Floaties in the Bathtub

Poor little Olivia has had diarrhea all day.  She has done a very good job of not having any accidents despite her frequent need to go to the bathroom.  During lunch she fnally had one and was quite upset about it.  It got her sundress dirty (yes, she is wearing a sundress even with the looming ice and snow storm) ran down her legs and into her sandals (they went with the dress, what can I say?).  Well, I got her a bubble bath and put her in only a few minutes later for her to get out to go to the bathroom again.  When she was done I put her back in and she asked to have her hair washed.  While rinsing her hair, I noticed that under the bubbles were very suspicious looking floaties.  Yuck!  I stood her up, pulled the plug and turned on the shower.  She started crying but I had to hold her under there to make sure we washed all the "floaties" out of her hair and off of the rest of her.  Poor little thing.  It didn't seem to dampen her mood though.  She went and put on some brightly colored striped shorts with a cute little shirt with bright flowers on it (it actually matches) and now she is playing with the boys.  I got the lucky job of cleaning the underwear, sandals, bathtub and bath toys!

There's always time

Sometimes life gets going and we get all caught up in the moment and then realize all that we missed along the way.  We get so busy that we don't think there is enough time to do all that we want or need to do.  Yes, sometimes we have to cut out some things to stay sane or to be able to get all the big important things done, but there is always time for the little things.  And sometimes the little things end up being more important than the big things. We may not be able to do it the way we wanted to do it but we can still do it.  My life has been touched in so many ways by people taking the time to do the little things.  Just recently my sister put a nice post on my faebook page.  It ended up being something I needed on a bad day.  My mother-in-law sent me an e-mail with a wonderful message that gave me strength to get through things I was struggling with.  Michael's grandma made a phone call just to make sure we were okay because she hadn't heard from me in a few days.  It doesn't take long.  Our emails may not be as in depth as we wanted them to be or our phone conversations as long, but the message is still loud and clear.  We can let some one know that we are thinking of them and care about them and it won't take away fom our busy schedule or ruin plan of events.  I my not have enough time to sit on the couch and watch a whole movie with my kids but I can sit and snuggle with them for a few minutes.  I can hold them and tell them I love them.  I may not be able to go over to a friends house and visit but I can call them and see how they are.  I may not be able to make a 5 course meal or my neighbor but I can take them a Papa Murphys pizza and a batch of cookies.  The list goes on and on.  We never know when we are going to be the answer to someone's prayer.  If we don't take time to do the small thing, the things that seem unimportant or maybe even silly, we may be missing out on some great opportunities.  Not only could we be helping others, but we could also be helping ourselves and enriching our own lives.  It doesn't take long.  Friendships can be strengthened, new ones can be made, families can become more united.  As I said before, my life has been touched many times from both giving these simple acts and receiving them.  I have discovered that there is always time for something, even when we think we are busy.  It's easy to get caught up in life and let it slip away.  I know I do it.  I start a week with grat intentions and before I know it, the week is over and the oporunities for that week are gone.  I am trying to do better though and I am trying to find time for those little things, they really do end up being more important than the big things.  The things I remember in life come from those little moments.  My grandparents lived in Nashville and we rarely did:)  Each year they would make a trip to come see us.  The things I remember most about them is just sitting on the couch next to them, play rhythm-maree, having them cheer as we did our Dukes of Hazard impressions in and out of the car windows (something we perfected as we delivered papers.  We would dive in, do a roll across the back seat, grab the next stack of papers from my dad and jump out the other window.) and having them come to the pool and watch us do tricks.  Little things.  My kids are the same way.  They remember walks with grandmas, phone calls on specials days and little surprises in the mail.  Little things.  Little things that change us and help us grow.  I sure hope as my kids get older and my life gets busier that I can remember these little things and make sure I do some everyday.  There's always time...

Little Scavenger

This morning I made bread.  While it was cooling I came into the bedroom to get ready to workout.  When I came back into the kitchen I found the top of one of my loaves almost completely picked off.  Apparently Olivia was hungry and couldn't wait for it to cool so I could slice it.  Se admitted to it with a big grin and asked for a piece of bread with butter.  I had to take a picture first!

