3 years?!

March 9th came and went and I didn't even make notice of it. Pretty scary. I must be getting used to the way things are now. In years gone past I was anxiously awaiting March 9th so I could cross one more year off in my mind. But not this time.

What's the big deal about March 9th? Well, silly, that was the day Marshall was sustained as bishop of our ward and our lives forever changed. Insane that it has been three years since that fateful Sunday. Marshall and I were talking a few nights back about how fast time has gone since then and yet how it feels like this has always been our life. I guess that means I've gotten used to being a bishop's wife.

Sure, there are moments when it seems like this calling (and don't tell me being a bishop's wife is not a calling. It may not be official, but it's still important.) is too much and I just can't do it, but the Lord always carries me through and lightens my burdens. I am amazed I've made it this far and actually, gasp, enjoy it. I'm not talking about being able to say my husband is the bishop. Frankly I get embarrassed when people point out that I am the bishop's wife. What I love is being able to see the Lord's hand in my life and the lives of those around me. Those tender mercies, the kind acts and prayers of ward members for my family and others, the strong spirit of peace and calm in my home. I have learned so much over these past few years and have been strengthened in my testimony. I would even like to think I have become a better person. I have made friendships that I never would have otherwise. My life would be so void without those dear friends! I feel honored and very humbled to be a bishop's wife and am constantly amazed at the goodness of my husband and how the Lord works through him. What an amazing thing to witness!

Three years down, but I don't think I want to keep track as much anymore. Well, maybe it'll be nice to have Marshall make the numerous trips to the bathroom during sacrament meeting as the littler kids all decide at different times that they need to go. And perhaps it'll be pleasant to focus on what is being taught in the meetings or not cringe when the phone rings late at night, but I wouldn't trade it for anything to give up all the good this calling has brought. I will truly miss it when Marshall's time of service is finished. Never thought I'd say that! Good thing the Lord knows better than I do.

He gets it!

This picture pretty much describes how I feel. I am invincible. I am the queen. I am a rock star, super hero, and amazing mother all in one. Why? Because I fought the long hard battle that was potty training Jacob and won. That's right, the boy gets it! He finally gets it!

After weeks of potty training drama, mounds of laundry from accidents, and pulling out my hair, Jacob finally was able to relax enough to use the potty. I bought him a new training potty, let him pick out his own new pairs of undies, and yet the battle raged on. The main problem was that he just could not calm himself down enough to go. He'd sit on the potty, but just couldn't let it go. Saturday, after holding it in for hours, we finally finally got him to relax and elt it go. Lightbulb! Since then he has been going on the potty with no problem. He is SO proud of himself. Me too! He went to church and came home dry today, doing hsi business in the potty before and after church. I am so excited! The boy gets it! And tonight he did some "bigger" deeds in the potty. Sweet!

Potty training may not seem like an impressive accomplishment to the world, but any mom knows it is huge deal. Once that success happens it's like standing a top the world. I am invincible! Go Jacob! Go me!

Bill Cosby

When we heard that Bill Cosby was going to be performing at Tuacahn, only a few minutes away from us, we had to go. Talk about an opportunity of a life time! We love Bill Cosby and his classic clean humor. And we were not let down by what we saw.

The stage consisted of an easy chair and side table. Bill sat in his chair for almost two hours and entertained us with story after story. Awesome facial expressions, voices, and humor. It was a very comfortable setting. I lauuhed so hard at times I cried and couldn't stop laughing. It was a rare and special treat. I am so glad we had the chance to see this amazing man live. There is onyl one Bill Cosby. What an entertainer!

"Coal Miner's Daughter"

After finally sitting down and watching through the entire movie, "A Coal Miner's Daughter", I felt compelled to read the book. The movie has always interested me and I have stumbled across it various times playing on the TV, but I never actually sat down and watched it. The show left me a lot to think about concerning Loretta Lynn and the life she has led. I just had to read the book to learn more.

Wow. What a life! Growing up in a poor company run coal mining town in the hollers of Kentucky, Loretta learned how to make due with everything and anything. Stories of how her mom would use every part of the chicken cooked for dinner, even making biscuits from cutting up the chicken feet. Ugh. They didn't have a lot, but they did what they could with what they had. Then at barely age fourteen she married "Doolittle" Lynn, whom she affectionately calls "Doo". She knew little about sex and babies and was in for quite a surprise on her wedding night. She writes how she didn't figure out how babies came until after she had her first three. From there we follow her through cross country moves, family tragedies, and finally her start in music. Her raw talent, hard work, and determined husband made her the famous country singer she became.

It is fascinating to follow her adventure and hear her humble honesty about life. The book is kind of written in stream of conscious, with random things popping up left and right. It was a different style than what I am used to, but soon I felt like I was chatting with the woman myself and getting her input from marriage to politics. It was a fun read that taught me about a total different world, life in a coal mining Kentucky holler, and gave me a greater respect for Loretta Lynn.