Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Roxie the Star
She is singing Love Story by Taylor Swift. In fact, she never stops singing it! She learned it from Ashton. I will soon post Ashton's rendition.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More Angels. Lots of Them.
This has been my hardest pregnancy. I don't want to sound like a big whiner, but I need to explain. I have been experiencing "morning" sickness, extreme dizziness and light-headedness, depression, anxiety and headaches, to name a few. Because of these fun symptoms, especially the dizziness, I haven't been able to do much for myself. Who can do anything when you can't even stand up? My sweet nine year old Ashton has been making ALL of our meals. And doing a fantastic job, I might add.
My mother in law told me that she prayed that either I would be healed or at least given the strength to deal with all this. What she didn't realize is that He has given me the strength. He just didn't put it in my body. It comes from my neighbors and friends and family.
At least couple of times a week, I have someone call and say, "Can I come do your dishes?" or "Can I clean your kitchen?" or even "Can I bring you dinner?" Grocery shopping has been a struggle because the grocery stores made me gag and, well, you can't go while lying down. My mothers in law (Doug's parents divorced and remarried when he was young and both families live close by!) both have gone shopping for me, helped with the kids, and they often do what one of them calls a "drive-by fruiting." (Name that movie!) Once, after forcing myself to do a haircut on a client (I always warn them that I will have to take many breaks), she jumped up and informed me that she would be doing my dishes. She stayed and cleaned my entire kitchen. I didn't charge her for the haircut. A week or so later, she just showed up at my door to do it again. My visiting teachers call me whenever they are out running errands and offer to do whatever I need them to do. Twice, now, my friends have cleaned my whole entire house, never expecting me to help with theirs. Once, a woman in my ward who happens to be my doctor's sister showed up at my door with an article from my doctor about vitamins K and C being used to fight morning sickness. I have been taking that and feeling quite a bit better as far as the morning sickness goes. She came back a few days later and cleaned my kitchen, too. Sweet friends have invited the kids over to play several times. The Young Women have been coming over and cleaning, too. Once, they even made bread! And then, last night, the Halloween Phantom came to our house. I never look forward to the exchanging of treats for Halloween and Christmas because our family doesn't eat refined sugar or flour. (We sell the Halloween candy the kids get trick-or-treating to a local dentist, in case you wondered.) However, the Halloween Phantom brought us a GIANT bowl of strawberries and grapes and silly Halloween toys. I am so grateful for the thoughtfulness. It may be silly to cry over a Halloween treat, but I did.
I have learned that great blessings come from allowing others to serve you. It is hard. It requires some humbling. Who wants to admit that you just can't do it by yourself? Who wants someone to come into your gross kitchen and see how you are living (even if not by choice)? But, because I have learned to let these angels come into my house, I have been blessed. Here are some things I have learned:
1. I have always been taught that serving others strengthens your love for them. Whoever taught me that left out that the person you serve gains a greater love for you, too. I love these angels more than I can express.
2. I have learned by example how to give of yourself, even when it's not the most convenient. These women are busy, busy moms, yet they take the time to serve.
3. One of them thinks that the Lord doesn't talk to her, but she always calls just when I need it most and offers what I need the most at the time, even if it's just to know that someone is thinking of me. He talks to all of us, whether we know it or not.
4. I have learned that calling or showing up and saying, "Here's what I would like to do for you. Is that OK?" works much better than "Call me if you need any help." I am glad to know that that person is willing, but I seldom, if ever, call. When I am well enough, I will change the way I do things. I have always been a "Call if you need me!" kind of girl.
5. I haven't been the best about reading my scriptures or even praying. The hormones make it hard for me to focus on either. I have hardly been to church because I have been so sick. Yet, I have been blessed beyond measure. I feel quite unworthy and the only thing I can attribute it to is the prayers that have been offered in my behalf. I know of so many people who have been praying for me. I will be better about praying for others. I now have a stronger testimony of prayer.
I should say that I am doing somewhat better. I can do some things for myself, now. I still struggle, but because of the prayers and service of others and priesthood blessings, I now believe I will survive.
My mother in law told me that she prayed that either I would be healed or at least given the strength to deal with all this. What she didn't realize is that He has given me the strength. He just didn't put it in my body. It comes from my neighbors and friends and family.
