Sickness

Tank must have something wrong with his immune system in the winter. All this winter and last winter he has caught every cold and cough that has come along. The poor little guy has had a high fever, painful cough, hurting eyes, and runny nose. He has been miserable. Last night I had him sleep in our room so I could keep an eye on him. He woke up many, many times from his fitfull sleep asking for a drink. I have become emotional several times in the last while and not because I'm tired. I've cried out of gratitude. What an honor to be able to comfort these special little ones. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father sent these precious children to me. It is a privilege to comfort them at night. Everyone has to go through childhood illnesses. I wouldn't want my kids to be cared for by anyone else. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father let me care for these amazing souls on such a personal, meaningful way. Attending to someone's basic needs, comforting them when they are weak, nourishing their soul and body are ways to show deep love. It brings about rich bonding and cherishing. I love my children so much! I am humbled to be their mother. They are so patient with me. I sense in a very real way they are my superiors and my teachers. I love them with all my heart.

The Morning Challenge

Our mornings are pretty awesome. We get up at 6:00. The kids clean their rooms and get themselves ready for the day. Then they do a couple of simple chores that rotate monthly. Jaremy showers and does laundry. I say my quick prayers and immediately go down to start breakfast (or assist or train the child in charge of breakfast preparations), keep kids on task, and do a few chores myself. Tank (2) usually wakes up slowly. He wants me to cuddle with him while he warms up for the day. If I don't sit and hold him until he is go and ready to get going on his morning he becomes very grumpy and demanding. He throws a fit if I ask someone else to cuddle him. So one of my main jobs each morning is to help Tank feel secure and loved. If I do he is off to a great start! Sometimes it is difficult to remember how important this simple bonding is. It shows him I love him more than attacking my to-do list. I'm so grateful my family is so understanding. They all realize he still needs this time with Mom. They also know that they received the same attention when they were little.
At about 7:00 we have family scripture study. Breakfast is at about 7:30. Then the kids gather up their lunches and book bags. They have us sign last minute papers and then they kiss us good-bye. Jaremy gives me a long kiss then he drives the kids to school. Their school is by his work. Both are about 10 minutes from our home by the Logan Temple.
After they leave the little kids and I finish tidying the house. I then help Ella and Tank with their teeth and hair. Finally, I shower while they play in the bedroom next to the bathroom so I can hear them. After I shower one of the kids combs my wet hair while I read stories to them on the sofa. Next we do school and other various jobs until lunch and naps. The little kids go down to bed. About once a week I take a short nap too. As I've mentioned before this increases my optimism and energy. Hyrum (6) and Natalie (8) do some homework until Jaremy comes home for lunch. Half the time I can greet Jaremy at lunch time with my make-up and hair done. The other half of the time he has to wait until dinner . Today is one of those days.
I love mornings! I just need to be able to accomplish a few more things. First, I want to be able to really pray in the morning. This takes quiet, alone time for at least 15 minutes. Second, I want to be able to get myself completely ready for the day before breakfast. Third, I want to be able to get Tank and Ella ready before breakfast. Fourth, it would be really nice to work out with Jaremy in the morning.
In order to accomplish these things I need to arise at 4:30am. That means I would have to be in bed at 8:30pm. That is not realistic. I usually go to be between 9:30 and 10:00. If I don't get 8 hours of sleep I don't function very well. So what do I do?
Maybe I can skip getting the little ones ready before breakfast. Maybe I can learn to get ready in 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes. That would mean I would have to go to be at 9:00, but maybe that could work. I will try it for a week and see what happens!

Free Weekend

I never thought I would enjoy footzoning as much as I do. It's relaxing to listen to soothing music and massage to the rhythm. Of course, it helps the person who is getting zoned. The smells of the coconut oil and essential oils are nice. It's a great way to unwind. I especially like footzoning my family. It's a great way to bond.
This evening Benjamin and Jaremy are going snow caving. Good luck to them! I will think of them when I soak in a hot bath and sleep soundly in my soft, warm bed. Benjamin is excited! Jaremy has gone before and knows it can be miserable. He's such a good sport, never complaining. I hope they stay warm and sleep well.
We were going to head off to Moab this three day weekend, but Uncle Bill changed our plans. We will be going to his funeral instead. Besides, it looks like it will be raining in Moab anyway. It's kind of nice to have the weekend to catch up and breathe a bit. I want to visit Grandma Butler and some widows. I want to walk across the street to the temple and attend a session. I want to bring order to the garage and pantry. I want to watch a movie and eat popcorn. I want to go to bed early. I want to help the kids get caught up on homework. If I can get those few things done anything else will be icing on the cake. If I get to work on compiling my "Mothers in Zion" book or curl up on the couch with a book that would really be something!
Right now I need to go pick up the kids from school and meander over to the park to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. It's another gorgeous day!! Heavenly Father has created the most beautiful, fascinating world! I'm so grateful I can live and enjoy each day!

