Crazy Week

Tuesday evening there was a BeSmart Fireside in Kirtland.  It was an informational meeting regarding all the church universities and institute for students in grades 8-12.  Rebekah and I took Thomas and Spring as well as 2 of their friends.  Thomas drove to Kirtland as he pretty much drives anywhere we go now.  For some reason as we were leaving I told him that I was going to drive home.  No particular reason, I just felt like I should drive home.

About 20 miles before we were to exit the freeway the car began riding really rough.  Then it would be OK and then rough again.  Something felt wrong but I didn't know what it was.  I prayed and prayed that we would make it home safe and I could let Joel look at it.  We exited the freeway and started down the road to take the other youth home.  All of a sudden the front passenger tire and wheel completely flew off the car and I lost control of the van.  Gratefully, there weren't many on the road and we skidded to the curb and came to a stop.  We eventually found the tire about 400 feet away past a parking lot.

We were so blessed!  If it had happened on the freeway it would have been fatal. If it had happened as I was turning a corner the car would have rolled.  If it had happened during the day there would have been more cars on the road and an accident would have ensued.  So many incredible blessings.

I called Joel and he came out to bring me a car to get the kids home and he waited for the tow truck.  We thought the van was a lost cause but Joel called Miles, a friend of our's that is a mechanic.  Miles said to tow it to his house and he would look at it.  Long story short...Miles comforted us that the damage was not as bad as it looked and it is worth repairing.  So grateful he is able to do that for us.  As he looked into it he told Joel the next day that we were about 2 potholes away from losing the entire front end of the vehicle.  Again...so blessed!

Thursday evening I dropped Sam off to football practice and called Joel because he was not at the field yet.  As soon as Joel answered he said to me, "I just got hit!"  He had just been rear-ended.  I hurried over to where he was to make sure he was ok not knowing how bad it was.  Gratefully he was OK, sore and some whiplash, but ok.  The person that hit him hit so hard that our license plate was imprinted on their front bumper.  It also broke the weld on the exhaust pipe under the car.  We were able to drive it home but not any further because it is a fire hazard.  So, now we are awaiting the inspection from their insurance company on Tuesday to find out the fate of our green car.  We are concerned they will total the car because it is almost 20 years old. It's the car I bought in college...kinda sad if that era comes to an end.

All in all, I am so grateful for the many blessings we have had this week.  We have definitely been protected and watched over.  Tender mercies have abounded.  We are down 2 cars in 2 days but we are all OK and that is truly all that matters!

90 Day Challenge

Spring was finishing reading the Book of Mormon and we got to talking about the different ways we can study the scriptures.  I mentioned to her that I had read it in 3 months a couple of different times and how much I enjoyed that for a change.  She decided she wanted to try.  She asked me, Thomas, and Joel if we would like to join her in this challenge. We all accepted.  Grandma Powell joined us in the challenge as well.

We found a reading schedule that would allow us to finish in 90 days reading between 2-5 chapters daily.  It was an incredible experience to read the Book of Mormon again this way.  We all read individually; however, we were reading and studying the same chapters each day.  It allowed for some great discussions and sharing of insight and testimony during this time.  I loved when Thomas and Spring would come home from school and say, "Mom, have you done your reading yet today?"  Sometimes I could answer yes and sometimes I told them I still needed to do it.  Amidst the busy schedules of life we were able to motivate each other to keep going.  Spring mentioned that she was finding herself yearning for moments to read the Book of Mormon.  It began to be something she sought after, not something hanging over her head needing to be done each day. She said she learned so much from the story of the Book of Mormon. She caught the vision!  The Spirit began to instruct her and guide her.  Thomas has read the Book of Mormon quickly before and has an amazing habit of daily scripture study already.  He mentioned that this challenge helped him develop the habit and love to study even on the weekends.  It helped him determine how to make it a priority even when he was not on a normal routine.  My testimony of Jesus Christ increased as I studied this time.  I was taught, by the Spirit, over and over that we need to rely on the merits of Jesus Christ daily.  Regardless of the trials and cycles of life, it is the repentance and turning back to our Savior that will bring peace and joy now and through the eternities.

I know the Book of Mormon has a power that is unequaled by any other book.  Our family grew closer during this time.  We were reminded of the most important things in life and how we need to make time for the BEST things before anything else.  In these challenging times our children are faced with much opposition, as has been in all generations of time, and consistent study of the Book of Mormon is an amazing defense and weapon to stay on the Lord's side.  We didn't even have to challenge the kids to take Moroni's challenge again when they finished.  They did, on their own.  These children we have been given are spiritual giants.  I often feel like I bask in the light of their testimony.  How grateful I am for their example and strength.

As I have reflected over this experience another blessing became apparent to me.  Spring and Sammy have struggled getting along for quite some time.  They get frustrated easily with each other and tend to focus on the negative characteristics of each other.  We have challenged them many times over the last few years and tried to give them ideas on how they could improve their relationship.  It has been successful in the short term, but never a lingering peace.  One evening about 2/3 of the way through our challenge Joel and I were discussing our children.  I mentioned to him how Spring and Sammy have become friends.  They seek each other out. They want to spend time together.  They rarely argue and when they do both are quicker to apologize, forgive, and move on.  We tried to determine what happened and we couldn't find the reason.  We were just grateful for the respite and hoped it would continue.

Then one evening, these words of President Marion G. Romney quoted by President Benson came to my mind in a moment of quiet reflection:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” 

The change in their behavior was a direct blessing from Spring's study of the Book of Mormon. This blessing has continued as Spring and Sammy continue to build upon that friendship and love. The struggles they were having are all but gone. How grateful I am for the power of the Book of Mormon and for the opportunity we had to witness this together in 3 short months.

Reflecting

I finally came to a realization a few days ago that we have entered into a new phase in life and I am trying to come to terms with the new "normal" of our life.  At first I thought I was just catching up from Jacob's birth, or the start of a new school year, or having kids in 4 different schools, or Joel's crazy work schedule with preparing for and going through an annual audit at work, or whatever else I could think of.  I kept thinking, unrealistically, that life would slow down and things would get back to normal.  I have finally realized we have a new normal in life.

