2 More Weeks...

It's no secret how I've been feeling this pregnancy, but despite it I know it's a blessing.  So... before the baby comes and I'm extra busy I thought I'd share a picture of our cute baby.  Yes, I know they all look the same in pictures like this.  I love ultrasound time; it's a time where the baby is a reality and shows us the miracle of life.  It's amazing how complex our bodies are and how it seems to all work out.  After all of my ultrasounds I've always wondered how people could ever say there was no God.  What?!  It's amazing...  I keep trying to remind myself of this blessing when I feel lousy.

One other blessing during this time is definatly the people who have put up with me and helped me... mainly my family (especially Tavish).  Sara likes to write me cards and notes.  Here is one she wrote me when I had one of my many colds that I've had over the past months.  I just thought it was cute.  It's two papers stapled together with tissues inside for me to blow my nose.

October

Yes, I know it's way late to post something clear from October, but right now we just survive at our house- no extra stuff like blogs, making nice dinners, crafts (not that I do that anyway)...just surviving.  I do have some great blessings though despite my bad attitude and lack of motivation for anything.


October:
It was our anniversary and Tavish of course knew of my bad attitude, lack of motivation, and morning sickness.  He said he had a surprise, private dinner and movie planned with the help of friends.  Grandma Bobby came to watch the kids and we took off in the car going to his "special place".  We drove around nowhere for a while and I was thinking we were lost.  I was telling him he should have printed off a map and that I was worried about putting other people out to make our night special (which would just make me uptight)...  Anyway, we drove around a while and ended up back at our house.  Then I realized that the special place was our house with our kids and my mother-in-law.  Tavish usually is lousy at keeping secrets, but he did a good job this time. The kids were all dressed up in their Sunday clothes, the table was set with candles, romantic music going... it was the cutest thing ever.  The kids were the waiters and Grandma helped serve the food that Tavish bought earlier.  Aww, of course I cried.  It was so sweet.  I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary.  I should have taken a picture, but you know, that's one of those extra things I just don't do much of.  I took some pictures later of the dinner menu Tavish had made though.  He's so thoughtful.

Awesome

Now, Awesome isn't a word I use too much for some reason, maybe I'm too big of a nerd for that; I don't know.  But, at my parents house there was a book called The Book of Awesome in the bathroom.  It's a book written by a guy who started a blog listing little things that make him or other people happy- awesome things.  There were things like: hitting several green lights in a row, hearing ice crackle in a glass, bubble wrap... and he explains why.  I just kept reading it, laughing... thinking, "Yea, that is pretty cool" (since I don't use the word awesome).  I came home and found his blog:  http://1000awesomethings.com.  You will have to read some of it; it makes you see the bright side of life.

Anyway, last night I realized something awesome:  Laying by a 3 year old in his small, uncomfortable bed with his body glued to yours (with a big pregnant belly) then moving to your own comfortable bed after he falls asleep.  Awww- Awesome!  That's what happened to me last night.  It felt so good to get back into my bed and I honestly thought, "That is Awesome.  I just found an Awesome moment."

Blessing of the day: My soft, roomy, cool, bed

September

Since the year's about over, and I've slacked off on writing, I'm catching up on months.  Today.... September.
My birthday was in September.  The kids all gave me some great presents that day.  I think there's nothing that makes a mom happier than kids that do nice things all on their own, without being told.  So here is what the kids did for me:
1. Mac took a nap... rare, but desperately needed.  That way I napped too, desperately needed also.
2. While I was napping Sara made me birthday cards- thoughtful girl.
3. While I was napping Andrew made me HAPPY BIRTHDAY out of Legos.... so cute.

Aww- they made my day and made me feel loved.

Morning Has Broken

I remember as a teenager a song that my mom would play: Morning Has Broken sung by Nana Mouskouri.  Of course, my mom loved her and played her music a lot, and we all got tired of hearing her.  Lately that song has been coming back to me because that's how I feel.  Morning has finally broken.  The sun is out, the birds are singing... la la la.  My morning sickness is finally gone! (for the most part).  You know that feeling when you've been so sick and then you finally feel better?  Yea, and it feels like "Aaaaaaaaa" (That's angelic singing there).  That's how I feel.  What a blessing.


These yucky feelings have been consuming me the past three months, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.  I didn't want do my church callings, go to church, clean the house (not that that is anything new), make dinner, write a blog, ... do anything really.  I know- sad, bad attitude.  I'm feeling much better now and appreciate feeling good.  I also appreciate the many people that put up with me and helped me out over the past few months.


When I go through a trial it's hard not to think, "Why is this happening?!" "Why do women have to go through this?!"  I've thought about it a lot over the past few months.  This is what I came up with.
  
1. We suffer so we can be humble and have more faith.
2. We suffer so we can empathize with others.
3. We suffer so we can appreciate the good and the people around us.
4. We suffer to refine us, preparing us to become more like God.


