I have felt particularly stressed this week. Who am I kidding? I feel stressed every week! I am constantly worried about not doing enough or being enough for Scott and the kids, and because I spend so much time doing that, I don't have a lot of time to focus on myself. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, though.
Cooper is getting 4 molars and his 2 top eye teeth. All at the same time. He doesn't handle pain very well, and he is extremely clingy. In the past, I constantly lamented that Macey wasn't a cuddly baby. Well, today, I could have been okay with another non-cuddly baby. Cooper doesn't feel well, and no matter how much medicine I have given him, he wants to be held constantly. He also screams and cries over everything.
It's an overwhelming experience because I know that I can't fix what is wrong with him, so I sit there and try to hold him through it.
Maybe today was a bad day to do laundry with all of this, but I had no choice. Dishes needed to be unloaded from the dishwasher, so we could eat breakfast and lunch. Meals needed to be made. Cooper had to be put down. Screaming ensued.
At the low point of today, I put Cooper in his crib to cry, apologized to Macey for not being able to pay attention to her today, and went in my room and bawled. I bawled like a baby. I was just so overwhelmed (that sure is the word today).
In the middle of crying, Macey came in the room, and said, "Mom, Cooper crying." I told her that I knew he was crying, and I was sorry, but he just needed to cry right now. I just couldn't go get him yet. She left the room, and she went and stood by his door, listening. In a couple minutes, she came back in, and said, "Mom, crying?" I told her I was crying, and apologized again for falling apart. She ran away quickly and came back. She was carrying her bowl of popcorn. She sat right down next to me, and she just sat there. It was exactly what I needed. I'm so grateful for a daughter that loves me through my flaws.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
A multitude of tender mercies, Scott
Before I sat down to write, I reflected on recent tender mercies that the Lord given to my family and I, and as memories came to me, a floodgate was opened and "a multitude" of His tender mercies came to mind. One of the more recent tender mercies I have seen came on a day that, for all intents and purposes, should have been a bad day. (The Lord seems to let you know He is there the most when you think you are alone). It was a hard day with the kids and Lisa, who is pregnant and having a rough time, was exhausted. We decided that eating out was needed, but as always, our options were weighed on the scale of cost. Money is tight, and when money is tight, frustrations become loose. Frustrated that we were eating out, with a tired wife and tired kids in the van we drove to Richfield. On top of it all, it was snowing.
As drove, our windshield split. A 3 foot crack ran all along the bottom of the our newly fixed windshield. This would surely be a $300 fix. $300 dollars that we did not have. We drove to the shop that had recently fixed the chip in our windshield and they informed us that it would be replaced free of charge. In our moment of frustration and need for help, the Lord's love shone into our hearts. As soon as we heard the news I literally felt the Lord lift that burden off me. It was His mercy that allowed the despair of the day to disappear and His love to fill my heart.
As drove, our windshield split. A 3 foot crack ran all along the bottom of the our newly fixed windshield. This would surely be a $300 fix. $300 dollars that we did not have. We drove to the shop that had recently fixed the chip in our windshield and they informed us that it would be replaced free of charge. In our moment of frustration and need for help, the Lord's love shone into our hearts. As soon as we heard the news I literally felt the Lord lift that burden off me. It was His mercy that allowed the despair of the day to disappear and His love to fill my heart.
It's working!
Macey is venturing through the terrible twos, and I think I may be having a harder time with it than she is! I hate being mean, and I constantly ask "can't we just be happy and get along?!" If only the kids could understand what I mean! :)
When I put Macey down for a nap or to sleep at night, we go through a bedtime ritual, and usually it involves asking for a drink, music, prayer, potty, etc. In her nap time, or nightly, prayers, if we forget to pray for Abby, she is the first to remind us. Even after we pray for Abby, Macey asks if we can pray again. I usually draw the line at 3 prayers per event, so lately, I have changed my tactics.
We had a long talk one night about praying, and how she can pray on her own. She doesn't need mom or dad there. She can pray to Heavenly Father, and He loves her so much, he will listen to her.
Our talk was about a month ago, but every time she lays down and asks for additional prayers, I remind her that she can pray on her own. To be honest, I never wondered if she did it. I kind of assumed that all it did was put an end to her asking.