Beautiful Naps

Yesterday we shopped all day! This year I'm trying to only go grocery shopping once a month. It seems to free up a lot of time. It feels great to have a year's supply of essentials like wheat and beans. It feels terrific to have at least a month's supply of vegetables, fruits, meats, salsa, household supplies, and such. It was a big day! I'm so grateful we have our finances set up so we can shop in one big day. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with enough money for food, clothes, and supplies. It costs a lot to raise these little ones, but I feel Heavenly Father helping us. I'm grateful for the blessings of paying our tithes and fast offerings. The windows of heaven have truly opened for us.
This morning I washed windows and walls, put away laundry, cleaned, and baked. I'm ready for a nap. I believe a nap gives you the power of two mornings. It keeps me going strong into the evening. I'm a nicer mom when I take a nap. Of course, now that I'm not expecting or nursing I don't need a nap everyday or more than 20 minutes, but I still like to freshen up. I used to feel guilty for napping, but now I realize it actually increases my productivity, energy, and emotional stability. Your best self might be eluding you on the other side of a nap.

A Marvelous Monday!

I spent the day in footzoning class here at home. My teacher, Lu Parkin, and two other women came here to the class. It's fun to learn a way to help my family stay healthy or recover from illness or injury. It's a simple way to bring comfort and love to my family.
The class took most of the school day. Then Deborah, Jaremy's mom, and Robert, her husband, stopped by. She wasn't feeling well so I zoned her feet. Zoning is a kind of reflexology massage in case you were wondering.
The kids were put on the back burner today. That rarely happens, but I wanted to make sure they had some sunshine and exercise. So we went to the park a few blocks away.
When we arrived home my sister, Melissa, called. By the time Jaremy got home at about 5:30 I still hadn't figured out dinner yet. So he said let's get in the van and go out to eat. He said it was my Valentine's present not to have to fix and clean up dinner. He's such a sweetheart! He already took me out to the Iron Gate Grill on Saturday night for Valentine's Day. I wish I'd been more prepared, but the day unexpectedly became overbooked. I felt guilty, but we had fun at Chic'Filet. I'll work harder so we don't have to waste money on silliness.
Yesterday I taught the Relief Society lesson. I mentioned my life is so blessed! It's better than I dreamed it would be, and I dreamed big! I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude for the beautiful life Heavenly Father has given me. I feel my challenges are so easy and small compared to thoses around me. I am humbled by the comforts, wonderful people, beautiful surroundings, and love that are constants in my life. I'm so grateful for a loving, talented husband who is the father of our loving, talented children. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. I don't know why I'm so blessed when others are lonely, sick, afraid, hungry, sad, impoverished, or without the knowledge of God. It makes me want to share what I have. It makes me want to live better, give more, become more. I hope I can. Life is beautiful!! Life is a gift from our Heavenly Father!!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Today Benjamin (12) in receiving his patriarchal blessing. Jaremy, Moroni (9), and I are fasting with him. I hope he really feels the Spirit testifying to him that God knows and loves him. I hope Benjamin receives a witness of the truth that Heavenly Father knew him before he came to earth, that He knows his talents, and that He has a plan for his life. I pray Benjamin will feel his Heavenly Father and Savior's love deeply and feel committed to fulfilling the plans They have for him.
I remember when I received my patriarchal blessing. I was ten and my Grandpa Lybbert blessed me. I felt the Spirit strongly as he lay his shaking hands on my head. Grandpa had Parkinson's Disease. My parents and grandparents had fasted with Aunt Kami and I. It was a very special day. Grandma fixed us a wonderful Sunday dinner for after the blessings. I always felt the Spirit in their home. I miss them both. I am grateful for the beautiful blessing I was given that day. It has given me comfort, reminded me of God's love for and constant watch over me, and guided my priorities in life. I hope to live worthy of its complete fulfillment.
Jaremy's patriarchal blessing is wonderful as well. I cry every time I read it. I feel the Spirit testify of God's deep love for Jaremy. He knows Jaremy so well. Jaremy is so amazing!
Heavenly Father truly knows us because He is our loving Father. He knows our every thought. He knows us much better than we know ourselves. He longs for us to make the choices and covenants that will enable us to live with Him again.
Yesterday we went to Sandy, Utah and bought another white van. We now have a 12-passenger, natural gas van for commuting and using wherever natural gas is available. The new van is a 15-passenger for long trips and going where natural gas is not available. We pratically have a fleet! We love to go on drives, trips, and adventures. I hope the kids look back and remember how much fun we had bonding as a family. I know I am grateful my parents took us on so many family outings as children. Family life is loads of fun!
I am staying home from church today with Tank (2). He is sick again: earache, cough, runny nose. Poor, little dude! I'm so grateful I have essential oils and herbs to give him. Yesterday his ear was hurting really bad and he was crying. I was trying to read him a book to get his mind off the pain. He folded his arms and told me to as well. I asked, "Do want to say a prayer?" He said he did, so I started helping him say the prayer. But Tank took over, "Ear hurts. Help it." I became emotional. Tank was in pain, he knew where he could turn for pain, he had simple, beautiful faith. He only cried one time for a few seconds after that prayer. I know Heavenly Father blessed him. I know because of Tank's faith in Jesus Christ and his sweet prayer asking for help he was comforted. I'm so grateful for a loving God who shows mercy to us, who loves us individually, who is all-powerful, who answers the prayer of a two-year-old.