 “'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' Then, in the dawn of our increased faith and understanding, we arise and choose to wait upon the Lord, saying, “Thy will be done.” - Robert D. Hales in the last General conference, click here for the full talk (it's very good).


Now, I know that my trial is really a blessing and a minute affliction compared to the many that are out there, but it has helped me appreciate the little things that I take for granted.  That is my blessing.  Maybe now I'll be better and post some things that I've missed :) 

August

Here are a few blessings from August.  I'm going to try to make this quick :)
1. Andrew's Baptism

Andrew was baptized and confirmed on Aug. 6th.  Wow- that means I'm getting old!  It's hard to see my baby grow up, even though it makes me happy at the same time.  He asked my dad to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, my sister to say a prayer, Tavish to baptize him,  and Tavish's dad to confirm him.  It was a special day- good feeling there.

Porter Family Picture- too bad Dad's eyes are closed

2. 5K
I ran (not sure if ran is the right word here- slowly jogged is more like it) my first official 5K.  Good for me... and everyone that ran with us.  It was fun.

3.  No Brain Tumor
I lost some hearing in May, and it hasn't returned- as many of you may know from my complaints.  I was just sitting quietly at the table (no screaming kids at the time) and  BZZZ- my right ear started ringing.  I had a cold that may have set it off.  Yea- annoying.  So, after many Dr. appointments, hearing tests, steroids, MRI... they found nothing, and it seems to be part of my life now.  Although this is really annoying to me, I'm so glad I don't have a brain tumor (sudden hearing loss can be a sign of a brain tumor- ask my Grandma she knows from personal experience).  I really started worrying and imaging the worst.  Ahh- no tumor, just a brain that apparently looks normal.  I think trials help us empathize with others.  Now I can empathize with people with hearing problems and ringing ears.  I was surprised to learn of how many people in my family had ringing ears.  They just don't complain about it like I do.  I'm trying to accept it, so this is the last you will hear me complain from my ringing ears... maybe.  Just remember that I'm probably not ignoring you if you are quietly speaking to me on my right side, I just can't hear.

My Three Little Blessings

Once again I've procrastinated writing.  I'm sure few of you really care whether I post or not, but this has been my journal this year, so I should do better.  Anyway, as I ponder my blessings this month, many of my blessings come from the kids.  I've had a few non-blessings too, but maybe they're blessings in disguise :).

So, a little about my 3 little (getting bigger) blessings:

1. Andrew-
It was his birthday this month.  He turned 8 years old; can you believe that?  We spent 4 days in St. George with my parents while Tavish went to scout camp.  Although I love my little children very much, I wasn't about to spend 4-5 days and nights alone with them. :)  We celebrated part of Andy's birthday in St. George, and the other part at home.
This is what I love about Andrew:
He makes life interesting for us all
He's a thinker and always has questions (and answers) for us
He has a desire to be righteous
He stands up for what is right
He's kind to others.  I have a pet peeve with children making fun of and being rude to others and am sooo grateful that Andy tries not to do that.  Ok- there are probably times he does this that I don't see, but from what I see he's nice to others and kind to the under dog.

2. Sara-
A couple of nights ago I was nagging my children to go to bed.  I got after Sara, who was in her room, asking her (not so nicely) why she wasn't in bed.  She said, "I had to organize my clothes".  "GO TO BED!"  is what I said.  So, later that night when she was asleep, I put away some laundry in her room and noticed that her drawers where totally organized- no clothes poking out the top so you can't shut it, just all very neatly folded.  I mean, better that what I would have done.  She even had a pile of clothes that she couldn't fit into anymore ready to take downstairs.  WHAT?!  I can't tell you how happy that made me. I know, that says a lot about me, my house, and my life, but that seriously filled my bucket.  I even had Tavish come and see this miracle that had taken place.  Since when do my children clean and organize just because they want to?   Ahh- isn't it nice to have a girl? :)

3. Mac-
It was Mac's birthday at the end of June.  And guess what present he gave me? ............. drum roll............this tops them all.............. more drum roll.............  He potty trained himself!!!!! I put him in underwear finally (something that I'd been putting off because of past experiences), and that was it.  He tells me when he has to go... pee pee, poo poo, every thing.  WHAT?!  Those who aren't parents yet will some day learn that that is a super great blessing.  I have even said many prayers of gratitude for that one. Before Mac I've been a little jealous of those moms who say it took a day, or a week, or even a month to potty train their children.  I've always thought, "What is my problem then?"  Now I think, "That wasn't my problem, it was my kids' problem!"  So if you happen to be reading this, struggling through potty training just remember that is your kid's problem not yours; just take a break from it and come back when they've decided to solve their problem.

I love my 3 little blessings, my babies,  even though even my youngest isn't a baby anymore.  This one's for you kids :)