Earlier this week I had the GREAT blessing of being able to attend a day of Education Week. It was so great, and I was truly inspired. Many questions I had been having about the direction of my life were answered as I took a day to just feel the Spirit. So, I thought I would share some of the things I learned. Beware, I went to some spiritual classes and some practical classes!
1. Get rid of of half of everything you own. (from the home organization class). Obviously life would be much easier to organize if we simply had less stuff. But she put it in a very thought-provoking way-- that if we truly believe in the law of consecration, we only need to keep the things we really need. If we don't need it, let it go (preferably to someone who does need it), and if it turns out one day we need it again, the Lord will provide it to us. She used the example of can openers for this. I personally have one electric can opener, which I never use and is stored someplace, and three handheld can openers. I only ever use one of them! So, if anyone is interested, please let me know and I will share my can openers with you. The same goes for unfinished projects-- I have a scarf I was going to crochet, a quilt I was going to make, pillows I was going to make, and a baby blanket that I was going to crochet the edges on. Since it looks like they may never be finished if I do them, please let me know if you want one. I'm happy to part with it!
2. Do as much as possible by/in the kitchen sink. (from the homemaking class). This way, you can just swish your mess down the drain. I love this idea! My sister-in-law gave me a cutting board that fits across one side of my kitchen sink , so I just used that when I cut up a watermelon. Instead of a HUGE mess all over the counter, I just had to swish it away. Happy me!
3. Square foot gardening is cool. (from my aunt's square foot gardening class). It takes up less space, is less expensive, no weeds, and produces tons of yummy fruits and veggies. We are hoping to try it once we have a place for a garden.
4. I went to a class on the parables of Jesus. It was amazing. I don't even know what to say about it, except that I was in awe of the depth this man could go into about a 40 word parable. I vowed to study my scriptures more diligently.
5. From Elder Scott's devotional: "Throughout the remainder of my life I will seek to learn by what I hear, see, and feel. I will write down the important things I learn and will do them." He emphasized this again and again. I feel like it's so important, and such a challenge to me, to follow through on promptings I recieve.
6. Leave everything better than you found it. I don't remember which class it was from, but she applied it to going to the park, going camping, cleaning up after you brush your teeth and there's that toothpaste spit left in the sink, and to people. What a great lesson-- to truly try to make things better everywhere you go!
7. The overall theme of what I learned at Education Week was how grateful I am to be a mother. My children are so precious to me, and I really feel like the most important thing I can be doing in my life is to be here for them. The responsiblity of raising good kids is so overwhelming. But it's worth it! Here are some snippets of motherhood wisdom I wrote down:
"Home really can be a heaven on earth."
"Where our children are, the Spirit is there." (who hasn't felt this when you're putting your sweet little baby to bed?
"You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer laughing. Crying gives me a headache." --Sister Marjorie Hinckley
"Each family member needs a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing by the good word of God."
I am so grateful for the Gospel and I truly have a testimony of it. Our Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers. I had a reminder of this this week.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
For Kris
Just because you asked to see the new furniture. The one with the bed looks pretty good.
But the view from our bed is still a big mess! We like the furniture though
Monday, August 20, 2007
Hooray for sleep!
I just want to publicly thank my daughters. They have slept past 6:30 am for the past week! And today, they slept till almost 7:30. It's amazing how much better life is when I get to choose when I get up, rather than being called out of bed at their demand. May it always be thus.
More furniture-- where does it all go?
I feel like I don't have much to say, so I'll talk about my furniture again. Since Travis and I got married, we have only purchased 3 peices of furniture-- our new couches (that was a 2 year long campaign on my part), our entertainment center (mostly purchased to keep Anna from sticking her fingers in the DVD player), and Anna's bed (needed the crib for Kate).
That is not to say that we only have 3 peices of furniture. No, on the contrary, we have lots of random, mismatched peices littering our home. We currently own 7 dressers, all hand me downs. Our bedroom is super crowded with our eclectic furniture stash.
This got worse, and better, this past week. As previously mentioned, our SUPER AWESOME FRIENDS, the Landons, moved to St. George and sold us their table. Then, on Saturday, we went to IM HOME, the furniture store where Mark Landon works because they were having a tent sale. We bought some bedside tables from him because in our new house we don't have an overhead light in our master bedroom, just a switch for lamps, so we needed tables to set our lamps on. And, I also impulse purchased a chair for $10 from him.
