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I was guided to this post by another blog post (you know who you are) and this quote made me think of my sister, Misty. You see, Misty and her husband Mike have been trying to move for about 3 years now. Maybe more like 5 years. They have outgrown their current home and have been looking to either build or buy a bigger, nicer home. The problem is, nothing so far has seemed to work out. They are confused about timing, location, buy or build, etc. Do they change schools, stay in their same ward, go all out or be more conservative? It's easy for me to tell her, "Misty, it's all going to work out. You just have to be patient. I'm not worried about you guys. You'll end up where you are supposed to be and then look back on this time and it will all make sense why the wait." Well, it's easy for me to say that. It reminds me of when we were trying to decide on a job for Brett and it seemed like FOREVER. Quite the wait in my eyes. People said that to me too. Just be patient. There's a reason for the wait. Well, looking back, I can see every reason for the wait. It makes so much sense that it happened exactly why it did! Duh Erin. Have a little more faith! Anyway, this quote is for Misty:

"The seeming flat periods of life give us a blessed chance to reflect upon what is past as well as to be readied for some rather stirring climbs ahead. Instead of grumbling and murmuring, we should be consolidating and reflecting, which would not happen if life were an uninterrupted sequence of fantastic scenery, confrontive events, or exhilarating conversation.

Patience helps us to use, rather than protest, these seeming flat periods of life, becoming filled with quiet wonder over the past and with anticipation for that which may lie ahead, instead of demeaning the particular flatness through which we may be passing at the time.

We should savor even the seemingly ordinary times, for life cannot be made up of all kettledrums and crashing cymbals. There must be some flutes and violins. Living cannot be all crescendo; there must be some counterpoint."

-Neal A Maxwell, Patience 1979

This is the best quote ever. I think it really describes all of us in mid life at some point. Misty does the best at making every ordinary moment the best memory moment. Case in point, what her kids did before she got new counters installed...

Misty, look at the pictures below. These were taken during our "flat" waiting time when we wondered what in the heck we were doing and when we were going to do it. Best of times.

Brett, the following pictures are posted not because I miss Spencer or Lauren or Jane or our old house even. Not at all. ha ha (Seriously, I am happy and I think we're doing great here. Don't worry! These pictures just make me nostalgic and happy and remind me to appreciate all of the moments!)

Finally, Grandpa Blake wants to tell you something from Heaven: