying. That night was not that great - it rained! Camping is no fun with rain. Everyone huddling up in their own tents, trailers or cars. Luckily it was only the one night, so our last night there we roasted hot dogs and had smores around the camp fire, along with roasting apples. I had never heard of or seen such a thing before, but Derick's cousin Sandy, had heard about it from a co worker, so she brought all the ingredients. You just buy small green apples, put them on a roasting stick and roast them until the skin gets lose, peel off the skin and roll them in a cinnamon/sugar mix, roast them some more and then eat. It tasted really good, but I think the kids preferred roasting marshmallows;) Camping sure is a lot of work, but the memories are so worth it!

My mom wanted me to buy flowers for Jake's grave from her, so we went in on it with her, and here they are. Love you Jake!