Wow. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I posted. I guess it's quite obvious what goes by the wayside when life is stressful:) Anyway, I thought I would update a bit. This year has seemed to fly by! It's crazy how fast time seems to go when you have kids. I remember people always used to ask me if it was "weird" for me to have my first go to kindergarten, Jr. high, etc, etc, and it never was. I knew those things were coming and I have grown with my children every day and so it was expected and exciting. But, I did have my first "oh, that was weird" moment February 1st when I registered Katelynn for High School! How is it possible for me to have a child going in to High School when I'm not even old?! It is still a bit strange to me, maybe a little scary if I'm honest. I have loved seeing my kids grow and Kim and I have truly loved all their stages. We have a fantastic family. But, it does make me a bit sad and excited all at the same time to realize my kids are quickly becoming young adults, and before long they will be going to college, missions, and getting married. Wow.

Well, there really is nothing I can do about it. So I will enjoy every minute with them! Revel in the successes, encourage and cheer during the challenges and help them through the heart break that is sure to come more often. I suppose my biggest hope is that I don't mess it up!

We are really excited, especially Brennick, because he will be turning 8 April 27th and will be getting baptized! He has been talking about this ever since his last birthday. He is truly a special young man. There is a glow about him that I just can't describe and he makes everyone around him happy. I really believe that if he stays close to the Lord, he is meant to do great things. He has done so well in school this year and loves to play flag football. And who would have guessed, but he loves to dance! He's the first one to agree to a dance party, and man he goes wild! He really does bring a lot of joy to this family.

Emily is doing fantastic! She has served her school as the Student Body President this year at Weinberg Elementary. She is amazingly beautiful and so hilarious! She constantly cracks us up with the funny and weird things she does and says. She is getting really good at accents and says some pretty funny stuff. She has been playing the flute since 5th grade and has really enjoyed it. She just did a volleyball camp over spring break and did really well. I think she would like to do it in the summer and then try out in 7th grade next year. Yes, I did say 7th grade! Another thing that is a little weird. My sweet little Emily is going into Jr. High. Now you might say, well you've already had Katelynn go so your should be used to it. Yes and No. Katelynn has always been a kid who wants to be a grown up, Emily has always been happy with being a kid. She isn't less mature or capable, just content in childhood and happy with herself. I always say that Emily will be one of those 90 yr. old women who are young at heart and everyone loves.

Well, I will say it's been nice to get back on here and maybe, just maybe I will be better about updating and sharing all the blessings and joy I find each day.

Blessings

Through the last 3 years our family has seen and felt a lot of things. We have had fits of laughter that threatened a run to the bathroom, and times where I litterally felt my heart breaking. I found myself often wondering why, or what am I supposed to learn from this, or why am I paying the price for someone elses choices? I don't know if I will ever have my answers to all of these questions but what I do know is this. I do know that regardless of the cause of a trial there is ALWAYS something we are supposed to learn from it. Some of the things I have learned are...don't give into fear, it will do nothing to help, it will only make things worse. #2 I am in charge of only the things that I can do, and everything else is up to the Lord, #3 regardless of what's going on I need to be kind and give as much as I can, #4 the only things that really matter are my family, the gosple, and love, if I have those things and live by them the rest will take care of it's self. #5 work hard, and then work harder, after I do that and show I'm willing to do my part then I can be blessed.

As I was reflecting today on the past years I realized that eventhough I despise what we have gone through, if we hadn't I wouldn't be who I am today. I have been forever changed. I have had to forgive in order to heal my heart. I have had to learn to do things I never did before. I am stronger and less afraid of others and more concerned with my responsiblitiy to the Lord. I am willing to admitt wrong, fault and mistakes and ask for forgiveness more often. One of the biggest changes I have felt is my knowledge, my more acute knowledge that my Heavenly Father knows me. He has sent many tender mercy's my way, mostly by others, but sometimes just to my heart. I know that he has prepared a way for us to navigate through it all, but always with our work included in the equation.

I guess that through all of this "refining" my hope is that I am a kinder, stronger, more faith filled person. A person that because of the sorrow and fear that has at times consumed my soul, that I can be a source of hope and strength for others. I know that I am not alone in my trials, that there are countless others who go through challenges that can echo my thoughts. And although we all face different things, often the fear and sorrow are felt the same. There have been many times that I would remember what the Lord told Joseph Smith in D&C 121 "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment"  This is what I have clung to for 3 years. A small moment. It will change, it won't be the same forever. And you know what? It did change. Not a lot but there were changes enough times to sustain us, and to help us move on to the next chapter.

We are all stronger than we know, more capable than we believe and more loved than we can understand. My goal is to live so I can help others know these things, and maybe by working for this goal I will come to know more and see more often the tender mercy's I am given everyday.

So Excited!!

OK, so I am really excited about my new project!! I have wanted to do this for several years, but, for various reasons I kept putting it off. Well, no longer! I have decided to promote my photography! I have a blog started and am working on my website. I am asked often to take photos for famlies, and they all ask me why in the world don't I have a business doing this? I hum, and ho, and don't have a really good reason as to why I am not doing something I love. So I decided the time has come and I am going full force. I hope that you all check out the photos I have up, and check back to see what new treasures I've found. I hope you share this with your friends and help spread the word. Thanks so much!
http://www.elisiarichinsphotography.blogspot.com/

Hey Everyone!

Ok, so I am going to follow the trend and take our blog private. I find myself wanting to write and share things but then I don't because there are certain people that I don't feel are safe. So please everyone give me your info. incase it is different than what I have for you. Have a great day!