Saturday, March 11, 2017

March 2, 2017

Baylee had her 3 month appointment for her back today.  It was mostly good news...she is healing well...but she has managed to bend her titanium screws.  So...they are kind of in the shape of bananas.  How does one bend titanium screws?  Only in our little world is that possible...But we are both grateful that she is healing and on the mend!

Blessing:  Even though it isn't perfect...it is moving in the right direction and that is absolutely a blessing!  Lesson: No more twist and shout at dances...listen to your mother Baylee.

March 1, 2017

Today was quite an adventure...we (the neighborhood, mostly the Paas' and I) have been asking the city since January to fix the leak in our street since January.  Today, they finally started working on it!  YAY!  Unfortunately, while digging for the leak, they managed to break the gas line...woohoo!  So, it took forever...firetrucks, ambulance, police and gas company.  Took all day.  But the water line got fixed.

I also went in to the back and became a signer on a citizen initiative to make the city look closer at the budget and finance the roads first.  But I was so stressed, I didn't sign my name...just filled everything out.  But the notary, notarized it...not sure what that means.

But no one blew up, and we all survived...so it was a good day.

Blessing:  No one blew up.  That always makes for a good day in my book!  Lesson:  Don't wait for the firemen to ask you to leave.  Sometimes you just need to go.

February 28, 2017

Whoa.  Tonight I went to city council meeting and listened to the presentation about the roads.  More fees with the city doing very little with the tax dollars to match what they want the citizens to pay.  It's very sad to see such a disconnect.

I approached Councilwoman Anderson after to tell her I would like to talk to her after and offered to help go through numbers and find savings for roads.  Nope.  I offered to help do negotiations on benefits and find a TPA (Third Party Administrator), to find fresh eyes.  Nope, she said it was all someones job and she didn't want to step on anyone's toes.  It's frustrating that citizens want to help, but the wall is still there.  Then we discussed how she went to the local paper about changing their format or they would lose sponsorship money.  I told her I was one of the people that sent an email and I found it wrong that she intervened because the sponsor money was not her money.  Our city is out of control.  I also told her I knew all about it because I was friends with the person whose job she wanted eliminated at the paper.

I then went to a late dinner with my friends in the political arena...who are really just my friends.  I love being involved, but I am constantly amazed at how just a little bit of power can destroy one's integrity.

Blessing:  Community involvement.  Prayer and guidance to keep my own integrity in tact.  Lesson:  To approach all things with the Lords involvements so I don't lose myself in the process.

February 27, 2017

I had a doctor appointment this morning.  I knew it wouldn't be great.  I guess it was more of a mixed bag...but at least I have a doctor that is completely honest with me.  I have to start taking care of myself.  I can't keep up with the demands of chronically ill kids if I'm not well.  It's pretty simple.  At least I started about 6 weeks ago...now I just have to keep it up.  Too bad my body is rebelling.

Blessing:  The numbers don't lie and it was a wake up call that I desperately needed.  Lesson:  I matter too.

February 26, 2017

I don't know if I should be grateful for this or not, but I do appreciate my children being able to speak their minds.  Although it does tend to get them in trouble more often than not.  This morning Noah woke up and one of the very first things he said was, "I just can't handle you being you this morning.  I just can't."  I'm sure most people would be offended.  We just laughed our head off.

Blessing:  Humor.  Honest children.  Lesson:  Taking life in stride...sometimes those strides are really, really big.

February 25, 2017

I have been very blessed with a husband that is my best friend.  I love that we can be dorks together and watch stupid movies together.  When its been a really tough week and we need to decompress, it wasn't even a questions that we would find the stupidest movie we possibly could and watch it, and make fun of it and just laugh.

Blessing:  I married my best friend.  Lesson:  Let myself relax more often.

February 24, 2017

I'm so very grateful for my daughters friends.  They are good people.  They are kind and considerate, and they watch out for my girls.  I couldn't ask for more.

Blessing:  See above.  Lesson: Heavenly Father knows what we need and sends it before we know we need it.

February 23, 2017

I have to take my humor where I can get it right now.  I had a bacon bit stuck to my arm and Felix thought I was bleeding.  I thought it was the funniest thing ever.  He did not.  I don't know why???    I was able to spend some time out with Savannah talking about what she wants to do...and she is having a really hard time figuring out the direction she wants to go with schooling and her future.  She has really strong personal interests and does she want to weave them into her education and perhaps career?  She has to decide...I can only counsel...and I don't know if I am very good at that.

Blessing:  I'm funny.  I am.  Time with my kids.  Lesson:  Making sure prayer is always, always, always part of my counsel.  No one can or will give better advice than the Lord.

February 22, 2017

So we just completed Day 3 of Baylee's new diet plan.  It's not a diet for losing weight, but a diet to try and heal her stomach.

For me this is sheer insanity.  Baylee cannot have wheat, soy or dairy.  Noah and Savannah are anaphylactic to nuts (which Baylee is supposed to eat for protein).  Baylee doesn't like meat.  Noah and Savannah are intolerant to Beef and Pork.  Noah is allergic to almost all grains and tomatoes.

And I am allergic to pineapple.

This is quite possibly the weirdest thing I have ever had to coordinate, ever.

Blessing:  We can afford to manage and purchase specialty food items.  Lesson:  TO WRITE THINGS DOWN!

February 21, 2017

Today was an adventure getting both Savannah and Baylee to the same doctor.  The wind was blowing and you would have thought the sky was falling.  Good heavens...those two!  Thank goodness they are funny!  They each have treatment plans for their skin now, and I was able to combine their next appointments with Noah, so lucky me I will be taking ALL three of them to the doctor at the same time.  LONG LIVE ADVENTURE!

Blessing:  Coordinating doctor appointments so I only have to make one trip.  Lesson:  Plan more time when I take these two anywhere.  Always plan more time.

February 20, 2017

Today I posted a video about anxiety and depression.  People see the happy me.  I don't let them see the stressed out, anxiety ridden, over burdened, living in fear all the time me.  But it exists.  The reality is, I am both.  I am happy.  I am depressed.  I have anxiety.  And I spend every day balancing the two sides of the coin.  I have been blessed with doctors who help me manage with medication.  I have been blessed in the past with therapists (the kids therapists) who helped me manage the chaos of our lives.  I have been blessed with a Heavenly Father that has given me spiritual gifts to work through these struggles and allows me to see the joy in the world...especially on the really hard days.

Blessing(s):  I don't suffer alone.  I AM HAPPY.  The atonement is real.  I can apply it daily.  I can ask for and receive help.  Lesson:  Do a better job speaking up and out so others don't have to suffer in silence.

February 19, 2017


A friend sent me this picture today, and said it was so me.  She was right.  I've kind of moved out of my Disney phase because the kids are older...but it doesn't mean I love it any less.  And I even know where I would put it!  How Blessed I am to have people in my life that see things and think of me.  How blessed I am to be seen.

Blessing(s):  Friends who love me.  Friends who know me.  Friends who see me.  Lesson:  Learning to do that more in return.