Friends are the family we choose for ourselves :)

So I haven't blogged for months, life has been so busy! I have resumed my studies in midwifery and I love it more than I did when I left to have Emilie, but boy! Oh boy! It keeps me very busy. My mum got married to her new husband, Scott in August. We had an amazing day together (despite the fact Darren had to work and couldnt come) but it was lovely to see them both so happy and brought together our family and friends whom we don't get to see very often. My sister, Kirsten left to live in Canada for a year, Darren has been called onto the Bishopric at Church, so there went any time that we had together. My brother Matthew has been in hospital not very well, my father-in-law has finished his cancer treatment but hasnt been quite his usual self lately, being on the Primary presidency meant being super busy organizing and rehearsing for the annual presentation (which the children were super!) Throw in all the daily chores of being a wife and a mother of 4 children in there and that has been my life which I LOVE!

However, because of all of that, I havent been able to spend much time with my friends. I am so thankful for my friends. I am grateful for those who help me out with school runs, for those who just listen to my stories (good and bad), for those who encourage me when I feel it is all too much and for those who love me for who I am. I am thankful to have friends who understand that even though I cant spend much time with them, I will ALWAYS be there for them if needed - afterall 

I have learned over the past few months that it is not about how much time I can spend with my family and friends, it is about how we spend that time together. Darren and I recently managed to escape the asylum without the children. It was the first time in as long as I could remember, where we managed to go out, enjoy ourselves and to leave any worries behind. It was magical! (We only went to the cinema to watch a James Bond movie, which I don't normally like, but I had a great time!) It was also the first night in over a month where we didn't have somewhere else to go, something else to do or someone to visit. That is a long time. However I now appreciate more, the time we have together. I am grateful for the blessings which we are given on a daily basis because of the sacrifices we make. The sacrifices are made willingly and our children are learning for themselves what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about - SERVICE!

The best thing about being busy is that I don't have time to hold grudges or pass judgement on others. I will hold my hand up and say that I have been guilty of this in the past. Unfortunately, for the Lord to help me learn this lesson, He has had to fill my time for me, but it has worked. I see life totally differently now, I have a greater vision of what is good in life and what's just not worth wasting time contemplating. When President Uchtdorf spoke in the April 2012 General Conference and said "Stop it" - that was for me! I felt it! He is right, it only brings you down and makes you miserable. I am a much happier person now and I know our home has a different atmosphere in it, it is one of love.

I am thankful for these lessons, I am very much looking forward to our Stake Conference this weekend and wish many of you to join me! Much love, Gem xxx