Monday November 10I love Mondays. I really do. I love fresh beginnings. I always wake up bright and early to wake up kiddos for seminary and also in hopes of catching Marissa on the computer. Even chatting with her for a few moments is worth it because I love that girl so much. I never realized how much I could truly miss her. I am so used to
texting my kids or picking up the phone and calling them whenever I want to hear their voices or just tell them I love them. That is why it is so hard right now. So I was thrilled to see "Hi Mom" pop up on my screen bright and early this morning. I love that girl.
Emily (one of Marissa's life long
BFF's) came over yesterday after church to drop a
lil something off for a care package for Marissa (I know a wedding invite was one of the things) and I just hugged her and I cried. Cause I don't really ever think I have had Emily in my house without Marissa. The two have just always gone together. Marissa & Emily. Emily & Marissa. It just made me miss her so much more. But Emily was so excited to tell me all about her wedding plans and to make sure I knew that Marissa was like family and she was going to be involved in all the wedding festivities Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I know Marissa will be thrilled. She was so sad to be missing the bridal showers and such. But she will be home in time for everything else.
Also yesterday was the primary program at church. It was
Coleton's very last one which is so strange that he is almost a deacon (when he turns 12 next June) Logan had one of the main parts and if you know Logan that was not very cool, because he gets embarrassed so easily. But I was so proud of him for going and he did a really nice job. (There have been many times when Logan is supposed to be in a program or a play and he somehow is sick on that day) But he went and did a nice job. I was so happy to have been able to go and watch. Those primary kiddo's are so, so cute. There is nothing quite so touching as the pure joy of children.
Well back to Monday - I love Monday's - It has always been my getter done day. But the past six weeks it has been anything but that. But this morning after I had my quiet time of prayers, scriptures (also I am reading this amazing book called "21 days Closer to Christ") and quiet meditation, I felt such a peace. I could feel that Heavenly Father was mindful of my situation and even though Morgan's recovery is very slow, we are so glad that we have this time in our life right now set aside to help her get better. And so I am home and I need to make the best use of my time. I continue to have a reoccurring inspiration that comes to me in the quiet morning hours "He brought us to it, he will bring us through it" I just have to continue to have faith and I feel through all of this my faith is just growing stronger. Everything is being strengthened.
As I was re-reading conference talks this weekend, looking for something to speak to "me" (you know how sometimes you just pray to find the right words to speak to your heart) - I came across this -
"In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test—to return and live with our Heavenly Father" Elder Tom Perry -
Let Him Do It with SimplicityThat reaffirmed to me that for this season I need to be here and help Morgan get better. I have been able to put all my teaching on hold for now (I love teaching-but I love my family more) - As hard as it was I cleared my calendar (I had just been offered my dream teaching position - but for everything there is a season - and I know those opportunities will be there again when I am ready). I am having to get creative about servicing my stores - but things are beginning to work out to where I am able to leave for a few hours at a time and I do
lot's of work from home on my computer. I have amazing accounts that I service and each and every one of them also puts motherhood as the highest priority. I am so happy to be Morgan's mom and to be able to be here for her and help her through this very hard time in her life.
There are many things I can and will accomplish during this time I am spending at home. Today I was able to do the big summer/winter clothes
switcheroo. But it seems as though every time I do it we get a warm streak. But my boys have way too many clothes to have all the seasons out at once. I got
lot's of laundry done (possibly 8-10 loads) and have big bags for DI and the second hand store.
Madisann (my 12 year old niece) came over and hung out with Morgan for about an hour today. It was so nice of her. It is so good for Morgan to see people. She brought Morgan her very favorite Coconut Cream Pie Shake from Sonic. Even though sometimes she gets stressed because she is so worried she might have a seizure. Everyone loves her and accepts her and wants more than anything for her to get better. Which we know she will as she works through all of this. (In her priesthood blessing it said she would return to FULL activity and enjoy all the blessings that have been promised her)
Then Tuesday was Veterans Day. The kids all had school off and so in the wee hours of the early morning my mom.
mylie, carol,
marcia and I headed to the temple to do an early morning session. I love attending the opportunity to attend the temple and feel the peace it brings into my life. The kids all had fun activities that filled their day off of school.
Coleton and Logan had a baseball party all day.
Karleigh went to hang out with Katie. Dylan hung out with Matt and Coy and then headed to work. Dylan is working his second season at Alpine Ski shop. Which he loves. Dylan, Matt & Coy are quite the adventurous group of best friends. They wake board all summer and snow board all winter. So this is a job he loves. Alpine hired Coy this season also, so I am afraid it is going to be a big ole party at the ski shop all winter long.
Tuesday night we had Renee,
Brittanie and the kids over for Family Night (since everyone had other activities on Monday night - work, baseball, lifeguard training) It is so fun to have them over.