This new normal includes:

~not signing or completing every paper that comes home from school as soon as the kids hand it to me.

~skimming the said papers for the due date and then leaving them on the counter for sometimes a couple days before I get around to reading, completing, and signing them for the kids.

~family scripture study at different times of the day depending on the day of the week and when we can all be home together.

~Thomas and Spring gone lots of evenings babysitting and realizing we are going to have to schedule our own children if we need a baby-sitter!

~Not being able to really talk with Joel in more than a couple sentences until the kids are in bed.

~not having all the kids in bed by 7 pm at night.  Thomas, and sometimes Spring, still doing homework until sometimes 8:30 at night.

~Living in my car EVERYDAY from 3:30-dinnertime and then again after dinnertime sometimes.

~letting go of the little things because they really aren't important...like having the kitchen clean after breakfast and before the kids are off to school, or sweeping the floor right after every meal, or having clean windows.  I am even OK with it most of the time.  

I am beginning to create a new routine for our family in our new "normal."  The cool thing about this new normal is I get to see our children experiencing new and exciting things in life.  Sometimes, well most days, I wonder if the little things I do all day long really matter.  Many are mundane and menial and seldom noticed.  I had an experience last week that helped me understand my part really does matter and makes a difference.

There was a day when I was gone from home almost from the moment the kids got on the bus until just before they started coming home from school.  The afternoon and evening was crazy and just not as calm.  There just didn't seem to be order in our home and I think we all felt it.  As we struggled that afternoon and evening to get through things I realized the little things I do each day really make a difference in the atmosphere of our home.  I try really hard to have our home be a refuge for our children to come home to.  A place that is welcoming.  I try to have a lot of the "tasks" of the day done by the time they get home so I can focus on them. I want to be available to hear about the good and not-so-good parts of their day.  I want dinner to be a time we can sit and relax together for a few moments as we share about our days.  This was not the case when I was gone all day long.  I know there are times when I am going to be gone for large parts of the day and we work through those days.  I am just grateful that is not our normal.  

I was fortunate enough to have my mom home each day when I came home from school.  I know I took it for granted and didn't thank her enough, if at all, for sacrificing so many things for herself so that she could create a refuge for us to return to each day.  I pray I can emulate the goodness of my mom for my family so they will one day be able to look back and realize when they walked into their home they felt relief and safety from the world. 

Blessings

Around 9:00 last night, Sunday, Joel noticed we weren't getting any hot water in the kitchen sink so he went down to check the water heater.  Fortunately we noticed that someone, most likely Sara, had turned the temperature of the water heater all the way down.  He adjusted it and came back upstairs.  About 45 minutes later he headed down to make sure all was well with it still.  To our dismay, he noticed the water heater was leaking out the bottom.  So, we started searching online pricing out water heaters and trying to find one that was in stock at the local store.  He called Brother Juhasz to pick his brain a little and discovered that Brother Juhasz has installed many water heaters and offered to come over in the morning.  Last night we drained the water heater so Joel could start the repair first thing this morning.

 

He headed to the store to pick up the water heater at 6 am this morning as soon as it opened.  Brother McGarry, who happened to be off this week from work, came over to help Joel bring the new water heater into the basement.  With the help of Brother Juhasz they were able to replace the water heater and get the old one into the garage in time for the water to heat up enough for Joel to get a hot shower before heading off for his business trip this week.

 

How grateful I am that this tender mercy.  If Sara had not turned off the heat to the water heater we would not have noticed the leak until it was much bigger and by then Joel would have been out of town for work.  It seems the last few times Joel has left for business something breaks or goes wrong.  The timing of this was perfect and the wonderful friends from the ward are an invaluable blessing.  What could have turned out pretty bad, ended up being a morning of blessings.  I know our Father is mindful of us and knows how to bring us comfort, especially when He knows this would have been a little more than I could have handled on my own this week.

The First Snow

This was first thing in the morning when it was still snowing.  I thought the colored leaves with snow were beautiful!

Earlier this week we had our first snowstorm of the season and our house was full of excitement.  The kids didn't even want to watch cartoons in the morning. They just kept running from window to window exclaiming it was snowing and begging to go out in the snow.  Early that morning they were out playing and having a great time.  Throughout the day Joshie and Gideon were out most of the day and Joshie repeatedly exclaimed, "This is the BEST SNOWSTORM EVER!"  After school Sammy, Spring, and Mary did not even come inside to have a snack.  They just wanted to stay out in the snow.  A couple days later it warmed up and the snow melted away but they are hopeful that this winter will be another very snowy winter like our first winter in Ohio!  I love the magic of snow...especially the first snowstorm of the year!

Scout Camp

Dear Thomas,

Well, you completed your second year at MVSR Scout Camp this summer.  I love how excited you get before camp and I love to hear all about your experiences when you come home.  This year, as Senior Patrol Leader, you had many additional responsibilities at camp and you shouldered those responsibilities with dignity and with determination.  You learned valuable lessons as to how difficult it can be to encourage fellow scouts to be where they need to be when they need to be doing what needs to be done.  Your leadership by example was noticed by many.  I know there were moments when other scouts were disrespectful and said hurtful things to you.  My heart hurts for you when this happens; however, I know it is a learning process and I know that those experiences are helping to mold you into the young man and future leader our Heavenly Father knows you will become.  I think one thing I most admire is that even though you had these experiences you did not allow them to change your feelings towards your peers.  You still love them and you still served them with a Christlike love that is not commonly found in young men your age, let alone in adults with experience beyond your years.  Thank you for wanting to be an honorable young man and for wanting to share your love of scouting and of the gospel with all around you.

