Inconveniences and Tender Mercies

Oh my, what a month January was!

Chris was gone for the whole thing, so of course we had the usual inconveniences: Kylie with double ear infections, Kate with yet another bladder infection, :( a broken dishwasher (the girl's actually liked washing dishes by hand - but luckily it only lasted for a weekend because I think the newness would have ran out very quickly), and no internet service for over a week. You never realize how much our lives really are tied to the internet until it's gone. I couldn't forward out my FRG e-mails, do research for Aly's current events report, or pick the next movie I wanted to come from Netflix. It was all very frustrating. The craziest part about having no internet though, was that I was getting my weather reports from the girl's PE coach at school. Aly told her coach that we had no internet and so she'd ask him everyday what the weather was going to be like the next day so the girls would know how to dress for school. . . how embarrassing is that?

Of course, along with the inconveniences, Heavenly Father poured out his many tender mercies upon me as well. I had quite a few friends invite us over for dinner, or call me for a "girl's night" to go to the adult session of stake conference. I am so grateful for the angels in disguise that Heavenly Father always sends to uplift and encourage me. I'm also grateful for the little angels placed in my own home. I enjoyed reading with my girls and being able to snuggle them when I really needed a hug. I also appreciate what big helpers my oldest two are and how forgiving my children are when I get stressed out and lose my temper.

This month has really made me ponder on the nature of blessings versus trials. I've come to realize that a lot of things I think of as trials at the time, really turn out to be just inconveniences, and that, with a little perspective and some humor, they usually resolve themselves rather quickly. I've also noticed that blessings predicated upon righteousness often deal more with the eternal rather than getting what I want right now. I may not be able to have my husband around all the time, but through our faithfulness to temple covenants, we can be together for eternity with our Heavenly Father. It's those eternal blessings that make the sacrifice in the short term worth it. And even when the true trials and challenges in life come - the things we have no control over and do not easily resolve - the great thing is that the Lord never asks us to do it alone. He sends his tender mercies, whether through other people, the comfort and companionship of the Holy Ghost, or just the strength to endure. I am so, so grateful for the Savior and the gospel in my life. It gives purpose and meaning to the daily tasks as well as the huge obstacles. Meanwhile I am hopefully chipping off some rough edges and getting closer to whom the Lord needs me to become.

Happy 4th of July!

Whoa! Did you think I'd never get back on here? I was beginning to wonder myself. After a very busy holiday season, my computer broke, leaving me with no internet. So now that it's finally up and running, I've decided just to start blogging with the new year and just back blog November and December in Word for my own personal records. If you're interested in all the gory details, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. :) We celebrated New Year's Eve at a GREAT PARTY at our friends house. The funny thing about it was that, except for it getting dark around 5 pm, it felt more like the 4th of July than New Year's. It was around 70 degrees outside and so they cranked up their hot tub to let the kids swim a little bit. The pool wasn't heated, but the kid's kept jumping back and forth between the two. Aly kept trying to get out and give Chris a hug, but he'd throw her right back in.

Meanwhile, we were eating tons of yummy food (Chinese Chicken Salad, 7 Layer Dip, tons of yummy fruit, pigs in a blanket, cream puffs, Rice Krispie Treats - Delish!) Once everyone was sufficiently stuffed beyond capacity, we moved to the front yard to do some fireworks!

Considering the number of little kids we had running around, I was very surprised that no one got hurt. But thankfully everyone had a great time and Kylie was still a little scared of the fireworks, so she was therefore content to sit on my lap. The only one who got a little burned was Chris, while trying to light multiple fountains at once for the grand finale . . . just a flesh wound. :)

After the fireworks, the adults did a white elephant exchange which was actually a big hit. One of the gifts we brought was for a "couples movie night" with a Justin Bieber movie, a box of tissues, and some spray bottles to cool you off while you're watching it. Funny thing was . . . that gift got stolen like 3 times. I guess people actually wanted it?!? Chris got a diaper with some melted chocolate in it . . . and proceeded to eat it. Everyone was dying!

This party went from like 5-10 pm. With all the kiddos and church the next day, it worked out to be perfect timing. And I have to say, that even though we didn't even stay up until midnight, this was one of my favorite New Year's Eve's. Thanks Angie and Joe for hosting such a fun night!