Why? And the answer came

After years of wondering why? My wonderful twin provided clarity in poetry. Truly an angel here on earth she provided an answer I can live with.

Livin On The Land

By Lindsey Joy Smith

Livin on the land, sure was grand

Cactus and wide open skies

Our dusty dirt road led to hopes of our home,

Easily pictured in our minds eyes

Makin peace with the critters and playing with cousins

Meal time was never a bore

But with no runnin water, the days felt much hotter

Till water was lugged from the store

Outside in the dessert it grew easy to see

How a want compared to a need

Our previous t.v filled, microwave lives

Looked luxurious, with a tad bit of greed

The Path to Enlightenment brought time for reflection

The Trail of Tears gave time to pray

When plannin our future and life on the land

“Forever” -  How long we would stay

But Bank desperados, masked bandits with pistols

Shot holes through our hopes and our dream

Returning to stop lights, cable and comfort

We pulled into town out of steam.

What of tortoise and sage brush and prickly pear cacti?

What of ward and new friends made as well?

What of acres of plans and acres of land

And dreams quietly shot straight to h***?

If life on the land taught us nothin at all,

Then surely it was all for naught.

But this lesson now learned, our heads won’t turn

For out on the land we were taught:

A want and a need aint always the same,

Of this we now know for sure

The time that was spent in good ole Mescal

Was no end stop, just a detour

Though our hearts might still want the wide open air

and the dessert smell after a rain

They really belong to the Cowboy Above

Who needs us at Bellatrix Lane

Bella turns 12!

My little girl turned 12, and is now in the young woman program at church (for young women ages 12-18). Where did the time go?! She has been a joy to raise, with a strong head on her shoulders. Recently she was at her friends birthday party when they put on a PG-13 movie, she called me so I could come get her, she didn't want to watch it. Later my husband and I saw the trailer for the movie and I was shocked that the mother thought this was appropriate for young pre-teens. Glad she is confident enough to get out of the situation and not suffer through it. She has been a great example to her brothers and sisters and also to me. She is funny, laughs freely and doesn't take herself too seriously.  She looks out for people who are getting made fun of and will put her neck on the line to stop it. She is courageous. She is well liked because she likes  everyone. She is genuine.
For her birthday party she chose to have a temple trip with her cousin Lilly and both sets of grandparents.  We were able to go on her actual birthday. It was special that her Dad, serving as our Bishop for church, got to interview her. Afterward we all went out for cheeseburgers, Bella's favorite meal. She has never met a cheeseburger she didn't like :)
She has turned into a beautiful young woman and I count myself blessed to have such a terrific daughter. I love you Isabella Jules. I know the teenage years are going to be great with you, seriously lots of fun!