Blessings

My journey in Primary has come to an end. I don't often open my heart on my blog for all to see. But this last week has been quite a week for me, and I will feel better writing it out. Last Sunday 3/15, I was released from my calling as Primary President and handed over all things pertaining to Primary to the newly called Presidency. I bid a tearful goodbye to the kids I have grown to know and love so well. Off to the adult world I go. It was hard, and it was really sad for me. I was actually surprised that I was so tearful reflecting on it and letting it go. I have known nothing else for so long, the calling became so much of who I was. I have never given so much time and heart into a calling since my mission. True, I served in Primary twice as long as I served my mission, but I felt I gave my very best every step of the way, even when it was so difficult and the woos inside of me wanted to bail out. Near the end was the hardest. The last quarter of 2008 was wrought with changes in Presidency members, key teachers, and BABIES being born (specifically my little colicky wonder-boy). At times I felt I was barely hanging on by a thread. Luckily, I was blessed to work with some INCREDIBLY AMAZING sisters in Primary. Within my presidency, as well as teachers and Nursery workers. I learned so much from these ladies. And I always felt their love for the Lord and the children by how valiantly they served. They inspired me to keep pressing on.
The Sunday I was released I admit I felt very sad. I felt like I had to give up something so precious. I was not resentful or anything, I just felt like I had to mourn over the finality of it all. Nobody said much of anything to me that day other than comments of how relieved I must feel. Yes and no was a fairly accurate answer. And although my church service is meant to be pleasing to my Heavenly Father, and not for the 'glory of man' as it is said....still, I was hoping some parent somewhere would tell me that I did a good job. That I made a difference in the life of their child. That the kids would miss me. Or just a little tiny thank-you. I went home feeling a little lost, and unappreciated. And for that I felt incredibly GUILTY. Because I know I shouldn't be expecting praise! That would make me an unworthy servant. I called my brother Sam, who although he is younger than me, is a spiritual giant in my eyes. Wise beyond his years. I told him how I was feeling and he shared something very insightful. He said "Do you know what one of the hardest things for the Savior must have been, as he was performing the Atonement?"..."The fact that he knew fully well that there would be so many people who would never care. And he did it anyway". That really puts it into perspective for me. And I am now OKAY. And I have no place to complain. At all. So I needed that spiritual reality check. Thanks Sam, message received. My husband told me that the Lord will bless me for the service I gave, in his own way and in his own time. Peace filled my heart, and I have moved on. And this last week has been incredible. The blessings that have followed have humbled me. To share three...
-Our home, which had insufficient attic ventilation due to an oversight in construction 8 years ago, got a FREE REPAIR form the builder Heartland Homes. Even though legally they had no obligation to fix it (how it ever passed inspections I'll never know), they answered my call and installed new vents in my roof anyway simply because it was the right thing to do. Hopefully this year I will not have to pay OG&E $280 in August, like last year. This was an answer to prayers and a blessing.
-Second, our good friend Steve Bittle offered to sell us a new computer (ours was about 8 years old and near to dying) he built himself. It is great, runs so fast, already has all the software installed that we needed, and a 19" flat panel monitor that I LOVE. The price was more than generously reasonable. This gracious offer from Steve came just at the right time, and was an answer to prayers.
-And on Tuesday, I received word that a significant item of litigation that I have been involved with since 2007 had reached a settlement agreement. And I can finally put a very painful and stressful experience behind me forever. This is a huge relief and blessing, as this has burdened me daily for so long. It is finally over.
I've been very humbled that the Lord has been mindful of me specifically. It is as if he was telling me that my offering was sufficient, and in turn he eased some burdens for me that I had been troubled with. I can't help but acknowledge and praise him, for his hand in my life. And the humble reminder that he IS there, and he knows us individually, and his love for us is very real.

Cutest laugh ever!

Isaac discovered that if he makes a strange series of screeching and grunting noises, it absolutely CRACKS SIMON UP!!!

A day at the Park

Today we went to the Park for St. Patrick's Day. Isaac and Leah had a blast, and Simon was fine as long as I carried him. :) We decided to have a picnic lunch and fly kites. The kids took to it like Pro's. Isaac had his kite up in the air for the majority of our time there. When we got home, they asked to do it all over again here in the yard. Wow. We invited some friends to join us, and we had a really good time with everyone. And me, like a fool, forgot my camera! LOL. Oh well, my camera is so crappy it's not worth taking anywhere anymore! Soon I will have a new one. E-mail me if you have a nice one you'd recommend. One that takes small video clips with sound as well as high resolution pictures. Within a $150 price range would be nice. I know I haven't been the best at my blog. But something happened when child #3 came into the picture. I seriously have NO TIME. BUT....I'm hoping I will soon have a little more time to catch up on fun things. I will save that reason for my next post.

Simon is 4 months old!

Our little guy is growing up so fast!!! He is long and lean, and oh SO CUTE!!! He has two teeth now, and has started 'talking' to us. He squeaks and squeals and it's just darling! Simon sucks on everything and is a world class drooler. Nothing has his approval unless he gets to give it a taste test. This includes the faces of people who hold him. He will try to eat your face. :) He is great with his hands, grabbing at everything within his reach. He sleeps 9 hours straight at night (choir of angels here!) for the most part. However, the compensation for that is he does not nap during the day. Unless he is having a nursing nap (snack n snooze as I call it). He insists on being held and carried around all the time, leaving mom to catch a shower, bathroom break, or a bite to eat sporadically at best. Simon eats like a champ, and I love the time I have to snuggle him. He is amazing, and we just love our little guy so much!