Cecil

I have had a cough since the middle of August. It has not been fun. I have been to the doctor 4 times and have spent a lot of money on medication. We do not know why I have a cough. First, it was probably allergies, and I got meds for that. It didn't go away. Then we thought it was asthma and I got meds for that. Then we thought it was still asthma and got a different inhaler, and some other things to take just in case it was something else. I did get cough medicine with codeine which was nice. Cough is still here. I went to the doctor yesterday, got a horrible nasal swab to be tested for something. I got an xray, just to make sure there aren't any tumors on the lungs, and a different test. I was in the hospital for 3 hours. 3! Clint had the kids and took them all around town, and out to dinner. Thank goodness for the hospital gift shop (Dad I hope you like your Christmas present).

Got a call from the Doctor today, everything is fine.

Oh, except that the cough is still here and we don't know what is causing it, which means we don't know how to make it go away.

Where is House when you need him?

The True Spirt

Before I was married I worked in a gym, and during the Christmas Holiday, they choose a family from their church to 'adopt' and asked the members if they wanted to participate in helping to make their Christmas memorable, they could bring in a toy or donate money. We had a list of the names and ages of the kids. It was strange to me that under the tree we had, was usually close to nothing. I didn't understand how these women who had so much ($$$) couldn't share a little of what they had. The day before they would take the items to the family my friend that I worked with and I would go out and buy. Buy until we thought it was enough and even amongst the kids. I loved doing it!

When I got married, I was blessed to marry into a family that also had this tradition. They would 'adopt' a family from the school that my mother in law works at, and we would buy. Sometimes things just never seem like enough. Last year Clint and I talked to our Bishop and was given a few ward members that were in need, and we with the help of the in laws, were able to make their Christmas a little better.

It is that time of year again. I talked to my Bishop today, and was given a name of a family that needs a little help. When he told me who, I knew that this was coming from Heavenly Father. It is the first time in almost 10 years of doing this that I know Heavenly Father has His hand in it. ( I know He has His hand in all things)

I know that whatever we can give them, they will be thankful. I don't ever expect a thank you (it is supposed to be anonymous). I don't expect to receive blessings for doing this. Just being able to do this is the blessing; And I am grateful for that.

I am having a spiritual night, something I am also thankful for.

Even Holy Things Can Be Creepy

Jack has been sick, and not having very restful nights. He wakes up numerous times at night and asks to sleep in Mommy's bed. We let him, usually just to get him to fall back asleep and then we move him. He woke up the other morning at about 5:15, and Clint had already left for work, so I brought Jack into Mommy's bed. Then a few minutes later Grace came in and walked over to our couch in our room (we have a permanent blanket and pillow for her when she comes into our room, so she doesn't climb into our bed) and got into 'bed'. I don't think she knew that Jack was in my room until he started talking. I asked Grace if she wanted to get into bed with us and in a very awake voice she said yes. She climbed into bed, as Jack was still talking. He pointed to the ceiling across the room and kept saying cow. (?) Then..... Grace said no Jack that is Jesus.

My first thought was , I know kids are closer to heaven and heavenly things, but really? My daughter can see Jesus? My next thought was oh crap, someone died.

Then Jack said no, a cow. And Grace said no, it is Jesus on Mommy's dresser you just can't see him very well.

I have a statue of Christ on my dresser. I calmed down. But we got up and went downstairs right after that.

Under The Sea

We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Tuesday, it was so much fun! The kids had a blast. They liked all the big fish and the penguins. Graces favorite was seeing Nemo and Dorie. But I think there favorite part was playing on the little playground they had inside. The jelly fish were really neat, but my favorite was seeing the sardines. I never really thought about sardines before other than they come in can, and ewww. But they are really very pretty. After the aquarium we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant. It was awful. The food was so not good and way over priced. And in the middle of our dinning experience we were quizzed on our Forrest Gump knowledge. After that we found a Nestle Tollhouse cookie store, we bought cookies and that ended our day.

Never A Good Thing To Hear

I entered a room that my kids were in and put something away and then walked out, and in a whispered voice I heard, "that was close".

And to make it scarier - they were in my room.

Thank You, Bob Marley

I was out running errands yesterday when I got stopped at a light to make a right hand turn. The light turned green and the first few cars in front turned when there was a pedestrian crossing the street. I stopped and waited for him to finish crossing. He was a rastafarian looking man, with dreads, dressed in the rasta colors. He finished crossing and looked at me and slightly raised his hand as to say thank you, I smiled at him. He, in return, looked a little taken back and gave me the most gorgeous smile back.

I learned something yesterday, that I will always keep - sometimes people need something as simple as a smile. And I don't know who needed it more, me or him?