Honey and the Googly Smile

We have nearly made it through February again. And with minimal sickness this year. I attribute it to a combination of Divine Intervention and Thieves. Thieves is an essential oil combination that my friend gave us which studies have proven fights viruses and kills bacteria. I have used it for each family member who's been sick, but especially for Nattie. It may be that the Divine Intervention is a significantly stronger reason for the improvements, but I will continue the Thieves just in case. It doesn't seem to hurt for sure!
So, Nattie has had the "sniffles" (a cold). She has had congestion, but really no other symptoms until last night when the cough hit with a vengeance. Of course, she only coughs if she dances too wildly to her mp3 player, or when we are trying to sleep. There was a 2 hour coughing spell from 1:30-3:30 am which was particularly troublesome. Since I had already administered EVERY possible medical remedy before bed, there was really little else I could do for her, but pray. Which, of course, I was doing. Then I remembered that honey sometimes settles the coughing a bit, so I began wondering if I should give her a spoonful. Then I remembered that our 5# jug of honey has started to crystallize, and that the last time I gave it to her she looked at me funny and said, "Umm, its crunchy." Since she was already gaggy from the coughing spell, I wasn't sure that she could tolerate the crunchy honey. The last thing I wanted was a barfing spell on top of it all! So as I laid there pondering (and sweating-my new nighttime activity), I realized that I would need to heat the honey and get it smooth again before I could give it to her. At 2:50 I decided it was time to act! I got the honey heated and smooth, and then it was a nice, smooth, syrupy liquid-SUPER HOT syrupy liquid. So, now we wait for it to cool to a suitable temperature for her to ingest without scalding her little tongue. By now it is a challenge wondering what the chances are of her actually SLEEPING any more tonight: will giving her the honey treatment wake her up so much that she wants to stay up? Will just leaving her be allow the coughing to continue until she either 1-throws up, or 2-starts to cry out of frustration? I decide to take my chances and continue with the honey. It is finally ready and I take a spoonful along with a sippy cup of water and the Vicks to her room. As I try to quickly open the door and close it again (so the humidity from the humidifier doesn't escape) we both realize that there is a hanger on the back of her door which clatters due to the movement. Well, so much for being stealthy! Her little head pops up, surprised, looking at me. I smile and say, "I am just bringing you some honey." She replies, "Puz I am coughing?" "Yes," I say. Then, none of the things I worried about happened. What did happen is this: she breaks into the goofiest, almost drunken smile, and closes her eyes and continues to smile. I realize that she is most likely drugged from the stuff I gave her before bed. I struggle to give her the honey, because she wants to do a combination of 3 things: take a lick off the spoon, smack her lips and tongue 5-6 times, and then close her eyes smiling over and over again. Finally we get the honey in, a small drink of water, and Vicks and a cloth on her chest, all of which are accompanied with several sighs of contentment, and her googly smile. I cover her again with the blankets, kiss her and say good night, again. She sighs, smiles, snuggles in and replies, "I love you."
I don't think I have ever had quite and experience, and I don't imagine I will ever have one quite like it again! But it was one of those times I felt the true joy---JOY---of my calling as a mother.
Incidentally, it took another 30 min before the coughing settled completely, but they we were all able to get back to sleep.

The Faith of Esther

I found this blog post which talks about the Faith of Esther. The phrase "and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" is so powerful to me. We all have specific responsibilities and missions to perform. They are ours alone and God will help us as he has helped His other servants. But we must have the faith to step out into the dark, or to walk into the danger.

http://mormonsoprano.com/2011/01/10/the-faith-of-esther/

We're BAAAA----AAAAck!!!

Ahem...Well, I lost my blog. Probably more appropriately, I lost my mind. But the blog got lost in the process. But I found it today. So, I guess maybe my mind might be on the way as well? Anyway, I have been thinking that I have so many friends and loved ones who have are not around so close anymore, I want to do more with my blog to keep up. It has been a difficult year, with many challenges and things to learn. But as always there are highlights and blessings, which I would like to do better at focusing upon. So, I intend to do that in my blog! How about that!
I have been working at ideas of things we can do better at doing together. So, in the midst of winter, my best idea was this: last week we helped MaeMae make her first snowman. The snow seemed good in the morning, but by late afternoon when D was ready to help us, it had become crusty and powdery. It was quite a task trying to get it to stick at all! So we made more of a "blob" looking thing than really a "man," even though we did add eyes, mouth, arms, and a colorful hat! It was fun and the three of us really did enjoy that and the hot cocoa that followed! Yea for the simple things!

ALREADY?!?!

