God's Simple Gifts

Last night I stayed up late way too late! I'm trying to fit in all of my personal goals, and it's taking quite some to finish them. As soon as Aaron gets home:

*We eat
* I run on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes
*Of course, I then have to shower
* A must have-- family scripture reading and prayers
* And now I've decided to add blogging to the list.

I think it was around 12:30 a.m., when I finally went to bed. Now as we all know, from our countless personal experiences, that as soon as a mother lays her head down, and starts to drift to sleep, that is precisely when the baby decides to wake up and wants to be fed. This happened to me last night, only something was different, Abigail would not go back to sleep, in fact it would be something I longed for, but would never attain. Something was wrong with her. She seemed to be in a lot of pain. The only way she would stop crying, was if I stood up with her. She was all tense. She was flailing her arms back, and she was stiff. She screamed at the top off her lungs, for hours, and there were times when we both were crying. At about 5 in the morning, I think I got a couple of hours sleep, only to relive the whole ordeal over. While she was crying, Anderson and Christian kept getting in fights. They were begging for me to make breakfast, and since I haven't had time to go shopping lately, oatmeal was on the menu. I didn't make it fast enough, however, because before I knew it, Anderson had opened the fridge, and had pulled out a yogurt, and had smeared it all over his face and hands, the carpet and the computer desk. He then sat at the table, with a GLASS of water, promptly fell down out of his chair, and somehow managed to knock the glass off the table as well. It shattered into pieces, and at that moment, I believe I shattered on the inside as well! Remember, Abby's still screaming, we're all hungry, and now I'm having Morgan hold Abigail, while I'm sweeping up glass. I think that's when I decided to call the doctor and make and an appointment for her.

Aaron had taken the van to work (our only vehicle), and so I had to ask him to come home, that way I could take her to the doctor. Inside, I was hoping he could tell that I was an emotional wreck, and say, "Hey, do you want me to take off a few hours and go with you to the doctor's appointment?" I even asked him if he could, but he said it was too busy, and that he couldn't.

If you don't know this about me, make note, I DO NOT COPE WELL WITH LITTLE OR NO SLEEP! By this point, I had a pretty good pity party going, and I wanted my husband to rescue me, basically, be my knight in shinning armor. I wasn't sure I could even drive to the doctor's office, without falling asleep. I didn't feel like being mature, and pushing through, I wanted relief.
I even started to pray, that if Aaron could take off, he would feel impressed by the spirit to do so. I guess he really needed to be there, because no such thing happen. I dropped him off, and then proceeded to cry my eyes out (this is what happens to me when I'm very tired, I always cry).

I told Heavenly Father, through prayer that I needed him to help me stay rational and strong! I knew only he could help me pull through the day.

Abigail had a mild temperature of 100 degrees, but everything else looked fine. The doctor suggested Tylenol. My theory is that she's teething.

Abigail slept all the way home, and stayed asleep in her car seat for another 2 hours. I was able to take a nap, and I can't begin to explain, how good sleep felt!

OK, so now your probably wondering why the title for this blog entry is God's Simple Gifts. That's because I believe that the Lord can sometimes show you he loves you, in the simplest ways. Many times I have felt this, especially through nature.

I will share a couple with you:

Many years ago (a few less children ago) our family lived in VA. Both of the experiences that I'm going to share, happened during the same time in our lives. Aaron had lost a good job, and we were going through some challenging times in our marriage. To make ends meet (truthfully, they never really did), we were both enrolled in school full time, with three little kids (I was expecting my 4Th). He was working at Sears as a tire changing guy, and I was a waitress for Cracker Barrel. We never saw each other, and I felt like I hardly saw my kids.

I had a lot of hard days back then, but I remember distinctly this one day, when I went to the side of my house, and there I saw the most beautiful white rose! It was on the scrawniest rose bush ever, but this rose was so full and beautiful! It was as if Heavenly Father placed that rose there for me, and I felt of his love, and it brought tears to my eyes!

At that same house, I was hanging out laundry on our clothes line one day (because our dryer was broken), and I remember, I was struggling inside, searching for answers, when all of a sudden, dragon flies started to fly all around me. It was a sunny day, and I could see a rainbow of colors in their wings, and I felt that this was another gift from Heavenly Father to me, and cried!

Today, I felt that Heavenly Father showed his love for me through a most beautiful sunset! I had left home to pick up Aaron from work, and as I turned the corner to leave our neighborhood, right before my eyes was this (my cell phone camera doesn't do it justice):



Again, I immediately started to cry, because the beauty of it touched me deeply, and I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father loved me. I'm so grateful for all that he does for me, and I appreciate the simple gifts he gives me, which reassures me that he is there, and mindful of my challenges.

Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave is the greatest park, and it's only 8 minutes from our house! We took the kids there today, which was just the best because we were able to get out of the house and enjoy some of the Lord's beautiful creations! It was refreshing, and I felt like we grew closer as a family.





