I've Gotta Take More Time To Sit Back and Smell The Roses

In the beginning of this time of our lives,  I'd like to term TheBigMove, or TBM, I was excited for this unexpected and yet longed for adventure we were embarking on. Reed and I had, many nights when the girls were in bed, talked of this dream of moving away from safe little Idaho and taking on some different challenges in a new place. We both felt that that was what was next for us. And I certainly didn't know where that meant Heavenly Father would take us but I knew we would go.  And here we are 4 months to the day when we got the letter in the mail announcing Reed's acceptance and scholarship to his current university. It hasn't been what I expected and in retrospect I think that was good.
    It's not unlike the newly pregnant wife, due with her first child, so excited to someday come face to face with that loved little being she and her husband created. She's not thinking of the pain of labor, of the aches and pains her body will experience, the sleepless nights waking up to go to the bathroom at all hours. If she knew all of those things in their reality when she first became pregnant, it would change her perspective.
     I am grateful to be faced with so many unseen challenges and opportunities to grow. I may not be grateful for them while I'm in them, but even now I'm grateful for the experiences I've had that have prepared me for this time. Grateful for the support and love and friendship of all of my family and Reed's and so many of our friends, neighbors and ward members from back home. 
      I didn't start out this post intending to get sappy or emotional, and yet that is exactly how I'm feeling. I am incredibly grateful for the blessings we have been given and are continually given at this point here in Massachusetts. I have no doubt that in spite of everything that stands in our way, that we will accomplish whatever it is that Heavenly Father wants us to accomplish in living here.
      I am going to start working on enjoying my "now", whether that means enjoying putting my girls to bed by myself for the 5 millionth time or making dinner for myself and 2 little girls who love me but don't always love what I make for dinner. I will take 5 minutes a day to just sit and breathe and think about what I am doing right now that is important in the eternal perspective.
      Okay. On to the pictures I took of today!

Aftyn and Daddy went to Daddy's school library where they had a children's storytime. Aftyn was the only child there. :)  But she loved it and the "picnic" she and daddy shared on a couch afterward. She loves going to Reed's school.

This is the pizza Aftyn and Mommy made together! Aftyn sprinkled on the cheese and Mommy did the rest and Aftyn loved it!

Bronwyn was throwing a "lay on the ground and kick your feet" fit. She hasn't learned yet that Mommy doesn't do anything but get out the camera for them.  By the way, in spite of the chub you see here, this little girl is topping the scale at a whopping 16.5 lbs. We couldn't be more proud!  :)  lol

And then she turns right around and lays on the charm.

This is her crying/throwing a fit face.