Quick Skin Allergy Update

I discovered, through a series of loosely connected conversations, that Peter had had strawberries - in the juice I let him drink at a birthday party. Silly me... I hadn't thought about berries in juice..I know they can be there, but I just hadn't thought about.

Anyway, he still saw the doctor, allergy tests would be the next route, but that's being put off for now. We're just being a lot more careful about what he's eating....and drinking. And his skin looks tons better and the itching is almost completely gone!

What Schedule Do You Keep?

A couple nights ago I awoke to:

thump, thump - quiet, quiet - "ROAR" "ROAR"

This continued on for about half an hour before I was able to go back to sleep. Bob even woke up to that, and we chuckled at our little boy - who was, apparently, to rested to be sleeping at 1am!

So the next day I figure I'll play it by ear. Peter does well. He dozed in the car for about 15 minutes, but otherwise made it to bedtime with everyone else. He was up once in need of a binky that he was too sleepy to try to find.

Last night.... well... he was so tired he fell asleep in the late afternoon, Bob woke him for dinner - which he wouldn't eat - and then promptly fell back to sleep. He fussed some when I got home so Bob offered him food... he said no, laid down and Bob gave him back his binky. At 1:20am I find myself awake looking for a binky, with a wide awake and rather hungry boy. But he knows it's bed time, so he insists on sleeping with me. I was tired.. so okay. He couldn't sleep... he was, after all, wide awake. So we got up, got him some food, and then I put him back to bed.. which was wasn't happy about. So he talked and sang until who knows when... now... he's full asleep in his bed!

To Know You're Loved

I had a wonderful experience yesterday afternoon at the end of the After School Program.

Some of the parents had gathered to wait for their children to finish up. This one mother (of four, two of which are baby twins and one is a toddler between Jeremy and Peter's ages) had brought her children with her. The toddler had been part of the pre-school soccer team (which I "coached" this year). He had also joined me several times at the playgrounds when the baseball teams were playing last year.

As kids his age tend to do, he kept mostly to himself. He even played soccer his own way - most of the time. And rarely interacted with anyone... even me! (Okay, almost all of the kids in that group were like that)

Anyway, yesterday, I saw him walking over to our "mummy" field (where some children were wrapping others in toilet paper). His sister was one of the "mummies" so I figured he was heading over to her. Then he stopped right in front of me. So I said hi and asked how he was doing. He immediately grinned and held out his arms to me. So I picked him up and he gave me a huge hug!

It as very special for me - to know that I was loved by this little boy. To know that my willingness to just be there had meant something to him!

Plenty To Keep Us Busy

We've had a really busy week! This marked the second week of the Elders coming to the New Portland area to make contacts and visit with less active members. This week they stumbled into a less active that we didn't even know was in the area. It's been a wonderful experience for us. We also discovered that part of our ward boundaries extends half way through the next town over from us! We thought our town was the last on this side. The special part of that for us is that we know a lot more people over there because of the Rec Program that we're part of!

In addition to that, the After School Program put on by the Rec Youth Program Committee began! It's only two days a week.. but we had a wonderful time. I'm the co-director this year, so I am really involved. It also means a lot of help and support from Bob. But it's been really good for me... and I love watching my kids get involved. This session will be a multi-cultural one. We're very excited about the activities (games and crafts) as well as presentations we have planned!

Yesterday we made rain sticks and wrapped mummies!

And then headed out to Pack Meeting - don't know if I mentioned that I was the Cub Master in our new cub scout pack at church! It was fun.. but we're still getting on our feet and so we've not yet been able to hand out recognitions. But everything for that is finally taken care of and we're planning an extra special recognition pack meeting for next month!

Bob, of course, still has his hands full with the cabinets he's building, helping some friends with things on their house, his normal jobs, odds and ends around here, the apartments... oh, yeah... and helping me! His schedule is way more crazy than mine... But we're busy and we're feeling good!

