Whew, this week is almost over!

***Disclaimer*** this is a longer entry...

We have had the most insane couple weeks. You all know about my mom. She is one point away from total liver failure (they figure out the severity of her condition based upon a point system). My brother Russ fell off a roof and is now in a rehabilitation center learning how to use the left side of his body again as well. There is all that drama.

So Mike went hunting last Thursday (which he looks forward to all year long). Saturday night after I had the kids down in bed I decided to relax and do nothing but watch TV. All of a sudden I hear our truck doors closing and look out the window to see Mike in excrutiating pain. He couldn't even talk to me. He was just moaning and yelling. His hands had swelled up like balloons. They reminded me of Mickey Mouse hands, but they looked like wax. His right hand wasn't as bad as his left, he couldn't even move his left. I was up with him most that night trying to comfort him. The next day we went to the ER and they ran more tests (they had run a bunch in Heber before he came home). They were baffled and sent us home with pain meds and wished us well.

It was so frustrating to sit and watch him and not be able to do anything for him. He received a blessing before we went to the hospital and was told that he would heal, but he would get to endure this; that the Lord was aware of what was happening and He would give Mike the strength to endure. And he has. Mike is slowly recovering. He still isn't back at work, but we are hoping he will be able to go in next week. He goes to see a specialist at the U hospital on Monday. We'll see what they have to say.

Meanwhile through all of this Reagan ends up with strep throat and Oakley slammed a wooden desk top so hard on her finger it too swelled up like a balloon and turned purple. So for three nights in a row I was up with two little people and one big person! Luckily it didn't break the bone; now I am just waiting for her fingernail to fall off. I'm hoping it doesn't :).

I am just so happy that Mike's pain is minimal now. He is no longer taking the Percocet to make it through the day. Through all of this we have been blessed with a greater appreciation for each other, our family, and life in general.

I sat in the hospital on Sunday morning and watched conference while Mike was fading in and out (as he was doped up on Morphine), my heart was touched by the Hymn, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (which has always been special to me). I held back the tears and listened. And then later I heard the hymn, "Our Savior's Love" I listened to the words and finally broke down and sobbed quietly in my chair. As I heard the words... "Our Savior's love shines like the sun with perfect light, as from above it breaks through clouds of strife. Lighting our way, it leads us back into his sight, where we may stay to share eternal life... Our Father, God of all creation , hear us pray in reverence, awed by thy Son's sacrifice. Praises we sing. We love thy law; we will obey. Our heavenly King, in thee our hearts rejoice." I just knew as I felt the Spirit lift me up that God truly was aware of us, of the grief and sorrow I was experiencing. I was so concerned for Mike. I knew at that moment that this was for our good and we would come out in the end stronger than before. I still know it. I know Christ suffered that same anguish Mike was experiencing and I kept holding onto that. It is what got me through those first few days with him; knowing the Savior felt it and could comfort Mike brought an indescribable peace to my soul. How grateful I am for Him, for His sacrifice and His love!

I have had angels watch over me and my family and take care of us. They are those earthly angels Elder Holland was talking about during one of his conference talks. Thank you to my earthly angels... Whitney, Jody, Andrea, Sandra, Camille, Jen, Mom and Dad, Marv and Darlene, Jen H., Annette, Juston, and Steve. I could not have made it through this week without you! There were also many others who offered their help, and I am grateful to all of you as well. It is so wonderful to know we are surrounded by so many who love us!

Temper, Temper

Picture the scene...

I woke up early this morning and nursed my baby boy. I decided to save time I would get him dressed before laying him back down. So after I finished feeding him, I dressed him and laid him back down. One kid done! Then I immediately went down and woke Reagan and Dakota up. They got themselves dressed and went up and ate breakfast. Two more kids down! Meanwhile Oakley wakes up and shows me what she wants to wear.

I'm thinking to myself, "Man, we are off to a good start! I'll bet we will even make it to the gym extra early today :)."

I proceeded to pull out the skirt she wants to wear and notice that among the clothing she has chosen are the leggings that she wore yesterday and last night to bed. They were dirty, and I wasn't about to let her wear them again today. I understand all about choices, but I draw the line at dirty clothing. Well, needless to say, this didn't go over very well. She had a screaming fit for the next several minutes (like 15).

So, here I am facing this dilemma... do I give in so we can get going on time? (today was our turn to drive kids to school) Or do I hold my ground and take her with in her underwear? (she was refusing to get dressed without the leggings) I chose option two. I grabbed a long jacket for her to wear so she wouldn't be standing there in only her underwear, but she just threw it.

The look on my friend's face when we opened the van door was priceless. As I pulled away from her house I began to doubt myself. Was I a tyrant for not giving in to her tantrum? Or had I done the right thing? She literally screamed all the way picking up kids, all the way taking them to school and all the way home again. It was a pleasant ride.

The good news is we got the kids to school on time. What was interesting was right when we got home she went straight inside, quit crying and got dressed without another word and proceded to eat her breakfast. If only we could all get over our own tantrums so easily. I guess exploding like that wouldn't be such a good thing though ;)