 

I want you to remember the great accomplishment you made this year at camp.  Swimming has never been a strong suit for you.  In fact, it is something you struggle with and that you worry and have anxiety over at times.  You worked so hard last summer, with Dad, to pass the BSA Swimmer test for the 1st Class requirement.  I was so proud of you and your willingness to work through that difficulty.  Well, you were determined to pass the swimmer test at scout camp this summer.  But you didn't stop there.  You decided to take the Swimming Merit Badge at camp as well.  The amazing thing about this decision of your's is that you do not "need" this merit badge.  You already completed the Cycling Merit Badge and you have all your merit badges for Eagle.  I think, deep down, you wanted to prove to yourself that you could do it.  I was worried about you choosing to do this merit badge because I know what a perfectionist you are.  I was concerned you would be disappointed in yourself if you did not come home with it completed.  But, I kept these concerns to myself and encouraged you to do your best.

 

Dad sent me a message the first day of camp telling me that you had not passed the Swimmer test which is required to take the Swimming Merit Badge.  My heart dropped and I cried for you.  He told me you were disappointed with yourself.  I wanted to put my arm around you and tell you how much I love you but I couldn't.  So, I did the next best thing and started praying.  I prayed that our Father in Heaven would comfort you and give you the confidence to try again and trust in yourself.  I prayed that you would have the strength to prove to yourself that you could do this hard thing.  About an hour later I got a message from dad that said, "He passed the Swimmer test!"  Once again I cried...only now they were happy tears!

 

So then began your work on the swimming merit badge.  There were some requirements that were not easy for you and some that were downright difficult.  You had to use your clothing as flotation devices and this proved extremely difficult for you.  You were blessed with an amazing counselor, Duncan, who patiently helped you throughout the week and believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself.  At one point you spent over 9 minutes trying to work up the courage to jump in the pool with your clothes on for this requirement.  You finally did get in the pool but were not able to complete the requirement.  You doubted yourself but you never gave up.  You continued to go to your class each day and try your best with all you needed to do.  And, I want you to always remember that you never gave up in a situation that would have been very easy to do so.  And, I want you to remember that this perseverance paid off.  You came home having completed the Swimming Merit Badge!  You are an amazing young man.

 

Along with this merit badge you also completed the Rifle Shooting, Model Design & Building, Woodworking, and Kayacking Merit Badges.  It was a wonderful week of camp and you accomplished so much.  Most of all, you conquered a fear and realized you can do hard things when you trust in your Heavenly Father and never give up.  I pray you will always remember this experience.  It will give you the strength and courage you need when you face other challenges in life.

 

I love you, Thomas!

 

Love,
Mom

My Mom, My Hero

I have had so many thoughts the past few months and have wanted many times to sit down and record them; however, I never allowed myself the time knowing the emotions that would come as I did so.  I want to remember these last few months for the many great blessings that have been realized through the darkness of hearing the word Cancer.

 

In July my mom called to tell me she had been diagnosed with Uterine Cancer.  I can't adequately describe the feelings that rushed through me when I heard her say this.  My heart ached for her.  I could hear the fear and pain in her voice even though I know she was trying to be brave and strong for me and for all of us.  I wanted to do something to just take that pain away and make it all better.  I knew I did not have that power.  As I struggled with the feelings of wanting to take that pain away I realized that is part of the Atonement.  There was a point during the Atonement when our Savior suffered this sickness and all the heartache and pains just for my Mom.  He had her in mind and felt all she was going through.  He was the one that could truly succor her in this time.  I learned I could turn to Him as well at this time because He also suffered the pain and worries I felt as my mom was going through this battle with cancer.  I know our Savior comforted us all through this time and how grateful I am for this part of the Atonement and the opportunity this experience gave me to gain a deeper appreciation and testimony of it.

 

My mom has gone through surgery, a month of daily radiation treatments, and 6 rounds of chemo.  Twice while receiving chemo she had reactions where her blood pressure went either really high or really low.  She also went in each day following chemo for shots to boost her white blood count.  These caused her to be very achy throughout her whole body but she never took pain medication.  Through all of these treatments and procedures she was amazingly positive and upbeat.  When I would call to see how she was doing she was always positive.  She never complained, never asked, "why me?", never questioned why she was having to go through this.  Even when I knew she was sore and tired she was happy.  She always asked what the kids were doing and how we were doing.  She was more concerned with us than she was with herself.  She is amazing and my hero for all she has undergone and how positive and optimistic she has been.

 

I'm grateful for the opportunities it has given our family to fast and pray for her.  Even though many miles separate us all we have been able to feel a special closeness as we all have prayed and fasted for our mom together. I am grateful for the opportunity it gave our children to learn the power of fasting and prayer. At a very young age they have been able to see the blessings that come from this simple act of faith.  Their testimonies have been strengthened from this and I hope they remember this at times when they are struggling.  I hope they will remember the power that comes from fasting and prayer.  Sometimes I feel guilty that we have all experienced such great blessings and we weren't the ones that had to undergo the treatments and struggles. 

 

My mom completed her treatments at the end of last month.  She was told that her chances of the cancer returning are 1%.  How blessed we all are.  How grateful I am for a loving Father in Heaven that has granted us our deepest desires for Mom to be so strong through this battle in her life.  I will forever be grateful.  Mom has always been a hero to me and her strength through this all has added a new dimension to her well earned title of "Hero!"

My Time with My Parents

Sara and I were able to fly to Washington and spend a week with my parents.  This was the first time Sara met Grandma and Grandpa and she didn't lack in any attention.  Sara was amazing on all the flights, sleeping the entire time and capturing ooos and ahhs from everyone in the airports and planes. It is so special to watch my parents love our children.  Their love is unconditional, as it always has been for me, but there is just something amazing and comforting about seeing them love my own children the way only grandparents can.  It helps me better appreciate and love the plan of salvation and the potential for us to be eternal families.  Sara loved being held, cuddled, and rocked by Grandma and Grandpa.  She really began to respond to us while we were visiting.  It was so fun to watch her begin to smile in response to us talking to her and smiling at her.  I loved watching my mom talk with her. She could score the biggest smiles from Sara. 

