Saturday, June 27, 2015
Family Time
I have to say that I have really missed my kids. I love them so much. I am so grateful for the time that I have to spend with them before school starts. It has been nice to not have anything major going on this year so that we can just hang out and enjoy each others company. Being able to spend time with my honey has been amazing too. What a blessing it has been to have him home in the summer at reasonable hours. We love spending time together.
MCC Rose Garden
MCC has a rose garden. It is really pretty and has a large assortment of roses.
It even provide shade for a hot Arizona day.
Here are a few little pretties that the kids requested pic's of.
It was a nice little walk.
The roses smelt heavenly.
Jake likes to play with his zipper. Sorry ;p
They also had an abundance of soft, cool, fluffy grass that Eva had a hard time getting up from.
Hayden Butte
We went hiking last Saturday. Even Jake (hates hiking) had a great time!
They were all so proud of themselves for making it all the way to the top.
Each one of them thanked me for taking them and asked to go back. Yay for hiking!!
Thursday, April 16, 2015
It's Been Awhile
Wow, what a year. I am almost done with school. Five more weeks to go. There were some times when I wasn't quite sure if I would make it, but here I am! I am so proud of myself. I am even more grateful to my family for their love and support.
I definitely could not have done it without them. Thank you James for your love and patience with me. You are amazing and I am so thankful for you. It has been a long stressful year and I know that you have definitely felt it as well. My kids have been super patient with me also. I have missed them so much! I am excited to spend time with them this summer. Special thanks to my sister Stephanie and my mom. They watched my kids on the weekends, most of the time while they were caring for my grandmother as well.
I would be entirely ungrateful if I did not thank my Lord and Savior. I feel like I have been a slacker in the department of personal/family scripture study as well as temple attendance. He however, has been with me the entire way. Most of you know that I had been suffering from Iron Deficient Anemia. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I had no energy. I adjusted my diet and exercise with no improvement, in fact my symptoms seemed to worsen. I was so stressed out. I didn't know what to do. There were many close calls where I almost passed out even at school. I wasn't keeping up with my spiritual needs because I had to be so focused on my education and my physical needs. I felt so guilty and felt that I couldn't go to the Lord since I wasn't doing my part. There was a specific clinic where I didn't feel like I could fulfill my shift requirements. I didn't know what I should do. Then I had an impression to pray. I felt guilty and that I shouldn't. How could the Lord make time for me when I wasn't doing that for Him. I then had a great comforting feeling that I am His child. Of course He wants to help me. This time is just temporary and I can get back on track when I am done with school. What a great blessing this was. I did pray, and I was able to finish. In February we were able to get health insurance and I went to the Dr. She ran some tests and called me at school to tell me that I needed to rush to the emergency room. That was unexpected and scary for me and my family. I ended up having to get a blood transfusion and have been on a ton of iron since. Thanks to receiving a priesthood blessing and the fasting and prayers of so many people I am doing so much better. It has been a frustrating road (I'm impatient), but I am finally feeling better.
I look forward to completing school and getting to work. I have learned so much this year, in school and in my life. I have made some amazing friends and am grateful for their help and encouragement as well.
My family amazes me. I love you all. Thanks for your love and support. It has really meant a lot to me.
I definitely could not have done it without them. Thank you James for your love and patience with me. You are amazing and I am so thankful for you. It has been a long stressful year and I know that you have definitely felt it as well. My kids have been super patient with me also. I have missed them so much! I am excited to spend time with them this summer. Special thanks to my sister Stephanie and my mom. They watched my kids on the weekends, most of the time while they were caring for my grandmother as well.
