Thankfulness-week 4

What a great week it was. So much time was spent with family. My husband was home for four days in a row. So that is where I'll start, I'm thankful...
-that I got my husband home for so long.
-for my mom and dad. They had all of the grandkids spend the night Thursday so all of the grown ups could go shopping the next morning.
-that I got to sleep in Friday morning and my husband went out.
-for church. The last two weeks have just been wonderful. I love the spirit of the season.
-for priesthood blessings. I needed one this week so I'm also thankful..
-that my husband holds the priesthood.
-that I live so close to family.
-that I was able to eat so much wonderful food.
-that I'm getting healthy little by little, and I'm good with that. It's taken me a very long time to just 'let God', and really trust that He will do what my blessings have said over and over again. That I would be healed. It's just on His time table and not my own.
Now it's time for Christmas! But that doesn't mean that I'll stop being thankful for my many blessings that I receive daily, I will. Now it's time to change out the decorations, oh how I love this time of Year!!!

Thankfulness-week 3

Wow, this past week flew by. I've been so busy getting the little things done around the house that I've wanted to do since we bought this house. Isn't that how it always is though? You don't fix it up until you're ready to leave. Well I vow here and now not to do that in our next home where ever that might be. Here is my thankful list for this week...
I'm thankful..
-for energy! I've had so much energy this past week. It was wonderful to get so many things accomplished.
-that my children have patients with me. I really was busy, and they were the best helpers, really they were.
-for days without stomach pain, priceless!
-for my dad and his concern about me, his advise really does work.
-once again for answered prayers. I know I say that a lot but it really never can get old. We are supposed to thank the Lord for everything daily. And I for one do not want my prayers to go unanswered because I forgot to say my thanks. :]
-for the Book of Mormon and scriptures. I have felt so much strength from them this week. I love reading it and when the stories come to life in my mind. I will admit that sometimes I read just to read and I couldn't tell you what was going on, but no matter what I know that we are blessed and given strength when we read.
I can't wait for Thanksgiving, for family time, and fun traditions!!

Heartbreaking Prayer

Last night was a little traumatic. It had a great start. All afternoon my oldest (5 years) asked if he could help. I would assign him something to do. When he finished he would come back and ask, "what else Mom?" Next to 'I love you' I think I love those words the most. It was so wonderful. He helped so much. Then my husband called on the phone. He didn't have Internet where he was staying down in Bicknell, so we couldn't video Skype like we usually do. And on top of that he only had 5 minutes to talk. I made sure all of the kids got a turn on the phone and then we said family prayers. After that my oldest switched 180*. He took a book from my youngest. He ran over my second. Then right after a little scolding, stole another book from my youngest! I couldn't believe what was happening! Where did my sweet little helper go? After I got him to settle down and teeth were brushed, it was time for me to listen to their personal prayers. My oldest doesn't need help and says very good thoughtful prayers most of the time. So last night when he paused right in the middle I didn't think much of it until he started sobbing. Through his sobs he was able to get out, "Please bless my dad." As he said those words through his tears my heart broke. That is why he was acting out. He missed his dad. I started to cry right along with him. He had to end his prayer. He just lay there on his bed while I stroked his back crying for his father. I wish I could have done more. I missed him too. I said a little prayer that he would have comfort and he soon was a sleep. I wish I would have seen the signs earlier. I felt so bad for scolding him. Why is it that we can be so blind to the important things like this? I need to be better.

Thankfulness-week 2

It has been a little bit of a crazy week this week. Lots of things were on the calender. I have a lot to be thankful for that is for sure.

-That my husband can come home to a crazy weekend and help me so much with the house and the kids.
-For my camera to take pictures and memories of my children.
-The fall leaves and how much fun it is to play in them.
-For the Internet and that we can talk and see my husband every night. It keeps us sane.
-For my parents, they really did save me one day this week. I couldn't have made it without them.
-For a wonderful ward and neighborhood.
-The ability to study and try and find out what the Lord would have me do. I know that sounds a little crazy, to be thankful for the ability to study. But there was a time in my life, not too long ago, that I really couldn't read. I was so weak and dizzy that I couldn't focus my eyes. So I am thankful that I can study the gospel.
What are you thankful for this week?

Thankfulness-week 1

Every November we pull out our 'Thankful Jar'. Each night we gather together as a family and write one thing that we are thankful for that happened that day. It has been a wonderful way to get into the Holiday of Thanksgiving. It has been a little harder this year with my husband being gone. Now I'm still thankful and I think about it during the day. But then getting the kids to bed on my own I tend to forget in the hustle and bustle of things. Well at least I did this last week. But as Anne of Green Gable's Miss Shirlee once said, "Tomorrow is a brand new day with no mistakes in it." So I'll try harder. Actually I saw an idea on the T.V. this last week. A women suggested to get some branches from outside to make your own 'thankful tree' inside. Then every day you write on a paper leaf what you are thankful for and hang it from the branches. Then the tree is full by Thanksgiving. It is a lot more creative than my original idea and it might help my kids to remind me. :] I'll let you know if I remember or have time to do it.
Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week..
-A new job.
-Nice fall weather.
-Amazing neighbors.
-Wonderful parents and siblings who helped me.
-A husband who has good work ethic.
-Heavenly Father's comfort and strength.
-Peace when I needed it.
-A place for my husband to stay while he is away.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Survived!

Well I survived the first week. It wasn't without hardship. It was very emotional. But the Lord strengthened me. I really don't know how single women do it. Or even the women who have been in this same situation for long periods of time. This last week I found out that there are many women in my neighborhood who have their husbands gone during the week and home on the weekends. That helped me to see how strong they are, if they can do it then so can I! Above all I was amazed at the continued strength the Lord blessed me with. It wasn't a good week as far as my health is concerned, I struggled. And looking back on the week I almost don't know how I did everything, except for one thing, I know I was helped. The Lord was with me, and I received many tender mercies. So as a new week approaches quicker than I want it to, and I will be once again alone with my kids. I know I am never truly alone. I can do it.

Phases

So today we officially started this new phase in our family. My husband left this morning for his new job and we won't see him until Thursday night. I will say that it hasn't hit me yet, but I have already felt the blessings from the Lord. This morning I woke up and felt so good!! For the previous 4 days I was very sick. Lots of pain. So much in fact that I couldn't do much around the house and my husband had to do most of the cooking and other things that you have to do when there are children in the home. I really didn't know how I was going to do it while he was gone. Then I started to feel a little better Saturday night (thank goodness, I don't like missing out on my kids stuff). Then Sunday was a little better but still not what I would need to be. Then this morning I didn't have the pain that I've been having and I have felt so much love from my Heavenly Father. President Packer said that we are not supposed to pray for our trials to be over but that we should pray for the strength to endure them. I have had that prayer so much over these last few days, and I will continue that prayer. Heavenly Father is listening and He is blessing me.