Soaking in the joys of family

Allen has his PMP test tomorrow. Just like finals. I know he will do great, even though he's in so much constant pain right now (probably the worst, all-the-time pain since we've been married) and he played table tennis with some friends. Four and a half hours will be killer. But he is well prepared. He'll do great.

Cammy is being so adventurous. After successfully managing to fall out if his crib on Tuesday, he has now discovered the art of pulling himself up in his crib, which means that tonight he would pull himself up, cry, let go, and fall sideways against the slats, effectively enhancing his cries and creating a domino effect. After putting him to bed 2 times and getting him after his screams alerted us, we've now set up the pack and play in his room, which (now the 4th time we've put him to bed, 1 1/2 past his maximum bedtime) will hopefully solve the problem. Truly an adventurous boy who is out and about, discovering the world around him. We love him so much! And we just want him to be able to explore without hurting himself too much. So true of Heavenly Father's relationship with us, I think.

Dad is looking improved. His hair is noticeably whiter and he looks like he's aged in these last 3 weeks. Three back surgeries and a diagnosis of cancer could do that to a person, I'm sure. Although looking frailer than I ever remember seeing him, he is able to move his body and is slowly re-learning to sustain his weight and to walk again. I know remaining optimistic is hard for him but I'm encouraged by his willingness to fight the good fight and by the wonderful staff he has around him.

Mom is incredible and has been by Dad's side this whole time. She's great at the caretaker role and I know Dad is extremely grateful to have her by his side. They are such a wonderful couple. I pray this next challenge in their lives and marriage and in our family will strengthen them and pull them together. I already see ways that it has.

Life is plugging along for us. I'm grateful for the blessings Allen and I enjoy. I am in love with our beautiful little family. I have discovered that my hobby of choice is making our house into a home. It's what makes me excited and it's what I do when I find myself without anything to do. It makes me feel happy and fulfilled at the end of the day. I enjoy playing with my baby. Who knew that playing with blocks and puzzles could be so fun? It definitely beats all the other responsibilities I have, besides that of being with my husband and making him feel good and happy. The family life is for me and I relish (and hope to continue to relish) every minute I have with them! They are my joys.

So if there was one piece of sage wisdom I would offer, it's this: see the many little joys that surround your family and soak them up.

The New Normal

I remember when each of my grandparents got sick and eventually passed away. Even now, it's interesting how things change and you're living a new "normal." It is suddenly (and slowly, over time) the new way that things are. It is now "normal" for my dad to be sick. It is now "normal" for my mom to be helping take care of him. It is now "normal" for us kids to be visiting them in the hospital, to be cleaning the house for Mom and Dad, to be worrying and wondering how they are doing.


Funny how the new "normal" and the old "normal" can be so different, yet how there is a good thing about each. I'm grateful that we kids can be closer to Mom and Dad during this time. I'm grateful for the new bonds that are being forged because of new needs. And I'm grateful for the new things I learn about myself as I'm pushed to find babysitters, work shorter hours, and make our income stretch further. There is a divine design in it all.

And then I watch videos like the above video, and read articles like this one entitled "Give us this day our daily bread" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.. And I realize that there are many ways to grow and improve and that I'm grateful for the new "normals."

Making it work

I'm grateful for this opportunity to reevaluate what my working means to my family. While I'm still needed in the workforce to help make ends meet, we look forward to the day that this won't be the case. I appreciate sound advice from the Lord's leaders that can be found on Providentliving.org, at this article, Stretching your dollars, and by Dave Ramsey. By continually looking at ways to live more economically, I know we will find more peace and comfort with our day to day living.