yesterday PLUS an announcement

I got up & got a bunch of chores done yesterday morning...

lots & lots

and

it felt good.

(the hallway inside the garage door)

As I walked through my house in the morning light, I was struck by how much I love this house. It's far from perfect & needs a lot of work- in so many areas...

But it is my dream home. It looks like me & Brett, it's has my personality all over it.

It says family to me.

 Ya- I like it here.

***

I headed down to the hospital to pick up Chloe.

I had permission to take her off grounds for the whole day 12-8:00 PM- Woo Hoo!

We headed straight to lunch at Stan's! 

Gyros & Cheeseburgers with onion ring & fries.

 Oh man- that beats hospital food any day.

(Wende sent Chloe a big pack of sharpies because she knows how much she loves them, she isn't allowed to keep them there so I put them in her room when I got home.)

I had a package for Chloe 

(I usually do)

Full of little things she needed from home AND gifts from kind people-

 kind people that I love more than anything in the world.

 So many people have sent me down with little things for her!

I have never once asked- they just do.

I appreciate them & hope that angels bless them & their posterity forever more.

Is there anything better in the world than someone doing something kind?

Not something huge - just something kind.

Something thoughtful and kind and- for my sick child?

(tears)

People are so good.

A sweet family in our congregation -Hi Jennifer- sent a big envelope full of art work from everyone (she has six beautiful children) for her room! Each child & both parents made all these darling things for her.

 Pictures & jewelry... SHE LOVED THEM! Just loved them! She can't keep the jewelry but it is here for when she gets home. People send her quotes & letters & things to hang up in her room- nice.

We had so much fun eating lunch & going through these things and- just being together.

When Megan was just a tiny baby- we lived less than a block from this little drive in, Stan's. We were very poor college students. Every Monday Brett would head over there with our leftover change and wait in a very long line. Monday nights they had 1/2 price ice cream... good memories.

We headed to Target- then the mall

And found lots of cute things on sale for school etc. 

It was such a GREAT day. Really, really good day.

Brett & Trent came down & met us- Plus these two cuties for dinner!

Are they cute or what?!

This is Jack's sweetheart Emily. 

THEN

it happened.

All Hell Broke Loose

-oh boy-

The restaurant was crowded, Trent was overly excited, there were so many choices on the menu, he started throwing baby fits. Then the baby fits got bigger.

 Chloe started to tic. I started getting upset, Brett was calm.

I was so very embarrassed with Jack's girlfriend there. (So embarrassed, really.)

 Then it escalated to the point Brett had to take him out to the car and go home.

 sigh- it's been a long time- since we've had an episode like this. 

I apologized to the waitress & servers & Emily & tried to blame the autism, teenage hormones, whatever? 

It was rough.

(we both got new shoes)

We finished up our dinner & headed to a different mall- crazy I know!?

We only had one hour - so we had to make it quick.

While Chloe was mesmerized by the make up counter, I headed upstairs in JCPenney.

I went up the escalator & gasped out loud (for real) as I walked in on this display!

It's been YEARS since I've been in a JCPenneys- I was so impressed!

Chloe tried on lots of make up- she loves it & for sure doesn't need it.

 Isn't that how it goes, when your young & don't need it you always want to wear it... now I need it & I sometimes forget to even put it on! I don't want to - but now & then I go out in public & there I am-

 one eye with mascara on the other forgotten-- and I think Trent can be embarrassing!?

Then it was time.

 I dropped her off. Again.

And started my long, one hour, cry fest-- home.

Back to the house that I love.

I love it much more with my sweet Chloe in it.

It's really not the house, but the people who live in it & have grown up in it.

I don't write much about her illness because it is intensely private. I don't want to make anything harder for her than it already is. I love her. I love all of my children & never want them to suffer.

Thank you for praying for her & us.

I love it when people tell me their children pray for her.

 Those are my happiest moments, knowing that children pray for her. 

How could Heavenly Father not hear the prayer of a child? 

Speaking of children 

Here are a couple of cuties and an announcement - if you haven't already heard.

 (Finn in front- Crew in back)

Dear Heavenly Father -

Please bless the children & the grandchildren- all five of them!

women's conference & chloe's roasted chicken

Ruthie & I went to Women's Conference last Thursday & Friday.

It was just what I needed. 

Seriously folks... I really. really. needed to be there.

Before I went I prayed that I would find some answers to what I need to do to help my family with our current set of trials.

 Specific answers please.

 Humbled by our current set of trials- I was feeling lowly of heart & ready to learn of what I could do. How I can change & do better.

Well, guess what?

I did receive those answers.

I really did. It was amazing. There were times while listening to speakers when it was like they were speaking specifically to me- like I was the only person in the audience. 

I was reminded by the gift of the Holy Ghost-

*that I can only change myself- my attitude- my opinions & choices

*that I needed to recommit myself to what is truly important in my life- God & Family

*that family prayer, scripture study & family home evening need to be of absolute importance- not to be taken lightly or half heartily prepared for. 

*that making my home a place of Peace & Love takes effort- and that effort is worth it.

This week I have been working on memorizing all the verses of this song. I sing it to myself throughout the day. 

Even though today wasn't Mother's Day- I came home from teaching a class at work- on Sunday

(not cool... especially after all my enlightened women's conference experiences)

to this beautiful roasted chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy & homemade rolls!!!

so today...... I learned that CHLOE rocks - another reminder- because, duh- I already knew that. 

It's a good life.

one of those kind of days

Even guys in capes need a little help sometimes. 

This past month past month has been amazing. Amazing for many different reasons

of course Missionary Jack came home-

and Megan, Tony & the boys were here-

and the whole family together for Easter... etc.

But- we've also had some struggles. 

I am learning.

 Slowly my Heavenly Father is teaching me that I need a little help sometimes.

(slow because I am slow to learn... )

It's not easy for anyone - this life.

The longer I live, the more I learn that no one is exempt from trials. Everyone has their own hard times. From the outside looking in it may all look peachy. Shoot- sometimes it may all be peachy- but because God loves us, he gives us opportunities to learn & grow & stretch farther than we thought possible.

stretched- that's me.

maybe sometime I will tell you about it? 

maybe not- some things are just private- somethings are just too painful- other things are just to sacred

I just know this- that through it all

I know that my Redeemer, Lord & Savior lives. 

I know it.

I just know it.

hard week

For reasons I cannot share here-

It's been a really, really hard week.

I'm glad to say,

Things are Looking UP!

And.....

Thank you intimate friends & family for your prayers.

Thank you whomever sent these flowers.

42 Days

Yes- You read it right.

Only 42 Days until missionary Jack comes home.

Oh-- it will be good to have the whole family together again.