I would be entirely ungrateful if I did not thank my Lord and Savior. I feel like I have been a slacker in the department of personal/family scripture study as well as temple attendance. He however, has been with me the entire way. Most of you know that I had been suffering from Iron Deficient Anemia. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I had no energy. I adjusted my diet and exercise with no improvement, in fact my symptoms seemed to worsen. I was so stressed out. I didn't know what to do. There were many close calls where I almost passed out even at school. I wasn't keeping up with my spiritual needs because I had to be so focused on my education and my physical needs. I felt so guilty and felt that I couldn't go to the Lord since I wasn't doing my part. There was a specific clinic where I didn't feel like I could fulfill my shift requirements. I didn't know what I should do. Then I had an impression to pray. I felt guilty and that I shouldn't. How could the Lord make time for me when I wasn't doing that for Him. I then had a great comforting feeling that I am His child. Of course He wants to help me. This time is just temporary and I can get back on track when I am done with school. What a great blessing this was. I did pray, and I was able to finish. In February we were able to get health insurance and I went to the Dr. She ran some tests and called me at school to tell me that I needed to rush to the emergency room. That was unexpected and scary for me and my family. I ended up having to get a blood transfusion and have been on a ton of iron since. Thanks to receiving a priesthood blessing and the fasting and prayers of so many people I am doing so much better. It has been a frustrating road (I'm impatient), but I am finally feeling better.
I look forward to completing school and getting to work. I have learned so much this year, in school and in my life. I have made some amazing friends and am grateful for their help and encouragement as well.
My family amazes me. I love you all. Thanks for your love and support. It has really meant a lot to me.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Depression
This last year and a half has been very difficult for me. It started with my oldest son having a seizure. How could this have happened?! Seizures are hereditary on my husbands side of the family. Is this going to be something serious that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life? Thank goodness it was nothing serious and the good Lord has blessed him so far that he has not had anymore and his neurologist came to the conclusion that it was most likely nothing more that a one time deal. Our second son starts getting physical tics really bad. It brings him such discomfort and makes him self conscious. His neck and back get sooo tight from them. I figure out that most of it is brought on by artificial sweeteners and the tics are pretty much held at bay once his diet is changed. Another great blessing. There is some family drama added to the mix on my side of the family, which at this point, I'm pretty much done with anything that can weigh my spirits down. Come to find out that the Lord wasn't exactly done quite yet. Our daughter had a large growth in her neck that had to be removed. It was pretty serious, since it was right next to her jugular, and some important nerves/tendons. Oh, help me at this point. I was distraught and afraid. I didn't blame the Lord, but I distanced myself from Him when in all honesty, that's when I should have turned to Him all the more. During this time of worrying about my daughter there was some drama on my husband's side, that from my perspective was quite selfish and I just didn't have the time, patience, or care for. I had to let something go and they were it. I couldn't deal with anything else and they were much too demanding for me. Yes, I should have prayed. Yes, I should have been more kind/patient. I had no more to give and was mad that they were trying to demand more from me and trying to make me feel like I was the bad person for it. My daughter's surgery went amazing and she has been doing great since. The Lord has never left my side even though I just didn't have it in me to ask for His help. How amazing is He?! I am so grateful for all of my blessings.
That being said, I fell into depression. I had had smaller bouts of it in the past, but it got bad this time. How was I going to get out? I couldn't function anymore. I let the house go, I didn't have patience for my kids, I just couldn't deal with anything anymore.
The Lord in His ever amazing grace placed people in my life to help me. To give to me to talk to. To give to me to help so that my burden seemed lighter. To give to me to start my healing process. It was slow. Those people have no idea the help that they have been to me during my time of darkness and great need. I am so grateful for my amazing husband and children that have been so loving and patient with me even though they have not understood what I was going through or how I was feeling.
The Lord is always there for us. Always. I have seen His kind and gentle hand all throughout my life. He is my rock. He is my salvation.
Today, I had a conversation with my little sister. She has been one of the people who has shown me such great support and love. She continues to influence my life for good. I committed myself to being consistent again with my scripture study and temple attendance. As soon as I got off of the phone with her I decided to start with the beginning of the Book of Mormon. Not just to read it, but to study it. I started with the 1st few verses (I got to five) and learned a great deal just from that. I learned about how the Lord in all of His goodness had compassion with the children of Israel. In the days of Zedekiah, he gave them time and time again, every opportunity to repent and come again to Him so that he would not have to follow thru with His promise of destroying them. He must have felt so frustrated with them. They did not care. They did not listen. It made me feel so sad for Him. He loves us all so much. He doesn't want to have to spend His time punishing us. He wants to love us. He wants to help us. He wants to bless us.
