Little Blind Babe

Well, it was an unexpectedly eventful weekend. Friday morning I sent the children out to play for a few minutes while I finished making our shopping lists for errands. Within 2 minutes Lucy was screaming and crying and running back inside with her hands over one of her eyes. At first I thought one of her siblings had hurt her or that she had bonked her face on something; however, after talking with everyone they explained that something had fallen out of the tree they were playing under and into Lucy's eye. I couldn't see anything in the eye, but I tried to flush it, put a few drops in, and she spent the afternoon resting. 

By the time Marty got home she was still complaining of pain, not opening her eyes, and not letting us leave her side. Our girls can be drama queens, so we weren't sure how seriously she was injured. Marty gave her a Priesthood blessing, we finished our Friday night tradition of pizza, gave her pain meds, and put everyone to bed.

The night was a bit fitful for her, and when we woke up in the morning her eye was more swollen and still weepy. Not good signs. 

We ate breakfast and threw our morning plans out the window to get Lucy and Marty to the hospital. A few hours later I got the report: poor baby girl had to have her eye numbed and a green bit of something from the tree removed from her eye. Whatever it was had lodged itself way up under her lid and caused a nasty corneal abrasion. Luckily her sight was not bothered by the ordeal, and she was brave through the whole process. 

She briefly opened her eyes for an hour or so while the eye was numb, but then clamped them shut when the pain came back. For over 48 hours she had refused to open her eyes. Finally, today around noon she decided to join the world of sight again. I feel blessed that this was all temporary and that we are getting our little girl back. After a little more ointment to administer and a checkup on her healing this week, we will be able to put this all behind us.

I'm grateful for healthy bodies that have the ability to heal and skilled and gentle Doctors that take care of my children when I cannot. We are feeling blessed.

Homemade.

We don't keep many toys around. It helps with mess, keeps things simple, and forces the children to be more creative. Today they created their own water table from a rain-filled bucket trailer near the barn. The making of "fairy soup" was the game. Gotta love country kids.

Sisters

I love watching my two girls grow up--and grow to be best friends. Of course there are days where multiple cat fights break out and they argue over who will be wearing what. But for the most part they spend their days creating elaborate story lines to act out, working on their hair together, dressing up their dolls and stuffed animals, and just being so much FUN! Sisters rock.

A calling.

Today is a day that I don't think I will ever forget. It is a day that signifies some major changes in the life of our family for many years to come. Today Marty was sustained, ordained, and set apart as Bishop of our Ward. 

Marty and I have known this day was coming for a few weeks now. We have been quietly trying to prepare our hearts and minds for what The Lord needs him to do. It is humbling, overwhelming, and exciting all at the same time. When the Stake President sat us down, he told us that this call was not just approved by him and his counselors but that the First Presidency had also approved Marty's name. How truly humbling to know that even the Prophet of God has been praying and pondering over the name of my husband and the needs of the people in our area. 

This day was also bittersweet because our Bishopric changes came about as the result of boundary changes for our ward. There are several wonderful families that will now be attending different units to help strengthen other parts of the stake. But we have faith in the Lord's plan and His greater understanding of why these changes needed to happen.   

Even though I knew what was happening in our Sacrament meeting today, as I heard the Stake President announce Marty's name over the pulpit and ask the members of the ward to show their sustaining by raising their hands I started crying. They were not tears of sorrow or joy for the moment, but perhaps tears for the sorrow and joys that I know lay ahead. Marty hugged me and kissed me goodbye and took his new place on the stand. Even in that moment, the mantle that is to be his for the next several years began to settle upon him. 

When I was given the chance to stand and bear my testimony, I spoke of the heart and how it has such a capacity for growth. Marty's heart will always be for me, for our family, and, of course, our Heavenly Father. But his heart will expand to hold a little part for every member of our ward. It is truly remarkable. How grateful I am for his willingness to serve, his righteous holding of the Priesthood, and for his faith in and love of the Gospel, our Savior, and our Heavenly Father. 

A new adventure awaits. 

Drop everything kind of day.

We woke up this morning with a check list. We had farm and rabbit fences to rip out, laundry to hang up, the hardware store to visit, an oil change to fit in, and the potential of a hike to preview for a future Young Women's activity. 

But then we went outside. It was gorgeous. So gorgeous that we moved our oatmeal, toast, and eggs to the front porch to start soaking up the sun as soon as possible. As we ate we decided we should at least start working on fencing and see where it lead us. 

By lunchtime we had finished the front garden and the day had only gotten more beautiful. We threw the rest of the plans out the window, got everyone in the van, and headed to the beach and Audobon. 

I suppose we still accomplished a hike, just not the one that still needs to be done:) Back home, we pulled the bikes out of the basement for the first ride this spring. And the day just didn't seem like it would be complete without our first fire of the spring to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. 

The kids were so tired going to bed tonight that one was snoring before we could even finish saying family prayer. That is the sign of a happy day.

Oh, how we love the spring!

Springy.

We had a slow start, but spring is finally here! I love seeing the signs of spring surround us as the days continue to warm.

Inside we can finally feel the springtime with the last butternut squashes being roasted up. The basement had emptied out of our winter stores, just in time to start thinking about new foods to fill the shelves.

Outside we are finally seeing new growth with the daffodils and rhubarb pushing through the dirt.

And the animals finally get more space to roam as the pastures open up and the grass fills in.

I love these weeks and months when fresh things are happening, but the garden is not yet overwhelming us. The children crave the sunshine and spend as much time outside as possible--and the house stays the cleaner for it. Oh, spring, we love you.

That time.

I love that time of night when Marty and I get to lay down in the dark and discuss the day or just life in general. There never seems to be much time for it anywhere else except in those few minutes before sleep.

Tonight was an exceptionally sweet night of discussion and reflection--no doubt fueled by minds full of powerful General Conference talks. As we spoke, we found ourselves overwhelmed by how incredible each of our children are to us and what a gift it is to watch them learn and grow.

As I feel another life stirring inside me, I cannot believe how blessed I am or how rich I feel. How grateful I am for the opportunity to be a mother.