My Little "Forget-me-not"

I uploaded a few more Disney photos for this little story I felt like sharing. First off, the picture below is of real reindeer...you just can't tell.
So, to share with you my "forget-me-not" story is another tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father. For those of you not used to referring to God as our Heavenly Father, we, as Mormons, do all the time. I love knowing that He is literally a Father in Heaven.

Years ago (about 3) we went to DisneyWorld (shocker!). I remember eating a meal one night and having an old couple go on and on about how beautiful our three children were. I was so proud :) Yep, I had three beautiful children..all close in age. And, just knowing how vibrant and adorable the middle child was, I knew he was the clincher. Without the middle one, these kids just would not be as cute! Yep, I thought that that day. Weird. I know they are each absolutely adorable and can hold their own, but the three of them together deserved this couple going on and on about them. I just knew that. I beamed with pride :)

This thought came to me as we traveled to Disneyland this weekend without Ethan. I was saddened by this and just knew no one would ever tell me again that my kids were beautiful like that man did at DisneyWorld years ago. Without the middle one clinching it all together it just wouldn't be the same. This thought was very vivid and literally made me sad. I wanted the chance for people to see all four of my "beautiful" kids with that middle one there!!! (Please understand as I tell this story I know all my kids are beautiful) The vibrance and eye-catchiness of Ethan would be missing and how can I keep going without him there?

As we were sitting at breakfast on this past Saturday morning, a lady from the next table came over and said almost the exact words to us: "You're children are just beautiful!" I was shocked and so happy! We thanked her. Marcus went back to the room and I finished up breakfast with Madilyn. I felt I should thank this lady and tell her why I was so grateful, so I did. I let this perfect stranger in on the fact that I knew she was inspired to tell me my children were "beautiful". I told her I had lost my 7 year old earlier this year and that because he was soo cute I didn't think anyone would think our kids were that cute anymore. She cried and told me that "you just make cute kids!" She also said she had been very impressed to tell us that thought.

I know this is a loving Heavenly Father sending a perfect stranger to me to be my angel for the day! I needed to hear that. I needed to know that. I don't know why. It doesn't make any sense. It doesn't matter what others think, yet I know it was just a message to me that through all of this my Heavenly Father loves me, knows me and wants me to be happy. If I thought hearing this would make me happy, He was going to let me hear it!
Now, I need to work on being someone else's angel for the day!

Just know--we, as God's children--are not forgotten. He knows each of us individually and wants us to live with Him again some day!

Okay--how adorable are they? Awww..just kidding. I know! I love my kids and think they are beautiful regardless of how nerdy they may really be :)