Tender Mercies

I know my Heavenly Father loves me.  I have always known that.  I know a great deal about what He is like because of my own father's love, care and concern for me.  I've always been grateful for that.  I know He loves me because He created this world, this life, this family for me.  But I REALLY know He loves me as I see Him in the details of my life.  I have spent my whole life seeing things like a rainbow and thinking, "He knows me!  He knew I needed that today!" 

An anonymous sister from my ward shared an experience at a relief society activity last year.  She said that a lady in the ward stopped by with a plate of cookies and said, "I don't know why, but I'm supposed to bring these to you today."  This sister was almost offended, wondering why she thought she needed them.  She just KNEW the sister was confused and didn't know her well enough to know that she was just fine.  Then she realized that this was Heavenly Father's way of saying, "Hey, I was just thinking about you today and wanted you to know that."

I have come to understand and call those moments "tender mercies."

Elder Bednar says "tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurance, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

Wow.  So pretty much EVERYTHING.  I have made pages of tender mercies journals before.  There are truly too many to list.  

I wanted to share one.  As we entered the Christmas season, I was feeling pretty calm.  I had done most of my shopping weeks(even months) before and had very little to worry about.  But the one thing I felt I had not done as well as I wanted to was prepare some special ways for my family to really focus on Christ this year.  The day that realization hit me that I had probably already dropped the ball because there were only 12 days left until Christmas, I was feeling so disappointed.  As we got home from Grandma's one night, I noticed something on our doorstep.  We got the kids inside through the garage and I went to check the front doorstep, anticipating a treat from a neighbor.  Instead, I was greeted by a small wrapped package and a note.  It informed us that we would be receiving the 12 days of Christmas!  And what were the gifts?  Pieces of a nativity set, accompanied by a scripture and/or quote about that piece.  In that moment I KNEW that was a tender mercy, extended from heaven through a friend who was listening and willing to serve us.  It made this Christmas more special, and it really helped keep us thinking of Him.

Loves Lately

Sleep! We moved Briggs to his own room this week... guess who sleeps 12 hours a night now? It's heaven!
Costco. Our membership was through Jared's job in Twin, so when we moved our membership effectively expired. I tried to convince myself that I didn't miss it, but we ended up renewing last month. As someone who used to say "it doesn't REALLY save me money", IT DOES. Usually just a little bit at a time, and I don't buy everything from there, but it is great!
Brown Rice. With THIS recipe, our family is happily eating brown rice more regularly. I actually enjoy brown rice more than white rice now.
Pinterest. It took me awhile to jump on the bandwagon, but I have gotten so many very practical ideas from there! Along with a lot of fattening dessert recipes and lists of things I want to change about my house, of course.:)
P90X. We finished up Insanity and started P90X again. I am really, really enjoying it this time around. Probably because I'm in decent shape instead of doing it to GET in shape.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Such clean, simple flavor, and I bake several chicken breasts seasoned with it for salads, chicken wraps, or even as the main dish. Yum!
Bunk Beds. We were given some bunk beds and we set them up, crossing our fingers that the girls would do well with them. They are already sleeping so much better! And so proud of the "up and down beds!" Also saves a lot of space in their room!

My Heart Is Full

My heart is full. That's the only way I can describe it. My Mom came to help out Monday night. She cooked us meals, cleaned, held babies, took shifts during the night and helped me so much emotionally. Jared's mom stopped and took all our laundry to her house and brought it back cleaned and folded. Our neighbors stopped by. Jared's dad brought the girls Valentine's Day gifts. So many supportive texts, phone calls and messages. Woke up to find flowers and a gift from Jared on my kitchen table.

I have had so many tender mercies in the last week that I can't even begin to list them. Everything from a phone call at 10 PM offering to assist Jared in giving a Priesthood Blessing to Briggs exactly when it was needed... to a friend who happened to check their cell phone at church and stepped in to teach our primary class at literally the last second... to a calm coming over me even as he was struggling to breath in the middle of the night... to being guided to read the exact verse of scripture I needed.

Heavenly Father is aware of us. EVERY day, EVERY minute. He is looking for ways to bless us and sometimes it takes being humbled to recognize His hand in the little things.

I've been reading in 1 Kings and just read in chapter 19 when the Lord is speaking to Elijah. The Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire, but in a still small voice. I am SO grateful for that still small voice and how often it has been there just when I need it the most.

Robbed

Went out to my van this morning and something felt weird when I opened the door. It was an eery feeling. And I looked around and noticed papers moved, a drawer opened and a fuse on the floor. Then I saw the gaping hole where our portable DVD normally is.

Seriously?! Yep, I'm still fuming.

They broke in, disnegaged the alarm and took it. I'm sad about the DVD player, but I'm especially sad that Emma's 4 favorite movies were in the case.

I did get the last laugh, however, when I found the piece of the cord that plugs into the cigarette lighter they must have broken off in their hurry, so I don't think they'll even be able to use it. And some of the movies in there were church movies, so I doubt they'll be keeping and watching them. Which means they will probably throw all of it away somewhere. Wish I knew where so I could get it back.

I just feel really violated to think someone went through my things. Such a weird feeling...

Someday

It seems like the last couple of years I have been playing the someday game. I have lots of good intentions and big plans, but then when it comes down to acting on them, I often play my "someday" card.

Someday when I don't have little kids. Someday when I have more time. Someday when the weather is nicer. Someday when I have more money. Someday when are callings require less of us.

I'm tired of hearing myself make this excuse. So I've been trying to change this, slowly, but it is changing. I've realized that there will always be things going on in our lives that make us busy, that allow us to make excuses.

Last year, I kept waiting for Maddie to get on a sleeping schedule. And once she did, Jared's calling became even more time intensive. Then the girls were sick. Then I became pregnant.

One of somedays that I have put an end to involves scripture reading. Several weeks ago, a speaker in church mentioned that if you read 7 pages a day for an entire year you will have read the entire standard works. I've always wanted to read all them all the way through consecutively like that, but it has always been just outside the reach of what I thought I was capable of.

This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Jared and I have seen so many blessings come our way since making this decision. The other day I found Emma curled up on the couch with a pillow and blanket thumbing through my scriptures. She told me she was reading her scriptures and they make her happy. I love that little girl, and that she is seeing me read my scriptures on a daily basis.

One of my other biggest somedays lately is my health. It's not that I eat a bucket of ice cream every night(although right this moment that sounds pretty good:), but when I don't have the scale/waist size to help motivate me, I'm not as dedicated to a healthy lifestyle as I should be. I have hit the point in my pregnancy when I sometimes think it doesn't really matter because I'm just big anyway. Terrible logic, I know.

So remember the Fitness Challenge? We're bringing it back around our house! Jared and I are both ready for a fit and healthy summer. He lost 30 lbs with this simple little thing, by the way. I lost 13. We are big fans. So if anyone wants to jump onboard... http://danielsfitnesschallenge.blogspot.com/

I used to say that Jared and I just couldn't go to the temple together, that it is too hard to do with little kids. Just another excuse for me.

My other major someday is my house. It is so easy to put it on the back burner, and I just clean it when it needs it. But lately I have been more consistent with a morning and night routine, and checklists during the day. And wow, I am a checklist girl!! I LOVE it! Even when the house looks messy again at the end of the day, I can look at my checklist and have proof I really did do something. I like to make a game of it, accomplishing the 6 most important things list on my home list and my business list. The sooner I get the lists done, the sooner we can just enjoy the day!

One of those days

I woke up grumpy. Seriously, I haven't felt this out of sorts for a long time. I spent the morning gettting frustrated and just wishing I could rewind the clock a few hours and give myself a chance to start the day over.

Then the kids went down for their naps after lunch and I started reviewing the morning, wondering what went so wrong...

I didn't sleep very well, but that happens often enough.

Emma came into our room a little before 7 with a poopy diaper. Not a fun way to start the morning, but it wasn't THAT early.

Maddie slept in.

Jared made pancakes for breakfast before leaving for work.

Because the girls were awake before I was out of bed, I skipped morning prayer and scriptures.

And I didn't get a chance to workout or get a shower in until a couple of hours into the day.

Not only that, but I wasn't home last night and didn't really clean up the kitchen or living room once I was home, so I woke up to a sink full of dishes(among other things).

I have always prided myself on my non-routine life. The house gets tidied haphazardly, whenever I have a minute or we have company or it actually gets dirty. I work out when(or if) the girls' nap schedules align, I work a shower in and get ready for the day after the girls are up, fed and ready and can hopefully be occupied playing for a few minutes while I get a quick one in.

I always said how much I like that laid back feeling, but the last little while I have been pretty regimented with my morning and night routines. And it is amazing what just 30 minutes every morning and night does. But more importantly, the way it affects myself and my family. There is just something so peaceful about going to bed and waking up to an organized house, and having myself mentally and physically prepared for the day before they even wake up. I'm hooked.

So anyway, now that I tried out a day of what NOT taking care of myself and my house does for my family, I'll hopefully not be trying that again any time soon...

The only thing constant is change...

Rumors have been flying for weeks and months that we were getting a new bishopric-- they had been in five years in June. So when we found out it was happening in the next few weeks, we weren't that surprised.

But yesterday we found out that the 4th, 6th and 8th wards are having their boundaries re-done. Our boundaries are really weird, and we are on the very far end of the boundary, so we will very likely no longer be with most of the people who are currently in our ward. Valerie, I think we will still be in the same ward, though!! Yay! :) We don't know exactly how things are going to go, but there will probably be at least one new ward established, too. So life as we know(at least church-wise, which is a big part of our life), is going to change.