Then, Mark mentioned that they had a bedroom set that would perfectly match our new nightstands. He was clearing it out of his storage that night to complete their move, so he was willing to sell it for $50. It really was a steal of a deal-- nice bed frame, head board and footboard, and 2 peirs (they're kind of like an armoire). How do you say no to that?
So, now we have a matching bedroom set for the first time ever. Yeah! And a table that will match our new kitchen perfectly. Yeah!
Unfortunately, what we do not have is SPACE for all this extra furniture. Our apartment is full, our storage unit is full. I need to clean off some of our old stuff and see if I can sell it (yeah craigslist). But, until then, my impulse chair purchase sits on our bed during the daytime, then hides in the closet at night. This, of course, is because my little darlings want to climb it and it will undoubtedly tip over and kill them.
Oh, and as an afterthought, (and to confess all the more how much money I spent last week), I found blinds at JC Penney in Cottonwood Mall for like 60% off (they're closing that store, so everything is on clearance). I bought all they had for only $100! This is a significant saving-- the builder would have charged $1200 to do the blinds for us. Anyway, the JC Penney blinds will cover all our bedroom windows, so at least we can change clothes when we first move in. We'll have to acquire curtains/blinds for the other windows as we go.
Do you ever feel so good about how much you've saved that it just makes you want to go out and treat yourself to a new outfit? I feel like I deserve it, but Travis says it will only end our good deal streak.
That is not to say that we only have 3 peices of furniture. No, on the contrary, we have lots of random, mismatched peices littering our home. We currently own 7 dressers, all hand me downs. Our bedroom is super crowded with our eclectic furniture stash.
This got worse, and better, this past week. As previously mentioned, our SUPER AWESOME FRIENDS, the Landons, moved to St. George and sold us their table. Then, on Saturday, we went to IM HOME, the furniture store where Mark Landon works because they were having a tent sale. We bought some bedside tables from him because in our new house we don't have an overhead light in our master bedroom, just a switch for lamps, so we needed tables to set our lamps on. And, I also impulse purchased a chair for $10 from him.
Then, Mark mentioned that they had a bedroom set that would perfectly match our new nightstands. He was clearing it out of his storage that night to complete their move, so he was willing to sell it for $50. It really was a steal of a deal-- nice bed frame, head board and footboard, and 2 peirs (they're kind of like an armoire). How do you say no to that?
So, now we have a matching bedroom set for the first time ever. Yeah! And a table that will match our new kitchen perfectly. Yeah!
Unfortunately, what we do not have is SPACE for all this extra furniture. Our apartment is full, our storage unit is full. I need to clean off some of our old stuff and see if I can sell it (yeah craigslist). But, until then, my impulse chair purchase sits on our bed during the daytime, then hides in the closet at night. This, of course, is because my little darlings want to climb it and it will undoubtedly tip over and kill them.
Oh, and as an afterthought, (and to confess all the more how much money I spent last week), I found blinds at JC Penney in Cottonwood Mall for like 60% off (they're closing that store, so everything is on clearance). I bought all they had for only $100! This is a significant saving-- the builder would have charged $1200 to do the blinds for us. Anyway, the JC Penney blinds will cover all our bedroom windows, so at least we can change clothes when we first move in. We'll have to acquire curtains/blinds for the other windows as we go.
Do you ever feel so good about how much you've saved that it just makes you want to go out and treat yourself to a new outfit? I feel like I deserve it, but Travis says it will only end our good deal streak.
Growing up fast
While I'm sitting here typing, Travis is trying to put Anna in bed. I just heard "Anna, do you want to give Mommy a kiss before bed?"
"No, I want to give Max a kiss." (Max is our neighbor).
What 2 year old says that?
"No, I want to give Max a kiss." (Max is our neighbor).
What 2 year old says that?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Do popsicles count as medication?
There is something about your kid being sick that really tugs at your heart. You want to do anything in the world to make them feel better.
Tonight I left the girls with Travis while I went to Enrichment. He called me after half an hour because both of them were not doing well. I came home to Anna in the bathroom crying because her bum hurt (probably because she sits on the potty reading books too long), and Kate just yelling (probably because she missed me, because as soon as I picked her up she was okay).
Anyway, once Anna was off the potty, I realized she had a fever, and my motherly care-for-my-young instincts set in. I held her in my lap and stroked her sweet hair until I could convince her to drink some water. Then I gave her some medicine, but she just looked so hot and miserable. It was so sad. So, even though it was already past bedtime, when Travis suggested giving her a popsicle, I eagerly agreed. After all, she was sick! Anything to make her feel better, right?