 

I loved the time I was able to spend with my parents.  It has been difficult being so far away while my mom has been battling cancer.  I have wanted so many times to be able to go and spend time with her and help her pass the time. My wishes came true this past week.  I loved just being with my mom.  We enjoyed time talking, shopping, running errands, and even did a few sewing projects.  Well, actually Mom did the sewing for me!  She made us some curtains for the little windows by our front door and she sewed some bibs for Sara for when she is a little older.  I helped her bind Sammy's quilt and start cutting squares for a quilt she is making Sue Ann.  I was able to meet the women she works with at the quilt shop too and learn a little more about the shop so I can better visualize when she talks about work.  I even went and got my ears pierced while she held Sara for me.  It was fun to see the surprise from Spring when I got home. She noticed it immediately and excitedly told me she would share her earrings with me.  Joel figured it out before I got home but his smile when he saw them was worth it.

 

Mom, Dad, and I went to a frozen yogurt place, "Blueberry", one evening and Dad gave Sara her first tastes of frozen yogurt.  I enjoyed just being with my parents.  I am amazed continually by my mom's strength and positive spirit through her battle with cancer.  She is always happy and she accomplishes so much.  While I was there countless people commented on how strong my mom is and how amazing she has been through the past few months.  I tried, with all my might, to get her to let me draw some cool designs on her head with sharpie markers.  I tried to tell her, "You're only bald once!" and "It will either wash off eventually or your hair will grow over it." but she never gave in to that request.  I can't say I blame her but I was sure trying my hardest. 

 

Mom and I also had a very memorable moment Friday after having a little too much soda and laughing a little too hard.  I don't think I have laughed that hard in months.  I still laugh when I think about it!  I'm just grateful Mom experienced it with me and I wasn't alone! 

 

I am so grateful for Joel for making it possible for me to go out.  When we found out my mom had cancer he told me I needed to go whenever and as often as needed to be with her.  He has been so supportive of me being gone even when that added tremendously to his work load.  He was going to take a vacation week for me to go; however, with situations at work his boss asked if he could work from home that week and not take vacation.  So, not only did he step in and do all my normal day to day things but he was working at home during naptimes and in between playing with the kids, cooking, and getting them to all their various places.  He also went in to work in the eveings for a few hours after he had got the kids in bed.  I think the kids loved the week with him and spending so much time together with Dad.  I know our children stepped up and helped a lot as well with cooking meals, helping with laundry, helping pack lunches, and other things that I try to do for them each day.  Their willingness and eagerness to step up and help out was their way of showing their love and support to not only me, but to my mom as well.  I missed them all so much while I was gone and it ws hard to be away from them.  I also loved my time with my mom and dad and miss them now that I am home.  I so wish I could be in multiple places at the same time.  I cherish these times and the memories we make when we are together. 

 

I came home to a clean house, flowers and cards from the kids on the kitchen counter, flowers from Joel in our bedroom, lots of hugs and kisses from all the kids at the same time, and most importantly a happy family with lots to tell me about their happenings while I was gone.  I am so blessed.

Mothering Mary

Mary is a nurturer.  She has been from the time she was tiny and this trait only grows stronger in her as she is getting older.  Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated with her because she is so "mothering" to her siblings and sometimes they don't want it but she still does it.  When this happens crying is usually to follow and I have to step in and try to fix things for everyone involved.  I think lately I have looked at her nurturing nature in a negative light.  I feel like lately I have been quick to anger with her.  My prayers lately have involved helping me to be more patient with her, in particular.  How grateful I am for the reminder I received on Sunday that I need to appreciate this gentle and loving gift Mary has been given.

 

Mary went to a friend's birthday party on Saturday at a bounce house place.  She was so excited and when I picked her up she was all smiles.  The following day at church her friend's mom came up to me and said, "I have to tell you how impressed I am with Mary."  She went on to tell me that Mary was so concerned about the younger children at the party.  She took time to help them get ready to play, helped them up ladders, allowed them to go ahead of her in line, encouraged those that were scared and helped them try new things, and just was more concerned about everyone else then she was about how much she was able to do herself.  As I was being told this I felt a little guilty for my atttitude toward Mary.  I realized I need to embrace this and appreciate it in Mary.  It really is a gift of her's and it usually does help me a great deal.  I thanked this mom for helping me remember to appreciate Mary more.  Heavenly Father answers our prayers through others.  This mom taking the time to notice Mary and then to share with me was an answer to my prayers.

Blessings

One of my goals with this new year is to be more aware of the tender mercies from my Father in Heaven in my life.  Then, to take the time to record those feelings and those experiences so I can develop more gratitude in my life.  I, all too often, either don't recognize the daily miracles in my life or I notice them but don't focus enough on them and soon forget those tender experiences.  I want to be able to look back through my life and remember the times when the Lord's hand has been in my life. I also want our children to gain a testimony that our Father knows us personally and blesses us in countless ways.

 

We dropped the van off at a transmission shop expecting the worst.  We were sure we would need a new transmission which would result in up to $5000 in repairs and we would be without the vehicle for at least a week.  You never want to spend money on car repairs but this repair was worthwhile to us because the vehicle is paid for and worth far more than the cost of the repairs to us.  I know Joel felt really bad about the situation because it was not something he could fix for us as he does with so many of our car repairs.  Yesterday morning Joel received a call from the shop and braced himself for the "damage."  What a miracle it was when he was told the transmission was fine and did not need to be replaced.  There were some significant leaks that needed to be repaired.  Total for parts, labor, and then the fluid to be added would only cost about $500 and we could pick the van up in the afternoon.  I love how Joel told me he has never been so excited to spend $500! 