Just when our primary presidency was starting to feel like we had things figured out.

Just when Jared and I were working with the most amazing people in our callings.

Just when we were getting to know all the new people that moved in this fall.

Just when Emma was loving nursery because of her awesome nursery leaders.

We are actually really excited for this change, it will be interesting to see how all of this works. There is a meeting next Sunday for the three wards, so I guess we will find out what our new ward will be! And maybe who our bishopric is? See? I have no idea how this will play out. :) I'll let you know! Maybe Jared and I will get to teach a primary class together! That was our absolute favorite calling!

Change

Lately I have been thinking a lot about change...

I have been trying to figure out how I feel about change. Change is good. It seems like I spent a lot of time growing up waiting for change. I couldn't wait until I turned 8 so I could get baptized, 12 so I could go to Young Women's, 14 so I could go to all the boy/girl dances and parties, 15 so I could take Driver's Ed., 16 so I could date, 18 so I could be an "adult"... I wanted so badly to progress from Jr. High to High School, then I couldn't wait to graduate and go to college, to really be on my own. Once I was in college, I started counting down the number of semesters I had to graduate. Do you see a pattern here?

I realized that I am still like that. I am an impatient person, and "can't wait" for change to happen. But I realized that sometimes I lose a little bit of the excitement of just being in the moment and enjoying where I am.

I spent the first couple months of my pregnancy impatiently wishing that I could just hold this baby already. I just wanted to get my cute little baby clothes on her. It hit me a couple of weeks ago that as much as I want to have the baby here, I really do enjoy being pregnant! I love this experience, being part of such a miracle.

I will be excited when she gets here and will have tons of things I will appreciate then, but here are some things I am appreciating today that I won't be able to in a few weeks:

• Arranging and re-arranging all the cute baby stuff (which I'm assuming I won't have much energy to do, plus I'll have a cute little baby distracting me from silly stuff like that)
• Sleeping through the night
• Feeling Emma's hiccups several times a day
• Getting to read all the parenting magazines at the Dr.'s office (I know, kind of silly, but even though I don't subscribe to them, I enjoy reading them for free)
• My thicker hair and stronger nails
• Having all the old ladies in stores and church give me the sweetest looks- I'm assuming this is just because I'm noticeably pregnant
• Having a little belly "shelf" to rest things on (ok, I might not really miss that!)
• The small amount of laundry I have to do right now in comparison to what it will be
• All the time Jared and I are able to spend together
• ALL the movements I get to feel everyday from her (even the jabbing elbows, knees and feet)
• Getting to listen to her heartbeat at the Dr.
• Having an excuse to be a little bit lazy :)
• My crazy, vivd dreams- sometimes I feel like I get to watch my own personal movies every night
• My job! (I really feel like I learn something new everyday and I enjoy all the people I work with- I am lucky to have found such a great fit for me)
• I enjoy most the quiet moments when I get to feel her move around and react to my voice, Jared's voice and everything else. There are just very few things as cool as that.

So that should help me be a little more patient, but I'm still very excited to meet this little girl and am very excited about the change we will be having at our house! Then I will post a whole new blog about what I love about having her here!! : )

The Last Year

I have had this blogspot for about a month now, but keep thinking that I have nothing to blog about. But Brittany gave me a lecture and so this blog is for her. : ) Let's see.... Jared and I have now been maried for a little bit over a year. It is crazy how time flies! Because we just had our anniversary, I have been reflecting on our first year of marriage and everything that has happened...

• Jared graduated from ISU in Mechanical Engineering
• We got married!
• We went to New York City(the highlight of which, for Jared, was a Yankee's game)
• Jared was offered a job in Twin and we moved
• The transmission on Jared's truck went out and we bought our first vehicle together
• We got to teach our first primary class : ) (always an adventure)
• I was pregnant but miscarried
• I graduated with a degree in Pre-Law
• I got a job as a paralegal
• We bought a house(and a lawnmower, shovel, rake, hoses, fertilizer, bark chips, flowers, sprinklers, washer, dryer, paint and everything else that comes with a house : )

Seriously, it is amazing how many milestones we crossed in one year! We are very blessed to have so many good things happen in our life.

Right now, we are just staying busy with work, taking some fun community ed classes, and training for a marathon in August. Well, Jared is training for the marathon- I think I am going to start off with a half-marathon and try for a marathon next year. It is definitely a challenge for both of us. We are cross-training with lap swimming, which does a great job of making every muscle in my body sore every time I go. It is a good workout, though. I also got my own golf clubs a couple of weeks ago! And yes, I made sure they were cute. : ) Even though I am not a very good golfer, I love going, and I am getting much better. Jared is really a great teacher and has been very patient with me. I am still working as a paralegal in the same law firm, and LOVE it! I honestly never thought I would love any job, but I do. I work with great people, deal with interesting cases, and have a great boss.

Whew! Is that enough blogging for now Brit? : )