Once again, it has been a very extended period of time since I have posted. Let’s see…..some new news! We are moving to American Fork. There are lots of reasons for the move, which I won’t go into detail about here, but overall we feel the move should be a really good thing for all parties involved. For those who don’t know, my in laws have lived with us for the past 18 months. My father in law has gotten VERY sick lately. He was diagnosed 2 years ago with prostate cancer. We all feel he is on his last leg now. I think it has made it a bit easier for all of us to bear living together while it’s going on.

I have been contemplating this phenomenon of death and life. It has been so interesting and thought provoking for me to ponder how over the next 2 months we will have the crossing over of 2 beautiful beings. They are both beginning and ending of season of time and existence. I was thinking on how one seems to be a new beginning (birth) and the other (death) an end. Of course, when I say end I don’t mean end end but the end here and now. The end of progression in this form that my father in law has taken on for the last 64 years. I soon realized I was living in an unexpansive place to believe this. They are BOTH beginning and ending something kind of AMAZING change.

I have decided that neither one is better or worse than the other. Our social norms put certain feelings, thoughts, ideas etc. on each. Death is a good bye for others and a feeling of sadness as thoughts of living without a certain person become more present. While birth tends to be looked at as joyful and exciting. But….I have recognized that we can change our perceptions of each and find joy, love, excitement and peace in both. New learning, growth, progression, and understanding comes from each change. We can definitely mourn the loss of a loved one and really should.

When we understand just a small amount of the WONDERFUL WAY God set up our existence and universal changes with all living things, we can glean small insights into our own inner worlds and learn SO MUCH!! I sure have anyway. Let me tell you, when you are moving, fully participating in a death and a birth, you really have been given a gift of searching for light and wisdom and FINDING it! Well, I think I have found some and I am SO GRATEFUL for it. I hope more will come! I can’t type all my thoughts and feelings here. I just felt I would share a tidbit on a more personal note.

Tomorrow night (I am SO EXCITED!!) Chris and I are going to a concert by a band called “The Swell Season.” If anyone has seen the movie “Once”, then you know who I am talking about. This is an AWESOME movie that both Chris and I LOVED!! It is somewhat like a modern day musical but so much more. It is unique which makes it hard to describe. Here are a couple of videos of there music. You will LOVE it!! This one is them at Sundance!

They even won an Oscar for Best Original Song! I tried to post it here but you can’t embed it so, oh well. But….here is my favorite song from the movie!

My sister, Kim, was the one who called and told me they would be in town. Thanks a MILLION, Kimmy!! She says they are SO GOOD in concert! I would recommend that EVERYONE see the movie. It will make you laugh and cry.

I am now officially 30 weeks pregnant. I CAN’T believe it! Only 10 more weeks and I still have NOTHING! I have been such a slacker in that department. I am learning about Kangaroo Care which Chris thought was such a GREAT idea too! I said to him, “So when you hold the baby with you take off your shirt and hold it close to your chest?” He said, “Of course, I can’t wait too!” Isn’t that the CUTEST thing you have EVER heard?

So….the other night I made the YUMMIEST food for dinner! I thought I would share it with the rest of you. Make it! SO DELICIOUS! A good friend of mine named Carolyn showed it to me a few years ago. THANK, girlfriend! It’s still a FAV!

1 large avocado
2 cups of corn, fresh or frozen
1 large tomato, finely chopped
2 tbs. cilantro
3 tbs. finely chopped onions
2 tsp. olive oil
apple cider vinegar
curry to taste
salt to taste

I add TONS of curry cuz I LOVE it! I lay this inside of romaine leaves.

I will leave you with a couple of LOVELY, INSPIRING quotes. Ponder and pray upon them and they will SING to you, too!!

“Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.”
~David Steindl-RastA Listening Heart 

“In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”
~ Joseph Addison

I had a friend call again last night about posting a picture. I’m sorry I haven’t done that yet. Maybe soon. Just imagine me basically the same but with a big belly! That’s what I look like. Until next time.
Abundant peace,
Rachel