 

I know this was a tender mercy for us.  The cost could have been drastically more and it would have been a challenge for us to cover the expense.  How blessed our family was.  I was telling Spring and Thomas about the situation after Joel called me and Thomas looked at me and said, "Mom, going to the temple really does bring blessings to our life, doesn't it."  I know life is full of challenges and struggles.  Sometimes they are struggles that we have brought upon ourselves but sometimes they are just part of mortality and part of the testing and learning we are placed on this earth to endure and learn from.  I'm grateful for those times when Heavenly Father makes those struggles lighter for us through his tender mercies.  Makes me think of Alma and his people in Mosiah 24.  Amulon and the Lamanites were persecuting them and had taken them into bondage.  The people prayed for strength and deliverance.  The Lord eased their burdens that they could be made light and that they could not feel them.  We will still have struggles and difficulties but if we are faithful we will be able to endure these burdens with patience.  How grateful I am for this testimony and knowledge.

Temple Trip

Yesterday Thomas was able to go on his first temple trip.  He has been anxiously awaiting this day all year since he found out there was a scheduled trip just days after he would be ordained.  Joel and I were both able to go with him.  Spring came as well so she could take care of Sara in the waiting room while we were in the temple.  Thomas and Spring were both so excited to be able to be at the Columbus temple for their first time.  My Dad had sent Thomas 7 family names that he was able to be baptized and confirmed for.  Joel was able to do the baptizing and confirming for Thomas as well.  It was a surreal feeling to be in the temple and see Thomas dressed in white performing these ordinances.  He was so happy and he just smiled the entire time.  As we were walking out of the temple afterwards he told me he wants to do some family history on his own now so he can find ancestors that need temple work done and prepare those names for the next time he goes to the temple.  How grateful I was to be able to share in his day yesterday.  I was overcome with emotion and with the Spirit as I witnessed him performing this service for his ancestors.  He is a wonderful young man and I am so grateful for the example he is to me each day.  I love that he loves the temple. I love that Spring loved being at the temple taking care of Sara. I look forward to each of our children being able to go to the temple.  I pray they will each have a love and a desire to be worthy to enter the Lord's house and to return there often.

On the drive home from the temple the transmission on our van went out when we were about 30 miles from home.  It took us an extra hour to get home as we were driving about 40 MPH on the freeway.  We were all praying that we would just make it home safely.  Our prayers were answered.  Even though we are not excited about having transmission problems, we are so blessed.  It did not happen on the way to the temple; we made it home safely; the kids are out of school this week so we don't have many places I need to be each day; we have a 3rd vehicle to get us by until we get it fixed.  It was a great opportunity for Thomas and Spring to have their prayers answered and for all of us to be reminded of the Lord's personal love for each of us.  He is aware of our needs and He is there to bless us if we will remember to turn to Him. 

Sara Mae's Arrival

Sara Mae Biggs

November 27, 2012 at 6:41 am

7 Pounds, 2 Ounces

20.5 inches long

 

Monday morning I had my normal OB appointment and my induction was set for the following Tuesday, December 3rd.  My doctor also wanted me to have another ultrasound because I was continuing to measure small.  So the little ones and I headed home to get Mary from school and then I fed them lunch.  I called to tell Joel that the induction was set for next week and that I was going in for an ultrasound.  He told me he felt like he needed to be at the ultrasound appointment.  I finished cleaning up from lunch and then loaded the kids into the van and drove out to Akron for the ultrasound (about 25 minutes away).  Joel met us there.  During the ultrasound the Doctor was concerned that the baby had not grown enough since the previous ultrasound, 3 1/2 weeks ago, so he said he would call my doctor and suggest the induction move up to the following day.  Joel headed back to work and I started to head out of the parking garage thinking of all the things I needed to hurry and get done the rest of the afternoon and evening before heading in to have the baby.  At this point it was 2:45.  I hadn't even pulled out onto the street when I had a phone call from my Doctor's office telling me I needed to be back to the hospital by 4:00 for the induction...a little over an hour from now.  I hurried and called Joel and told him we needed to be at the hospital at 4:00.  He thought I meant 4:00 am the next morning.  When I told him "no, in about an hour." he replied to me, "You're kidding me."  I had to convince him I really wasn't joking.  He headed to work to hurry and grab a couple things since he would be out for the week and I continued home making mental checklists the whole way wondering how this was going to work.  Not a great scenario for a person that thrives on order and planning and scheduling.  I hadn't even packed a bag for the hospital yet.

 

I knew Thomas would be home from school by the time I got home.  I drove by Spring and Sammy's school and checked them out 20 minutes early so I could see them before we left for the hospital.  I walked in the house and then told all the kids I was needing to leave really quick to go and have the baby.  The little ones all cheered and Spring and Thomas were super excited but the first thing they both said was, "What can we do right now, Mom, to help?"  Spring went upstairs and started packing my bag for me and Thomas got the younger kids situated with a snack.  I hurried and checked to see what homework they each had and what I needed to sign for the day.  Thomas was going to stay home from school the next day so he could watch the kids for us and we told Mary she got to stay home too because we didn't have anything figured out to pick her up from part-day kindergarten.  We told Sammy and Spring they could decide if they went to school or stayed home.  They both decided to go to school.  I had already made dinner in the morning so I just gave Thomas and Spring directions on how to cook it.  Joel pulled into the garage, Spring loaded my bag into the van, I hugged all our kiddos and we drove off the hospital.  Joshie was really concerned because we were supposed to be having Family Home Evening that night.  Spring assured him they would still do FHE because she was going to make brownies for them to have brownie sundaes.

 

We got to the hospital at 4:05...not too bad!  My previous 2 deliveries were C-Section; however, my doctor was going to let me attempt a VBAC this time.  They slowly started the induction and my body began to progress.  They were slow with the induction to protect the uterus.  Early in the morning I began to push.  Her head would come down with the first push of the contraction but as I would start the second push her head moved back up.  I pushed through 3 contractions and my doctor told me I needed to stop and change to a C-Section.  She was concerned that her head was moving back up while I was pushing.  They prepped me for the C-Section and wheeled me into the OR.  Little Sara Mae came out crying at 6:41 am on Tuesday, November 27th.  She was healthy and strong and the cutest little thing ever.  She has a pouty lower lip that she began sticking out and quivering from the moment she was born.  The nurses joke that she will get anything she wants from her siblings when she uses her cute little lip. 