Well, between the popsicle and the acetiminaphen (sp?) the fever passed and we got her into bed without much trouble. She was a much happier little soul.
I love my girls so much. They are just so sweet, and especially when they are willing to cuddle with me.... ah, it's the best! I really would do anything for them. I hope that I choose the right things for them, which may not always be as simple as popsicles. I'm grateful it worked tonight.
Tonight I left the girls with Travis while I went to Enrichment. He called me after half an hour because both of them were not doing well. I came home to Anna in the bathroom crying because her bum hurt (probably because she sits on the potty reading books too long), and Kate just yelling (probably because she missed me, because as soon as I picked her up she was okay).
Anyway, once Anna was off the potty, I realized she had a fever, and my motherly care-for-my-young instincts set in. I held her in my lap and stroked her sweet hair until I could convince her to drink some water. Then I gave her some medicine, but she just looked so hot and miserable. It was so sad. So, even though it was already past bedtime, when Travis suggested giving her a popsicle, I eagerly agreed. After all, she was sick! Anything to make her feel better, right?
Well, between the popsicle and the acetiminaphen (sp?) the fever passed and we got her into bed without much trouble. She was a much happier little soul.
I love my girls so much. They are just so sweet, and especially when they are willing to cuddle with me.... ah, it's the best! I really would do anything for them. I hope that I choose the right things for them, which may not always be as simple as popsicles. I'm grateful it worked tonight.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Duck Pond
One thing that Kate seriously loves in life are ducks. It was her first word and continues to be her only word. She will point at any bird in any of her books and say, "duck, duck, duck" to herself all day long. She also loves to carry around a little rubber duckie from the bath.
Imagine her delight when she visited the duck pond for the first time. She was so entranced. Real live ducks, just quacking away at her. "Duck, duck, duck." "Yes, honey. They're ducks." "Duck, duck, duck." you get the idea.
So these pictures are from our playgroup's trip to the duckpond last week. The older kids enjoyed feeding the ducks, and little Kate-O just relished in sharing breathing space with real ducks.
Imagine her delight when she visited the duck pond for the first time. She was so entranced. Real live ducks, just quacking away at her. "Duck, duck, duck." "Yes, honey. They're ducks." "Duck, duck, duck." you get the idea.
So these pictures are from our playgroup's trip to the duckpond last week. The older kids enjoyed feeding the ducks, and little Kate-O just relished in sharing breathing space with real ducks.
craigslist
When it comes to technology, I am catching up with the rest of the world a little bit at a time. I do have a digital camera, though it's still hard for me to figure out how to download the pictures. I finally started a blog, and though I feared it at first (I'm sure there are predators out there), it's turning out to be fun. My newest venture into the modern era is Craigslist. I'm sure that craiglist has been out there for a while, but it's like a breakthrough for me.
Earlier this week, my friend sold me her kitchen table because she was moving and didn't want to take it. That left me with two kitchen tables-- what to do? I posted it on craigslist at 10 pm Monday night, and it was sold by 10 am Tuesday morning! $45 bucks for a table I hated anyway. Plus two of the chairs were broken. Surely there's no better way to make money!
Now I have this greedy eye when I look around our apartment. Do we really need this dresser, that desk, this crockpot? Surely not! Why not sell it all and go to the mall!
Travis, of course, asks that I not sell anything of his. Too bad. That's the stuff I dislike most. :)
Earlier this week, my friend sold me her kitchen table because she was moving and didn't want to take it. That left me with two kitchen tables-- what to do? I posted it on craigslist at 10 pm Monday night, and it was sold by 10 am Tuesday morning! $45 bucks for a table I hated anyway. Plus two of the chairs were broken. Surely there's no better way to make money!
Now I have this greedy eye when I look around our apartment. Do we really need this dresser, that desk, this crockpot? Surely not! Why not sell it all and go to the mall!
Travis, of course, asks that I not sell anything of his. Too bad. That's the stuff I dislike most. :)
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The reason I don't work at Home Depot
The other day I had a stroke of brilliance-- why not get a little part time job at Home Depot? This would give me a break from the kids, earn some money, and most importantly, provide a discount on all the many things we need to buy for our house (fridge, blinds, sprinklers, garage door opener, etc.) I brought this idea up with Travis at dinner and he agreed to think about it.
Then I went visiting teaching and the wheels fell off the bus.
