Bunch of Brumbaughs

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Flash Way Back: July 10th 2010

Jackson and Nora's birthday!!

Jackson turned 7

Nora turned 2

July 10th will always be double the celebration at our house!!

A little farther Flashback: Emma turned 10

Think WAY BACK to September 19th!!

Emma and Allie took a cake decorating class for Emma's Birthday!!

Emma worked hard on her cake!!

We had A LOT of cake!!
Emma can't wait until her next birthday!!

Flashback: Lloyd had a Birthday!!

Lloyd had a Birthday shout Hooray!!

Emily surprised him this day...

The kids didn't know so it worked out grand...

A new iPhone completed the plan!!

Flashback: Reuben turned 6

Reuben turned 6 on December 30th.

He chose a SuperHero Party Theme with friends!!

Every SuperHero needs a secret identity!!

Weighing in and muscle measurement

Testing SuperHero skills

Finding the Villain

Our own very happy SuperHero!!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Lessons Learned

I was talking with a friend the other day who is struggling with postpartum.

During the course of the conversation she said,

"Though I would never wish what happened to you on anyone it sure seems like you learned a lot."

I don't think I have done a post on the lessons/changes I am able to recognize

which came from the past two years.

So, this is my attempt....in no specific order

I am back in school
Forgiveness of others and myself
Acceptance of situations beyond my control
Perspective, I really belief the ultimate worse situation would be to have my family torn apart
Total reliance on the Lord
Change of course, I feel like I am on a completely different path a better path.
I have tasted "bitter" and now the "sweet"
Regain/gain trust in myself
Appreciate the blessing of children
Knowledge of how to help Allie and Jackson
Found peace at living in Michigan
Learned how to pray for enemies - a huge blessing of the atonement.
Better marriage - I can't tell you how many times I heard... "I can't believe your marriage lasted through this." I didn't have a bad marriage before but it is better.
Empathy to help others
Testimony of Visiting Teaching
Divine institution of presidencies (I was primary president at the time. I was blessed with an amazing presidency.)
Self-care: mental and physical
Role of the Holy Ghost in the Godhead
Tolerance: this goes for many different things on many different levels

Most of these lessons have a story behind them. Some have a very long story behind them. There have been wounds, some I am not sure will heal, but time helps in understanding the blessings and miracles. I guess what I am trying to say is I wish I could have learned these things a different way but at the same time I am grateful to have learned them. I hope the lessons can stick because I really don't look forward to "refresher" courses.