We didn't actually go in the cave today, but instead, we decided to have a picnic lunch, and go on a small nature walk.

The girl's were so afraid that we were, "going too far" or that a "mountain lion was going to eat us". Morgan loved leading the pack, and we had to reign him in every so often.

Hiking with our large family and with such an age spread, can be challenging. The older ones lead out, and then the middle aged kids want to keep up, and run to do so, which often ends with injuries. They usually trip over rocks, or run into a cactus. Aaron and I are usually in the back trying to help keep the little guys moving, which eventually leads to us carrying them for the remainder of the hike.

By the time we finished, my knees and feet were sore, but it was so worth it! Our spirits were lifted, which made for a perfect day!

Abigail can blow bubbles!

January in AZ

And THIS is WHY I LOVE AZ...






Need I say more?

Meet Nigel, Otherwise Known as "Fuzzy Wuzzy"

This is our cat, Nigel. I refuse to call him by the name our children picked out for him, for one good reason. The reason is, is that it's just plain embarrassing! I took him in last month to be neutered, and when I picked him up after the procedure, the receptionist called his name out in the loudest, silliest way, "Fuzzy Wuzzy!" She seemed to drag it out, as if to bring it to the attention of the other pet owners in the lobby. Laughter emerged from those around me, and then I had to stand up and actually claim him as my own. This is when I decided that his name would be Nigel "Fuzzy Wuzzy" Barry.

"Fuzzy Wuzzy", I mean Nigel, is one big dude! He weighs 14 lbs, more than our Shi Tzu, Noodle, who only weighs 10 lbs. I love it when he spreads himself out like this, it's just hilarious! He takes up most of the table.

He has some funny traits. He can open doors by pulling down on the doorknobs, he loves to eat plastic (which worries me), and he really enjoys licking the tops of our heads (WHY.. and GROSS)!

My Boyz!

Ahhh, it's refreshing to look at the men in my life after I've given them haircuts! Things have changed a bit over the years. When Aaron and I were in our early years of marriage, he had the fullest head of hair! I dreaded giving him a hair cut back then, nowadays it's a breeze!

Next time, I think I'll pull out the wax, and I won't have to give him a hair cut for months (JK honey)!


Morgan's the one I dread cutting now. He has so much hair, I truly need a weed-whacker.

We've decided Anderson looks better with a slightly longer cut.

This is for my sister, Tara-- I "tried" to cut Christian's hair like Jarom's, I just love how you style his hair! What do ya think?

New Years Resolutions

The ringing in of 2010, comes with many decisions, and many unknowns for our family. The combination of these two make it hard to know what lies ahead for us this year, and with that, I've found myself feeling a little bit apprehensive. While I was praying and trying to make some important decisions the other day, I happened to look down at my children's New Era magazine, and found the new 2010 Mutual Theme!

I just love the new 2010 Mutual Theme !

I read this scripture:

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9)

This brought me comfort and piece of mind. It was just what I needed to read, and this scripture continues to give me hope. I know that if I live close to our Heavenly Father, then I have no need to fear.

One realization that I've had recently, is that I only have 5 years left to prepare my son to serve a mission. I want so badly to give him the tools he'll need to fulfill his calling as an Elder. So my top, #1 resolution lies in preparing my children to be the spiritual leaders that they will need to be.

Resolution #1-
We are going to attempt to memorize all of the Seminary Scripture Mastery during our daily scripture reading, and for FHE we will be using Preach My Gospel.

Resolution #2-
Get in better shape, eat healthier.

Resolution #3-
Keep in touch with extended family through pictures, letters, phone calls, etc.

Resolution #4-
Sew more! Yes, I plan on sewing this year. I'm making time to do something I love!

I was afraid to add blogging to my list-- ;)

Happy New Year, I hope 2010 will be a good year for all of you, and don't forget to eat black-eyed peas for good luck!

Shopping for Turkey Day

I always dread shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, but yet, I find myself looking forward to it as well! Hmmm, I guess that sounds a bit strange, but it's the truth.

I usually sit my kids down a month before Thanksgiving, and I ask them what do they want to make for our dinner. Some of their request this year were for pumpkin pie, apple pie, key lime pie, tapioca pudding, Fruit Gobbler, and Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats. Does it surprise you that most of their suggestions contain sugar?

After we've made the list, I'll usually pick up a few items at a time, throughout the month, to lessen the shopping just prior to Thanksgiving.

Well this year, unfortunately, I had to cram it all in today! The store was CRAZY busy, and it required me pushing two carts loads to the van.

Check out the goods!


Well all the kids were so excited, that they all decided to help. Which was great, except for this:


Katie ended up dropping it on her big toe! It's so strange, but it seems to me, that EVERY TIME I buy a glass jelly jar, one of my kids drops it! Why have I not gone to plastic? Well, since I'm basically cheep-- it's HARD for me to bring myself to buy plastic, since it's usually more expensive.

Poor Girl, look at the damage:

P.S.- I went back to the store, bought more jelly, and this time in plastic!