Grateful

We have had two close calls with tragedy in the past week, and we feel so grateful that things have turned out so well.

Last Friday we went swimming at the beach on the St. Croix River with some friends. The kids were all out swimming and i was sitting on a dock talking to my friend. We were watching the kids from our spot and everything looked fine when I caught Grant's eye and saw that he had a look of sheer terror on his face. I squinted and realized that the water was up to his eyes and he was frantically trying to bounce on his tip-toes to get back in to shore, but the current was too strong.

I took off running as fast as I could and grabbed him out of the water. He came up choking and scared to death, but he was okay. It all happened so fast and I was so grateful that he was okay. 

So, fast-forward just a week to the Kid Fishing Contest at Willow River State Park. The kids were so excited to try and catch some fish and everyone was having a good time. We had a good set-up on one of the docks and Shayla and Garrett were fishing. The dock was handicap-accessible so there was a small (less than 12") opening in the middle of the dock with about a 3 or 4 foot drop down to the water. Well, Miya was bopping around the dock having fun when we heard a huge splash. It was as if time stood still while we peered over the dock to see what fell in. There was Miya who had fallen in and was slowly rising to the surface. I could see her eyes wide open, with a look of terror and her little hands moving in a small dog paddle movement, under the water. I tried to squeeze my pregnant body between the small opening in the dock (which was really funny after the fact), and Tyler in one swift movement jumped up and over the railing on the dock, being careful not to land on Miya on his way down. He grabbed her and lifted her up to the opening in the dock and a lady who was fishing next to us reached down and grabbed her and handed her to me. She was crying and really scared, but hadn't even swallowed any water since Tyler had acted so quickly. It was such a scary moment and I think we all were in shock for a while. Miya was crying and kept saying, "I no die, I no jump in the water." I don't think I took a real breath for about 1/2 hour after the whole experience. It was just so scary.

I feel like I have post-traumatic-stress syndrome as I keep replaying the scenes in my mind, and thinking through what could have happened. I've been counting my blessings much more than normal and feeling my heart swell with gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us and helps us every day. Each moment of each day is such a gift with those we love, and I know not to take it for granted, but to cherish it. And if the unthinkable really happened and we were to lose of our precious kids to a tragic accident, I've been filled with gratitude for my eternal marriage and family and knowing that someday we would be together forever. I am truly grateful.

 Shayla practicing her balance beam at the fishing day

 Ty had to get in to free a hook from the tree...

 This is the space in the dock that Miya fell through

 This was Miya afterwards--her hair was full of moss, dirt and twigs.

 It's hard to tell, but this is Tyler after his rescue dive--he is soaking wet.

He lost his nice sunglasses in the water when he jumped, but was able to find them later by diving again, this time with his goggles on.

This was swimming down at the beach after all of the trauma.

Miya was a bit reluctant to get in the water at first, but Shayla was able to coax her out and they had a good time splashing around a bit.

We start swimming lessons tomorrow--better late than never, right?

Tender Mercies

Hanging out in the kitchen of the church during a recent home showing.

We put our house on the market in October and aside from a few showing and open houses at the first, haven't had any activity. So when we got a call that we would be showing our home last Sunday we had a bit of getting ready to do. Luckily they gave us 24 hour notice so we got the house mostly ready Saturday. We got home from church Sunday at 1pm, and had until 3:00 to be out of the house. No problem. Well...there was a message for us that someone else had wanted to see the house at noon. I called the realtor back and she said she'd check with the people if they could still come over. She called back--"Yes, they'll be there at 1:30," she said. HEART ATTACK!

Getting ready for church in the morning is a monumental task, as you all know, and we had left a bit of a tornado in our wake. Cereal boxes were still out, towels from the kids baths, etc. And I had planned to sweep and vacuum just right before we left (because i would have to redo it anyway if I did it Saturday, right? and it is so nice to have fresh vacuum lines in the carpet for a showing :) so we had a TON to do before the house would be show ready, and we only had 1/2 an hour. 

Let me just say that there were not fresh lines in the carpet that day, but I was so impressed by how each of my kids dug in and helped so furiously to get our house as ready as possible and all of us out the door.  (when really all they wanted to do was eat).

Ty spot-vacuumed the house, Shayla finished cleaning the bedrooms, Garrett helped pick up the bathroom and took out the trash, Grant packed us a snacky-lunch to take with us (it was so cute to see him counting out just enough cheese sticks/clementines for all of us), and Miya ran around watching us all (and didn't get things back out when we had put them away.)

I was so grateful for their help and knew that it was no small miracle that we got everything cleaned up and looking great in half an hour. 

If only I could get them to work that efficiently on a Saturday morning...

We had fun playing games at the church and then enjoyed Sunday dinner at a friend's house. What could have been a disasterous day turned out great thanks to hard-working kids and a kind friend.

Tender mercies indeed.

Gratitude

Today was the Primary Program at church--my favorite Sunday of the year! The kids were so sweet and cute, and the Sunbeams were so entertaining :) As they sang the songs and said their parts I felt such a sense of gratitude for this young generation.  The future is in good hands. These kids are so valiant and want to do good and be good. We sang "Love Is Spoken Here" for the closing song and I felt the spirit so strongly. It is such a noble and humbling job we do as parents. We are shaping the future by teaching and leading our kids. And they are teaching and shaping us into better individuals as well. More patient and understanding, full of unconditional love. I know so many days I fall short of what I want to be as a parent, but I figure that as long as I am trying and never give up, then eventually, someday, eons from now, I'll be that parent.

So the kids today bore testimony by standing up, holding up their scriptures and saying, "I know the scriptures are true!" I want to add my testimony to theirs. I know the scriptures are true and I am so grateful for them. I'm grateful for those who sacrificed all to pave the way for the Bible to be translated into English and made available to the common man, and I'm grateful to the prophets of old who lived here in the Americas and understood how important it would be for us to have a second witness of our Savior. They took the great time and effort to record the gospel so that we could have it and read it everyday and find the strength to face our challenges and stand tall in the world today. And i'm grateful to Joseph Smith, having the faith and the courage to ask God and then be obedient in all things so the gospel could be restored to the earth again. I know we have a living prophet today, even Pres. Monson, and look forward to hearing from him in a few weeks at General Conference. I know that he speaks the words of Christ, and that I will be uplifted, encouraged and prompted to make changes in my life that will bring me closer to Christ. I know he is my Savior and the Savior of all the world. Such a humbling thought to know that he gave all, even his very life, for me. And for you.

And now for some pictures--totally unrelated to my ramblings today. This is our pitiful garden this year. In spite of our neglect, we were able to enjoy some delicious tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers. I think if I spent some time with the garden watering and weeding it it would do a little better. Just a theory I have, but I think I'll have to try it next year :)

 Miya loved the eggplant

 Trying to get Miya to hold the cucumber--she didn't like the pokeys. Yes, this cucumber was left on the vine a BIT too long. And yes, it is bigger than the eggplant.

 My blonde girl

Hurrah for fresh produce! There is something so satisfying about picking food out of our garden right before dinner and knowing how fresh and good it is. Hopefully next year I will feel motivated to spend a little more time with the garden and we'll have a better harvest.

Gratitude

I'm grateful for my family today (and everyday). I love laughing at my kids all day--they are so funny. And although Tyler and I collapse into bed exhausted on most days, I'm so grateful we get to do this journey through life together.

I always hear the saying "family first," and I've been seriously questioning it lately. I know that sounds bad, but with Tyler being the bishop, sometimes I feel like our family comes last and everyone else in the ward comes first. But the Lord has been patiently teaching me that the service that Tyler gives to others is really service to me and our family, too. It is shaping him into such an amazing husband and father and example for our kids to follow. And I am amazed at how tirelessly he works, with a smile on his face, happy to serve. I know the Lord blesses our family in ways that I don't even understand, because somehow with all the craziness I still feel like I get to spend quality time with Tyler, and that the kids make the most of their time with their dad. Like last night how they played football in the backyard together. I wish I had taken a picture of Grant's little legs as he sprinted across the yard with his dad blocking all of his siblings so he could score a touchdown. I'm grateful for memories like that, and for blessings which seem to pour down faster than we can receive them. Counting them is hard work :)

Easter Gratitude

I am so full of gratitude. Easter gratitude. Tyler asked me to speak in Sacrament Meeting today, and I was kind of dreading it at first, but then I realized what a blessing it was, as I immersed myself in the Savior's life this week in preparation for my talk. I am so grateful that He fulfilled every bit of his part that he came to earth to do, and I just hope to be able to follow him a little bit better each day.