 

We are so blessed that our Doctor was so observant and decided to move to a c-section.  When they started to cut me open they realized my uterus had already begun to tear open in 2 different directions and I was leaking amniotic fluid into my abdomen.  If I had pushed once more it would have been very likely that Sara and/or myself would not have made it.  How grateful I am for Joel and the priesthood he holds.  Late Monday night as I was in labor I had asked him to give me a blessing in which he blessed me and the baby to be healthy and for my body to be strong.  He also asked a blessing on the doctor to be aware and able to do all that was necessary to bring this new daughter into the world safely.  We are truly blessed!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving began with the traditional "Pie for Breakfast."  This event gets bigger and bigger each year as our children keep inviting more and more friends and neighbors.  This is their very favorite part of Thanksgiving and they would be very content if that is all we did on Thanksgiving day!  In fact they were telling me that I could go into labor and have the baby anytime before "pie for breakfast" as long as Dad was able to be home for it, or I could have the baby anytime after noon when it was over.

 

We were blessed to have over 80 people come and go throughout the morning in our home.  There were friends from church, school, and the neighborhood.  Thomas had both of his school teachers and his piano teacher and their families come as well.  There was a buzz all morning and a house full of people talking, laughing, and spending time enjoying each other's company.  It was absolutely beautiful outside (nearing 60 degrees and bright blue skies) and the kids loved jumping on the trampoline and playing in the back yard.  Joel mentioned that at one point he just stood back and soaked it all in.  From one end of the house to the other there were people just happy and talking and laughing.  There were groups of little kids eating and talking like mini-adults and a backyard full of kids running and laughing.  How blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends that bless our lives and the lives of our children.  When we are so far from family it helps to have these wonderful friends willing to come and share in this tradition.

 

We encouraged people to take some pie home with them this year so we weren't left with quite as many leftovers as we have been in the past; however, we still had so much left.  Our kids didn't mind too much.  We had a relaxing rest of the day and enjoyed a quiet, well as quiet as possible in our home, dinner.  The kids wanted to spend most of the day outside playing football, basketball, tag, and hide-and-seek.  They came in for dinner and went out again and played until well past dark.  So glad they did because today the temperatures have drastically dropped and snow is expected by evening.

 

I have so very much to be thankful for:  My parents, siblings, Joel, our children, the opportunity to stay home with our children each day, temple covenants that give us the opportunity to be eternally united with our families, and the knowledge and testimony of God's love for each of us individually.   What an abundant life I have.

The Faith of Little Ones

Last week my Mom called with some bad news she had received from her doctor.  It has been a rough few days as I have been struggling to accept the news and also come to a realization that it is for real.  One day this week at lunch the kids and I were talking about it and Thomas and Spring suggested to me that we should fast for Grandma this Sunday "even though it wasn't Fast Sunday."  I told them that was a great idea and that my siblings were all going to fast as well.  Then they said to me, "But, Mom, you can't fast right now."  Before I had an opportunity to respond to them Sammy said, "That's OK, Mom.  I will fast for Grandma for you since you can't.  I know I've never fasted before but since it is for Grandma I'm pretty sure I can do it."  I choked back emotion as tears started to fall down my cheeks and thanked him for being willing to do that and told him I knew he could do it too. 

So this morning we gathered the kids in our room as soon as we woke up so we could open our fast with a prayer together before we got ready for church.  As we were getting the kids in the room Mary told us that she was going to fast for Grandma too.  Joel offered the prayer and the kids were all so quiet and reverent.  The Spirit was so strong and I was crying at the strength that comes from prayer and fasting.  As the prayer ended I looked around at our children all kneeling in a circle and was so grateful for their simple faith and their desire to do this for Grandma.  We got ready for church and headed off.  Not once before church, on the drive to church, or at church did any of them mention they were hungry or ask for something to eat.  Even on the drive home they never once said anything about being hungry.  Later we gathered as a family again to close our fast and as I prayed I was overcome with comforting influence of the Spirit and gratitude for our children's willingness to do something hard for someone they love so much.

After the prayer Sammy told me, "Mom, it was easier to fast than I thought it would be.  I'm so glad I did it."  A little later Mary came to me and said, "Mom, fasting is hard but fun.  I know it will help Grandma."  Spring was talking to me this evening and telling me that even though she has fasted a lot this has been the easiest time ever for her to fast and that she didn't even feel hungry at all.  We talked about it a little as to why that might be so.  She typically opens her fasts with a prayer and has something she is fasting for but she told me that this is the first time she fasted for something that she wanted so much.  Never before, she said, has she had such an important thing to fast for.

I am so grateful for this opportunity our family has had to fast together for my Mom.  I have also noticed our prayers, personal and family, this past week have been more sincere and taken on so much more meaning.  I am awed as our children each pray, without prompting, for Grandma in each prayer they utter.  Their simple faith and their reliance on our Father in Heaven is a strength and a reminder to me.  This doesn't mean I am glad for news we received; however, I can already see the hand of the Lord our lives as we are pulling together even though we are all so far from each other to pray and fast for a woman we all love and revere. 

A Laundry Tale

See, I really like routine and schedules.  I do my best to keep our family on some type of routine and consistency even though at times we have to adjust certain activities and days.  One routine everyone in the house knows about is our laundry.  You can ask any kid in the house when the next laundry day will be and they can tell you.  The older ones even plan their wardrobe around laundry days to be sure they will have the clothes they need or want clean on the day they need them.  So, our laundry days are Tuesday and Friday.  The kids bring all the laundry from upstairs all the way to the basement before school.  They help me separate it as well before they all head off to school.  Then I can do the loads and fold each load as it comes out of the dryer throughout the day.  I can't stand to have baskets of clean clothes just sitting around waiting to be folded.  It drives me crazy, not to mention then I would have a whole lot more ironing to do.  The little ones help me with this during the day.  The kids also help me switch loads and take care of those things when they are home during the summer months.  We have a folding table in the basement that we use for the clothes to be folded on.  Each person has a row on the table starting with the youngest and working on up so it is easy to find the right pile for each child as we fold the clothes.  When they are all done each child takes their clothes up to their room to put them away.  It is quite efficient and it keeps this mom sane.