As my sister reminded me in our conversation about how when the children of Israel were bitten by snakes and all they had to do was look at the image to be healed, and they chose not to. The Lord has given us a path to follow. It is relatively easy. He does not demand a lot from us. But do We listen? Do we choose to take the simple path that He has laid out for us? Or are we stubborn and do the opposite of what He asks of us? I know my answer. Unfortunately, all too often I choose the hard way. He just waits for us to ask for His help, His guidance, His love. It is so simple that I forget how simple it is to just bend. To just bend those tired knees and fall to the ground and ask for His gracious help. For His love. It is sitting there waiting to be taken. It is abundant. It will fill us when nothing else will. Please, I plead with you. Be humble, be prayerful. Let your knees bend. Let your cares fall into His willing hands. He will pick you up. He will guide you. He will love you. That is all that we really need. To know that we are not alone and to feel loved and appreciated. We can do our part by sharing that love once we have received it for ourselves. We can be an instrument in His hands too. Like the people that He placed in my life, I can do good and help those around me as well. We are all hurting. We are all in need of a helping hand. Do not be afraid. That is what the adversary wants. He wants us to second guess ourselves. He wants us to be sad, and frustrated, and angry. He doesn't want us to have what our most gracious Lord has to offer us.
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
~2Nephi 2:25 (Book of Mormon)
That being said, I fell into depression. I had had smaller bouts of it in the past, but it got bad this time. How was I going to get out? I couldn't function anymore. I let the house go, I didn't have patience for my kids, I just couldn't deal with anything anymore.
The Lord in His ever amazing grace placed people in my life to help me. To give to me to talk to. To give to me to help so that my burden seemed lighter. To give to me to start my healing process. It was slow. Those people have no idea the help that they have been to me during my time of darkness and great need. I am so grateful for my amazing husband and children that have been so loving and patient with me even though they have not understood what I was going through or how I was feeling.
The Lord is always there for us. Always. I have seen His kind and gentle hand all throughout my life. He is my rock. He is my salvation.
Today, I had a conversation with my little sister. She has been one of the people who has shown me such great support and love. She continues to influence my life for good. I committed myself to being consistent again with my scripture study and temple attendance. As soon as I got off of the phone with her I decided to start with the beginning of the Book of Mormon. Not just to read it, but to study it. I started with the 1st few verses (I got to five) and learned a great deal just from that. I learned about how the Lord in all of His goodness had compassion with the children of Israel. In the days of Zedekiah, he gave them time and time again, every opportunity to repent and come again to Him so that he would not have to follow thru with His promise of destroying them. He must have felt so frustrated with them. They did not care. They did not listen. It made me feel so sad for Him. He loves us all so much. He doesn't want to have to spend His time punishing us. He wants to love us. He wants to help us. He wants to bless us.
As my sister reminded me in our conversation about how when the children of Israel were bitten by snakes and all they had to do was look at the image to be healed, and they chose not to. The Lord has given us a path to follow. It is relatively easy. He does not demand a lot from us. But do We listen? Do we choose to take the simple path that He has laid out for us? Or are we stubborn and do the opposite of what He asks of us? I know my answer. Unfortunately, all too often I choose the hard way. He just waits for us to ask for His help, His guidance, His love. It is so simple that I forget how simple it is to just bend. To just bend those tired knees and fall to the ground and ask for His gracious help. For His love. It is sitting there waiting to be taken. It is abundant. It will fill us when nothing else will. Please, I plead with you. Be humble, be prayerful. Let your knees bend. Let your cares fall into His willing hands. He will pick you up. He will guide you. He will love you. That is all that we really need. To know that we are not alone and to feel loved and appreciated. We can do our part by sharing that love once we have received it for ourselves. We can be an instrument in His hands too. Like the people that He placed in my life, I can do good and help those around me as well. We are all hurting. We are all in need of a helping hand. Do not be afraid. That is what the adversary wants. He wants us to second guess ourselves. He wants us to be sad, and frustrated, and angry. He doesn't want us to have what our most gracious Lord has to offer us.
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
~2Nephi 2:25 (Book of Mormon)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Eva's Surgery
Eva was a little nervous about getting surgery when we arrived.
Daddy helped her feel better by playing checkers with her.