Pride in my children

We spent the morning today going through our clothes and toys and trying to organize things a little more.  One of the reasons we did this is because we heard of a family in Yankton that needed some help.  It is a single mom with 2 little children.  She had to have surgery on both of her wrists and as a result they didn't really get much of a Christmas.  In fact they don't have much of anything at all we are told.  She tried to get a loan from the bank to help them get by but wasn't able to.  Anyways, we talked to the kids about it and they went through their stuff. The boys found race cars and tracks for the little boy and the girls found a doll and some stuffed animals for the girl.  Dillon picked out one is his pairs of shoes to give to the little boy and we went through all the clothes finding things that they didn't wear that they could give to this family.  As a result of it all, we came up with a huge black garbage sack plus a smaller one full of stuff for them.  They each gave something and I was so proud to see their eagerness and willingess to give.  It made me feel so good.  It is another testimony that children are filled with the light of Christ.  There is a reason why Christ called the little chidren to Him while He was on earth and why we are told to be like a little child.  There is nothing on earth so precious and today I am so proud of mine:)

Blessings

Today I had the wonderful blessing of having to go out and buy storage shelves.  Why is that a blessing?  Well, because last night we got a phone call from a couple in our church.  He has been called to be a mission president and they will be leaving sometime in June.  They are putting their house up for sale next month and are trying to clean it out and get rid of stuff.  As a result they were looking for a family to give all thier food storage to.  They thought we might would be able to use it.  Holy cow!  They have so much food storage!  They have flour, sugar, milk, wheat, rice, oatmeal, potatoes, apples, juice mix, carrots, onions, pudding mix, hot chocolate, and tons of it!  We are taught  have a years supply of food. We had a little storage but not a lot.  It seems on our tight budget if I do buy extra for the storage, I usually end up needing it later and it never stays there for long.  Anyways,I bought a shelving unit that has 5 shelves on it.  Its 30 inches long and can hold the big storage cans 2 high, 2 deep and 6 long.  It's full and there is still over twice that much more to get.  What a huge blessing!  It is stuff that we need and we use.  They are also giving us 2 50 gallon water storage containers and a bunk bed.  I am so thankful they thought of us for all of this.  I have had a rough few days filled with frustration and self pity.  Having this happen reminded me that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and my family and He will take care of us if we try to do what is right and follow the teachings of Jesus. WooHoo for storage shelves!

New Glasses

I got my new glasses the other day.  I picked out red ones.   Not normally what I go for, but I thought it would be fun.  Lots of people have commented on them and unless they are lying to me, they seem to be a hit!  Olivia likes them and has dug out Makenna's old red ones so she can be like mommy!  Anyways, just one of the small changes I am making...

Snow Day Fun

Inspired by Zeke's new cape and lightsaber gun, all the kids decided to dress up (as what I'm not sure) and fight the bad guys.  Nothing like being bored and stuck in the house for 3 days!  I think Dillon's is my favorite.  He is the Incredible Hulk Cowboy - green fuzzy cowboy hat, bandana, and a gun holster!

Is there any room yet?

Last night was a long night.  We went to bed late to start off.  The kids didn't have school today so we stayed up late boxing, bowling and playing tennis.  Then around 2 am I heard Olivia calling for Daddy.  She stopped after a few minutes and I got up to go to the bathroom.  Just as I layed back down again I felt something at the foot of the bed.   I looked up and all I saw was a Dora blanket walking towards me!  Olivia had put the blanket on her head and somehow found her way into my room.  I picked her up and put her in bed with us (usually I don't but she has had a few rough nights).  She likes to sleep in between us and eventually she ended up with her feet on the pillow laying on top of the covers and she slept that way the rest of the night.  Around 6:15 Zeke came in and said he had a bad dream.  I told him to go get his alligator that he sleeps with (we got it when he was having nightmares about alligators eating him.  It giggles when you push it's hand and it has helped him sleep better).  He said he couldn't find it.  I told him our bed as full and that he would just have to go to back to his wn bed. A few minutes later I see the bathroom light go on and hear someone going potty.  Then the light goes off, then on, then off, then on, then off again.  Footsteps in the hall, a thump, then Zeke by my bed again saying he hit his toe on something.  Off he goes back to bed.  A few minutes later here he is again saying he can't find his bed.  I couldn't get up because of how Olivia was sleeping on me so I told him to make sure he was in the right bedroom  I reminded him that he had made his bed into a tent so it would be behind the blanket.  Off he goes back to bed.  A few minutes later, he's back "Is there any room yet Mommy?"  It was 6:40.  Michael got up to go to work so Zeke took his spot and went to sleep.  Michael came back home a little after 7 and Olivia woke up and went into the living room with him.  As soon as she got out of bed, he scooted over and put his arm around my neck and snuggled right up agais me.  Sometimes he just melts my heart!  Well, it is 10 am and Zeke is still sleeping.  He must have had a rough night because he never sleeps this long!