Primary Presentation

Yesterday was the primary presentation. It is always one of my favorite days because I love to listen to the children sing. I must admit that I was a little nervous about what would happen with Beth. She's so... well... touchy about when and where and if she'll do something.

She hadn't ever been interested in doing her part... because it was too boring sitting and getting to it. So I told her that the actual presentation would go much faster than the practice. And that she'd be able to do lots of singing and so it wouldn't be too boring.

Well, I managed to convince her to go up. But then her sister and two friends had already gone up. So she started to melt down. I quickly figured out the problem, calmed her down and walked up with her (forgetting Peter, by himself, in our row... who then had his own melt down). Anyway, she ended up right in front of Gabi... that was a good thing.

She stood up with everyone when it was time, but was still frowning... then they started singing "I am a Child of God" and her eyes lit up... even though she was still slightly frowning. Then she realized Gabi was behind her and she just grinned. After that, every time they stood to sing, she'd twirl her dress from side to side while she was singing. It was really cute.

When it was her turn for her part, I saw her get up, hang her head and I almost panicked thinking we would have to race up and rescue her. But, she gave the "helper" a strange look, then turned to the rest of us and recited her whole part from memory! A friend beside me (who had been Beth's nursery teacher) commented that Beth made it through! For those of you who know Beth, you know this was a huge accomplishment for her!

Gabi did great - as usual. She was smiling, she knew the songs, the signs, and her part. She enjoys getting up and doing the presentations. She really likes the spot light!

Skin - Allergies - Questions

Ever feel like you have more questions than answers? That's kind-of how I'm feeling with Peter's skin condition. I mentioned before what was going on... and that we were pretty sure he's allergic to raspberries and blackberries....

Well, things were going fine... until Saturday evening... Peter's leg is now infected from scratching... and he had another flare-up (hive-style) and this time we haven't any idea what's causing it.... again!

Anyway, we're trying to treat the infection - we'll be in to see our doctor Wednesday morning - I don't know where we're heading from there. I just know we need some answers so we can fix (or at least control) the problem. The poor little guys is hard enough - and, of course, he's very uncomfortable and is sick of all the "gooping" we have to do!

The Lost City

Eating dinner with the Missionaries last night, Bob was sharing some of the "climate" of where he served in Chile. The easy comparison was "Los Angeles". Here's a bit of what followed:

Gabi: Why? What happened to it?

Me: What happened to what?

Gabi: What happened to Los Angeles?

Bob: Nothing. It's just like where I was on my mission.

Gabi: Then why is it called Lost Angeles?

The correction and translation were then given with many laughs all around - even from Gabi!

Quick Note

I'm sure there are some of you who have seen the "the act of traveling" in my do not value list of my previous post. I know that sounds strange, and really, I am ever so grateful for the many ways that I can travel. I just really don't like the chaos of traveling with the children... especially in the car for long rides. They get to be too noisy, too antsy, too picky.. you get the picture. I can't blame them, long rides are REALLY BORING.

Anyway, so that I wasn't confusing the world my saying that I am ungrateful for such things as my legs and my vehicle, and the ability to visit friends and relatives in other places, I just wanted to clear that up a bit.

Award? Tagged!

So I sat down to read through the blogs this morning - because that's the only chance I'll have all day - when I came to Monica's blog. She was expressing her gratitude (I think) for being chosen for an award - a blogging award. I thought that was interesting... and then I kept reading. It was one of those "TAGS" - and then I started getting one of those feelings.....Thanks, Monica. Though I'm not big on following the "blogging community games", I like what this one asks, so you're in luck! :)

6 things I value and 6 things I don't. This might getting interesting... it's definately personal.

Things I VALUE - it's hard to stick to just 6:

1. The Gospel: Without it I would be a lost and lonely child. That may seem simplistic, but truly, I have been in places in my life where without the gospel - without the knowledge of a Savior and His love for me - I would have landed in compete and utter despair.

2. My Family: It is eternal! It is precious to me. The relationships I have with my husband, my children and my extended family give me great joy. And through blessed, sacred, priesthood power, we have been sealed together for eternity! Never to leave each other. Death cannot part us!

3. Freedom: It is the whole reason I am able to worship according to my beliefs. It's the reason I can choose to educate my children in a way that I feel is best for them. It's the reason I can choose how to live my life, and where. It's the reason we can choose how to spend or save our money. Freedom is the choice we are given to live according to what we know is right. And to let others do the same. It's what allows us to VOTE upon the government which runs this nation.

4. Living Prophets: I couldn't imagine this world of chaos and commotions without a living prophet for guidance. I love the prophets of old. And I love that the Lord does not leave us without a prophet today. He loves us just as He loved the people in biblical times. He does not leave us floundering. "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet!"

5. Personal Revelation: Yes, I greatly value the ability to pray to God and know that He will answer me. That He will guide and instruct me. And that everything I hear, I can have confirmed or denied through that direct connection between me and the Lord. I don't always understand - often I don't understand until after - but He always gives me the answer He knows is best for me. And He always confirms sacred council that is given so that I might know for myself that it is the will of the Lord!

6. GREAT FRIENDS: They are the ones who will "pick me up" when I need it. They are the ones who pray for me when I'm struggling. They are the ones who, next to my family, love me the most. They are the ones who help me see what is always most important. They always remind me that I am of great worth!

Things I DON'T value:

1. Clutter: I have a lot of this. It's in my house. It's in my van. It's in my life. I dislike clutter.. but I must admit that I'm not as good about getting rid of it. I'm getting better. Clutter makes me feel over-whelmed. It makes me feel irritable. It makes me feel helpless.

2. VERY Loud Noise: The noise level in my life is often too loud. It's not just the kids around me either. Sometimes it's me. And sometimes it's the constant noise of life that has been allowed to get too busy. I have found that when I am doing the things which are needful, those things which matter and which will build up eternal relationship, that the noise, no matter how loud it really is, is some how much quieter. I believe it's the Spirit shielding me from the over-stimulation of such noise. But when I am not focused on those precious things, when I let life take control of me instead of the other way around, the noise, no matter how small, seems to escalate to an unbearable level.

3. Distorted Views: We all have them. And most often it comes because we do not have the whole picture. I really dislike them. I always have - even when I was little and was publicly accused of being "perfect" - it completely angered me. I don't like it when I look at someone and then find out I've distorted their image for myself. And I don't like hearing such distortions about myself. It comes too close to judgment (and often is).

4. Stress: I am way too good at allowing way too much of it into my life! Stress can be good if it allows someone to get something done... that's me. It's a great motivator. But it's an even better health robber! Maybe I should have said "Excess Stress".

5. The Act of Traveling: This might be a "for now in my life thing" but I know I'm not huge on traveling anyway. I do like to visit and explore places. I don't like the actual act of traveling. I am forever dreaming up ways to "speed up the trip" through imaginary, futuristic means (very unrealistic). I especially don't like the fight, struggle, chaos of long travels with little kids. It's so hard on them... and thus hard on everyone else!

6. Unproductive Meetings: I'm not a huge fan of meetings in general... the time away from family is hard enough. But I understand and acknowledge meetings which are needful and which are purposeful. These make it worth while. The others, the ones where no one shows up, or it's all chit-chat and no business, the ones that are there simply to have a meeting and not really for any real purpose - those I could do without! (And I try to.)

And now For the Next (It's your turn now!):

Ashby Family Trio - Katie
Chez Nous in Maine - Kim
Hurley's Heaven - Melissa
I Am A Leaf On The Wind - Zarah
Monkey Business - Karyn
Ummmmm - Juanita

Here are the 'official' rules:

*Mention the blog that gave you the award and comment on their blog to let them know that you have posted their award. You also have to list 6 things you value and 6 things you don't value. Lastly, you have to pass the award onto 6 other friends! *

Allergies - The Eczema Story

For months now, we've been trying to tame what has seemed to be a growing skin condition with Peter. The strange thing was that it would come and go, getting worse at times, and clearing up all together at others. Eczema runs in the family, and each of our children has had it at some point in their lives (Beth and Jeremy have pretty much out grown it). Peter's has always been the worse.

