Heartfelt Thanks

I found out today who one of my anonymous friends is. Jenna.

I can't even begin to express my gratitude. I would call, but I'm a tad emotional and I may make a fool of myself. The flowers, the daily notes in my mailbox, the encouragement to find joy and the assurance that I am a beloved sister and also a daughter of God... these are the things that my spirit has been craving. I don't know how to adequately show my gratitude, it may take me awhile to really put some thought into it.

My despair has been reaching new lows lately. I'm seeing a psychiatrist who tests me on a weekly basis to find out what my mood is like, what my struggles are, and the tests just keep getting worse. I've been 'moderately to severely' depressed and on this past Thursdays visit, there was nothing moderate about it. Dr. Moran promised that things get worse before they get better, and that relief is within my grasp. She is treating me with chemicals, thank heaven for modern medicine!

But I believe my Heavenly Father, knowing what is in my heart and soul, knew that I couldn't take the 'worse' before it got better. Maybe Jenna listened to a prompting, feeling like she needed to reach out to her sister with a little love and compassion. Logically I know that I am valued, and loved, but I can't internalize that right now. Jenna, your thoughtfulness pierced the wall I've been building around myself in order to cope. I love you so much, and I'm so grateful that you are my sister.

Sweet Gracie

Grace asked me why I was sad today, and I told her I didn't know. She then asked me, "Did somebody hit you? Or scratch you? That makes me sad. Fingernail scratches, or stick scratches, or dog scratches... " she went on for awhile trying to figure out what was making me sad. Oddly enough, that ended up cheering me up. :)

Thank you

This beautiful bouquet of tulips was left on my front door step yesterday, anonymously. I think I must be somebody's pet project. :) Tulips are my FAVORITE kind of flower, and these just absolutely made my day. Thank you again, my anonymous friend.

Overgaard

This post is a little late, but for the three day weekend we took the kids up to the cabin in Overgaard. There was still a lot of snow on the ground, and the kids had a blast playing outside. I just enjoyed no responsibilities; TV, phone, internet, all silent. It was so nice.




This part of the yard didn't have snow, and for some reason we didn't get any pictures of them playing in the front yard. Believe me, there was lots of snow!



At the end of a cold day outside there's nothing like a hot cup of cocoa!

So much attitude for a three year old

Austin was asking Grace how she liked her new preschool, and when he asked her what they did that day she said "it's none of your business."

No more vines

Thanks to my brother-in-law Nathan for taking the vines down off the side of our house! This isn't even all of them, we filled two green barrels twice over with the aftermath. The vines were so thick that we could hardly use the walkway that goes to the backyard. The insulation it provided on the west side of our house will be missed, but honestly, the vines themselves were just a nuisance that I didn't want to live with anymore. We originally just wanted to cut them back, or thin them out, but they came down in one gigantic lump. Denise & Nathan, you guys rock! Thanks for all the work you've put into our yard; I'm just glad I don't have to do it. :)

Family Home Evening

For Family Home Evening tonight we wrapped the kitchen table in saran wrap and dumped macaroni and cheese in the middle of the table. We told the kids we were eating with no dishes or utensils. We wanted them to get dirty, messy. We explained that sin makes us feel dirty, but the saran wrap is like the Atonement. It 'wraps up' all our sins and takes them away, making us clean again just like the table was clean again. The kids took awhile to warm up to the idea of eating with their hands, but it ended up being really fun, and I think they got the message!

Austin REALLY got into it :)

Poor Grace

I am writing a book called "The Misadventures of Grace Valetta." It'll be on Amazon after she gets married, because it won't be completed until them. After that, documenting her adventures becomes her future husbands problem!

This poor girl fell down the stairs on Saturday, and I mean full blown face first onto the tile floor falling. Her head was so swollen the first night, we had to wake her up every few hours to make sure she didn't have a concussion. Now that the swelling is down and bruises are darkening, she's got quite a shiner! She starts her new preschool this week, I wonder what her teacher will think. Poor little girl. :(

Woah

Wow. Austin took these pictures when he went outside to call Grace in from jumping on the trampoline and then said... "nevermind. Stay right where you are, don't move" and he ran to get the camera. Thanks, Austin! These pictures made my day!

More funny puppy video

We have a tall bed & short puppies so it makes for some entertaining acrobatics when they try and get up with me. Unfortunately, Austin doesn't like dogs in the bed so as soon as they achieve their goal, I have to push them right back off. It just doesn't seem fair, after all their hard work. :)

Let sleeping dogs lie

I haven't been sleeping very well lately, averaging between 1 and 2 hours a night for the last two weeks. Thoughts about sleep, and people who get enough of it, just make me angry. Then I captured this video of my puppy enjoying a moment of sleep and I just had to laugh. That's quite a snore she has!