Coincidence

I believe there is no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason, whether or not we know what that reason is. I always enjoy the times we do discover the reason something happened, because it reminds us that God is watching out for us in some way. On Friday, Art, Keira, my mom, my sister Lauren, and I took a trip to Yuba City to visit my mom's side of the family before I had to go back to work on Monday. We had planned on leaving by 1:00 and I am notorious for being late, so I got up extra early and started getting ready. I even packed the night before, but somehow we still didn't get on the road until almost 2:00. The traffic was UNBELIEVABLE. It took us the better part of an hour just to get to Madera. It was stop and go all the way to Sacramento and we never did see an accident or any apparent cause for the congestion. When we got back to town, we learned that there had been a bank robbery in Madera after which the burglar got on the freeway headed SOUTH on NORTHBOUND 99 and collided head-on with two cars. By the time we went through Madera, the accident had been cleared but traffic had been at an absolute stand still for the past two hours. It was no accident that we didn't end up leaving until 2:00 that day.

We had a lot of close calls on our drive to Yuba City, but made it there in one piece and had an enjoyable visit. Keira got to meet her Great Grandpa Bud, Great Grandma Leeanne, Aunt Heather, her daughters Chelsea and Shelby, Aunt Victoria, and her daughters Tori and Madison (Or is it Madalyn? I will have to verify later. I am too sleep deprived at the moment.) She also got to see Uncle Mark again who spent Christmas with us. He bought us a belated Christmas present that he described as a nicer, larger, digital photo frame. He put it in our car and when I got home and looked at it, I realized it wasn't just any digital photo frame, it is a HUGE super FANCY one, complete with a remote. It has a 15 inch screen! It's more like the size of a computer monitor! I can't wait to get it all set up and on my wall. Keira was SO GOOD the whole time, as always. Even though it took us over 5 hours to get to Yuba City, she didn't make a peep the whole way there. I tell people all the time what a good baby she is and that she never fusses or cries, but they don't fully believe me until they spend an entire day around her. They are shocked to see that I'm not exaggerating. She is such a happy girl and LOVES to talk and play. She is 12 weeks old now and still staying up late. The earliest I can usually get her to bed is midnight, but she doesn't wake up during the night.

Keira with my mom's dad, Grandpa Bud, his wife Grandma Leeanne, my mom, and me.

She loves her mommy and daddy.

Cousins Chelsea and Shelby

Mom's brother, Uncle Mark

My mom's step sisters Heather and Victoria,

and my mom.

As I mentioned before, I returned to work on Monday. Sunday night I was absolutely stressed out and on the verge of tears at the thought. I told myself it's just work- you've done this a thousand times- the baby is going to be just fine- she is always happy- it's not going to be for long- but I still didn't feel entirely comforted. At church lately, several leaders have encouraged us to be reading our scriptures every day and I have always been horrible about reading my scriptures. In recent years, they are lucky to be opened maybe twice a year outside of church. Well, that night as I stressed about my impending return to work, I kept getting the feeling like I should read my scriptures. I sat down with Art, turned off the TV and opened the Book of Mormon to where we left of in 2nd Nephi, Chapter 4. I started to read out loud and I'm sure that it was not just a coincidence that it was my favorite chapter of all, which had until now been long forgotten. "My God hath been my support, He hath led me through mine afflictions... He hath filled me with His love." I felt the Spirit stronger than I have in a long time and not only did I know that everything would be okay, but felt that everything would be okay. Whether or not you are a member of my church, I encourage you to read that chapter in hopes that you will feel the same comfort I did. The Book of Mormon truly is another testament that God lives and loves us.

I know it was also not by chance that I was blessed with such a perfect baby girl. At work this week, I have been shocked at how many people asked me if I was glad to be back and away from my baby, as if I would be relieved. They just can't understand how I would want to spend every moment of every day with her. I adore my little girl and I know how much she loves me too. Even in the way she talks to me, how she tilts her chin forward and closes her eyes. She says the most beautiful things to me in her own baby way. There is no doubt in my mind that she was meant just for me and that I was meant to be her mother. I love her SO MUCH. She is irreplaceable.

Keira - 12 Weeks Old