This summer, either just days before or days after we were in California for our visit, his condition really escalated. But, we seemed to have it under control with lots of lotion (Aquaphor) and hydrocortizone cream. That is unless we forgot to apply the lotions one day and then the condition would return.

When the children visited my mother about a month ago, his condition seemed to get even worse. It didn't help that I didn't remember to send the lotions with him (such is the results of last minute packing). When he'd be in a bath, the red and chapped look would subside and then it appeared to look much like ring-worm. So, I immediately set up an appointment with the doctor... the result - NOT ring worm! That was the good news. The bad news was that the eczema on his face was listed as being a contact allergic reaction. The stuff on his legs and trunk were classified (for lack of being able to recall the actual condition) as hyper-active, highly aggressive eczema. And thereby required a trip to the dermatologist.

After going there (with Peter already on meds to treat his reactions), it was determined, for now, to just be the second mentioned condition above (the face no longer showing signs of the eczema) and in need of "aggressive treatment" - by which we mean a specialized, super form of hydrocortizone cream (which seemed only to intensify the condition so we switched back to the regular hydrocortizone cream) and thick layers of Eucerine.

I was not too thrilled with needing to use Eucerine. It stung on Gabi when her eczema was really bad during the winter, so I didn't want to go there. Of course, I did not realize that the Eucerine in the jar was different than the Eucerine in lotion! For anyone else out there who is wondering... the stuff in the jar is wonderful! Not nearly as "greasy" feeling, though you do still have to let it sink in, and it really softens the skin. Not only that, it doesn't sting!

So with all this, the condition seems to come under control, though often is not actually going away. He even broke out in hives at the beginning. I kept coming back to the thought that he must be allergic to something. So I kept trying to think what we may have given him that was new and different. The answer - NOTHING!

Well, this week I managed to cut out some things from his diet - not intentionally. It just sort of happened that way with all our chaos. He hadn't had berries and his skin was looking pretty good. I had even been able to just use the Eucerine and even miss a day without it flaring back up!

He had blueberries in the middle of the week. When I look back, I think that was the one day I recall seeing a slight flare up. Nothing too bad though. A coat of the mix of lotions and he was back to clear skin by evening. I didn't think a thing about it.

Then this morning, as part of his breakfast, he had a piece of toast with blackberry jam. All was going well... he only ate about 1/3 of the piece of toast. I took a shower and Bob proceeded to get him ready for church. When I got out and dressed, I came to see how everyone was doing. Peter was completely broke out. His whole face was covered with those horrid pox mark like hives which are a form of allergic reaction eczema. (And within a couple of hours later, his whole body was covered)

I immediate got the creams out and covered his face. And all the while I was trying to figure out what was different. The thought came that he'd had blackberry jam. That was the only thing different. And as I thought back over the last week and half, I realized that he'd not had any jam or berries (except that one time) during that time (I had a weak moment and bought the kids fluff... so they'd been eating peanut butter and fluff instead of jam).

So, although it's not yet verified, we're pretty sure he's allergic to berries. At least blackberries and raspberries. To be sure, we're taking him off ALL berries for a while. Getting the condition cleared up and then slowly adding the various berries to determine what he can and cannot have.

I do recall Jeremy was allergic to strawberries in much the same way until he was about 2 or 2 1/2 years old. Of course that we caught and watched a lot sooner. With that, the doctor told us to try the berries again 6 months after each time that we tried and he would break out until he didn't or unless other symptoms arose. So, for blackberries and raspberries I'll be doing that with Peter. But I do want to try the blueberries sooner. He loves them and we have a freezer full of them! (And it's a good thing he's not allergic to grapes and we have lots of grape jelly!)

