Monday, January 30, 2017

Grateful for little miracles

Let’s just say I’m tired and not feeling my best.  I’ve had a weekend with three SN kiddos and everyone who could help was in Iowa (I sent them, no worries or guilt there – they needed a break).  So we understand that the sinus congested, exhausted Mama was not her most patient nor her most loving this morning.

Meanwhile Brother’s cane was missing.  Not to be found anywhere – seriously, where could a 37 inch white cane hide?  Looked everywhere - twice.  Looked in the car – nope.  Ugh and again ugh.  Well, he’ll have to go to school without it, I thought. Sure, why not?  It’s just how he walks – it’s his eyes to not run into things and people.  Ugh, again!  Gotta find it!

So I gave up and laid my head on the kitchen counter – That feels good, I thought, Can I take a nap here?  No!, I reprimand myself, You have got to find the cane!

Ugh!  I timidly approach Deity.  (head is still on the counter.  Did I mention it felt good on my congested sinuses?)  I am sorry for how I have behaved. (“Coming Running Like a Prodigal” is playing in the background and I think about the prodigal son for a moment) I think through my morning and the mistakes I have made.  I acknowledge that the Holy Ghost doesn’t like to hang out with those who are angry or yucky.  I’m sorry.  I’ll try harder.  But please, if it’s possible, can we find Brother’s cane so he can have it at school?  I lift my tired, heavy head from the counter (Did I mention how awesome it felt there?)  and again think through the last time I saw it.

We had just come home from church.  It was just me and the littles.  Brother was having a fit because, well, who really knows?  He just was.  Joy had taken off for the house.  I had to carry Alex into the house in such a way so I wouldn’t get anymore scratches while herding Bella towards the door and holding my church bag and purse.  I had made a point of grabbing the cane cause I knew we’d need it for Monday morning and it was supposed to snow over night.  I put Alex into the big swing in the play room to calm him down – it’s awesome and does wonders.  I pushed him slowly back and forth.  Blake gave me Ellie so he could go to work. (After his church he comes over here and waits for me to get home, then runs to work.)  At some point in there I put my purse and Primary bag down next to the couch – ,the couch, the thought came, could it be under the couch?  It could have rolled under I suppose, I replied.  I find the broom and swipe it underneath the couch – and out pops the beautiful white cane!  Gratefully, I acknowledge Deity again!  Thank you for helping me today, even when I have been so less than I could be.  Thank you!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland declared: “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made … , or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

I didn’t commit any huge sins, but I am the master at feeling guilty about every little thing.  And when I feel guilty, I feel unworthy of Heaven’s Help.  I am so grateful that He doesn’t ask me to be perfect – just to keep trying.  And that He loves my little boy enough to help me find his cane! And me enough to help me!

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

My Life

My life is to take care of people. 

To watch Sweet Ellie – I LOVE how her whole face lights up when she sees me!  :)

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Toulouse, the cat that I am not that fond of, started acting CRAZY – and Sammi insisted we go to the vet.  We learned my cat is prone to bladder stones and is now on an expensive prescriptive diet.  Still not fond of the cat.

Joy and Bella and “alle” class (Ballet class)

Selfies on the way to dance:

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The joy of a cupcake and French fries afterwards

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Lizzy had her audition for YPAS.  I couldn't go in, so I have no idea how it went, other than she was smiling when she came out.  Was that because it was finally over or because she did well?  Yes.  We’ll have the results, hopefully, by the end of February.  (Have I mentioned how much like Bec she is?  So determined?  So motivated? Such an over achiever!  <3 ya Liz!)

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Ellie and I hanging out taking selfies.

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Our big girls have been super stressed of late.  I mean you could almost see the stress cracks forming.  Late Thursday Jason and I were laying in bed discussing them and their stress cracks.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get away?  Oh yes.  We could go to Iowa.  But their house in on the market, we can’t take the littles.  So we decided to send Jason and the three bigs to Iowa while the littles and I hung out here. 

We sent Daddy lots of pictures so he would know what we were up to.

Got cleaned up and all match-y

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Took care of baby Ellie

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Brother and I blew raspberries at each other.

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While Joy and I made cookies, Bella emptied my desk and played dress up

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LOVE how Ellie sucks her thumb!  We played blocks

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Becca came by after work.

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It snowed Sunday morning.  Joy loves the snow!

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We all survived and the girls seem calmer and more relaxed when they got home, albeit tired from the long drive.  A whole weekend to just chill!  Just what the doctor ordered.  :)

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Thursday, January 26, 2017

Tidings of great joy…

As I was studying Luke 2 the other day, I was stuck by verse 10.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Joy loves it when she hears her name in songs or at church.  She’ll say, “Name” “Joy” with a huge, huge grin.  It makes me smile in response.

So this verse brought Joy to my mind, grinning because the angel had said her name.  :)

But then I wondered what was the joy, these good tidings he brought news of?  Verse 11:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

The joyful news was that the Savior had come.  We have a Savior!  That is wonderful news!

As I continued to read I came to verse 21:

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

I guess Joy was still in my head because I remembered how the inspiration came to adopt her and what her name would be even before she was conceived in the womb.  The idea was planted at the end of April/beginning of May.  Our home study was done at the end of August.  She was born June 1st of the following year.  How I waited and prayed for her!

Not saying anything by comparing Joy with the Savior, but just a reminder, maybe, to me, of how special my girl is and how involved our God actually is in our lives.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Ellie!

Have I mentioned how much joy this little baby brings to us?

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