Brittanie and Renee are foster daughters that came to live with us 13 years ago. At the time they did not really appreciate the importance of family. But now that they are adults and Renee has kids of her own, she values more than anything in this world FAMILY. She loves the fact that there is a great big FAMILY that she calls HER FAMILY. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be an influence for good and love them.
It is so funny because whenever the baby sees the camera he squinches (is that a word ?) his nose and eyebrows and says "CHEESE" as hard as I tried to catch him off guard as soon as he saw the camera he would do it. So funny. He LOVES his papa and his papa LOVES him. Those are two of my very favorite guys. And below Jade is working very hard on a picture for Marissa. She is so cute because I asked her if she wanted to color Marissa a picture and she said "I sure do - I love her - when is she coming home" then I told her Dec 17th. I asked her if she remembered where Marissa is and she said Washington - I said No - then she said "Oh I know Utah" - then I said no - she gets a questioned look on her face and said Seattle ? And I said no - and then she said "oh I forgot the name of that place - it is somewhere the airplane takes you over water" I told her the Ukraine and she said "oh yeah". But I was so impressed she knew lot's of the places Marissa has lived the past few years. She is one smart cookie.
Wednesday my awesome sister-in-law Melissa came on over with cute little Matthew to visit and she had dinner in hand. What a blessing. I love our family. She has such strength and loves us so unconditionally. She is one of those that would give the shirt off her back to help someone. We are blessed. truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. There truly is so much good in the world and it would be such a better place if everyone just takes the time to share and love others. It reminds me that our family has been the recipient of so many blessings and I hope that I can take the time to try and bless others as well.
Something exciting for me (maybe not for everyone else - but it makes me think how many little simple things I have taken for granted)I was able to get out for a couple hours yesterday and go visit Kit at Scrap Happy and that was awesome. Just warmed my heart to see my friend. I love that I work with people that I can call some of my dearest friends and I have missed them so much this past little while.
Another exciting thing (at least for me and all the peeps in my part of the world) There is a brand new store opening next week on our side of town. CRAFTY PAPERS at TATUM & THUNDERBIRD (Southeast Corner) if you are local email me and I have some 40% off coupons for you. You are going to love it. Brenda (the owner) is just about one of the nicest gals you will ever meet and I am so glad to call her one of my new friends (that I feel like I have known forever)
We have truly had a good week - Morgan has had a few ups and downs but she is hanging in there. With any recovery there are going to be ups and downs. And we are well aware that this is not going to be fast, she may not be back to the life she once knew for many months still to come. But, I know God is with us. I know He is helping to carry us through right now and that HE is mindful of our situation. I know that HE is aware of the pains HIS children are suffering. I know that there are lessons to be learned and that through every trial we experience in life we have an opportunity to grow and learn if we are open to it. I know there will be many wonderful times ahead. We BELIEVE in eternal happiness. I KNOW Morgan will be okay and that she will be a much stronger person when she comes through this. Even though it is so hard to watch her suffer right now and it breaks my heart to see her in pain. I wish it could be better tomorrow. But each tomorrow brings a little bit more healing. We continue to hold onto our FAITH. I have such great faith in the atonement, it is for each and every one of us. I know that FAITH is more valuable than anything else in this world at this time. The peace that I have been blessed with is overwhelming. Almost indescribable. I know that it is a direct result of FAITH and HOPE. I can feel my Heavenly Father's hand in my life. I know he has provided a way for us to get through this. As we look back on any trials we have had in our lives we can see how we have grown from each and every one them. We wouldn't trade that growth for anything, because it makes us who we are today. I hope that I can continue to learn and grow from the experiences that have been given to me. I hope I am learning the right lessons.
As I was reading {Melody's blog}last night I was so touched by her strength and her faith. She has been through so much and she has triumphed.
She has such an incredible way with words
"Life falls into pieces sometimes. And, many times.....it is not the best or right thing to do to try to pick the old pieces back up. Sometimes we just have to wait for new growth.....like a forest that burned down.....
or sometimes we think something is dead when it was just dormant. like a tree in the winter.
a tree that grows leaves and blossoms and fruit without trying....
I have been feeling buds growing on to my dormant branches...and they feel like they may be blossoming soon...then a promise of fruit later on.........and...surely, there will be another winter.
But I will love the spring while it is here."
I am touched and inspired so often by her words and when I see her growth and how she has been strengthened and refined and has come out so far on top from the many trials she has been through - I am lifted up. I know we will make it through this so called "winter" season and spring will be beautiful when it arrives. We hold onto HOPE and allow it to plant it's roots in our hearts and we keep our FAITH strong. Because truly "with GOD nothing is impossible".
Here is hoping for a wonderful productive weekend with FAMILY.