God Knows What We Say - And He Answers Us

With winter coming, I had picked up the insulating window plastic. That meant it was time to start putting it up (before it was completely necessary and we could feel the winter wind blowing throughout the house). In order to do this, I needed the hair dryer.

In most houses, the hair dryer would be easy to locate. But since our family doesn't use a hair dryer (I know, strange people that we are), it's only used when we put up the window plastic! Therefore, no one remembered where it was last put (since last year was the last time it was used)!

In his prayer, Jeremy asked the following:

"And please help Mommy to find the hair thing-a-ma-jig. Because she really needs to put up the stuff and I need to help her, so could you please help her find the hairy thing-a-ma-jiggy."

God not only hears and answers prayers (because, yes, we found the "hairy thing-a-ma-jiggy" before going to bed last night), but He knows exactly what we are asking for. Words are not as important as What we are trying to say. God knows and loves us. He understands us, no matter what language we try to speak! And He truly answers prayer.

Precious Baptism

Thursday night was wonderful! For about a week I have had the honor of helping Juanita make a beautiful baptism dress for dear Olivia. It was a wonderful experience. It took a lot a patience. For me, it took patience to just stand back and only give the answers to questions. To not step in and help out as much as I have done in the past with other projects. But it was wonderful to be a part of it.

As with anything pertaining to getting baptized, the dress was more troublesome than it might otherwise have been.... even when I took over to try to make something work (which I've never had trouble with before)! But we kept heart knowing that the dress was important to Olivia as a symbol of the pureness that was hers at her moment of baptism. We knew that all would work out. And indeed it did.

Olivia was baptized Thursday night. I was so touched because I recall this sweet spirit before she had the opportunity to enjoy the gospel on a regular basis. She knew of it's truthfulness without a doubt and it showed in every part of her!

For those who don't know, in our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), no one is baptized before the age of 8. At that point, they are able to understand right from wrong and can make a decision for themselves if they want to follow Christ and accept His gospel and partake in the necessary, saving ordainances (such things as baptism by immersion, the sacrament, the endowment, and temple marriage (the sealing of families for eternity)) Before the age of 8, they are not accountable before God. And therefore perfect and innocent; and they are already saved in Christ.

Congratulations, Olivia, on taking such a precious and needful step and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What's In Your Barn?

So this morning we wake up to rain... not a lot, but rain none the less. Made us wonder if we'd be able to get the garden harvested after all. Oh well. Nothing to worry about. We made pancakes, the rain stopped, and it was decided to try.

On the way out, Bob noticed a somewhat, yet not over powering, strange smell. Upon further investigation he discovered this and, of course, decided he really needed the camera:








Apparently the skunk had knocked off the lid to our turkey fryer (where we make french fries, onion rings, turkey, and breaded fish in). It must have really enjoyed itself because it ended up in the oil... and then, being so wonderfully slippery, couldn't get out. (And, no, we will not be using that oil for anything! YUCK!!!!)

Since there seemed to be no animal control person (authorized to deal with animals that might have rabies) available today, and since the animal was obviously not going anywhere, Bob protected himself with a bucket and put the poor thing out of it's misery... and ours. See, the wonderful little critter had been finding all sorts of ways to get into anything even remotely close to garbage or food. I don't even know how it found half the stuff it managed to drag around our barn! Once it had sufficient time to no longer be a threat, Bob buried it out on the far property boarder.

Oh, but the idea of it, when it didn't make one sick to think about the food oil, was really quite funny. Thank goodness no one got sprayed!

All Because Of A Window

Traveling Sunday... one of them... Bob went by himself so that I could be in our home ward to work on the signing with the children as they prepared for the Primary Presentation (set for Oct 26). This meant me and four little ones by myself again. The day started well.. until I brought Beth an outfit to wear....

