Out of the mouths of babes...

One more quick post (I know what you are saying right now - TWO posts in one day???) I really need to get better about writing down the things that Quinci's says, especially when they are so dang cute and insightful!

The other night we were at my parent's for Sunday dinner and Quinci went to the park to play with her cousins. She came back quite a bit later, minus her shoes (for anyone that knows my daughter, this is not unusual as the child NEVER has her shoes on for more than a minute after we reach our destination!) Scott asked her where her shoes were and she shrugged her shoulders and tried very desperately, but unsuccessfully, to blame it on someone else (another recently added personality trait, that I am assured will pass...) Scott made her go with him back to the park to look for them. They came back successful and Quinci had the biggest smile on her face. She said she wanted to tell me a secret (the girl LOVES secrets!) and whispered in my ear that while they were looking for the shoes, their search was proving unsuccessful and so they said a prayer and the shoes were instantly found. She was so excited (I wish I could truly convey the awe and excitement that were in her voice as she told me, but you will just have to imagine it!) I was grateful for her daddy seeing the most perfect of circumstances providing such a fantastic teaching moment and taking the time to do so. I know that Quinci learned something special and important at such an ordinary time. I started to cry (of course!) and gave her a huge hug. I was so proud! My "baby" is truly growing up! Maybe this teaching stuff won't be so bad after all.

Service - Paying it Forward

Just a quick post before I begin the struggle to try and sleep a bit!

I was talking with a friend today about all of the struggles that we are facing in the world today. More specifically, the financial struggles that many of our own friends and family (and ourselves!) are going through right now. We were talking about job issues and issues with being able to make ends meet (or not being able to...) . It struck me very hard that there is at least one bright spot in the gloom and doom that seems to be around every corner these days. I think it is the opportunity and desire to serve that voraciously seems to come into play during these times. I know that I have personally been in awe over the service that my family has received over the last several weeks, especially by those that seem to be in need themselves, but still find the time to give in some form or another. I have had my testimony of service so strongly reinforced these last weeks through meals, phone calls, babysitting my 4 year-old (that right there deserves to be awarded with the highest of honors!)gifts given to that 4-year old, and a beautiful baby shower, attended by so many and given so selflessly during these hard economic times. I am not sure all of these women (and men!!!) really know the impact they have had on my testimony and my family's lives. It has done my heart good to view my friends and family in this way! As I was talking to this friend, and in some small way able to help her with a struggle she was having, I realized that yes, little-ole (HA-HA!) bed-rested me can also serve and pay forward the many kindnesses that have been shown me. It didn't cost me a thing and it sure made my day knowing that I could do something to make this doom and gloom a little brighter! I really think that is why the Lord gives us these hard times.To remind us of our purpose here in mortality and to prove to Him that we can and will prevail.

Bed Rest

Bed rest is certainly not all that it is cracked up to be ( or at all as "wonderful" as it sounds.) Last week I went into preterm labor, ended up at the hospital for 6 1/2 hours and my doctor put me on a lovely medicine called Terbutaline. He then ordered me to bed "or else." I kept asking him if there were certain things I could or couldn't do and he finally asked me if I needed him to tell someone in particular that he had ordered me to do these things (I think he thought someone, namely my husband, was giving me a hard time about "slacking off". ) I laughed and told him it was quite the opposite, that my grouchy husband and "pushy" ;o) friends had been telling me for weeks that I was doing way too much and I needed to "back off" (those were Scott's exact words!)

So, I left the office with my mom in tow (she told me I could not drive myself; it seems I have several bed-rest Nazis in my life!) and she came right home and put me to bed! I felt like a 10 year-old again! She did, however, make me dinner and vacuum my floor before she left!

No, really, I have been overwhelmed at the amount of love and concern that everyone has shown me and my little family (soon to be "not-so-little"!) in these times full of tests and trials! I have had meals, calls and most importantly, the most important little person in my life, Quinci, has been taken care of everyday! I have grown accustomed to Cindy's, Karissa's, and Cheryl's calls each day to take Quinci and to just see how I am doing and they mean more to me than these amazing women will ever know! I do believe that Quinci loves each of you more than she loves me!! I can not forget to mention Mel as well. She has both of her kiddos having surgery within a week of each other and she still calls me most days to check in. She brought us dinner the night before Collin's surgery. Who can go wrong with beautiful friends like these! I now know the reason that we were directed to move out here! I thank the Lord for the little inspirations He sends our way. Now, can He just send one about a job.......

One more thing. Bless our Compassionate Service person's heart. She has been so overwhelmed with the many needs of the sisters in our ward, but she still never neglects to check in on me as well! Karolien is PERFECT for this calling and also the perfect neighbor as well!