My soul is smiling

Things lately have been...well...crazy. No complaints as things have been good, but busy nonetheless. Aaron started his new gig full time here in LA, and we couldn't feel more blessed. It just so happens that his new job is right around the corner from where we live and has made us feel more at home here in Los Angeles. While we could live a few different places and be super happy we have really felt such a connection to LA and feel that this is where we need to be at this time in our life. Of course that means continuing to trade in our home in SLC for our apartment in the city. But what a wonderful city it is. I know for some LA may seem like the complete opposite of where they would want to live. Afterall it is busy and crowded. However, the neighborhoods in West LA where we live are as charming as could be. Tree lined streets, park, community rec centers, museums and of course amazing lil eateries. Needless to say we are pretty smitten with LA and are so thankful to be able to call this our home for now.

So here we are living our lives in LA. Aaron is working his 10+ hour days, me my 10 hour days, Aaron is doing scouts, me Young Women's, and trying to fit in as much time to enjoy the great city we live in with friends, family and our dogs.

In the midst of all this business I have had some great moments lately that have rejuvenated my soul:

• I have been working with this 6 year old little boy and well the time has come for us to part. He has made so much progress in therapy and he is ready to move on and spread his wings and fly. I had to break this news to him a couple of weeks ago and even though I tried with my cheer and attitude to help him understand what a good thing this was for him, he was not having it. He started to cry and got pretty upset. When I asked him why he thought he was so sad and angry he replied "you are not supposed to split up buddies." True my little one, you are NOT supposed to split up buddies. How do you reply to that one. He is right. You may be wondering why this is on the list of great moments, well it was just a sweet tender moment and made me feel so lucky to be considered this little guys buddy.
• I have been spending lots of time with the young women of LA at our church and I must say this is one of my most favorite things. Last week I had two great moments with them. One was at our weekly activity on Tuesday night where one of the girls talked about her receiving her Young Womanhood Recognition (Personal Progress awared, the Eagle Scout to girls) and she talked about one of her favorite activities was when she imagined that Christ was with her at all times for 1 week. I love that she said "I am a good girl and it was still hard." Could you imagine if we lived more like this, imagining the Savior by our side all day. I just loved that she did this as one of her projects and it made me really think about how different we would all treat eachother, act, and do if we did this.
  
• Last week I went and supported our ladies doing baptisms at the temple. It was such a treat. I got to help the ladies when they were done and just look after them. I loved sharing such an intimate experience with them and being there to great them after they did work for the Lord. It was so great to see the ladies who work so hard to keep themselves clean to entire the Lord's house and to be there with them as they sacrificed their time to serve the Lord.
• I booked a flight to visit my lil nephews and that alone has filled me with so much joy I can barely contain myself. I have missed them and Matt and KT so much lately. They are coming out here in April, but I just could not wait that long. It is lil Georgie's 1st Birthday this week, and although I can't be there for his Birthday celebration, I will be there the week after, similar to last year when I had the privilege to spend time with them after he was born. I can't wait to see them and squeeze them.
• The beauty of LA has been amazing lately. It has rained off and on and it has been just stunning. We visited Griffith Park and the Observatory the other day and took in the breathtaking view of LA. The coolest part is that this is a canyon that makes you forget you are in LA, it looks like a canyon in Utah, all lush and green. I love being able to explore trails in the hills at one point of the day and the beach at another. It really seemed like we were somewhere else. We even got to see a coyote run by our car. We stopped and ate this to die for apple pie at this little cabin on our way down the canyon, it was simply divine.
• Homemade bread!!! Aaron's parent got him this book How to Make Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day, and it really and truly is incredible. He makes the most beautiful loaves of bread every week. We deliver them to friends and neighbors and enjoy some fabulous grilled cheese too! I love that my Aar Bear loves to cook so much. He finds so much joy in it and he is pretty fab at it. We have so much fun in the kitchen and exploring all the eateries around town.
• My Dream is getting married in May and I can't wait. Aims is so great and I am so happy that she has found such a darling man to marry. I almost feel as happy as I did when I was getting married. It will be the ultimate celebration.

What is making your soul smile these days?