Happy Birthday Zeke!

Today my little Zekie boy turns 4!  I can't believe how fast time goes.  He is such a special blessing in our lives and brings such a sweet spirit to our home.  I can't imagine life without him.  It as been so fun to be able to spend more time with him this year while the older kids are at school.  We have been able to spend a lot of one on one time together and we have gone on some fun adventures with Olivia!  Happy Birthday Super Zeke!

Your happy giggle brings joy to my heart

Your great big smile is contagious to all.

Your spirit is strong; you’re wise beyond your years.

You’re so aware even though you are small.

You take everything in, always learning and growing,

Asking questions nonstop to help you understand.

As I watch you change and evolve, I change too

I learn so much as we walk together hand in hand.

Your joy, your kindness, your soft gentle heart

Your hugs and kisses and “I love you’s”

Your big imagination, funny stories and facts

Are all part of you, my little boy blue

You changed my life; I’ll never be the same

You bring love to my heart and joy to my day

I thank heaven each day for the gift that is you

Little boy blue, I love you more than words can say.

Strength

 I don't know if you're like me or not but when something hard comes along I feel like I have to be strong and not let others know that I am suffering.  I don't want them to see me cry.  I guess I don't want them to see my weaknesses.  I feel like I need to be the one taking care of everyone else when inside I want to curl up in a ball and sob.  Over the past year I have had friends of mine who have had huge trials.  One lost a daughter, one lost a husband, one is going through her second round of stage 2 breast cancer.  She is a mother of 4 and only my age.  I marvel at their strength, yet I am aware that they too, handle trials like I do, trying to be strong for everyone else.  I have learned that at some point we have to let go.  We have to feel just like everyone else does.  We have to let go of our perceived strength and be cared for by others.  It is part of the healing process.  One thing I am thankful for as I contemplate all of this, is my knowledge of the Savior.  Yes, He came and suffered for our sins, taking upon Himself the sins of all the world.  But He did more than that.  He felt our sorrows, our pain and disappointments, our depressions and sadness.  He is the only One who knows exactly how we feel because He has felt it all.  Along with His sufferings for our sins, he also felt our emotions.  This knowledge has helped me to turn to Him in these times.  If I can't let go of my pain in front of others because I need to be strong for them, I can let go of it in front of Him because He has already been strong for me. 

A conversation I had with friends this last week brought all of this to the forefront of my mind and I finally had to sit down and write about it.  It may not be one of my greatest pieces of poetry but it is certainly filled with gratitude for my Savior and relief at the opportunity I have to always turn to Him for love, comfort and strength.  I hope as you read it that you can feel what I am trying to say and know that Jesus Christ is always there with strength beyond compare to lift us up and carry us on our way.

With tears in her eyes, my little girl came to me today, hurt by friends who had been untrue.

So I held her close and whispered in her ear, "It's okay, go ahead and cry. I'll be strong for you."

A friend so dear and kind to all came to me today, weak from the illness, unsure of what to do.
So I held her close and whispered in her ear, "It's okay, go ahead and cry. I'll be strong for you."

A brother with a sweet little family came to me today, laid off from his job and scared by the news.
So I held him close and whispered in his ear, "It's okay, go ahead and cry. I'll be strong for you."

At home all alone in the quiet of my room I suffered in silence at the loss in my life, needing strength in order to continue.
Then out of the silence I felt warm, loving arms and heard a gentle whisper in my ear,
"It's okay, go ahead and cry. You don't need to always be strong. Let go of your pain here in my arms. I'll now be strong for you."

"I suffered in the Garden and again on the cross. I've felt all this for you.
So let me hold you close to me," He whispered in my ear, "It's okay, go ahead and cry. I'll be strong for you."