Raising the BAR

Tomorrow Shawn takes the BAR... again... for the 4th time. While talking to my mom about our battle with the BAR, she said raising the BAR seemed a better description and I TOTALLY agree! I'm not going to lie... going through this challenge hasn't been easy for us, yet I feel it has raised us up and strengthen us. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? I can see a difference in myself. Things that I had needed to do in my life, I have started to move toward them and pushed myself to do more.

So this is how we have tried to Raise the BAR:
Shawn: focused on his spiritual, mental, physical self: From working out each day, to scripture study, to BAR study, to getting a tutor... my husband has really stepped it up and I'm very proud (he did a great job in the past too, but we just tried to raise that bar a little higher this time!)
Me: MAKING dinner (healthy, maybe not creative, but hey it's a start!), trying to work out before work and if not having dance parties with the kids and chasing them everywhere! Nightly family and personal scripture study, prayer etc... those basics that I have done, but I feel like I've really tried to raise the bar for myself too!
The biggest thing for me has been to learn more about the principle of faith. In the past, I had always had this fear, a fear he would not pass. Throughout this process, I've learned to put faith in Shawn and my Heavenly Father and not fear... this has been such a wonderful lesson for me to learn. I know that everything will work out and am very blessed! I didn't always handle Shawn not passing as well as I should have, mostly because I wanted to be home with my kids, but I am grateful to have had some time to try and show Shawn that I believe in him and am a support to him.
Orin: So cute, he usually remember to pray that daddy will pass the BAR on his own. Today the first thing he said to me when I got home was "Daddy is studying and going to pass the BAR today." Such a good little support for his daddy! :)
Brody: He just continues to smile & be a pretty happy guy (although teething lately hasn't been fun for him).

Ory LOVES the song: "I Love to See the Temple" and always asks to go to the temple. So on Shawn's way to Ontario, we stopped by the temple as family. We just stood outside because the grounds were not open, but had a little prayer and Ory had to pick me a flower (one of his new favorite things to do).

Then we went to dinner @

which is one of my favorite places to eat. It was the perfect way to send Shawn off... he's ready, we're ready and we are one happy family! :) Like the song says "As a child of God I've learned this truth... A family is forever." I'm sure glad I get to spend forever with my little family!

***Post Edit: Just wanted to also say how grateful we are for such amazing friends/family! We are so blessed to have you and appreciate your love & support! :)