I loved this Easter video--so short and impactful. He suffered more than I can comprehend, so graciously and with such dignity. And because he fulfilled his mission, I have hope. Light and hope, that I can fulfill my own small mission in life, and return to live again with my Heavenly Father, my Savior and my precious family. Enjoy the video and Happy Easter to you all!!

I tried to take an Easter picture of the kids today, but Garrett had already changed out of his sunday clothes. I just had him put his vest and tie back on over his regular clothes. He said, "You better not show this picture to anyone!" So, being the great mom that I am, here it is for you all to enjoy. And a few from the egg hunt yesterday. Oh, and our camera is on it's last leg. The flash doesn't work, so I have to do pictures with no flash, which means the kids have to hold perfectly still or they'll be blurry. Riiiight, kids hold perfectly still. Funny. So we are in the market for a new camera--any recommendations?

Grateful

I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. I have so much to be grateful for and sacrament meeting today was all about gratitude. Garrett has had a high fever for 9 days and today was his first without a fever. There is something about being sick (or worse, having someone you love sick) that makes me appreciate good health. On my mission everyone would always wish each other good health and I thought it was kind of funny. The older I get the less funny it is and the more I join in whole-heartedly wishing others good health. Saude!

I am grateful for good friends who have taken such good care of us this week and for family who have prayed to get Garrett better. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of gratitude, even for our trials. I just read this: "fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in EVERYTHING give thanks;" (d&c 98:1) I think that means we should even be thankful for our trials and sicknesses, for they have a hand in shaping us and teaching us. I'm pretty good at being thankful for trials AFTER they have passed, not in the middle of them :)

So for now I'm thankful that Garrett gets to go to his 1st day of kindergarten tomorrow morning. I thankful for my friend who watched Garrett this morning so I could take the sacrament. I'm thankful for those who gave rides to my kids, brought delicious food and called and gave moral support. I'm thankful for doctors who tried to figure out what was wrong with our little guy. And I'm wishing you all good health to last a lifetime!

Grateful for Garrett

The morning my Mom left to go back home, I was on the verge of tears, really missing her and feeling overwhelmed with everything. I was trying to get the kids' lunches made, sign school papers, then get Shayla dressed with snowpants, boots, hat, gloves, etc. and out the door to catch the bus, and Miya was crying. Garrett was very distressed that Miya was crying and was hovering over her trying to get her to stop. I asked him if he could help me by holding her, and he quickly agreed. I finally got Ty and Shayla out the door in time to catch the bus, turned around and this video is what I saw.

What a sweet Garrett I have. Suddenly I knew we were going to be okay because everyone would step up and help out and somehow we would make it. Tender mercies and answers to prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for moose tracks ice cream, warm summer sun, good books (preferrable read while soaking in that warm summer sun), bear hugs from my kids, dates with my love, going barefoot in the grass or sand, the smell of lilacs and plumerias, good friends, laughter (especially Grant's infectious 2 year old laughter), good health, down comforters in the middle of winter, my house right after I've cleaned it (for the 5 minutes that it lasts), my cell phone, freedom, family,

my Savior, life and all of the blessings that it brings.

What are you thankful for?

Enjoy the following video clip and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuwid8_O8dk

Gratitude

I am so grateful for my Savior and my husband. Words cannot express how I feel right now, but I will try.

It has been a hard week. I'm so glad it is over, and have hope that next week will be better. On Monday Shayla woke up with a fever, so we snuggled her up in the van as we drove off at 7am to take Tyler to the airport. He had a business trip all week and wasn't getting home until Saturday afternoon. Well, to make a long story short, Shayla passed her fever/flu on to Garrett, and then me and then Grant, and I was taking care of sick kids all week, and not getting much sleep. I'd fall asleep, only to wake up with a sick child, finally get him/her back down, start falling asleep when someone else would wake up and we'd start the whole process over again. By Friday morning I think I was delerious. That's when Tyler came home and rescued us. He is my hero. He asked me if I wanted him to come home, and I told him no, we'd be okay, and I knew he still had things he needed to be at through Saturday. He got off the phone with me, scheduled his flight home and called me back saying he was coming home anyway. How I love my man. He knew I needed him here more than I could say. He got home, picked up my Tamiflu prescription, tucked me into bed, then tucked the rest of the kids into bed and took care of them all night so I could sleep. I slept for 10 hours straight and felt human again when I woke up. Everyone was feeling so much better we were still able to enjoy Halloween and all of the festivities and candy that come with it. And although Garrett has had a relapse today and his fever is back, I know that we are on the mend.

