A song and a burp:)

Funny title, right? Well, I just have to write down two tender mercies that just happened before I forget.

Tonight was a rough night. It started out good. We went out to eat as a family, so I didn't have to decide what to make for dinner, make it, clean it up, that whole stress. Nice! But when we got home it was time for homeowork and reading and bed. Things went downhill. I was really losing it with the kids and really having a pity party for myself. As I came upstairs to check on my oldest's bedtime routine progress and found him in his underwear I started losing it some more. I urged him on (not very kindly) and started doing my part which is starting his primary songs. So he's almost dressed (finally) and I'm ready to snap at him again and the song that is playing stops me in my tracks. I don't remember the words enough to write them down right now, but it was about the role of a mother. It was for me. I remembered that I have a sacred role and that it is full of choices. I can choose to be grummpy and mean, or I can choose to be more patient and loving and kind. I know I'll still mess up, but I'm grateful that that particular song came on at that particular time.

Second tender mercy came 20 minutes later as I finished feeding the baby and lifted him to burp him (a process that can sometimes take quite awhile when he's fallen asleep while eating) and pat, pat, pat BURP! pat, pat, BURP! SCORE!! Put him in bed. A small and silly thing I know, but I needed it:)

Tender Mercies

Obviously I gave up on this blog long ago, but it's time to dust off the keyboard and start anew. My beautiful, talented, sweet, funny, amazing baby sister (who is nwo 21 and taller than me:) gave me the challenge to look for the Lord's tender mercies in my life and record them in this blog. The past month or so I've been trying to me more in tune to recognize these tender mercies and now I'm finally taking to time to write about some. I obviously don't remember them all. But recognizing that they are many is a good step. Here are a few of the most recent.

The other night my beautiful baby (#4) was having a rough night, and so consequently, I was, too. I had fed him too recently to feed him again and he hadn't slept long enough to not be tired, so I just let him cry for a little while. When I went back in to check on him and roll him back to his stomach, (he rolls over to cry but doesn't sleep as well on his back). I also wanted to put the binki back in (he's not a super binki baby, but every once in a while it's nice), but of course the binki was gone and I didnt' know where another one was (It's amazing how fast they dissapear). Now most often he's dropped it on the back side of the crib and I have to drag everything out and crawl back to get it. I took a deep breath and did a sweep on the close side of the crib, just in case, and there it was. I rolled him over, popped it in, and silence, he went right to sleep, and so could I. This was a little blessing that made a big difference at the moment:)

The next one happened at the Chiropractor's office. I went in for some neck/back pain and a couple of kids for adjustments as well. I had all the kids with me--school was out. The Chiropractor could see that I was a little stressed and told me that I need to take care of myself. Make some time for "me time" and even highly recommended a massage. He then told me (I don't remember the wording for sure) to not sweat the small stuff and (not in these words but the same jist) to come what may and love it. I really needed to hear it. I was really stressing out over the small stuff that didn't matter in the long run. His advice, along with the adjustment helped tremendously. (Too bad I didn't get the massage:)

Just Do It

So I'm not trying to put up a Nike commercial or anything like that. I've just decided to write about my latest motto. I've been in quite the rut lately, and just haven't felt like doing anything. My housework is way behind. My kids fend for themselves. I don't feel good about myself and on and on the sob story goes. So the other day it just hit me. . . .

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING. JUST DO SOMETHING!!

The last few days have been a lot better. I still have quite a messy house (but company coming tomorrow evening has kicked me in the rear on that one), and my kids still don't have all the attention they deserve, but I'm doing something. And for now, that's good enough.

Challenges

So I've been thinking a lot about challenges lately. Why do some seem to have so many? Why do others seem to have none? (Okay, I put in the "seem to" because I know that everyone has challenges and a lot of times they aren't visible to outsiders.) My conclusion has been to accept life for what it is. Enjoy the good days. Endure the bad days. Smile everyday. Use the good times to help those that are having a hard time. I am so grateful for a husband willing to work hard and with a good job. I am grateful for 3 beautiful children that stretch me and help me grow. I am grateful for the exciting things ahead in my future, and try to dwell as little as possible on what could happen or how much worse it can get.

Friendship

I am so grateful for friends. I love my family very much, of course, but I don't think I could survive in this world without really good friends.

I am grateful for the new friends I am still getting to know, but that I know well enough to let loose at a karaoke party:) (Thanks so much guys. That was just what I needed!)

I am grateful for friends far and wide that I met by chance (by the way, I don't believe in chance) in my travels far and wide. I may not have seen them since long ago moves, but this brings me to another item of gratitude. I am so grateful for the Internet/email technology to keep track of these special friends. I know that even if I never see them again (even though I truly hope our paths cross again) that we will be friends at heart forever.

I am grateful for old and dear friends from my youth that have helped me grow up (okay, I know I'm not that grown up). I have such good memories from you childhood and youth and it's because of a wonderful group of friends. I am grateful that I have been able to keep in touch with a few of the nearest and dearest, and I can't wait till I see them again.

I am grateful for my siblings and in-law siblings that have become some of my best friends. I am grateful for the many family gatherings that will take place this year, so that we can renew and strengthen these friendships.

To all my friends far and wide, please know that I love you and that you mean so much to me. I love hearing from you and being involved in your life no matter how new our relationship, how far away you live, or how infrequent our visits. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIENDS!!!

And for a friend that tagged me in her blog--here is my 4th photo in my 4th folder in my picture file. And I tag any of my friends who want to get in on the fun.

This is a picture of a primary class I taught at church in Dallas, Texas. We went with the whole primary to the Dallas Temple and had a wonderful experience. Ah, the memories. It's about this time of year that I miss Dallas. They are just starting to plant the pansies and the weather is gorgeous. I loved the early spring in Texas. It's the only time I miss living there:)

The Circle of Life

I have felt God in my life in the past week as we have delt with the death of my husband's Grandfather. It was one of those happy/sad occasions where he had been really sick and in pain and it was a blessing for him to be released from his pain, but at the same time we are going to miss him.

The day after I found out I could just see him as he is in picture that hangs in their basement. Younger and smiling. He's happy now, and I'm happy for him. . .and sad for us. Especially sad for Grandma. She's alone now. Of course she has loving friends and family, but I can't even begin to imagine life without my husband. And to top it off, this is the second husband she burried. She's been married just as long to the second as the first. It's gotta be one of the worst feelings in mortality to loose your best friend.

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of God's Plan of Happiness. We are each here on Earth for a purpose. We live our life the best we can and when we are called Home, if we've lived in accordance to God's will, we return to His Presence. I know this is where Grandpa is. He was such a good example. He was faithful to the end. He loved the Lord and tried to be like Him. I am a better person for knowing him.

On the other side of the spectrum, I anxiously await the birth of new nephew. He's been so anxious to come into this world. We've been praying for him to wait just a little longer for months now, and now that it's okay to come, he's taking his time.

Two great spirits are starting a journey. One begins mortality and the other looks foraward into the eternities. And thus the Circle of Life continues.

There is Beauty All Around

I saw God today as my children and I sang Christmas songs at the top of our lungs, rang jingle bells, and they danced around the room. It was especially cute watching the 1 year old watch the others and ring his bell when they did:)

I also saw God today as I was driving home from shopping (without any kids) in the first true snowfall of the season.