At least couple of times a week, I have someone call and say, "Can I come do your dishes?" or "Can I clean your kitchen?" or even "Can I bring you dinner?" Grocery shopping has been a struggle because the grocery stores made me gag and, well, you can't go while lying down. My mothers in law (Doug's parents divorced and remarried when he was young and both families live close by!) both have gone shopping for me, helped with the kids, and they often do what one of them calls a "drive-by fruiting." (Name that movie!) Once, after forcing myself to do a haircut on a client (I always warn them that I will have to take many breaks), she jumped up and informed me that she would be doing my dishes. She stayed and cleaned my entire kitchen. I didn't charge her for the haircut. A week or so later, she just showed up at my door to do it again. My visiting teachers call me whenever they are out running errands and offer to do whatever I need them to do. Twice, now, my friends have cleaned my whole entire house, never expecting me to help with theirs. Once, a woman in my ward who happens to be my doctor's sister showed up at my door with an article from my doctor about vitamins K and C being used to fight morning sickness. I have been taking that and feeling quite a bit better as far as the morning sickness goes. She came back a few days later and cleaned my kitchen, too. Sweet friends have invited the kids over to play several times. The Young Women have been coming over and cleaning, too. Once, they even made bread! And then, last night, the Halloween Phantom came to our house. I never look forward to the exchanging of treats for Halloween and Christmas because our family doesn't eat refined sugar or flour. (We sell the Halloween candy the kids get trick-or-treating to a local dentist, in case you wondered.) However, the Halloween Phantom brought us a GIANT bowl of strawberries and grapes and silly Halloween toys. I am so grateful for the thoughtfulness. It may be silly to cry over a Halloween treat, but I did.
I have learned that great blessings come from allowing others to serve you. It is hard. It requires some humbling. Who wants to admit that you just can't do it by yourself? Who wants someone to come into your gross kitchen and see how you are living (even if not by choice)? But, because I have learned to let these angels come into my house, I have been blessed. Here are some things I have learned:
1. I have always been taught that serving others strengthens your love for them. Whoever taught me that left out that the person you serve gains a greater love for you, too. I love these angels more than I can express.
2. I have learned by example how to give of yourself, even when it's not the most convenient. These women are busy, busy moms, yet they take the time to serve.
3. One of them thinks that the Lord doesn't talk to her, but she always calls just when I need it most and offers what I need the most at the time, even if it's just to know that someone is thinking of me. He talks to all of us, whether we know it or not.
4. I have learned that calling or showing up and saying, "Here's what I would like to do for you. Is that OK?" works much better than "Call me if you need any help." I am glad to know that that person is willing, but I seldom, if ever, call. When I am well enough, I will change the way I do things. I have always been a "Call if you need me!" kind of girl.
5. I haven't been the best about reading my scriptures or even praying. The hormones make it hard for me to focus on either. I have hardly been to church because I have been so sick. Yet, I have been blessed beyond measure. I feel quite unworthy and the only thing I can attribute it to is the prayers that have been offered in my behalf. I know of so many people who have been praying for me. I will be better about praying for others. I now have a stronger testimony of prayer.
I should say that I am doing somewhat better. I can do some things for myself, now. I still struggle, but because of the prayers and service of others and priesthood blessings, I now believe I will survive.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Blankets
My mom is in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. They decided they would have a stake goal to make 2009 blankets for the year 2009 (well, actually March-September 2009). They would donate the blankets an quilts to Humanitarian Services, Project Linus, and Newborns in Need. I remember my mom telling me that she doubted they would make their goal, but it would be a wonderful experience and they would come close.
As the project continued and the women were becoming excited, Mom started seeing the potential. Companies donated money and supplies. Women (and at least one man - my brother-in-law!) donated their time and talents. It wasn't limited to the members of the Church, either. Others joined in this fantastic project. There was unity and service. What a beautiful thing.
My mom was to announce the final numbers at the stake center before the Relief Society Broadcast. She did.
Imagine the blessings that those blankets and quilts will be to so many! I feel overwhelmed by emotion when I think of what these great women did. They inspire me. At first, 2009 blankets seemed impossible but, after all, in the strength of the Lord, we can do all things.
As the project continued and the women were becoming excited, Mom started seeing the potential. Companies donated money and supplies. Women (and at least one man - my brother-in-law!) donated their time and talents. It wasn't limited to the members of the Church, either. Others joined in this fantastic project. There was unity and service. What a beautiful thing.
My mom was to announce the final numbers at the stake center before the Relief Society Broadcast. She did.
3009!
Imagine the blessings that those blankets and quilts will be to so many! I feel overwhelmed by emotion when I think of what these great women did. They inspire me. At first, 2009 blankets seemed impossible but, after all, in the strength of the Lord, we can do all things.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Funny Girl
OK. I know most of my posts are about one person in particular. And it's not because I love her more than anyone else, but because she is just plain funnier. It's not anybody's fault. Two year olds are just funny.
See?
Here are some of the things she has said lately...