Minor issues, since she's the "fashion queen" around here, but we got through, got to church with 5 minutes to spare, and settled in for Sacrament Meeting. Not too bad. Kids all had their own seats. A snack. Books. But one thing was missing... Peter had decided he didn't need his binky. That was left in the van.

About the time the Sacrament song was starting, Peter decided he was going to be loud just to be loud. I knew, since I did not have the binky, that this was only the beginning. He's a very noisy child when he thinks it's funny (like today). So I gather him up and tell Jeremy, who is actually being reverent, that he needs to come with me. I just didn't trust him next to Beth without my supervision.

We sat down on the couch, in front of some windows. Peter settled down, grinning. And then decided he needed to climb up the back of the couch. I stopped him. He tried again. I stopped him. He lunged over my shoulder, climbing me, reaching for the crank on the window. I stopped him again. He tried again. I won.

At the moment that Peter realized I was winning (and that he was not going to), he laid back in my arms, buried his head in my chest, his fingers in his mouth, and started in with the screaming. He continued. And continued. And continued.

I offered to go get the binky. No. Offered him the sacrament when it came around. No. Tried to comfort him. No. Jeremy tried to hug him - and got kicked. All the while the screaming continued.

I remember thinking, "Well, it's a good thing that I'm calm today." And I let him scream. Just held him and let him scream. Even after the doors were reopened, he continued to scream. Jeremy wanted a drink, so we walked down the hall. Peter, still screaming, grabs my leg and walks with us, his head buried in my leg the whole way.

At the other end of the hallway, we stay. Peter lets go. Then he comes at me, pulls at me, hits me, pulls at me some more. Still screaming. I even had a couple of people come out to see if they could help. In some ways we got a good laugh. - At least they were understanding. And Peter really had to just scream it out. That's the way he is. One lady asked him if he was going to scream all day. I told her he'd scream until he decided he wasn't mad any more. That's what he always does.

Well, eventually he decided to calm down some. This after being told he could not go outside and that we were not going home. As he finally got calm, I asked if he was ready to go sit with the girls again. He shook his head No. Eventually I asked him (when he was completely calm) if he wanted to walk around the church and then go sit with the girls. At first he started to shake his head. Then paused and changed his mind. I think he knew he wasn't going to win, and if he had to give in to going back and sitting down that at least he could get a short walk. So that's what we did.

Oh... the joys of a peaceful redhead! He really is a wonderfully sweet child. Calm, patient (most of the time). Easy going and willing to play nicely with others (most of the time... unless it's a baby... he hasn't figured that part out yet). But when he gets mad... watch out! Everything comes out in full force... and continues for hours!

(And yes, I'm aware there are likely many of you laughing at it all. That's okay. I can laugh about it today too!)

Swedish Meatballs

Yesterday, minding my own business, I received a phone call. A friend from church called asking a few questions. In amongst them was whether or not I had a good Swedish Meatball recipe. That reminded me that I had not had Swedish Meatballs since I was a kid... okay, a teenager! Oh my goodness! And suddenly I had flooded memories of one of my favorite childhood dinners - why I never made it myself, I have no idea.

Of course, being me, I jumped on line to figure out what kinds of "good" recipes were out there. That's when I discovered that Swedish Meatballs take on many different forms! Who would of known!?! - Actually, I'm not all that surprised. Most foods have many different forms. Apparently Swedish Meatballs come in so many varieties because they were made from left overs and the sauce from whatever was in the house!

Okay, that aside, I do LOVE my mother's recipe. So, because it was asked of me, I called her up in the middle of her hectic life to ask her for it... which sent a flood of memories over her as well (because she's not made it since I left for college... long story). Anyway, without trying to make it myself...so I don't know if I still have the same LOVE for this recipe as I did... but thinking it still sounds awesome... I've included it for you! Enjoy!

Swedish Meatballs –From the recipe collection of My Mother!