All our hanging clothes by the end of Thursday

Well...last week was one of those times when I had to deal with an unexpected event that turned my laundry routine upside down.  Tuesday morning I started the first load.  When I went to put them in the dryer I noticed they were still soaking wet.  Upon further investigation I learned that the washing machine was not agitating or spinning.  So, I couldn't do anymore laundry.  Joel had to work late on Tuesday and didn't get home until about 8:30 that night.  He is my hero for always being willing to fix things for me.  I told him we could wait but he was adamant that he wanted to fix it so I wouldn't have to go to a laundramat.  He took the front off the washing machine only to find the belt had snapped in half and was laying on the bottom.  We were grateful that was the problem because a belt is only about $10.  Little did we know how difficult it would be to find a belt.  We tried Lowe's that night but they don't carry belts.  So, Wednesday I set out making phone call after phone call trying to find a store that had it in stock so we wouldn't have to wait a few days for it to be shipped.  Fortunately, I found one at a store that is only about 30 minutes away so we headed off to get the belt.  Joel had Young Men's that evening after work so when he got home at 9:00 he set to work to replace the belt.  It's not an easy thing to do because the belt doesn' stretch much and it is very difficult to get it to wrap around everything but my hero once again saved the day and we had it fixed by 10:00 that night.  We quickly threw one load of wash in that night.

Laundry Table Thursday night

So, Thursday became laundry day for us that week.  And what a laundry day was it.  The kids were starting to run out of clothes to wear so it was such a blessing we could get it fixed.  We don't have a lot of clothing for each child because they grow so quickly.  We can make it to each laundry day but this week proved to be a little more difficult.  By Tuesday night (before I knew what the problem was with the washer and not knowing how soon it would be fixed) I was telling the kids..."if it isn't really dirty, don't put it in the hamper."  and I was reminding them to use a napkin instead of a towel to wipe their hands and face!  I had to take a picture when I was done will all our laundry on Thursday night.  It was a great feeling of accomplishment and the kids kept remarking how heavy their baskets were to take upstairs.  An unexpected blessing to this situation was the kids all individually thanked me for doing laundry twice a week.  They told me they never realized how much easier life was when I did laundry the normal way!

Our Sammy

As I walked past Sammy's room tonight after checking on him and he was sound asleep, with headphones still on and his playaway story still going, I was overcome with such gratitude for this sweet son of our's.  Sometimes I feel I get frustrated much too quickly with him and his overabundance of enthusiasm, energy, and outbursts.  I daily try to remind myself that he has such a joy of life and a gift of making everyone around him instant friends.  I don't want him to lose this quality because this is what makes Sammy such a blessing to all around him.  Joel and I talk often of how much fun he is going to continue to be in our life.  He will be the one that constantly is inviting friends over to hang out.  I am sure there will be many of these times that in his excitement he forgets to let us know there will be friends coming home with him.  I hope he always knows his friends are welcome here.  He will be the kid that will not be afraid to take a dare.  Now, this scares me to an extent.  We have already had conversations with him, and will continue to do so, reminding him that he needs to think, briefly at least, to be sure his choice will not lead to something that will hurt his spirit.  We know there will most likely be broken bones, countless ER visits, and crazy stunts in his future.  I pray we will continue to develop the trust and relationship with him that he will feel comfortable coming home and saying, "Hey, Mom...we did the coolest thing ever today...." followed by a recap of his antics.  I hope I will respond to his adventures in a way that will help him understand if that is something he should or shouldn't repeat and, at the same time, be OK still coming to tell me the next time he tries something else crazy and fun!

One of our biggest struggles right now with Sammy is he has a tendency to lash out in anger when is frustrated with his siblings or a situation.  We have been trying to help him have some tools to use when he starts to feel angry and frustrated.  We have talked about taking deep breaths, removing himself from the situation, singing a primary song in his head, and coming to ask us calmly for help.  This morning he was having a rough time before school.  I am grateful for the prompting I had to sit him on my lap in a room by ourselves instead of getting angry with him.  We sat together and talked about how he was feeling.  I could visibly see and feel his body relax and a calm presence return to his countenance.  I asked him how he thought he could respond better to the situation and he opened up so much.  He described to me how he feels inside when he is frustrated with such detail and description that my heart went out to him.  After we talked for a while he said, "Mom, I think I know something that will help me try to remember to not get angry so fast.  Can we get a jar and whenever I go a full day without getting angry I can put a marshmallow in it?"  I thought that was a great idea and we adapted it just a bit.  I told him when I saw a situation that I know would make him angry or frustrated and he controlled his anger and handled it appropriately, then he could put a marshmallow in.  He loved this idea and his smile filled his face.  He ran down to the basement to find an empty jar and brought it back up.  It has really helped him too.  The rest of the day he never once got angry and I watched him try different ways in various situations to control his anger.  Each time I went to him, hugged him, and thanked him for working so hard.  Then  he would light up as I told him to put a marshmallow in his jar.

I know I have so much to learn from and with Sammy.  I know he is teaching me how to love more like our Father in Heaven loves each of us.  He is teaching me how to forgive unconditionally because there are too many times that I don't react well to him and I have to ask for his forgiveness to which he so readily gives me.  He is teaching me how to love everyone around me as if they are the most important person around.  I am grateful for the lessons he is helping me understand and learn and I hope and pray I can be the kind of mom that he will always know loves him unconditionally.

So Grateful....

