Will's First Black Eye

Yesterday, Will came home with his first shiner. We're not sure how it happened, but here it is, almost visible. He's becoming quite the tough kid. I included some pictures with his sock monkey, "Socks." Ever since he saw Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, they've been good buddies.

The Double-Edged Sword

One of the worst things about divorce is how it affects your kids. For the rest of their lives, they will have to deal with the mess you've made. On the bright side of it all, I'm so thankful to have all three of our boys at home the majority of the time. Then the "Every other weekend" comes. It is a thing I both look forward to, and dread.

Every other weekend, the kids go stay with their "other" parents. Ben with his "mom," and Spence and Will with their "dad." This is both an obvious blessing and an undeniable curse.
Blessing: A weekend free, a night free, or even just an hour free from the usual requests, squabbles, defiances, and demands of parenthood. And while you miss your children a lot, you get some time to recharge those battered batteries.
Curse: It's like every other weekend, letting go of your most precious possessions, your life's purpose. And with a big hug, and a kiss on the forehead, you buckle them in the car and force a smile, wave goodbye and watch as they are escorted away by Lex Luthor. Suddenly the little things that were driving you crazy all week, seem unimportant, and you just wish they could stay. It takes a lot of faith to trust the untrustworthy.

The real thing that is difficult here is not being the parent saying goodbye, it is being the child who must go between households whether or not they like it. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. Their relationship with mom and dad must also be a double-edged sword. That being said, I am proud of them for doing what they do and still smiling so brightly.

I just can't wait til they come home tomorrow.

Somewhere In Dreamland

When I was little, my brothers and I loved to rent and watch the "Fabulous Fleisher Folios." "Somewhere in Dreamland" was our favorite cartoon of the lot. Please watch the whole thing, it's guaranteed to warm your heart. (pause the music below first)

Somewhere In Dreamland



Here are a couple other favorites:
Hawaiian Birds

Alls Fair at the Fair

Dynomite Pink Spandex

(Before you watch this, pause the Josh Groban music below, and make sure you are sitting down.)

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Nothing is Ever Lost

Update: I'm feeling good, much better. I thrive on distractions and busyness and while part of me hesitates to linger on our loss, I recall in a previous post that I promised to share some of the things I've recently learned. Here goes.

Losing a baby at any stage before its birth is a heartwrenching loss and instantly poses many questions. Each situation is so different, each couple, parent, family, and child. I believe our merciful Heavenly Father is mindful of each of His children, their individual questions and situations and, in time, as we seek for God's truth, His enlightenment will come.

I think it can take a lifetime to take the 'miss' out of a miscarraige. And while it will always be 'missed,' I strongly feel that our baby is NOT 'missing.'

The prophet Joseph Smith Jr. taught the following: "A question may be asked - 'Will mothers have their children in eternity?' Yes! Yes! Mothers, you shall have your children; for they shall have eternal life, for their debt is paid." While speaking at the funeral of a small child, the prophet pointed to the child's mother and said: "You will have the joy, the pleasure and satisfaction of nurturing this child, after its resurrection, until it reaches the full stature of its spirit."

President Smith also taught that, "The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again." At another time he said, "We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the Celestial Kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body."

I know our baby recieved a body and inherited it for a time.

The prophet Joseph F. Smith stated, "The body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ or embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man." In Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie adds that "this interpretation is in harmony with the general knowledge we have of the mercy and justice of that Infinite Being in whose divine economy nothing is ever lost. It would appear that we can look forward with hope and anticipation for the resurrection of stillborn children."

Isn't that wonderful? To God, nothing is ever lost; not a hair of the head, nor a fallen sparrow.

In the Doctrine and Covenants 124:28 the saints were instructed to build this dispensation's first temple unto the Lord. "For there is not a place found on the earth that He may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which He hath taken away. . ."

In the Book of Mormon, Alma 11:44, regarding resurrection, we read, ". . . This restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame. . ."

The Savior taught in St. Matthew 10:29-31, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Does this not apply to an unborn baby? A living and growing embryo with a beating heart and sensitivity to light and sound? I find comfort in knowing that the Lord is in charge and whether or not stillborn children get another chance at coming to this earth, all are in His care. 1 Nephi 9:6,"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."

In the meantime. . .



Til we meet again, little one, I'll be missing you.

Listen to This

Jon Schmidt put this arrangment together for his 7-year-old daughter, Sarah. It is a mix of Love Story by Talor Swift and Viva La Vida by Coldplay. At the end of the clip he relates the story behind the music. It's BEAUTIFUL. So, pause the music player at the bottom of my blog and treat your ears to this. . .

Have Hope

Congratulations Mom!

She finished what she started at BYU! On April 23, and 24, we celebrated the graduation of my wonderful mother. She started going to Brigham Young University before any of us were born. After marrying dad, she stopped attending school and started attending to us. Now, years later, she returned to her studies, picking up where she left off. Mom recieved her bachelors degree in Child Development and Family Studies. We're all so proud of her we could bust. Here are some pictures of her experience which my family was privileged to share with her.

The Tracks of My Tears

I love what Adam Lambert did with this song on American Idol. I bought the track on iTunes and now it's stuck in my head. It was originally performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

The Tracks Of My Tears - AI Lyrics

People say I'm the life of the party
Cause I make a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears. . .
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you. . .
Take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears.
I need you, I need you, I need.

Kindness

Not pictured: meals and laundry loads. Thank you Mom and Delynn.
a red velvet cupcake, thanks CeeCee and Liz.
a spring bouquet, thanks Josh and Jenny.
fresh baked homemade bread and strawberry jam, thanks Katrina.