"Han Solo can't jump very high. But Luke can." (Helpful information. A bit random, but helpful.)
Mom: Roxie, where is your peach?
Roxie: In the garbage.
Mom: WHY did you put your peach in the garbage?
Roxie: Because it had a pit in it!
While watching Little House on the Prairie (Christian's new phase), Roxie ran up to the TV and pointed at the preacher (the Ingles' were in church) and said, "Mom, is that Joseph Smith?" I thought that was smarty pants of her.
Instead of saying "yoohoo" to get someone's attention, she has started cupping her hands around her mouth, getting right up in my face and saying "Cuckoo, Mom, Cuckoo."
One day, I talked to Shan on the phone. She had not been doing well, but this particular day, she sounded great. After I hung up with her, I talked to Doug and told him that Shan had sounded so wonderful which made me happy because the last time I had talked to her, she had sounded like she had been hit by a train. Roxie sauntered in my room a few minutes later and ever-so-casually said, "So, Mom, was Shan hit by a train?"
One day, she was playing an educational electronic game. It was Barney, so he gives lots of praise. Every time he would say, "You did it!" She, in a very pleased voice would respond, "YES, I did!" If he said, "Good job!" she politely giggled, "Thanks!"
I think that's all for today. All I can remember, that is. She makes me laugh many times a day. Hopefully, she made you laugh today, too.
See?
Here are some of the things she has said lately...
"Han Solo can't jump very high. But Luke can." (Helpful information. A bit random, but helpful.)
Mom: Roxie, where is your peach?
Roxie: In the garbage.
Mom: WHY did you put your peach in the garbage?
Roxie: Because it had a pit in it!
While watching Little House on the Prairie (Christian's new phase), Roxie ran up to the TV and pointed at the preacher (the Ingles' were in church) and said, "Mom, is that Joseph Smith?" I thought that was smarty pants of her.
Instead of saying "yoohoo" to get someone's attention, she has started cupping her hands around her mouth, getting right up in my face and saying "Cuckoo, Mom, Cuckoo."
One day, I talked to Shan on the phone. She had not been doing well, but this particular day, she sounded great. After I hung up with her, I talked to Doug and told him that Shan had sounded so wonderful which made me happy because the last time I had talked to her, she had sounded like she had been hit by a train. Roxie sauntered in my room a few minutes later and ever-so-casually said, "So, Mom, was Shan hit by a train?"
One day, she was playing an educational electronic game. It was Barney, so he gives lots of praise. Every time he would say, "You did it!" She, in a very pleased voice would respond, "YES, I did!" If he said, "Good job!" she politely giggled, "Thanks!"
I think that's all for today. All I can remember, that is. She makes me laugh many times a day. Hopefully, she made you laugh today, too.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Roxie, Cute Cousin and the Fishes
I'm not sure I need to say anything about this. It speaks for its cute self.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Christian
Monday was Christian's birthday. Unfortunately, I am having computer problems and can't upload any photos. Those will have to come later. However, I would like to share with you some of my favorite things about Christian.
*He is FUNNY. He says funny things and makes funny faces. Recently, he asked how babies get out. I asked if he really wanted to know. He said, "I mean, do they come out the mouth?" He then acted out what this would look like (which was funny enough!) and then said, "OOPS, I just bit my baby!" We laughed so hard that he forgot about the original question.
*He has old man eyebrows. Not cute on old men. Irresistible on a little boy. He knows how to work them, too.
*He is the most generous child - no, person - I have ever met. He is so willing to give and share and love.
*He is smart. His brain works like no one's I have ever met. It is always going, figuring things out. Plus, he is a math whiz.
*He loves me. Sometimes he doesn't show it (or maybe sometimes when I think he's not showing it, he's actually saying, "Mom, I'm upset right now and I know that if I act this way now, although there will be consequences, you will still love me. I am safe."). He often tells me that he loves me and that he thinks I am the best mom in the world. Precious boy.
*He is snuggly.
*He has the greatest laugh I have ever heard. It is contagious. I can't imagine that Scrooge himself could resist that laugh.
*He is our Zebra. Before he was born, we asked Ashton what she thought we should name the new baby. She said Zebra. And she was serious. When we told her that he would be named Christian, but that she could call him Zebra if she wanted to, she sobbed. He was Zebra. When she met him for the first time after he was born, she walked right up to him and pet his tiny head and said, "Hi, baby Zebra." He is still Zebra sometimes.
*He is a friend to everyone.
*He has a testimony. He loves the scriptures.
This is just a short list of things I love about him. He is a blessing to our family and I am so grateful for him. I have learned so much from being his mom. I love that boy.
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