...for a husband that is willing and knowledgeable enough to work on our cars.  I know it isn't his favorite thing to do after long hours at work, family time, helping get kiddos to bed, and then going out to fix our vehicles until late at night and then getting up early the next morning for early work meetings.  I am ever so grateful he does this for our family.  His ability and willingness has blessed our family countless times. I am so blessed to have him by my side for eternity.

Thanksgiving

We were so blessed to have some family come and visit with us for Thanksgiving.  Joel's cousin, Tracy, and her family came to visit from Indiana.  Spring was so excited to finally have more girls in the house than boys since Tracy has 3 little girls.  The kids all had fun playing and spending time together for the days they were here.  We enjoyed our traditional "pie for breakfast" on Thanksgiving morning.  I really think this is the kids' favorite Thanksgiving tradition.  This year they invited friends from school as well.  We had probably 20 families join us and at one point there were 30 little kids in the house...all under the age of 11!  It was great to share in all the different pies and, more importantly, in the associations with all these wonderful people that truly bless our family's life!

It was fun to have the help of everyone in preparing dinner.  I am so grateful for a husband that enjoys helping in the kitchen and for children that love to help cook and are becoming very independent and capable in the kitchen.  I loved Thanksgiving this year as it was relaxing and enjoyable to be all together.

The following morning we were able to take Dustin & Tracy's family to the John Johnson farm in Hiram and then to Historic Kirtland.  We love being in these sacred places.  Mary and Sammy both told me that evening that they love coming to Kirtland and it is their second favorite place to go (Palmyra being their most favorite).  We were able to witness the Christmas lighting Ceremony at Historic Kirtland.  I loved it, as did all of our family.  After the lights were turned on everyone joined in singing, "Joy to the World." I found myself overcome with emotion during this to the point that I could not sing.  I thought of the joy this season brings that the whole world takes time to remember and worship our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Then I thought of the sacred ground I was standing on...in the shadows of the buildings that this same, Jesus Christ, came to testify, teach, and witness to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The Spirit was overwhelming and powerful.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come...Let earth receive Her King!

Giving Thanks for ALL Things

My sister, Alanna, was telling me about an activity she was going to do with her class at school and I loved it so we used it for our Family Home Evening last week with a little adaptations.  I first gave everyone a sheet of paper entitled, "I am NOT thankful for..." and we all listed things we were not thankful for on this last.  At first, Thomas and Spring had a really hard time thinking of things they were not thankful for.  I think they were really confused that we were asking them to do this.  After we all had listed 5-7 things we opened our scriptures to Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

So, we asked what was meant by receiving ALL things with thankfulness.  After a short discussion of this we crossed out the word "NOT" and discovered we had a list of things were were thankful for.  So then we all had to think of why we were thankful for these things in our life.  It was a wonderful evening of looking for the blessings that come from the challenges, difficulties, or frustrations in our lives.  Here are a few of the ideas we came up with:

JOEL

*I am thankful for disobedient children because it means I learn patience and long suffering to become more like Father in Heaven.

*I am thankful for oil leaking from the car because it means I learn more about how to fix our cars.

JENNIFER

*I am thankful for pee on the bathroom floor because it means we have a house full of boys that we love so much!

*I am thankful for drinks spilling at mealtime because it means we are blessed to have excitement and conversations together at dinnertime.

THOMAS

*I am thankful for bullies because it means I can set an example on how to treat others kindly.

*I am thankful for vegetables because it means I can be strong and healthy if I eat them.

SPRING

*I am thankful for getting hurt because it means I have something to pray about.

*I am thankful for getting sick because it means I can remember I will be free of this after I am resurrected.

SAMMY

*I am thankful for princesses because it means Mary has something she likes to play with.

*I am thankful for spray in my mouth because it means I can remember to stop yelling and saying mean things.

MARY

*I am thankful for breaking things because it means my mom helps me fix them.

*I am thankful for Sammy being mean to me because it means I have a brother to play with.

Answered Prayers

This afternoon Spring took Sammy, Mary, Joshie, Gideon, and Scout for a walk.  When Joel got home from work they were still not home and they had been gone for about 20 minutes which is a pretty long walk for them but the weather was nice so we thought they were just enjoying the time.  About 15 minutes later they were still not home yet and it was starting to quickly get dark.  Joel and I walked to the corner to see if we could see them but we couldn't.  He kept walking and I ran back home to get the van so I could drive the other direction looking for them.  Just as I was backing out of the driveway I saw them turn the corner to our house.  I asked if they were OK and they said they were and then proceeded to tell us this story....

They wanted to walk to the little neighborhood park to play for a little while.  Sammy said he knew the way to the park so he led the way.  After a while he told Spring he guessed he didn't know the way afterall.  Spring said it was OK because she knew where they were.  Then a couple minutes later, after walking some more, Spring said she didn't know where they were either.  Sammy started to cry and kept telling Spring he was sorry and it was all his fault and he should have never come on the walk.  He was crying pretty hard and was scared they wouldn't get back home and it was getting dark and cold.  Spring put her arm around Sammy and asked Sammy if he wanted to say a prayer with her.  He said that would be a good idea so they all kneeled down on the sidewalk and Spring said a prayer that they would be comforted and be able to find their way home before it got too dark.  They all commented on how much calmer they felt after the prayer.  Sammy said he was still a little scared but not even close to as scared as he was before they said the prayer.  They then got up and started walking and really soon they found a street sign they recognized and Spring knew exactly where they were and how to get home. 

We talked about his during dinner tonight and Sammy mentioned how he was so glad that he could feel the Holy Ghost comfort him when he was so scared.  Spring mentioned how neat it was that this week she is focusing her personal scripture study on how to recognize the Holy Ghost in her life and that she had this experience tonight when she knows she felt the Holy Ghost comfort and guide her.  I am thankful that Sammy and Spring had this experience together to learn they can depend on each other and help each other because sometimes they have a difficult time getting along with each other.  I think they both learned how deep their love for one another really is and how much they need each other.  How grateful I am for children that have the faith to pray for comfort and guidance and for a loving Father in Heaven that answered their pleading.