It Wasn't For Him

I heard a story at church this weekend that really resonated with me. Elder Durham told the story of his dad who struggled with MS the latter part of his life. To help their mom, the adult kids in the family would take turns helping their dad at night so she could get a good night's sleep every few days. One night as he was helping his suffering father, Elder Durham said he prayed to God and asked why this had happened to his dad. His dad was a great man who had been faithful to God his whole life. He'd been a great father and husband. Why had this happened to him? Then, the answer came powerfully to him, "It wasn't for him."

Sometimes trials aren't for the sufferer--they are growing opportunities for those who serve them. I think we become more like God as we serve selflessly--it changes us. I know that having two kiddos on the autism spectrum has molded me to be a better person. I don't think I would have ever chosen this "path," but I am thankful to God for what I have learned along my life's detours and the wonderful earthly angels I have met along the way.

#ItWasntForHim #service

Needing a Massage

"Iron." Nathan said and rubbed his chest. "What the heck?" I wondered. Then it dawned on me. "Your chest hurts, you want me to rub it or buzz it?" I asked. I guess our "buzzer" or massage machine looks like an iron, so I can see where he got that. Nathan was trying to communicate with his limited vocabulary and didn't know the word for that machine mom used.

He played some pretty intense rounds of Wii bowling with Jordan the other night--and when Nathan bowls he uses his whole arm & shoulder. He came upstairs after that with a sore shoulder and kept putting my hand on his muscle under his armpit so that I would know where it hurt and that he wanted me to rub it. Well, after rubbing him for a few minutes I busted out our big buzzer or massage machine. He LOVED it and I found him trying to use the "iron" or massage machine today on his own.

Thankful for my boy. He keeps me smiling.

#NeedingAMassage

Appendicitis

Sunday I had to run Jordan to the emergency room for a sharp pain on his lower, right abdomen. It ended up being appendicitis, and he had surgery later that evening. He is out of school this week recovering and doing well. Last night at dinner we were telling some funny stories and Jordan kept laughing and then saying "Ow!" because it hurt to laugh. Of course that made us laugh even harder. I must be a cruel mom that I found it so funny, but I did. Glad my boy is recovering.

#Appendicitis

A Table for Three?

The other day I was having Nathan set the table. As I handed him the plates I realized that Jordan had a choir thing that evening and took away one plate. Then I remembered that Jacob had a scouting campout and I removed another plate. About 30 minutes later I recalled that Noelle had a birthday party she was going to attend and removed another plate. This left us with 3 plates on the table--what the heck? Justin came into the kitchen later and commented that someday it will be this way, just us and Nathan (well, and possibly Jacob). I felt a pang of sadness. My kids are growing up and going to leave home and I had a glimpse of it that day.

When they were little I truly couldn't even contemplate this day coming--it seemed so far away. Now that it is knocking at my door with Jordan graduating I find I am sad it has come so quickly. I think I am going to cherish setting the table for 6 people as much as I can these last few months.

#GrowingUp #PlatesOnTable

Taste of Spring

Ah! A taste of spring--that is what we have gotten in Utah yesterday and today. It is going to get up to 50 degrees today, plus it is SUNNY outside (which after the cold, foggy inversion we have had for a few weeks is a God-send!) Today I am thankful to know that winter is on its way out and that spring will eventually come.

I don't know why I get this way every year--so discouraged with the cold, dark weather...the lack of sunshine (Yes I am daily taking my vitamin D3 supplement). Just the taste of spring in the air (in between snow storms) is enough to give me the hope that spring is on its way. I mean, I know it will come, but seeing the signs of it always gives me a little boost of hope.

I guess it is all symbolic of life. We each have dark times and moments that we have to pass through--and we hang on through those dark times with the hope of sunshine and spring somewhere in the distance. It is always nice to have nature's testimony that things will get brighter, the sun will come out, and that someday soon those little flowers will start bursting through the snow and spring will be upon us.

#TasteOfSpring #NaturesTestimony

Basketball and Autism

How do basketball and autism mix? Pretty well. This is Jacob's first year to play basketball on a team. Of all my kids he is the most coordinated, but sometimes picking up all the cues of what he is supposed to be doing and where he is supposed to be going is tricky. We are so blessed that he has a kind and patient coach that has taken him under his wing and taught him the rules and put him in a position where he can succeed.

The one thing Jacob has going for him is height. He is taller than most of the kids out there and so his coach has put him where he can get the rebounds--good thinking! Jacob has always loved learning about sports (and can spout more facts than the average child his age). I am thankful that the kids on his team have been kind and that his coach has led this team with enthusiasm and with the wisdom that they are there to do their best and have fun. (Perfect coach for my "I have to win" child). There are a lot of great people in this world, and I so thankful to see my child with autism being included among them!

#BasketballAndAutism

A Little Legos

These cute kids make me smile. I went down to check on them the other day and they were downstairs playing with their Legos. I am glad that they enjoy playing with each other. I asked if they wanted to play a board game with Justin and I and they said they were too busy playing with their Legos to play a board game with us. I guess my husband and I are now officially "boring adults." Then again, who hasn't gotten lost in a Lego world before?

#LoveLegos #PlayingWithSiblings

Warm In Winter

Surviving the cold: When we moved here from Houston, Texas three and a half years ago I really thought I was going to die my first winter! I spent a LOT of time that first winter huddled in front of a little portable heater. You might think I'm kidding--nope. That is the truth! My poor blood was awfully thin after living in Arizona, California, Arkansas (although it can get cold there) and Texas.

I hope my blood has thickened a little bit, but I had to learn to wear layers here in the winter time. I also learned that wool socks are WONDERFUL and that boots can be fun and stylishly warm! Good warm coats and gloves are awesome as well (especially for my poor, frequently cold fingers). Oh, and hot chocolate is also kind of important to heat from the inside out ;).

I now wear several layers in the winter, take my vitamin D3 (for sunlight deficiency), and wear my wool socks happily. So far this winter hasn't been too bad--even though we have had snow on the ground for over a month. I must finally be adapting to the cold, or maybe I'm just learning to deal with it!

What do you do to stay warm in the winter?

#WarmInWinter

Cracked Screen

This is a picture of my computer screen---yes, it is cracked. This is what happens when your 230 pound son with autism steps on your computer. Sigh! The rest of my kids know better than to step on mom's laptop--not Nathan. Oh well! Further proof that having kids is expensive:(.

Lesson learned--NEVER leave your computer on the floor!

#CrackedScreen #JoysOfAutism

Citrus Sunshine

One of the perks of having my parents live in Arizona and my in-laws in central California is that every time we go to visit in the winter time I come home with fresh citrus. Believe it or not, I can go in their backyards and pick fresh grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines. It is delicious! I also love that I can bring some home with me to cold Utah! There is nothing like fresh citrus on a freezing cold day! It is like tasting a cup of sunshine.

#CitrusSunshine