Combine together:

½ lb hamburger
½ lb ground pork
½ c. dry bread crumbs (unseasoned)
¼ c. half and half
2 T. finely chopped onion
1 t. salt
½ t. ground all-spice
½ t. Worchester sauce
1 egg


Shape into 20 (1 ½ inch) balls
Cook in skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until brown. About 20 minutes.
Remove from pan; set aside. Drain fat, reserving 3T.

In same skillet, blend together (off heat):
3T. fat, reserved
3T. flour
Add:
½ c. water
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat.
Add:
2 c. sour cream
¼ t. salt

Add meatballs, turning to coat. Serve over noodles. (we use egg noodles)

Finding The Little People

Yesterday I went a little crazy... not as crazy as I might some day, but enough. I went through all the toys in the playroom... gave away the toddler table unit thing (even Peter's too big for that), and then sent up to the bedrooms the toys which were more "gender specific" - not that gender ever seems to play into who plays with what around here! Then I organized the playroom... it looks empty... sort of.

We have the kitchen set where you can't see it unless you're in the room, the puppet theater and puppets, the musical instruments, and little people toys in there. That's all. Oh, and one basket of baby toys for when we have rather little visitors! The rest of things headed upstairs. And each room has at least one collapsible basket which they can use to bring toys downstairs to play with and then back upstairs to put away. I just have to organize the upstairs now... that will come.... next week. But my playroom looks great! Not so cluttered, and I feel great about it! (I might bring more things down again when Bob has time to make shelves to keep things from looking like they take over the entire room... but that won't be for a while - Bob's picked up another cabinet job!)

Anyway, the little people are now "out in the open" since there is a space to set up the little mat with all the things around it. This makes them very inviting... especially for little hands. Peter has loved this between yesterday and today. Today, though, he decided to bring the zoo train out to the kitchen. Apparently Noah thought it was time for a snack! :) Peter had Noah driving the train with a couple of animals on it. They stopped by the little children's table, where there was some dry cereal from earlier, and there he proceeded to take a little bit and "feed" it to each animal and Noah!

Very cute... very thoughtful... since the rest of the family was eating lunch! :)

What Do You Do?

What do you do when someone is hurting? That's been a question that has come into my head a lot over the last several years. Not just because of Sweet Savannah, but because of many other friends and family members who are also hurting - each in a different way - each struggling to do what is right, or help someone else do what is right - each suffering in many ways, some physical, some emotional, and most all spiritual - in one degree or another.

The only answer that seems to be consistent is Pray. That's what we can do. It's the only sure thing that we can do. Words may elude us. Actions require inspiration, which may not be blessed upon us at the very moment we think they should be. Distance can also hamper what one is able to do. But prayer is universal.

Sincere prayer evokes the heavens into action. And though we may be too far away to be the instrument for the action or words which the Lord would provide for another, our prayers are a catalyst to making it happen. Our prayers can reach from us to another in a unique way which requires the heavens to open so that genuine love can pass through. When such love passes through, it gathers blessings to bestow upon the recipient.

Please never under estimate the power or importance of prayer. It is real. It is divine. It is the one sure way that you can always help another.

Puppies, Babbies, And Growing Up

Beth has wanted a puppy for as long as I can remember. She loves animals - and puppies (though she's certainly seen more toys than real) have a special place with her. So she asked Dad if we could get a puppy :

D: Absolutely.......not.

Between the girls the response was not well taken at first. Then Daddy commented about how puppies are a lot of work, almost as much work as babies. And that if we wanted to have that much work, we'd just have another baby!

B: We're going to have lots more childrens. (Yes, with the s)

I'm almost, but not quite yet laughing, eyes truly wide as I look to Bob. Then the questions of why she thinks this comes up.

B: Gabi and me, when we grow up, will have babies and then we'll have more children" (we'd corrected her plural)

D: Yes, when you grow up and get married you can have children and then we'll have more children. And when Jeremy and Peter grow up and get married, their wives can have babies too and then we'll have more children.