Grandma Chapman was there the whole time to help our Eva feel good!
Eva in pre-op. She didn't like being distracted from the movie she was watching.
She had some super awesome nurses help her put stickers on her oxygen mask and smelly stuff inside it. (She chose cherry)
Grandma with Eva in recovery after surgery. Eva was kind of cranky about having to keep the IV in and the red light thingy on her finger.
Getting a Popsicle helped her to cheer up a bit.
She wanted to see her bandage.
She got a super comfy cozy eye mask from the gift shop.
Something every girl needs for her beauty sleep.
She got a lot of new teddy bear friends too! She received 2 from the hospital (Ariel and Hello Kitty), 1 from Aunt Steph (Cheer Bear), and 1 from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Megan (Sophia).
She enjoyed picking all of the food that was ordered for her. (Not much of an appetite though)
Aunt Steph has been super awesome/nice to watch her brothers and also to bring them by the hospital!
Eva's incision. Everything went great and Eva had fun. She wanted to move there and was nice enough to say that her brothers could live in the cupboards!
We are now home and appreciate the kind nursing staff and her Dr. for taking great care of our little girly.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Daddy helped her feel better by playing checkers with her.
Grandma Chapman was there the whole time to help our Eva feel good!
Eva in pre-op. She didn't like being distracted from the movie she was watching.
She had some super awesome nurses help her put stickers on her oxygen mask and smelly stuff inside it. (She chose cherry)
Grandma with Eva in recovery after surgery. Eva was kind of cranky about having to keep the IV in and the red light thingy on her finger.
Getting a Popsicle helped her to cheer up a bit.
She wanted to see her bandage.
She got a super comfy cozy eye mask from the gift shop.
Something every girl needs for her beauty sleep.
She got a lot of new teddy bear friends too! She received 2 from the hospital (Ariel and Hello Kitty), 1 from Aunt Steph (Cheer Bear), and 1 from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Megan (Sophia).
She enjoyed picking all of the food that was ordered for her. (Not much of an appetite though)
Aunt Steph has been super awesome/nice to watch her brothers and also to bring them by the hospital!
Eva's incision. Everything went great and Eva had fun. She wanted to move there and was nice enough to say that her brothers could live in the cupboards!
We are now home and appreciate the kind nursing staff and her Dr. for taking great care of our little girly.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Pioneer Day Parade
About an hr and a half away in Manassa, Co they have a Pioneer Day Parade.
It was a lot of fun!
The kids scored themselves a ton of candy!
Eva sat w/ my mothers cousin Gene Newville. He called her Lily and taught her some ole timey songs. She loves him!
An Amish buggy. We also scored us some Amish baked goods that were delish!
They really go all out on their floats.
I wonder how much time in advance that they start working on them?
I was surprised at how many missionaries there were for a small town!
Eva loved all of the princess floats.
This was my fav.
I was afraid that the horse on the left was going to trample us! (Made me think of you Steve)
They had an old school playground with the kind of equip. That I grew up with!
Eva got scared of how high the slide was and had to climb down. Luckily there was one smaller.
The boys played on the Merry Go Round most of the time.
There was a spider web thingy too but forgot to snap a pic.
All of the kids always love pony rides! Ethan tried to convince me that he needed his own pony.
Jake kept pretending that he was a cowboy yelling, gettyup!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It was a lot of fun!
The kids scored themselves a ton of candy!
Eva sat w/ my mothers cousin Gene Newville. He called her Lily and taught her some ole timey songs. She loves him!
An Amish buggy. We also scored us some Amish baked goods that were delish!
They really go all out on their floats.
I wonder how much time in advance that they start working on them?
I was surprised at how many missionaries there were for a small town!
Eva loved all of the princess floats.
This was my fav.
I was afraid that the horse on the left was going to trample us! (Made me think of you Steve)
They had an old school playground with the kind of equip. That I grew up with!
Eva got scared of how high the slide was and had to climb down. Luckily there was one smaller.
The boys played on the Merry Go Round most of the time.
There was a spider web thingy too but forgot to snap a pic.
All of the kids always love pony rides! Ethan tried to convince me that he needed his own pony.
Jake kept pretending that he was a cowboy yelling, gettyup!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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