I was studying about Faith in Christ last week and that was such a blessing. I think it was the only thing that got me through. I read that faith is a principle of action--both mental and physical. I thought about that for a long time. What is mental action? I've always thought about the physical action, to act on the promptings and answers we receive, but mental action is a bit more abstract to me. I think means that our thoughts are more powerful than we think. That our faith in Christ needs to be so solid that even when we don't get the things we pray for and desperately need, that our faith should be strengthened in knowing that our Heavenly Father has something even better to teach us and give us through our trial. That thought helped me immensely last week. I tried to thank my Father for the strength to take care of my kids, and for the perspective to know we would eventually get better, and we would make it through. And then when I couldn't do it anymore alone, he sent my husband home to take care of me.

I know my Savior lives and is aware of my every need. He has felt every pain or sorrow I have ever felt, and he understands and loves me perfectly, imperfections, weaknesses and all. I know my prayers and heard and answered in the way that will be eternally best for me. I am blessed.

One of my favorite scriptures: Romans 8:31-39

"31 ...If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Last Thursday I was listening to Glen Beck on talk radio, when I heard a caller invite him to something (a political thing, I'm sure--I started listening halfway through the conversation and didn't hear what) for a particular weekend. Glenn said he would love to be there, but he already had plans that weekend. Let me paraphrase what he said: "I was reading my scriptures and it hit me that I had never spent a weekend on my knees, in prayer. I have planned a weekend with my family and a few friends to join in fasting and prayer, and to really seek to hear His voice. So many times I hear Glenn's voice, what I want to do, what I think, etc., but I really want to get better at hearing His voice and knowing what He would have me do."

There I was, driving to the zoo, listening to a national radio station and I felt like I was sitting in a fast and testimony meeting. I was so uplifted to hear Glenn share a piece of his testimony and I wanted to share mine, too. I was so proud of him and so grateful to have people in the media who stand for truth and will fight to seek and uphold all truth.

I know that in spite of all of the political and economic turmoil in the world, everything will work out in the end. I know that we have a living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson, who leads the Lord's church just as He would if he were here upon the earth. I know that the future is as bright as my faith. I don't need to fear or worry because I know who will win in the end. I am grateful that my home can be a safe haven from the worries of the world, and that I can teach my children right from wrong and pray for them that they will make good choices and be the strong, valiant children I know them to be. I love my life. I love my family. I love my country and pray for its leaders. I'm not too happy with the direction they are taking our country right now, but there is always hope. And I'm going to keep praying.

Grant is one busy boy. He'll be 2 in just a week and he sure is warming up for it. I love this video of him laughing at the pure joy of swinging. It is a moment in time I wish I could bottle up and revisit whenever I want. Like when he colors all over the table, or the wall, or himself, or his Dad while he was napping on the floor (that one was pretty funny, wish I got a picture of that!) Or when he poops his pants and leaves a trail of it all over our off-white carpet. Then I really need to hear that magical laughter.

Hearing his sweet, innocent, full of joy and wonder laughter makes me so grateful to be a mom, I can handle the less-than-wonderful moments that come with it. I love my kids more than I can express. They are so energetic, creative, thoughtful, helpful and loving, to name a few. They give the best hugs, color the sweetest pictures and ask the best questions (that I usually don't have answers to).

Grant loves to sing. If he hears anyone singing, he is quick to join in. In this video he is singing the "optional obligato" to "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home." Not familiar with that one? Take a listen and hear for yourself. Yeah, the Mo-Tab has been calling us trying to recruit him but we think he should wait a few years. He's still kind of young, but he has a bright future in the music industry. Makes my heart smile to hear him sing.

Tick Season

Sorry to gross you all out, but it is tick season here. Oh, how I love tick season. And this year seems to be particularly bad. And the ticks seem to love Garrett the best.