I don't know how it happened. I remember yesterday (figuratively) when she wanted to dress up like "Odette" and take care of her babies. I remember when her daddy would come home from work and she'd say, "Daddy, dance with me." He would pick her up and waltz around; she'd look at him with "won-ton" eyes, and then say, "(sigh) Now we're married." I remember the day before she was to have pictures taken, and she fell out of the stroller face first. Come to think of it, far too often she bunged her face up just before it was picture day! I remember how excited she was the day she got her two-wheeled bike at Grammy DD's house. I remember attending many dance performances (especially at Lagoon), piano recitals, choir concerts, and even a couple of plays when she performed, and feeling so proud and thrilled that she was mine! She was the best on stage! I remember when she finally got a baby sister; she was SO thrilled. She held and loved and cherished her, just as she had done with her little dolls. I remember her first date to the Prom! She was so incredibly beautiful...not little anymore. Now, look what had happened. She will graduate this year and start college. COLLEGE! I don't know how it happened so fast. But it has been a beautiful journey. Sometimes a bit of a roller coaster, but more of the fun and less of the scary parts. What a blessing! What a joy! What a gift she is to our family, but especially to me. I just can't believe it has gone so fast...

FINALLY SUMMER?

Well, With all of the rain, and rain, and RAIN we've had, I have wondered if it would ever turn "SUMMER." Maybe summer is just different this year....
Things are busy, busy, busy these days. With baseball, girls camp, scout camp, and Relief Society, I feel like I am just getting farther and farther behind! I have set a goal to at least do one FUN thing with the kids each week. Last week we went to the local pool and spent a few hours. Even though it was quite busy, we had a great time! Nattie was unhappy about other people splashing on her, but once she discovered she could splash herself, she loved that! She kept saying "Spashy! Spashy!" We then spent the weekend watching Dev play baseball. We love watching him! Tonight his sis has a special surprize for him: she bought tickets for the premier of Harry Potter and is taking him to the midnight showing! I love to see them doing things together. It is amazing to think that she is graduating next year. I wonder where the time has gone....

Disneyland!!

Well, we finally did it! After about 15 years of Cam asking if we could go to Disneyland, we took our family on a true family vacation to Disneyland! It was sooooo fun. We spent 2 days driving each way to break it up, and spent 5 days at the Disneyland and California Parks. It was so nice to be away and have the time just to focus on each other. Pat and Cammy enjoyed the thrill rides together, while Dev Nattie and Mom enjoyed some of the others. It was such a great time to chat and really know and love each other. One of our trips highlights was the character breakfast buffet we had at Goofy's Kitchen. The food was amazing and there were characters walking around to all of the tables. We also loved the Soarin' Over California ride and the nighttime fireworks over Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Another favorite was the Indiana Jones ride, and the Pirates of the Carribean. We also loved the Pineapple Whip we got near the Tikki Room. The kids loved it so much, they wanted to save up and go again in the fall!!
Coming back to reality, we found that life is running faster than ever. Baseball season is beginning and Pat is coaching Deven's team this year. I think that it will be a great thing for them to really share this experience together. We are excited to see the games, and are hoping for a warmer spring this year. Cammy decided to cut her hair. She looks amazing! It is so hard to believe that in just one more year we'll be going to college! Nattie is really trying to talk. She says a few words consistently, and will try a lot of words. I can't believe she's 2 in the fall! I am so thankful for the wonderful family that I have been blessed with. Even with the challenges, LIFE IS GOOD!

What Happened To February?!

Well, February always goes quickly, thank goodness. It is not one of my more favorite months...by now I am too ready for spring, and know that it's still a ways off here! The highlights were celebrating a 40th and a 17th Birthday. But Valentine's Day was pretty darn good, I must say. My husband actually planned ahead and got me a "Mani-pedi" from the salon I go to. He also bought a cute card and took me to dinner at Ruby Tuesday. We did have a 1 hour and 20 minute wait, but it was ok because we went to the grocery store and then spent the rest of the time talking. It was a very nice time.
I have spent the last few days thinking about family and friends and what really means the most. Pat's sweet Grandma passed away last week and this has caused me to reflect a bit. Her life was such an example of what's most important. She focused upon family 1st, and then those dear people in her ward. She lived a simple life, not worrying about extravagant conveniences(like an electric clothes dryer or range---those things she only relented to after much cooersion from her children!). They wouldn't allow a TV in their home at all, until someone "thoughtfully" gave them one. This she kept a respectable period of time, and then gave it away. She also spent much time in service to others, as a RS leader, Primary and YW leaders, as well as serving for MANY years in the family history center---Again spending her time on what matters most. She spent what "free" time she had on reading good books as well as her personal scripture study. She also loved to cook, and especially loved to share what she had made with those who would really love it! I truly love her and am so thankful for her love and example, for the life she lead, and the love she so freely gave to me.
I am so thankful that we have the blessing of our families. What a strength and example you all are to me. Thank you----Love you!