Three Years

Today marks three years since the death of my brother Stephen. As I sat thinking about it today I realized it feels as though it was just yesterday that he died but it also feels like its been an eternity. I often wish that I could see him, give him a big hug and talk to him about all of the things that have happened lately. I have missed his strong bear hugs, the ones which would almost knock the breath out of you. He endured such pain and hardship and yet he grew so strong in the spirit and his testimony was unwavering even till the day he passed away. As he was discharged for the last time from the hospital the nurses went in to say goodbye to him. With great emotion in his voice Stephen bore testimony to each of them and gave them a Book of Mormon telling them it was vital that they read it. He was a great example to all of us.
One of my last memories with him is when he was at home before he died. At this point he was very weak and it was extremely hard for him to speak. He wanted me to sing Christmas hymns to him, I sang "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". As I sang the chorus, "oh come let us adore him" he began with closed eyes to softly sing along. Together we finished out the verses. Afterward he reached out to hold my hand. We sat hand in hand as I curled up by his side, he struggled to lift his head and look at me as he whispered, "Laura, I love you. Never forget that. I love you so much. So much." His voice drifted off slowly as he feel asleep. With tears running down my face I held his head close and told him I would never forget, that I loved him too.
As much as I miss my brother I am grateful for the knowledge that he is free from cancer, that he is with those who love him and that he is still with us in spirit. I am so grateful for my parents who were sealed int the Temple so that as a family we can be together forever. I am grateful for a loving God who has given us a way to come home to Him and for the great blessings which he gives us daily. Even though I cant be with Stephen now, I cannot wait for the day when in heaven we will meet again.

I am getting nervous

Actually, that would be an understatement. Pretty much I'm Freaking Out about labor and delivery! pain + needles + the unknown = a very worried pregnant women

One Year Older and Wiser To!

Hmm, I am not so sure about the wiser part. I guess I do feel like a new women, what with my sweet (or as they say in Connecticut "wicked sick nasty") new kicks and that new haircut I am going to get. I am going to have celebrate and go get some ice cream!


Well known fact: I am crazy about shoes, especially fun ones like these rocket dogs!

From the Mouth of Charles

"Ya know those emo kids, they have natural Halloween costumes."

Election Day

We all know the importance of November 4th. Tomorrow we all have the chance to go to the polls and let our voices be heard. Who will win, who will loose? What will pass, what will not? These are all questions we have rolling around in our heads. As I have been reading web posts, blogs, and news articles about proposition 8 I have noticed something. Voting yes or no is something we a people take very personally. So much so that there are those who will steal signs from the opposing sides yard, swear and bash others beliefs, chase after and throw stones at those who knock doors for the cause, rip bumper stickers off cars and so on. They tell us that we should not include our religious beliefs in the matter because that is not what the issue is about. I disagree; to me this matter is tied directly to my religious beliefs.
Tomorrow many will go to the polls and vote yes or no. The number will be calculated and California will decide. But this is not a fight that started there, nor will it end in California. Who are we really fighting against? Are we really only fighting a group of people who oppose our beliefs? I don’t think so, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) We are fighting for eternal truths, for what is right. We fight for the divine sanctity of marriage. We fight because “children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.” (Proclamation to the world) And at those time when we may feel like there is no hope, when we feel like the world is full of so much opposition. When we think, how can we ever succeed? It is then that we can find strength in the Lord. In 2 Kings in the Old Testament Elisha makes a profound and comforting statement. At this point in time the King of Syria has surrounded the city where Elisha is with a large army. Elisha’s servant wakes in the morning and looks out at the great army, he worriedly goes to Elisha and asks, as many of us would “Alas my master, how shall we do?” Elisha answers him, “Fear not: for they that are with us are more than they that be with them.” Elisha then prays and the servants eyes are opened, he is able to see that the mountain is filled with horses and chariots of fire. (2 Kings 6:15-17) In the same way when I become filled with doubt I go to the Lord and ask, alas my master, how shall I do? I firmly believe that the answer is the same today. We are not alone in this battle, there are countless numbers who have gone before us who are there helping us.
So as I prepare for the results tomorrow I do it with hope and peace. Though man through the ages has tried to change truth to fit their own personal ideals, God’s truth has never changed. Whether or not Proposition 8 passes it will not change the truth. Truth, eternal truth, is unchangeable.

I love the smell of Fall rain

Don't you?

Yet Another Reason I Love my Husband

I am having morning sickness...again. Yuck. So after a morning of nausea and not wanting food, I blurted out that I was craving a ham and cheese sandwich. The only problem was we didn't have ham. What was I going to do! He put on his shoes and coat and despite many protests that it was fine, he didn't have to, went to go get me some ham. This was after he had done all of the dishes, wiped down and disinfected the counter tops and mopped the floor. I love this man!