blessings...

It could be the winter weather outside, or any number of other things, or nothing at all- I don't know. But I feel pretty low this morning, and it's uphill work to just be up and doing the many things I have to do. I've decided to avoid stopping to contemplate my mood, and just push right through it, hoping that momentum will keep me going once I get in the groove of being productive...? We shall see. However, as I was hard at work with some house chores, I happened to notice a paper in my pocket. How it got there, I don't know, because these pants were freshly washed and folded, but there it was. When I pulled it out, I was surprised and delighted to see a little scrap of paper- the top corner torn from a sheet of lined looseleaf. One of my children had penciled on it,'I love you Mom have a good day'. Just like that I found I could smile, and I thank Heaven for the tender little mercies the Lord sends our way, like a little note, just where and when I needed it...

This is the day Kirby came into the world, so the first person I am grateful for here is his sweet mother. I appreciate her tenderness and caring- she taught Kirby how to love and give selfless service in his family. I think she is a saint and an angel, and I am so happy she had this last child. I also appreciate his father who taught his sons to work hard and provide well for their families, to take good care of their homes, and to be ambitious in their careers, fulfilling their potential through dedicated effort. You see, Kirby is one of those delightful men who feel a strong interest in things like gardening, cutting the grass, fixing up and repairing the house and vehicles, and so on. It's also ok with me when he cooks, (and cleans our bathroom once in a while :), shovels snow, and pays bills. A very useful man. And a romantic one- that's good too! I love the nights when he reads me to sleep, or slow dances with me in the living room... I love my husband. He is a good man...

Jack got his learner's licence this morning... Yikes! He is doing fine so far, but it seems a little strange to give him the keys and hop into the passenger seat, let me tell you. It was awesome to see him laughing with the sheer joy of being the driver, and laughing about our 'conversation' as he drove around town on the snow and ice that covers our wintry roads! What a good time. So far, so good. This last weekend one of the Apostles came to our church and spoke with us. He testified of Jesus, and encouraged us to follow in the Lord's footsteps... He was actually quite an unconventional speaker, inviting a lot of interaction with us in the congregation. Mary and Emma each took opportunity to step up to the floating mike and tell about their personal scripture study! We all met him personally, and I took copious notes for my poor Kirby, who is still rather laid up with his back injury. I think I will always remember feeling the Spirit I did with an Apostle of the Lord...

Last night a friend called, needing a bit of help... I am so happy that she dialed my number, and for the great opportunity it was for me, to give her a hand. I feel especially blessed that my children jumped at the chance to help, too! I just can't tell you how happy that makes me. I think they're good kids. Our friend is all right, and we are richer for the experience we had with her and her family yesterday evening. Thank Heaven for those chances that come along unexpectedly- to get outside of myself and my life for a while and focus on someone else. And there was another great friend who helped out last night too, coming right away to provide assistance only he could give. I am thankful for the good people I am blessed to call friends. We live an a good community full of decent individuals and families... This makes sunshine after another snowy night just icing on the cake. ;)

I must say that I have a huge and very sincere appreciation for my children's good teachers... I'm thankful for their hard work, patience, and caring for the kids they work with. I know it's an incredibly demanding job, and thank Heaven for teachers who are dedicated enough to go the extra mile and provide awesome support to individual students when that's needed. Especially when they're mine, and I can only do so much... I am grateful that this morning I could place my trust in a teacher to do what I cannot do for one of my children- my power sort of ends at the school doors. Thank you to good teachers to whom I can confidently 'pass the torch'; the young ones I value most in this world. Kirby has slipped a disk in his back- again. The same one; L5S1. It happened 12 years ago, which resulted in back surgery... then again 6 years ago when we lived in England, which resulted in constant and high doses of morphine and brutal physiotherapy- during months of ly...

