Ruby's Auction is now OPEN!!! Go to www.rubyjanetaylor.blogspot.com to bid on items. There are over 100 items to choose from- including my BOO Blocks for Halloween, baby headbands, lace rompers and leggings, a car seat cover, blankets, photography packages, my friend Holly's beautiful temple art, Carly's nursing cover, and much more!!!

Help and Happiness Ahead

There have been several times over the past year that I have questioned God's involvement in my life. I have wondered if He really loved me. If He really cared about me. If He was concerned about my hurt. If He heard my prayers. And time and time again I realized that He does in fact love and care about me. And that he was and is concerned about me. And He does hear my prayers. It is just that tribulation and suffering is simply part of life. I guess that's the part I have been in, but rest assured I am working my way out!

At church today the speaker said that he found comfort in trying times knowing that there was One who couldn't imagine how he was feeling, but that actually knew how he was feeling. I was reminded how grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who sent his Son to Earth to atone for the sins of the world. To atone for the pains of all His children- even for my pains. I am so grateful to know that we can find forgiveness, peace, and healing through our Savior. I am grateful that when I am going through trials I feel hope that their is happiness and peace in the horizon. If I can just hold on a little longer it will come. I can feel this hope because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Holland said, "Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. And some don't come till heaven. But for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ- they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."

I have realized in the past few weeks that truly our burdens can become lighter when we forget ourselves and serve others. Find someone to serve this week. Find someone whose burdens you can make lighter. When we do so I am confident that we will feel more peace and find more happiness. We will see more blessings come into our lives as we strive to bless others. And we will feel the Love of our Savior more as we love others.

I'm going to. Will you?

Ruby's Auction

As many of you know sweet Ruby Jane returned home to her Heavenly Father this week. So many of you offered so many prayers on behalf of Ruby and her family. I know those prayers were heard although Ruby did not receive the miracle we were hoping she would. Many of you have been following Ani's blog. We have read her words and felt her hope. We have read her words and felt her faith. We have read her words and felt her gratitude. And now we feel more faith, hope and gratitude because of her. I am so thankful that Matt, Ani, Kate, and Ruby are an eternal family. I am thankful to know that although this is so very difficult to deal with, that we can find comfort in our testimonies of the gospel and of eternal families. Please continue to pray for Ani and Matt- and for their families. My heart is especially heavy for Ani. As a mother I can only imagine how she is feeling right now. But Ani if for some reason you were to read this post please know that WE ALL have been so inspired by you. WE ALL believe that you are the BEST mother for Ruby. WE ALL know that you did all you could for her while she was on this Earth. We love you Ani. We are mourning with you. We are praying for you.

As many of you have seen on my facebook page there will be an online auction for Ruby. The auction will open Monday the 15th and close the following Monday the 22nd. To bid on various items including car seat covers, blankets, bows, photography sessions, crafts, etc. please go to www.rubyjanetaylor.blogspot.com

All of the money will go to help the Taylors. If you would rather donate money directly to the Taylor Family and not participate in the auction then go here and click on the donate button.

If you are unable to donate at this time due to the economical hardships many of us are facing please remember that prayers are free. Fall to your knees and pray for this sweet family! Also, if you feel so inclined go here and click on the Donate Life icon on right to be an organ donor. Once you have signed up, return to Ani's blog and vote yes to show your support for the Taylor Family!

Below is the item I am donating for the auction. Have you been to the stores lately? Halloween is every where! This will help you get a jump start on your Halloween Decorating. I hope you like it enough to place a bid on it or any other item in the auction! They are so many wonderful people who donated so many wonderful items! So make sure to stop by Ruby's auction this Monday!

Enough

As many of you know from my post last month Sam and I are trying for a baby. I got pregnant with Jackson after just 4 short cycles. I remember wondering then if it would ever really happen. I worried about what a co worker told me about her infertility problems. She attributed these problems to a surgery she had right before entering puberty (8-11 ish). She also said a lot of women who had this same surgery at a younger age were suffering from the same problem. Well I had the same surgery at 9 years old. I worried that I would face the same problems. Luckily, I was able to get pregnant the old fashion way and relatively quickly. I was so relieved. I was so happy. I was so grateful.

Well lately I have really struggled. Many, including family members, don't really understand why I am so worried about not being pregnant yet. I don't know if it is so much that I am worried but more that I just yearn for it so badly. Lately, a lot of friends and family members have announced their pregnancies. And although I am so happy for each and every one of them I can't help but feel a little pain each time I hear or see an announcement. I think naturally we ask the question Why not me? I never ask why her or them but just ask why not me too? When will it be my turn?

A couple of weeks ago I was laying down with Jackson before his nap. I whispered in his ear how happy I am that it's "just him" and that I am so happy that we have had this much time with him as our only child. I also told him how I wish he could be a big brother soon. BUT for now we will just enjoy this special time with the 3 of us- mama, dada, and jack. Maybe this was a little revelation to me. That I should enjoy what I have because for right now it really is 'enough'. I realized that I have already been blessed with so much more than so many others, and that I need to be a little more grateful and a lot less absorbed in my own wants. Until Heavenly Father decides to send us another one of his precious children we will enjoy what is ours already, and by doing so we will realize that it is enough!

New Bedroom Colors: HELP!

We have had the same bedding since we got married, with the exception of the sheets! I have the itch to change the whole room, but have like little to no money to do it with. ;)

This is the color scheme I want to go with:


I really want to make a headboard that looks something like these:

(A Step in the Journey)

(House Tweaking)

I found this cheap bedding from Crate and Barrel. The only problem is there is no bed skirt so I am thinking about doing white sheets with a white bed skirt-- And to be honest white totally frightens me!
And to tie in the yellow I am going to make (or buy) pillows that are just like these from Festive Home Decor:

And I have been dying to make a pillow just like this from Jilly Bean Craft:


And of course I would love to find an old dresser or side tables and paint them yellow, white, or teal. I am also going to make some wall art using Picnik! And luckily I still have over $100 in gift cards from my wedding (4 years ago!) to Pier 1 so I can use those to find some accent pieces.

So what do you think? Do you feel like it will all flow together ok? And did I mention my husband is not ok with the color yellow? I just don't think he can see the potential of the color yellow! ;) Let me know what you think!