I got home and Trav was quite stressed. He had attempted to give the girls a bath while I was gone (Yay! for competent and involved fathers!). As she is wont to do, Kate pooped in the tub. This happens nearly every time we bathe her, so Trav knew to get the girls out, clean it up, and put them back in. Well, as soon as they got back in she pooped again! Back out of the tub, clean it up. Only this time it's worse because as she was standing outside the bathtub, Kate pooped a third time! Not only did she poop, but she stomped around in it (Trav describes it as the same way the wine makers do when they are crushing the grapes-- high knees and big stomping!). I cannot imagine how gross it must have been.
So, by the time I get home, Travis is ready for a break. I asked how things went and Anna pipes up "Kate pooped ALL OVER the bathroom."
Poor Trav. He really shouldn't have to face stuff like that alone. Hence, my little gig at Home Depot may not work out after all. Besides, what do I know about power tools?
Then I went visiting teaching and the wheels fell off the bus.
I got home and Trav was quite stressed. He had attempted to give the girls a bath while I was gone (Yay! for competent and involved fathers!). As she is wont to do, Kate pooped in the tub. This happens nearly every time we bathe her, so Trav knew to get the girls out, clean it up, and put them back in. Well, as soon as they got back in she pooped again! Back out of the tub, clean it up. Only this time it's worse because as she was standing outside the bathtub, Kate pooped a third time! Not only did she poop, but she stomped around in it (Trav describes it as the same way the wine makers do when they are crushing the grapes-- high knees and big stomping!). I cannot imagine how gross it must have been.
So, by the time I get home, Travis is ready for a break. I asked how things went and Anna pipes up "Kate pooped ALL OVER the bathroom."
Poor Trav. He really shouldn't have to face stuff like that alone. Hence, my little gig at Home Depot may not work out after all. Besides, what do I know about power tools?
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Good News/Bad News
Tonight we had our Final appointment at the home fitting center for our house. That means that we have now chosen everything there is to choose, and we just sit back and wait for it to be built.
Which brings me to good news/bad news. When we signed on the house, we were told it would be 8-12 months. The sad thing about waiting that long is that we continue living in our little apartment and wondering which ward to go to. The good thing about waiting that long is that it gives us some time to save up for our down payment.
Well, tonight we were told that they've actually already got our building permit. That usually takes about 2 months. So, next will be our Foundation Date (the day they start digging our hole). That can be 2-4 weeks from now. From the time that gets started, it is usually less than 3 months before the home is completed.
That is a lot sooner than we were planning! At first I wanted to shout hooray! It really will be so fun to get into our house, and I love the idea of spending Christmas there. But, then I was overcome with a nervousness about being able to afford this 2000 square foot megaplex. I mean, we do fine here in our 800 square feet, right? At least we know we can afford it.
So, with a little trepidation, I am looking forward to moving in a little sooner. Maybe even on my birthday! (december 12)
Which brings me to good news/bad news. When we signed on the house, we were told it would be 8-12 months. The sad thing about waiting that long is that we continue living in our little apartment and wondering which ward to go to. The good thing about waiting that long is that it gives us some time to save up for our down payment.
Well, tonight we were told that they've actually already got our building permit. That usually takes about 2 months. So, next will be our Foundation Date (the day they start digging our hole). That can be 2-4 weeks from now. From the time that gets started, it is usually less than 3 months before the home is completed.
That is a lot sooner than we were planning! At first I wanted to shout hooray! It really will be so fun to get into our house, and I love the idea of spending Christmas there. But, then I was overcome with a nervousness about being able to afford this 2000 square foot megaplex. I mean, we do fine here in our 800 square feet, right? At least we know we can afford it.
So, with a little trepidation, I am looking forward to moving in a little sooner. Maybe even on my birthday! (december 12)
Monday, August 6, 2007
Cry for Help!
The title may sound a little desperate, which is not exactly the case. Today I just couldn't bring myself to make another peanut butter sandwich for lunch. I couldn't come up with anything to make at all-- so we ate a strange assortment of things that lacked nutritional value. If there is anyone out there who has good ideas of what to have for lunch... please tell me! (or dinner, I'm really not picky).
My friend has a link on her blog to another blog called pimpmydinner.blogspot.com. It's like a little recipe exchange site for her and her friends. If I could figure out how to do something like that, I totally would . (Kris, this is where you step in.)
