Another book closed.

This week I finished another journal. In some ways it's kind of like saying goodbye to an old friend. I spent all the babies nap time two days in a row hand writing out Elyssa's birth story. I finished up the entry and realized there was no room to close off the journal the way I usually have done in the past... and I felt a little sad. I've always been a journal writer to some extent. I did really well through college until I got to this book. I started out with BYU graduation and ended with Elyssa. I used to not be able to keep a journal for more than a year, but since I've had babies I haven't made it a priority. I guess that is one of the many reasons that I love this whole Blogger system. I found out from my fabulous friend, Hilery, that there are programs where you can download your blog and print them out and bind them like a book! How cool is that?!

Anyway, back to the journal. I made that journal.... I took it almost everywhere I went (before I had Alec) so I could write any time I felt inspired, etc. I would have loved to close it off properly, reflecting on all the changes that I've made and major things that occurred since the beginning. Instead I'll have to do that here...

In the beginning we were so excited and full of hope for the future! We had jobs! We were done with school! It was summer and the whole world stood in front of us ready to be conquered. Before I could make three entries I was pregnant with Alec. I was so excited with so much anticipation for our first little baby to be born! Then Alec joined our family and our lives changed forever. What a blessing he truly is to us. Before long I was pregnant again, planning for another baby and then BAM! We moved to Iowa with very short notice. Life continued on, the good and the hard, and then Elyssa came to our family too! What another sweet blessing. What was once three became four!

I think as I reflect back on the time from the beginning of my journal to the end more than anything I feel truly blessed for all that we have. I feel so thankful for the love and support that we CONSTANTLY receive from our families. I'm so grateful for a supportive and loving husband who is also such a wonderful father to our precious children. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to be a mommy to my babies. I'm thankful for the health and strength that we have all had. I'm thankful for friends that love me and support me through thick and thin. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have to grow and stretch myself... and try to become the person that I want to be. I'm grateful for the gospel and all the many amazing blessings it's brought to my life. I have so much to be thankful for....

So that is that. Another journal ended. Now it's time to go shopping for a new one!