My piano teacher is one amazing lady. I keep learning more and more about her life's experiences, and the more I know, the more I admire her. She is very little, tiny and slim- but iron strong. She has been through so much that I hope I never have to endure, and still has her act together more than most of us. And you should hear her play! I am constantly amazed at her power and talent. I am grateful for her, and others who willingly share with me their talents, so I can try to grow mine.

One thing I love a lot is when my daughters come home for lunch. Sometimes one, sometimes the other... Not all the time, but it's a treat for me when it does happen. Sometimes we plan it, other times they just decide to run up the hill and eat lunch in the kitchen. Then it's a nice surprise! We chat about their day, and they get to process what they think of things at school, then they feel refreshed when they head back. And Jasper loves it, because he gets a run with his ball when they come in! Also, I am grateful for the fine art of puttering, which I am slowly mastering! It's my favorite way to do a day. I think I learned it first when I had my little ones here at home with me every day- there was no such thing as uninterrupted tasks, because the tasks were the interruption! It was my little people I was there for! The house was a sideline. And it's still like that really; only I now lack the excuse for my random-abstract meandering... so I call it an art. :) They ...

I got to pass this day with my sweet and charming little daughter Mary.  She is adorable! I just love her so much... We had her piano lesson here at home, then went to do some shopping for the family in the city. Her caring energy and happy enthusiasm are like butter on bread- just so satisfying. It was a delight for me to walk through Costco holding her hand. (Jack kindly pushed the extremely heavy cart, which was weighed down with sacks of flour and sugar, etc, etc... :) She did ask me to refrain from singing 'My Girl' to her. I obliged her, but I think she knows I'm crazy about her. I hope so. She is one amazing girl, and I'm so glad she's mine.

Thank you for the precious gift of my birth, without which there would be no birthday! Or any day at all for me. Your devotion to my well-being and happiness is undying, and I honor you for this. I know and appreciate that you have always tried to give me more than you'd had; to make my life better than yours was, and to teach and give me everything you can. I think you are a hero because you just keep trying; your determination and courage prove to me your faith and love. Thank you for my life, for taking good care of me when I could do nothing for myself, (before I can even remember :)... Thank you for reading to me, and cooking for me, and making that awesome homemade bread for me all those years. Thank you for making me take my vitamins and floss my teeth and practice the piano...and for making my home so bright and cozy. Thank you for driving me around and giving me good clothes and supporting me; and for standing up for me when I needed that. Thank you for loving my husband ...

I usually take a walk bright and early, or in many cases, 'barely light' and early. It works well, to get out the door with my children at 830 am. But this morning my walking friend was ill, and I looked out the window at the stiff breeze passing through town... I decided that it would be a good idea to wait a while. So I did. I enjoyed the morning sunshine in the living room, reading my scriptures and talking on the telephone with my little sister. (who is taller than me :) By the time I had meandered through a bit of housework and gotten my wind pants on, it was 10 o'clock! I really enjoyed my walk, and stopped a few minutes at the library to do some 'book business' (my favorite kind :) and peeked in at Mary in her school swimming lesson. Walking home, even though I was going uphill into the wind, it felt good in the sunshine. Sometimes I feel like I am too often in a hurry, and I am usually happier, and accomplish everything just fine- when I take a breath now a...

I had three sweet little nieces here for the weekend, and I am so grateful for their cuddles and smiles and expressions of trust and affection. There's just nothing like children to take my mind of our Narnian climate- 'always winter and never Christmas'. (well, not Christmas very often :) But Jack turned 14 his weekend, and he and his friends went out to the mountains to play in the snow; he didn't mind that it's still winter, and really, why should I? There is a lot more to life than weather. I am happy to know that there are ways we can help the disaster victims in Japan- I can give to the humanitarian aid fund at church, with confidence that every cent will go straight to the care of those in need. The powerlessness is too painful if we must witness innocent suffering and not be able to reach out with any help...I think that is the only way our loving Father in Heaven can allow us to endure life on earth with all its pain; He knows that one day He can heal and ...