Overheard at Bedtime

Z (age 3): Dustin, did you have a good practice?
D (age 12, just having gotten home from basketball practice): Yep.
Z: Did you practice your drills? And all your tools?
D: (chuckling) Yep, all my drills, and screwdrivers, and hammers and everything!

Things I am Grateful for RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

My Heavenly Father loves me. He loves me enough to guide me to a man who will love and care for me and my flaws. He loves me enough to rely on me to meet the needs of others. He loves me enough to test and try me to make me a better person. And He loves me enough to surround me with good friends who love me, and listen to the Spirit even when it's not an easy task.

I had a dear friend, one whom I love thoroughly, make time to come and see me today following a prompting that could only have come to her from the Lord. It took her out of her comfort zone, and she apologized. But the apology was unwarranted, as she left me with an invaluable gift.

A new perspective. In our church, as in most religions, we are taught that you can't take "it" with you when you go. The cars, houses, toys, and flat out money of this world is just that, of this world. There is only one thing that can go with our Spirits when we pass to the other side... our relationships. Consequently, our relationships, especially within our families, are of the utmost priority. "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." - Prophet David O. McKay. I knew that. I know it to be true in my heart and soul. But what I hadn't considered, then, was this:

If Heavenly Father wants to give one of His children a lasting, eternal gift while we are in this life, what would it be?

I have no greater gift than that of my children. They are my greatest joy, my life's work, and my life's greatest reward. They amaze me, they literally leave me in awe of them. How is it that I could have overlooked the concept that the Lord is not presenting me with new challenges, but is actually presenting me with a precious gift? A gift that, in His infinite wisdom, will last for an eternity.

Thank you for opening my eyes.

Just reread my last post...

...and realized all the things that I was planning or had done... NOT planning to be pregnant.

I was going to go to the gym this fall.

I was going to enroll Z in Pre K. (Now I'm worrying he is too young, I've heard many a kindergarten teacher talk about the difference between fall/spring babies and summer babies!)

I was going to clean out and rearrange Michael and Zachary's room.

I was going to hang shelves in there.

I was going to keep up with the motivated moms list and have a cleaner house.

I was going on vacation with my mom this summer.

I was going to plant a garden and can vegetables.

I was going to focus on frugality and saving money.




Instead?

I'm pregnant, and I can't seem to get out of my own way.

My husband reminded me, per my request, that I NEVER was able to cook supper when I was pregnant with Zachary, not without throwing up anyway.

He's going to a firemen's supper tonight.

We are going through the drive thru.



Am I depressed?

I think part of me is trying awfully hard to be.

But... I can actually feel the baby move. Oh, well, I have to lay almost totally on my stomach and it probably squishes the poor little guy kid but then I feel him her IT moving ever so slightly.

Then I remember how terrifying labor is. It took 4 times for me to remember enough that I now know at three months along it is TERRIFYING. Selective memory.

Then I see pictures like this:

He's the newest member on my side of the family.

And get a birth announcement with a sweet picture from Bill's side of the family.

So I read the talk found here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-9,00.html

(my linking skills are off!)

that was recommended by a couple of people. It was really good.

And that leaves me at thinking, "Hey, only 187 more days! I can do this!"

Now I'm going to lay down, before I change my mind again!

An UPDATE

Dustin is playing basketball for the AYS Nuggets. He's liking it, and so far the team is undefeated, having played each of the other teams once. This last team was the closest game, and I'll be darned if sitting in the audience I wasn't thinking the coaches should settle things down a bit. Middle schoolers you know, they get a bit full of themselves and play far rougher than necessary.

Brian was pleased with his progress reports, he was so disappointed by last quarter's report card it was nice to see him happy about it.

Michael brought home the papers from the Unit on Space they have just finished. It amazes me how much they learn about each planet! I commented that I was surprised to read Jupiter has 63 moons. I said, "How do they all fit around it?" He replied casually, "Well, it is a REALLY BIG planet." So it is.


Zachary has been sick for the last two days. A temperature, and runny nose. He is trying to turn it into croup, but luckily with little success at this point. I have high hopes that Bill and I might both be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.


Bill is, well, tired. See above.


And me? I got a job. I know, it's a little crazy, but I applied to be a census taker back in December, not knowing I would be pregnant. I just need to get through the week of training (five days in a row, 9 am to 5 pm) then they ask a minimum of 20 hours a week, and it's an 8 week stint. I should be able to do that. They pay too well to not give it the old college try anyway! Wish me luck, if I can make it work that's a whole credit card balance I will pay off, all by myself!

Better

Not a lot better, but definitely better. I have to give a shout out to my favorite doctor. I am seeking a new midwife office, I think, because having been to the Farmington practice twice now I'm not satisfied. My family doc was disappointed that I didn't press the OB further to help me with my nausea. For the betterment of pregnant women everywhere that would have been the right thing to do, but I was just too exhausted to care. I knew I could make an appointment with her, and be listened to. I think the OB knew what most pregnant women complain of, and dismissed it as typical, while in the same breath reassuring me that this being my fifth I surely know what I'm doing. I'm considering keeping the appointment made when I left his office, just to tell him why I'm dissatisfied and changing doctors. But I don't think I will, I doubt it would matter. It does speak, however, to the wonder and joy that is found when you can find a medical professional who actually listens to the words you say, and will seek beyond the knowledge in their head to find your answers.

Unisom. Don't lecture me, I'm taking half a tablet (no gelcap, different stuff) at bedtime, and as an antihistamine it is helping me not feel nauseous at every gentle pressure on my abdomen, including my clothes! AND it's actually rated a class A drug, safe for pregnancy. It would be nice to not need it in awhile, but in the meantime, I actually took Z out to the library today for story time, AND went to the grocery store.

Also, I'm taking extra B6. It's helping to prevent that feeling of my food just sitting in my stomach like a rock, it's a metabolism aide. Evenings are still pretty rough but I can sit upright all afternoon. My kids have noticed the change, and I still promise you that they (and Bill) are the only reasons I haven't just allowed this to run it's own course, this baby needs a mommy, but so do my other boys!