Mom's B-Day

Gavin and Shipton helping me put the demo boxes together.  It has been about a 6 months process start to finish, but we were given the go-ahead to assemble care packages for the women in our stake battling betrayal trauma from a spouse's sexual infidelity! Each item was clearly meant to be included (check out Mark's video HERE to see what they are like). I was expecting a request for maybe 20, but the bishops asked for 60 (so we did 70 to have a 10-box-buffer). My family could help me do a few of these, but 70!?! I quickly realized this was bigger than us, which is how it should be. As I considered possible dates, I realized my B-Day was coming...I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my life than by making others' lives brighter! With amazing connections that were truly God sent, everything arrived on time. As we made our final preparations for these, it has been a beautiful experience for me. There is healing in paying it forward, making the path smoother and clearer for others, and pointing others to Christ. It doesn't change what happened, but at the same time, it softens the experiences from the past and allows even more love into my own heart. I believe one reason we go through difficulty is that God can use us to reach His other children; we would be unable to do so without our experiences.

Sennika helping to carefully measure, cut, and heat seal-the ribbon. The care packages came together with our entire family working together on the prep work. I appreciate their love, support, and interest. I didn't remember to take a single picture or movie clip of my "B-Day party" (our care package assembly party), but it was incredible. It gave me goose bumps seeing all of the beautiful boxes lined up against the wall, knowing they represent women who will hopefully have a smoother healing process because of our efforts. I cannot fully articulate what it meant to me that night. As my life was completely shattered, I was alone and had no idea where to turn. We had already been working with therapists for about 6 months previously and things had only gotten worse. I felt like I was the only one in my situation and I had no idea where to start, let alone what to do. But to have an entire roomful of people coming together to support these packages plus easily double that who couldn't be in two places at once, did something to my heart. People care! They really do! These people were there because they care about me...but they also care about women facing betrayal trauma. I have no idea what the chances are that any of the women who receive one of these packages will see this post, but if they do, I want them to know that they are so loved. Complete strangers love you. Your friends, family, and leaders love you. God loves you. You are known, even in moments of darkness, despair, and darkness. I am kicking myself that I didn't film it for you so you could experience that, but know that you aren't alone!

A woman in my self-reliance group made me a birthday basket. It was so thoughtful!

Mark scheduled my B-day off, which was a nice surprise. We snuck away for lunch together.

My beautiful roses aren't as fresh today as they were when Mark gave them to me, but their fragrance has filled the house.

It was a wonderful celebration surrounded by those who love me. I appreciate family and friends who couldn't be with me in person, but still reached out on my special day.

Weekend dump...

Daddy and Leland at the ward game night.

Friday night we watched "Finding Nemo" for movie night.  Mark tucked the kids in and prepared for our date while I snuck away for a hair cut.  Mark and I had an at-home-date.  He made stir-fry and we talked while we ate.  After such a long week with Shipton coming to our room half the nights this week, we were happy for a more calm and uneventful date.

Saturday we took the morning slow.  We didn't seem to accomplish anything more than being together and enjoying the kids.  I played the organ, then Mark went to the temple.  We will be doing sealing together Wednesday, so that will count for my worship.  While Mark was gone, then kids and I prepared for the Sabbath.

We had the ward/neighborhood family game night after dinner Saturday.  It was a very interactive night complete with lots of sugar.  The kids were drenched in sweat from running around so much.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  We left early because it was past bed time.  We had gotten Leland tucked into bed and finally were getting the other three to wind down when the door bell rang.  When the doorbells rings at our house, it is like an alarm going off or something.  ALL of the kids run to the door at once announcing they will get it.  Mommy got there first this time.  It was one of the men in charge of the event.  "Shipton won," he said as he placed a jar of 138 suckers in my hands.  There had been a "guess how many" jar and Shipton (AKA Mom) had guessed the closest.  

Yesterday we were part of a double quartet to sing "This is the Christ," during Sacrament meeting.  It is a beautiful song and arrangement, and it brought joy to my heart to sing with others who are musically inclined and with firm testimonies of Christ.  I felt a bit awkward because it was such an ordeal to get us both covered to participate.  We had 3 different people helping with kids.  I am grateful for so many willing hands and friends who support us! We had a wonderful Sacrament meeting.  One of the speakers said something that really struck me.  It was something along the lines of "the difference between just reading or hearing something and stirring testimony is the Spirit."  That was a wonderful reminder to do all I can to invite and keep His constant companionship, for it will bless all I have part of.  Shipton has a runny nose (hence up so much at nights), so he went to meetings with Daddy.  The nursery was quiet without him.  I didn't realize until yesterday that he is the most chatty child there.  We talked about being grateful and it was my turn to help the kids sing.  Mark had a Stake Priesthood meeting last night.  He said there were reminders from the training with Elder Ballad back in January.

Sennika trying to get a clothes pin into the bottle at game night.

Daddy also caught Gavin reading.

Shipton playing in his room.

Shipton puts blankets on his head then claims to be a lamb.  We have no idea why, but it sure made for a cute picture. :)

Mommy and Shipton.

Budding artist.  Shipton was drawing worms.

If he keeps eating the suckers four at a time and sharing them with the other kids we should be through them some time this week.  UGH!

Leland found his camping chair and has been packing it around all weekend.

This was suppose to be bed time.  These two have so much fun together.  

Shipton is really getting the hang of his train table.  At first it was a bit frustrating to keep the trains and trailers hooked together and upright.  He will play for about an hour at a time.

We broke out the sidewalk chalk for the first time this year.  Here is Leland drawing away on the back patio.

Creature Encounter...

I was waiting on this picture from Mark's phone, then got going with the kids in our day together. I apologize for being "late" again today!  I finally have a few minutes to sit down and write.  

Our local library invited a man with hundreds of pets like this one that Shipton is looking at (and Leland's arm is touching) in the photo.  The kids had a blast getting to touch snakes, tortoises, and lizards.  As I have highlighted a few other times, we are all for learning, especially hands-on learning.  In addition to showing them the animals and letting them touch them, he threw out facts and information about every pet they encountered.  It was right up our alley.

Going to this event also reminded me the reasons why we chose our new home tome. Although Mark works in a large city, we purposely chose our home to be somewhere else.  We love the sense of community here and the smaller town feel that we were accustom to in Rexburg.  Although we live in the city, it doesn't feel like it with the kids having unlimited access to the wonders of outside.  I am enjoying that, like Rexburg, faces are becoming familiar around town...that with a smaller community, lives overlap more regularly.

Our Neighbors...

The doorbell rang around 9:30 last night.  By the time we opened the door, they were gone, but they left this note.  This is the kind of neighborhood we live in.  Most are empty nesters and we feel blessed to have so many adopted Grandparents for the kids. Our neighborhood is filled with thoughtful and FUN people.  We have a yearly luau and red neck water slide.  It is seriously the best!