Yesterday we were sitting in church, getting ready for the sacrament prayer so I was trying to get Garrett to sit reverently on the pew (trying is the key word here) when I happened to catch a glimpse of something black in his ear. Hmmm, that's odd, he had just had a bath an hour before. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a TICK!!! I tried not to panic, told Garrett to hold still while I pulled the tick off. Well, since it was inside his ear, I couldn't get a hold of it with my fingers, so we quickly left the chapel in search of some tweezers. We hadn't taken 5 steps when I ran into the gadget king of the ward who upon telling him my predicament whipped out a pair of industrial tweezers from his handy gadget belt. I was so thankful and was able to remove the tick, which was imbedded quite deeply.

Last week we were sitting at track practice when Garrett ran past me and I noticed what looked like a dark freckle on his scalp (I can see his scalp because Tyler gave the boys a buzz not too long ago). Yes, you guessed it--it was a tick. And I count it as a tender mercy that I had forgotten to cut my fingernails that morning and then again later that afternoon, because with my long fingernails I was able to grasp the tick firmly enough to pull him out, head and all (and as a bonus I also got a little chunk of Garrett's flesh--lucky me).

So, why am I grossing you all out by telling you all of this? Because I am so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and timely answers to prayers. He hears my every prayer and helps me right when I need it, by placing the right person with the right tool in my path, or by helping me to be the tool I need at that time. I am continually humbled by the power of prayer and the whisperings of the still small voice and the daily guidance we are all entitled to. And not just when it comes to removing ticks :)

Gratitude

Today I'm grateful for my family and to be exactly where I am in life right at this moment. Ideally, that is the way to live life, right? And I've tried to do that, but I know I'm not very good at it sometimes. And yes, sometimes I daydream about my kids being older, not having dirty fingerprints all over my clothes, actually having 15 minutes to get ready in the morning and grocery shop without 2 or 3 kids in tow. What a luxury!

But I would miss the spontaneous bear hugs, snuggling to sleep, reading of books over and over (okay, maybe I won't miss reading "Brown Bear" 10 times a day), funny little things they do and the fleeting preciousness of having them little. The excitement of discovering something new each day--Garrett just learning how to skip and thinks it is the coolest thing. My kids still think I'm the ultimate expert on everything (I wonder how much longer that will last...it's starting to wear off with Ty), and beg me to come to lunch with them at school. For today, I'm just so happy to have my little buddies keeping me company, helping me put the groceries in the cart, and making me laugh everyday.

I just tucked Grant and Garrett in for naps and it is blissfully quiet. And I'm grateful for nap time, too.

Gratitude

"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful,
but gratefulness that makes us happy." --David Steindl Rast

I'm going to shamelessly copy some I know who do a weekly gratitude post. I have so much to be thankful for. I truly believe that what we focus on becomes who we are, so as we focus on the beautiful and positive in our lives, we become just that. The same goes for the negative.

Today I'm thankful for good friends who brought us dinner yesterday when I had a round with a 24-hr flu bug. And other friends who brought brownies just to say hi and let us know they were thinking about us. I feel 100% better today, and am hoping the bug stops with me.

Breakfast in Bed

I woke up this morning to my cute husband and kids bringing me breakfast in bed. Is it my birthday? Anniversary? Nope. Just because. Blueberry pancakes, eggs, and homemade blueberry yogurt. I can't think of a better way to start the day--thanks, love!

Grateful

The kitchen is clean, the kids are all asleep, Tyler should be home from church soon, and I am grateful. Why?

• We made it to church, only 2 minutes late--not too shabby with 4 kids in tow.
• Although it snowed yesterday and was a bit frigid, the sun is shining today, making me think spring might come after all.
• All the kids are healthy--no bottles of medicine in the fridge (okay, just one, but it's old and needs to be thrown out. Shayla had her last dose on Thursday--hurray!)
• I have the best family and friends imaginable. Just thinking about the examples I have helps me want to be better, and while it is hard to live so far away from most, I have great friends who are always there when I need them. Like at church when I'm wrestling with Grant, trying to get him to stop exercising his vocal chords (he's not mad--just yelling for fun because he can), and trying to contain Garrett and keep Shayla and Ty quiet, there is a nice grandma who has adopted us, and will come and sit by me, or one of the young women comes over and helps. It makes all the difference knowing that we are all here to help take care of each other and love and serve each other the best we can.
• And best of all, I'm about to take a Sunday afternoon nap--could life be any better?