Anyway, I think that it would be great to know what other people eat--- so please share yours with me. Here's the 2 best things I've made this summer, both courtesy of Kraftfoods.com
BBQ Orange Chicken
3-4 T orange juice concentrate
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
chicken breast
Combine the OJ and the BBQ to create a tasty sauce. You can then cover the chicken with the sauce and bake, or grill the chicken and baste with the sauce as you go.
Super easy, super tasty. Travis says it is the best sauce he has ever had, and he is a big sauce guy.
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
1/4 cup KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, divided
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
PLACE large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. Pour 2 Tbsp. of the dressing over chicken in resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with the dressing. Refrigerate 10 min. to marinate. Remove chicken from marinade; discard bag and marinade.
GRILL chicken on uncovered side of grill 6 min. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing.
TURN chicken over; place, cooked-side up, on foil on grill. Top evenly with tomato mixture. Close lid. Grill an additional 8 min. or until chicken is cooked through (170ºF).
Hope that you like them... now send me yours!
My friend has a link on her blog to another blog called pimpmydinner.blogspot.com. It's like a little recipe exchange site for her and her friends. If I could figure out how to do something like that, I totally would . (Kris, this is where you step in.)
Anyway, I think that it would be great to know what other people eat--- so please share yours with me. Here's the 2 best things I've made this summer, both courtesy of Kraftfoods.com
BBQ Orange Chicken
3-4 T orange juice concentrate
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
chicken breast
Combine the OJ and the BBQ to create a tasty sauce. You can then cover the chicken with the sauce and bake, or grill the chicken and baste with the sauce as you go.
Super easy, super tasty. Travis says it is the best sauce he has ever had, and he is a big sauce guy.
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
1/4 cup KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, divided
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
PLACE large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. Pour 2 Tbsp. of the dressing over chicken in resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with the dressing. Refrigerate 10 min. to marinate. Remove chicken from marinade; discard bag and marinade.
GRILL chicken on uncovered side of grill 6 min. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing.
TURN chicken over; place, cooked-side up, on foil on grill. Top evenly with tomato mixture. Close lid. Grill an additional 8 min. or until chicken is cooked through (170ºF).
Hope that you like them... now send me yours!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
More info about our house
I guess that my original post about our house was not enough to satisfy inquiring minds... so here's a little more.
We are building with Fieldstone Homes in Spanish Fork. Our address will be (ironically, my dad was raised in a house on 200 East and 100 South in Spanish Fork, so we're just down the road). You can see the neighborhood from the freeway if you are south of Spanish Fork heading toward Provo. It's right by the sugar beet factory.
You can check out our floorplan at http://www.fieldstone-homes.com/community/default.asp?T=plan&FSID=sfv00&P=1950. It says it is the Spanish Vista neighborhood, which is not ours, but is another down the road. I think the reason it does that is because our neighborhood is about sold out.
It really will be 8-12 months till we move in. They don't even have all the roads completed yet, so there's a lot to do between now and then. We're lucky because we are at the beginning of the next phase, so we will probably be more like 8 months than 12 months. We already have road and sidewalk!
Right now we're picking out our inside stuff, like cabinets, floors, faucets, extra walls, etc. If anyone has any suggestions about what they think makes or breaks a house, let me know.
It's been a lot of fun to be working on this home building project, but I'll be relieved next week when all our decisions are in so I can think of something else. After next Wednesday, any changes we make are $500 each, so we will definitely NOT be changing anything!
We are building with Fieldstone Homes in Spanish Fork. Our address will be (ironically, my dad was raised in a house on 200 East and 100 South in Spanish Fork, so we're just down the road). You can see the neighborhood from the freeway if you are south of Spanish Fork heading toward Provo. It's right by the sugar beet factory.
You can check out our floorplan at http://www.fieldstone-homes.com/community/default.asp?T=plan&FSID=sfv00&P=1950. It says it is the Spanish Vista neighborhood, which is not ours, but is another down the road. I think the reason it does that is because our neighborhood is about sold out.
It really will be 8-12 months till we move in. They don't even have all the roads completed yet, so there's a lot to do between now and then. We're lucky because we are at the beginning of the next phase, so we will probably be more like 8 months than 12 months. We already have road and sidewalk!
Right now we're picking out our inside stuff, like cabinets, floors, faucets, extra walls, etc. If anyone has any suggestions about what they think makes or breaks a house, let me know.
It's been a lot of fun to be working on this home building project, but I'll be relieved next week when all our decisions are in so I can think of something else. After next Wednesday, any changes we make are $500 each, so we will definitely NOT be changing anything!