Well, yesterday, when I went to get Macey after her nap, she was so excited! She explained for about a minute how she prayed all by herself for Abby. I was shocked! I couldn't believe that she did it, and she was excited that she had prayed on her own! I am so incredibly proud! And I am so incredibly grateful for the tender mercy of consistency. Even though I had no clue what I was doing every time I reminded her she could pray on her own, Heavenly Father did. I told Macey about five different times how proud I was of her for praying on her own. I'm so thankful to be her mom!
When I put Macey down for a nap or to sleep at night, we go through a bedtime ritual, and usually it involves asking for a drink, music, prayer, potty, etc. In her nap time, or nightly, prayers, if we forget to pray for Abby, she is the first to remind us. Even after we pray for Abby, Macey asks if we can pray again. I usually draw the line at 3 prayers per event, so lately, I have changed my tactics.
We had a long talk one night about praying, and how she can pray on her own. She doesn't need mom or dad there. She can pray to Heavenly Father, and He loves her so much, he will listen to her.
Our talk was about a month ago, but every time she lays down and asks for additional prayers, I remind her that she can pray on her own. To be honest, I never wondered if she did it. I kind of assumed that all it did was put an end to her asking.
Well, yesterday, when I went to get Macey after her nap, she was so excited! She explained for about a minute how she prayed all by herself for Abby. I was shocked! I couldn't believe that she did it, and she was excited that she had prayed on her own! I am so incredibly proud! And I am so incredibly grateful for the tender mercy of consistency. Even though I had no clue what I was doing every time I reminded her she could pray on her own, Heavenly Father did. I told Macey about five different times how proud I was of her for praying on her own. I'm so thankful to be her mom!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Monday, in retrospect, Lisa
Monday, yesterday, was such a good day! It was President's Day, so Scott had the day off of work. The weather was also in the 60s, so we were able to sped time working the yard! Scott can tell anyone that I have been craving a garden, and a reason to go outside and work! I didn't realize I loved being outside this much!
We pruned our fruit trees yesterday, and we also mowed the lawn (which was covered with leaves from the fall). We were outside for about three hours. By the time we went back inside, I was exhausted! It probably doesn't help that I'm 4 months pregnant, but I haven't worked this hard in a long time.
I walked inside, sat down, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Scott was wonderful, and he helped me as much as he could. He even volunteered to buy me ice cream to help me feel better. Good husband? I think so!
I put dinner in the crock pot last night, but it wasn't ready by dinner...so I had to improvise. I was so stressed out by the time we sat down. We just put Cooper at the table with us, and it's so fun. All four of us, eating together. Cooper was a riot last night. He knew he was being funny, and he just kept doing it! I was gut laughing by the end of dinner.
It's hard having two little kids this close together in age, but they are so special. Cooper's spirit was made with a special sense of humor, and I am so glad that he is a part of our family...especially yesterday, when I needed him and his spirit so much.
We pruned our fruit trees yesterday, and we also mowed the lawn (which was covered with leaves from the fall). We were outside for about three hours. By the time we went back inside, I was exhausted! It probably doesn't help that I'm 4 months pregnant, but I haven't worked this hard in a long time.
I walked inside, sat down, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Scott was wonderful, and he helped me as much as he could. He even volunteered to buy me ice cream to help me feel better. Good husband? I think so!
I put dinner in the crock pot last night, but it wasn't ready by dinner...so I had to improvise. I was so stressed out by the time we sat down. We just put Cooper at the table with us, and it's so fun. All four of us, eating together. Cooper was a riot last night. He knew he was being funny, and he just kept doing it! I was gut laughing by the end of dinner.
It's hard having two little kids this close together in age, but they are so special. Cooper's spirit was made with a special sense of humor, and I am so glad that he is a part of our family...especially yesterday, when I needed him and his spirit so much.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday Tender Mercies, Lisa
Our blog book has been inspired by our family theme for this year "...according to His tender mercies...". We have had countless experiences that prove that Heavenly Father is aware of us individually and of our family. We have decided that these experiences need to be recorded.
I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost. Daily, I am pushed. I am prompted, and I experience more than I could experience on my own. I love the small promptings that I receive. These small promptings always seem to start as small decisions, and they escalate to larger improvements in my life. I have been prompted for a couple weeks to start this "blog/book/journal" of our experiences, and I am finally starting it. I am glad that the Holy Ghost didn't give up on me. :)
It's usually a miracle if I glean any spiritual message off of sacrament meeting. Generally, Scott and I are wrestling two kids under the age of two. My mind is usually on my two year sticking princess stickers to the pew and feeding our one year old snacks to keep him entertained and not on the speakers.
