A Change of Plans

Well here we are at February 16.
This month hasn't  exactly gone as planned.
I hate it when that happens.
I am a careful planner by nature and it really bothers me when things take an unexpected turn or two.

Remember all my Valentine surprises?
The romance, the candles, the chocolate?
It didn't work out so well.

I also had big plans for the twins and Sam.
Little notes, treats and surprises that are still sitting in a bag in the closet.

Life happened.

Pneumonia,
two baseball trips,
one business trip,
winter scout camp
and a bout with stomach flu dropped by.

Disappointing, to say the least.
At midnight I was lying in bed feeling sorry for myself.
A throw up bucket and laptop were tucked in next to me, you know the spot where my traveling husband should have been.

Then right there between gags and heaves, something unexpected and wonderful happened.
I stumbled upon a love story in its truest sense.
A story so raw, so real, so human that it touched and filled my heart to the overflow mark.

After reading this story, I reconsidered my inflexible nature.
Flexible is good.
A change of plans can be a great thing, I said to myself.

So today I am resetting the clock.
Pretending that it's February 2.
Reverse, rewind, re-do, that's my motto today.

Does it really matter that the calendar says Valentine's is over and done with?
No, not really.

Starting tonight, love is back in the air and not just for the man in my life.
The next two weeks are a celebration of family love.
I want my husband and kids to know how amazing I think they are and how lucky I feel to be theirs.

Here's to a change of plans,
 flexibility 
and the God given, joy filled, sometimes very human emotion we call love.


 Nella's story.  It's worth the time, I promise.
http://enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html

The Ups and Downs of Stomach Flu

The Ups and downs of stomach flu:

Ups:

• Each person who threw up happened to do it on either tile or hardwood flooring.
• Something about motherhood allows one to get vomited on over and over and still remain kind and compassionate.
• When Mom starts throwing up, Grandma & Grandpa save the day.
• Saltine crackers are a life saver.
• Clorox and Lysol.  Oh glorious Clorox and Lysol.
• Washer & Dryer, hot water and lots of soap.
• Mom loses 3 lbs.
• Grateful son humbly thanks mom for taking care of him.
• Rachel managed to avoid it.

Downs:

• Husband left for Boston before it hit and returned when it was finally over.
• Continual ESPN when son was sick, continual Sprout/Disney Channel with toddler.
• No sleep.
• Missing a few days of beautiful weather while sick, waking up to snow when better.
• Dry heaves, they really are the worst.
• Wondering if food will ever sound good again.
• Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy 2 year old.

Hmmmm, husband's flight arrives in about an hour.....

I think this would be the perfect time to make a case for a trip to Disneyland, don't you?

Dinner Time Rut

I don't like to cook.
Call me crazy but I would much rather clean the house or mow the lawn than be stuck in the kitchen.

It's not that I can't cook.
I can make a tasty Sunday dinner and I am pretty good at following a recipe.
But overall, the whole nightly dinner dilemma has got to be my most un-favorite part of the day.

Despite my lack of fondness for the kitchen, I really love sitting down with the family for dinner.
It is a time to check in with each other.
Sometimes it is the only part of the day when we are all together.
There is something about gathering each nigh that keeps us close and connected.
We have had some of our very best discussions around the dinner table.

So, I keep on keeping on.
I go through cycles of great meals and cycles of grilled cheese and canned soup.
Lately I've been stuck in the canned soup department and I feel bad about it.
Mark and the kids never complain, which only adds to the guilt.

I've been trying, looking, hoping to find motivation to do better.
Over the last couple of days, I found it.

Thanks to two good friends, Jana and Marianne, I can honestly say that I am looking forward to dinnertime.  I have hit the refresh button in this area of my life and I am ready to get going!
I feel like shouting, Bring it on, Baby!

If you happen to be in the same dinner rut, give these websites a try:
simplifysupper.com
ourbestbites.com

Also, I would love any other sites or helps you know of that make dinner time more fun for busy moms.
Here's to families and delicious dinners!
Happy Cooking!

My Old Friend

Today an old friend asked me if a had a few minutes to talk.
"I think I have a case of the winter blues.", she confided.
This sounded serious so I pulled up a chair and sat down.

I listened carefully as she admitted:
The laundry had not been done all week.
The house needs a good dusting, scrubbing and organizing.  Not to mention that a pile of clutter next to the fridge is taking on a life of its own.
Instead of enjoying story and play time with her two year old, her mind was in a dozen other places.
Her jeans are too tight and gray hairs plentiful.
Writing checks for unexpected expenses is never a fun thing.
Spending evenings running the kids from place to place was getting her down.
She would rather run a marathon than cook dinner.
Worry about a good friend had been keeping her up at night.
She can't remember the last time she went out on the town for a red hot date with her husband.
A general feeling of blah had settled over her.

Hmmm, I replied, unsure of what I could say to help.

My first thought was that she would be completely justified in drowning her woes in a large bowl of Rocky Road.  I nearly grabbed my keys and dashed out the door.

But as every honest Rocky Road lover will concede, it is a temporary fix.

Instead, I looked her in the eyes and asked:

Have you been for a good, solid run lately?  No.

How about your personal prayer and scripture study?  Are you finding time to do these things separately from the family?  Not often.

Clutter and dust happen.  Laundry piles up, it's the nature of the beast.  Do you think digging in and getting it done will help you feel better?  Probably.

At breakfast, why not trade in that piece of chocolate cake for a bowl of oatmeal? Good idea.

You could choose to be grateful that you have a Rainy Day Fund.

When reading or playing with that sweet little girl, do not allow yourself to leave the moment.  Isn't that your choice?  Yes.

Can you change the situation of your dear friend? No.
Can you make choices for her? No.
Can you quit worrying and respect her decisions?  Yes.

Can you look for new recipes that will make cooking dinner more fun?  Sure.

Have you gone out of your way to serve a neighbor or friend this week?  Not really.

Finally, how about taking a big black sharpie and writing Red Hot Date with Dad on the family calendar?
Sounds great!

A happy, positive feeling was already starting to fill the room.

Then I did something that most women I know probably don't do enough,

I looked in the mirror and gave my old friend a wink.

Dear Rachel

Dear Rachie,

I have not seen you in nearly one week.
I miss you.

I know, I know, you are having a wonderful time with your grandparents.
You love spending time with them, they are some of your closest friends.
Also, trading in the cold, smoggy Utah air for a warm, clean Georgia type is always a good thing.

But Rach, we can't go on much longer without you.
Linc misses his other half.
Each time Samantha sees an airplane in the sky, she shouts, "Issy coming home!"
It's not the same for dad when he gets home from work and you're not here to greet him with hugs and kisses.

And as for me, I am just sad without you.  I need your singing, twirling and tapping.
I need our talks and shopping dates.  I need our Taylor Swift karaokes in the car and your sweet prayers at bedtime.  I miss every single thing about you.

Don't get me wrong.
I am glad you haven't been homesick.
I am happy you had this special opportunity.
But now, it is time to come home.

Oh and one more thing, remember those plans we have been talking about your whole life--
you know, the ones where you grow up, go away to college, go on a mission and then get married.....

they're off.

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Love,
Mom