Busy Burdens

Today was just so busy and it will stay super busy till next week. I just really wanted Lou home to help with the load. To help when I had no patience with sweet Kira.  Its so hard having him gone. I know its all I talk about here but it is so hard.

Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow despite being crazy busy, I'll make sure to take a few minutes for me, to eat (I get really grumpy when I don't eat regularly).   There will always be more blessings than burdens is what Elder Holland said. Even today more good things happened than bad things and that will be true tomorrow and the day after that too.

Busy December Saturday

We had a fun Saturday.  We  were invited to a Christmas party from our good friends the Uffenorde's.  We are so lucky to have them as our friends.

Poor Joshy had a headache at the party so he spent a lot of it cuddling up to me on the couch. (I didn't mind that at all)

After the party we went to the new outlet mall at Traverse Mountain.  It was snowing crazy hard in Herriman but by the time we reached IKEA there was no snow at all. I was happy I wasn't looking forward to driving in a huge storm around point of the mountain, so thank goodness I didn't have to!

We had fun at the mall. Leann invited Mandy and Jake, and Cassidy and Mark. I didn't know they were coming so that was fun.  Kira was excited to see Claire.  The kids got to see Santa. They happened to be standing there right when Santa returned so there was no waiting!

Josh got sicker throughout the day. By the time we ate dinner at JCWs he felt so bad he fell right to sleep.

So happy we were so busy today. Saturdays are the hardest with Lou gone (Saturdays and Sundays). next weekend Lou will be home and the weekend after that!  Last night I missed Lou so much that I cried. After watching the Jazz game. I went upstairs looked at the tree, listened to Pink Floyd and just sat there thinking about my Lou.  I love that guy so much. I am so blessed to be able to feel that kind of love in my life. 

Dear Time Change: I Really Don't Like You

already failing on my goal! If I wrote a post yesterday it would talk about how much I love my kids and how awesome they are and how well behaved they are since Lou is gone.  (different story today of course). I would write a post about going to the BYU basketball games with the kids and Leann.

Jeff and Leann's awesome seats for the season

Today I have a different kind of attitude, not complaining but someday kids are harder than other days. My very mild manner boy Josh, was not so mild mannered today.  I don't know why but he was so grumpy in Sacrament meeting.  He made big sighs, told me he was angry and did NOT want Kira using his favorite notebook.  I think its due to the time change, I don't know how but I'll blame it on that.  In Primary he gave me a huge hug, I think that was his way of saying he was sorry.

I hate the time change. I think its a dumb tradition that served a purpose back in the day, but it no longer has a purpose. As far as  I know most farmers have tractors and other equipment that have lights.  I imagine most of us don't need it to be light in the morning.  I hate it. I wish they would just do away with it.

So time change and fast Sunday combo isn't my favorite. But now we are home for the rest of the day.  Here's to hoping to happier moods from all of us (Kira has been happy all day)

Cute Friends and So So Many Early Out Days!

Kira had a playdate today with her cute friend Mia.  I like Mia a lot, she gets Kira.  I think we all need people who just get us.  The girls played Minecraft, then we went to the library.  We had lots of fun at the library, I talked to a friend Carol, we worked at the library together years ago. Carol still works there but now in the Children's department. The kids looked at their books, played hide-n-seek etc.  Fun fun times.

Next week the kids have three early out days because of parent teacher conferences.  Does anyone else's schools do this?  It drives me crazy, I hate all the early out days now.  They had two this week, and now three next week.  I dont' ever remember having this many early out days when I was in school. Yes we had early out Fridays like my kids do but that was about it.  Its hard to find a routine when Lou is gone, the kids get out early for 3/5 of the school week.

I will survive Lou being gone (again) and early out days... bring it!

Togetherness

We get to see Lou in a few days. That's all I can really think about! This is the longest we have been apart our entire marriage.  Its hard knowing he'll be home for such a short period of time before he goes back to Boise.  We will sure make the most of and enjoy the days we do get with him.

Saturday will be me and Lou's 11th anniversary. 11 years is a long time but it is really hard to remember what life was like before I married Lou.  In 11 years Josh will be 18.  That is weird to think about, that in the same amount of time that we've been married, all my kids will be adults.

Today I went visiting teaching. I sure love my companion and the sisters we visit teach. It has been such a blessing in my life.  I love that the sisters we visit like to be visited and make it so easy for us to visit.  I like that my companion is the same way.  I have visited the same sisters for the two years we've been in the ward.  We are all in different stages of life, my companion about the same age as me has three young kids at home none in school yet.  One of the sisters we visit teach has three kids ages 12-18.  The other sister we visit has two kids, both returned missionaries attending BYU.  I enjoy talking with these sisters, I like that I am able to learn from their life experiences. Having friends that are not your age and not in the same circumstances as you is a great experience.

I have felt so much love from my friends this week. Robin came over Saturday night, we watched Felicity.  Rachelle has called and texted. Alyssa invited us to spend Saturday afternoon at her house and we ended up having dinner together.  I have such good friends. I don't know if I have ever had as good of friends as I do right now on a whole.  (there it is getting so comfortable with how life is that Heavenly Father makes you pack up and start over again)



I also have been talking to my mom much more frequently on the phone, same with my sister Sharon. Talking with family although they live across the country is so nice. Although it would be much nicer to see them every week, talking will have to do.

Great Comfort and Strength from the Lord

Today we had Stake Conference.  I  am grateful that the kids are older or it would have been much harder taking them by myself.  It felt more like a mini-General Conference. We had six speakers:

A member of the Seventy
The General Primary President
Provo Mission President
Matron of the Mount Timp Temple
another member of the Seventy
Elder Oaks (and his wife talked some so I guess seven speakers)

I liked the talks, especially the last two and the general primary president. I felt the spirit during conference. I learned or I guess was reminded that the Lord hearkens unto us like we are suppose to hearken unto him.  I don't know why that stood out to me so much. It was just a single line in one of the talks.

I think maybe I needed to hear that since Lou has been gone for a week, has almost two weeks left for this trip and has many more trips before we all make it to Boise.  Its good to know that I'm not alone even though I am the only adult in the house.

Before Lou left last week he gave us each a blessing. In my blessing I was reminded to be even more diligent about studying the scriptures and seeking the Lord in prayer. I have been really good lately, but this week I have worked extra hard to make it a priority not just a habit.  I also have been really good about reading with the kids, having family prayers and individual prayers with them even though Lou is gone .

I have felt so much comfort and love from the Lord. Its a blessing to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost in my life.  Its nice to feel this comfort and be confirmed that we are doing the right thing.

Its weird being alone so much, not working anymore, not really being able to go out with friends (not that I did a ton of that this last year since I was working nights) but I really haven't been that lonely. Which has surprised me since I love being around others and feeling like I belong.  Then I remind myself its only been a week.

I think if I continue to take it one day at a time, one trip at a time, we can get through this.

Lou is happy, really enjoying his work, yay!

horrible pic but us driving home from Boise, little did we know how much that trip would change our life.