To this Jeremy pipes in:

J: I'm going to be something different when I grow up!

M&D: What are you going to be?

J: I'm not going to tell you. It's a secret. You have to guess.

The game proceeds with everyone jumping in with silly things like food, toys, vehicles, objects, etc. Until finally Daddy says we've guessed so much he'll just have to tell us.

J: Okay. (Huge grin, twinkling eyes) A Daddy!

I guess he's right... a daddy is different than what he is now! I'm so glad that my little boy knows how important the role of daddy really is. And that, above all else, that is what he will be when he grows up!

Night Terrors?

Peter awoke in the middle of the night Saturday night. That in itself is not too terribly unusual, although it doesn't happen as often. This time, however, he was screaming this horrible, freaked out, wild, crazy kind of scream. It was kind of freaking me out!

I tried to give him his Binky thinking he was just too tired to find it on his own. He'd have nothing to do with it. Even when he finally took it from me he only did so to chuck it as hard as he could. Not only that, but he refused to let me hold him. Whenever I came near, he'd get more hysterical and dive away or lash out in a full assault beating on me for all he was worth!

The look in his eye was nasty - scary - nearly possessed - fully angry! When I saw that, even after talking to him, I grabbed him right up, held him snug, facing out so he couldn't hurt me further, and proceeded to tell him that I was there, that it was Mommy, that he was safe. Nothing seemed to help.

Because of the dynamics of the situation and because there were other children sleeping (or trying to), I brought him out and down stairs. He continued to rage on for a good half hour or so in this terrifying way.

I thought, briefly, of calling my home teacher, glanced at the clock and realized he was probably on the road headed home (without cell phone) since the Priesthood session had only just finished. A prayer was said and then Bob was called at work. I believe his shift was over and he was just finishing up the last stuff, so it wasn't too bad there. Just after the call, Peter finally accepted his binky and curled up on my lap - settling down, eyes becoming clear again.

I have no idea what happened. That was totally and completely not like any episode I've ever experienced with any of my kids before - definately not a tantrum thing or teething thing or sickly in pain thing or anything like what we've been through over the years. It was completely terrifying!

One suggestion was that maybe it was night terrors and maybe he wasn't fully awake when I went up to get him so he wasn't recognizing me. I don't know. He has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday - I'll be sure to bring it up.

Conference With Friends

This weekend was good... well.. I wondered on Saturday... it started well... it went to chaos, and I must admit that I wasn't doing so well. Bob left for work, Juanita and I decided we'd stop the second session of conference in the middle, get the kids to bed, and then start back at the beginning of it to get anything out of it yesterday. But it was good.

There was a major Peter issue in there too... I'll tell you about that later...

Today was great. I remember several times thinking that it was so nice to have the family gathered around (most of the time) with friends and a shared love of our Savior and His gospel. There was a very special feeling of peace. It was really nice.

There is much that I took from conference... I always do... but the things that caught my attention the most centered on relationships, values, unity, courage. (Yes, though I heard it all, there is much that was not so "in my face" as I did have kids around to help and take care of)

I want to share just a couple of quotes from the weekend - really just a few of my personal favorites:

"Never let a problem to be solved get in the way of a person to be loved" ~Thomas S. Monson

"Not all angels are from the other side of the veil." ~Jeffrey R. Holland

"God never leaves us alone. Never leaves us unaided..." ~Jeffrey R. Holland

"Meekness is not weakness. It is the badge of Christian Courage." ~Robert D. Hales

"In the strength of the the Lord, I can do ALL things." ~Elaine S. Dalton

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." ~Elaine S. Dalton

"Exaltation is a family matter." ~Russell M. Nelson

And my personal favorite... not from conference, but still from this weekend while dealing with a very cranky, uncommunicative 20 month old:

"This is just a moment. And the moment will pass." ~Juanita Grant (What a great - and much needed - reminder!)