Today was different. My children were extremely well behaved. Neither Scott nor I had to leave Sacrament Meeting once. I was able to listen to the first adult speaker today, and I felt she spoke to my spirit. She spoke about sacrifice.
Perhaps, I should interject a personal narrative, first. I had struggled so much the last month. Oh boy, have I struggled! I have spent countless days in tears. I have been frustrated, angry, speechless, tired, sick, and the list could go on and on. (I should further mention I have had many joyous moments, too.) I have cried out many times to my Father in Heaven for help. Literally, cried out. On bathroom floors. In pantries. By the cribs of my children.
I have just felt overwhelmed. Macey is going through the terrible-twos (and they are pretty gnarly) and Cooper is learning how to navigate our home (i. e. climb on, and get into everything!). We have had the stomach flu, the cold-flu, attempted potty training, dealt with morning sickness, weaned Cooper off of formula, weaned Cooper off of bottles, money has been extremely tight, Scott has worked long hours, Scott has been working on his graduate school application. The list could go on. It was a hard month. Daily, I struggled.
Sacrifice. The speaker suggested how difficult it sometimes was to pay tithing. It's a leap of faith when the money is not there. I started to think about Scott and his employment. We are not paid very much, but we are paid with tithing money. I thought about how I never really struggle with the decision to pay tithing. Perhaps, it is because I know the faith of the members that do struggle to pay it. They put their trust in the Lord, that he will use that money for the building of the kingdom. The Lord then trusts us to build it up. The members, essentially, trust us. How could I not pay back the Lord for that trust? Am I willing to sacrifice because he trusts me?
I realized the stewardship that Scott and I are responsible for. I am grateful to have the trust of the Lord, now I need to trust that all of this is for my good. I realized that I can stand, and He needs me to, daily.
I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost. Daily, I am pushed. I am prompted, and I experience more than I could experience on my own. I love the small promptings that I receive. These small promptings always seem to start as small decisions, and they escalate to larger improvements in my life. I have been prompted for a couple weeks to start this "blog/book/journal" of our experiences, and I am finally starting it. I am glad that the Holy Ghost didn't give up on me. :)
It's usually a miracle if I glean any spiritual message off of sacrament meeting. Generally, Scott and I are wrestling two kids under the age of two. My mind is usually on my two year sticking princess stickers to the pew and feeding our one year old snacks to keep him entertained and not on the speakers.
Today was different. My children were extremely well behaved. Neither Scott nor I had to leave Sacrament Meeting once. I was able to listen to the first adult speaker today, and I felt she spoke to my spirit. She spoke about sacrifice.
Perhaps, I should interject a personal narrative, first. I had struggled so much the last month. Oh boy, have I struggled! I have spent countless days in tears. I have been frustrated, angry, speechless, tired, sick, and the list could go on and on. (I should further mention I have had many joyous moments, too.) I have cried out many times to my Father in Heaven for help. Literally, cried out. On bathroom floors. In pantries. By the cribs of my children.
I have just felt overwhelmed. Macey is going through the terrible-twos (and they are pretty gnarly) and Cooper is learning how to navigate our home (i. e. climb on, and get into everything!). We have had the stomach flu, the cold-flu, attempted potty training, dealt with morning sickness, weaned Cooper off of formula, weaned Cooper off of bottles, money has been extremely tight, Scott has worked long hours, Scott has been working on his graduate school application. The list could go on. It was a hard month. Daily, I struggled.
Sacrifice. The speaker suggested how difficult it sometimes was to pay tithing. It's a leap of faith when the money is not there. I started to think about Scott and his employment. We are not paid very much, but we are paid with tithing money. I thought about how I never really struggle with the decision to pay tithing. Perhaps, it is because I know the faith of the members that do struggle to pay it. They put their trust in the Lord, that he will use that money for the building of the kingdom. The Lord then trusts us to build it up. The members, essentially, trust us. How could I not pay back the Lord for that trust? Am I willing to sacrifice because he trusts me?
I realized the stewardship that Scott and I are responsible for. I am grateful to have the trust of the Lord, now I need to trust that all of this is for my good. I realized that I can stand, and He needs me to, daily.
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