If I Could Live My Life Over
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I ‘d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love you’s”…
more “I’m sorry’s”…
but mostly,
given another shot at life,
I would seize every minute…
look at it, and really see it…
live it…and never give it back.
Written by Erma Bombeck
This makes me reflect on my life. Though my pregnancy was hard, it was worth it. I'm only now starting to really realize the cost of becoming a mother. Of course it's all definitly worth it, but it's something you don't really expect. I never really thought about it costing me my body, since it has really changed since the birth; or my free time, free choices, sleep, energy, etc. But I have to say that everytime I see her smile, or the beautiful look she gives me when she wakes in the morning makes it completely worth it.
I feel like it's a fair trade off. Maybe there are things that I enjoy that are hard for me to do now, with a little baby, BUT I've done so much in my life and gone so many places, probably much more than the average person, so I wanted to reflect on some of the good times and blessings that have brought me to where I am now.
*Warning: Lots of pictures*
After high school my parents and I got to go to Spain!
I was blessed to be able to go to 3 colleges. Snow, BYU, and MCC. This was at BYU.
Me and my roomates (except one, we're missing Summer). We had some great times!
For two years I was lucky enough to work next to Zion National Park, which is my most FAVORITE PLACE in the WORLD!
Rappelling in Orderville Canyon (Zion)
Subway Canyon in Zion (my favorite canyon...so far).
Rappelling and hiking. It's truely beautiful there.
More ZP (Zion Ponderosa) pics.
Playing in a mud pit, taking myself on adventures (at the set of Gunsmoke), and photo safari's with Becca :)
And of course all my many different hair styles and colors, have been fun!
Everywhere I go, I've been blessed with great friends!
I wish I had more pics including everyone. There's Keary and Andrea and Andrea's little Ryen in the one above. Then a pic of Jess and me at EFY.
I got to live in mexico as a child, and I get to go back all the time so see amazing family!
I've been blessed with awesome extended family...cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great aunts, second cousins, etc.
Here's Lecith and I in their home in Mexico.
And of course my family have always been a huge strength and blessing to me.
Incredible parents and amazing siblings. I love them all so much!
And of course, meeting the love of my life, sparked the real beginning of my life.
Here he is after I told him I liked redheads, and short hair ;)
Ben and I got married and it's been the happiest day...days of my life ever since.
And I got married in the wedding dress of my dreams!
Honeymoon in Cancun (so great!)
And just over a year later, little Rowan Nicole joined our family.
We LOVE her so much!
I have had a very fulfilling life.
And I'm grateful for all my incredible experiences and blessings. LIFE IS GOOD!