Who's Complaining?
So, today started out pretty rough. The truth is, I don't even know when today officially started... was it at 4:40 am when Kate woke up and started yelling, at 5:15 when I couldn't take it anymore and went in and nursed her to get her to go back to sleep, at 5:50 when she woke up again and refused comfort from Travis and needed to be nursed to sleep again (!), or at 7:00 when Anna woke up and came out to find Kate and I passed out on the couch after our nightly battle?
Obviously, I was tired, which makes me grouchy. Then it turns out I was also fasting (for a super-sick cousin) which also makes me grouchy. (I hope that is not blasphemous, it's just true. I am working on not being like the hypocrites warned about in the scriptures for whining about fasting).
Then, it was cloudy/rainy outside. I think I have seasonal affect disorder or something, because cloudy days always make me grouchy.
So, it's 7:10 am and I am grouchy x 3! Trouble ahead!!
The day continued to get worse. Suddenly I was hosting our playgroup at our house (which honestly was not a big deal to me, especially because I really wanted interaction with other people to keep my mind off all my grouchiness)... but then no one showed up, and Anna was all in a fit because I had told her that friends were coming over.
I think brilliantly that I'll take them to the park so they can play and I can sit on a bench and call Kristi to whine about my poor life. We get to the park, I call Kristi (she's busy, I'm sad). Then, it starts to RAIN! We struggle back to the car and Anna is all upset because she has grass clippings stuck to the bottom of her shoes.
Somehow, magically, on the way home something happened that turned my kids into angels. We got home and they played together while I made lunch, and then we all reveled in grilled cheese sandwiches (I had broken my fast). I got them down for naps super-quick, and have had the last two hours to myself. I took a nap, did some homework, took one of my finals (I only got 20/24 and I could retake it, but see no reason to because I already have an A in the class), and checked on my friends' blogs. I think that in a minute I will go eat some Oreos.
The thing I've learned from this story is: I need sleep and I need food. Then the rest of life's problems are easier to bear.
The moral of this story is: What right do I have to complain? I thought my world was falling apart, and it was all for lack of sleep/food. There are so many people out there who are worse off than me, including the cousin for whom we were fasting. She had a baby a month ago and is now so sick that her doctors think she'll be in the hospital for another month. She can't see her 2 little boys at all-- they just email pictures back and forth so her kids don't forget who she is. SO SAD!
I am really so blessed. I'll have to remember that when my kids wake up. :)
Obviously, I was tired, which makes me grouchy. Then it turns out I was also fasting (for a super-sick cousin) which also makes me grouchy. (I hope that is not blasphemous, it's just true. I am working on not being like the hypocrites warned about in the scriptures for whining about fasting).
Then, it was cloudy/rainy outside. I think I have seasonal affect disorder or something, because cloudy days always make me grouchy.
So, it's 7:10 am and I am grouchy x 3! Trouble ahead!!
The day continued to get worse. Suddenly I was hosting our playgroup at our house (which honestly was not a big deal to me, especially because I really wanted interaction with other people to keep my mind off all my grouchiness)... but then no one showed up, and Anna was all in a fit because I had told her that friends were coming over.
I think brilliantly that I'll take them to the park so they can play and I can sit on a bench and call Kristi to whine about my poor life. We get to the park, I call Kristi (she's busy, I'm sad). Then, it starts to RAIN! We struggle back to the car and Anna is all upset because she has grass clippings stuck to the bottom of her shoes.
Somehow, magically, on the way home something happened that turned my kids into angels. We got home and they played together while I made lunch, and then we all reveled in grilled cheese sandwiches (I had broken my fast). I got them down for naps super-quick, and have had the last two hours to myself. I took a nap, did some homework, took one of my finals (I only got 20/24 and I could retake it, but see no reason to because I already have an A in the class), and checked on my friends' blogs. I think that in a minute I will go eat some Oreos.
The thing I've learned from this story is: I need sleep and I need food. Then the rest of life's problems are easier to bear.
The moral of this story is: What right do I have to complain? I thought my world was falling apart, and it was all for lack of sleep/food. There are so many people out there who are worse off than me, including the cousin for whom we were fasting. She had a baby a month ago and is now so sick that her doctors think she'll be in the hospital for another month. She can't see her 2 little boys at all-- they just email pictures back and forth so her kids don't forget who she is. SO SAD!
I am really so blessed. I'll have to remember that when my kids wake up. :)
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