Tender Mercies and Too Much Driving

Update:  We're still looking for a job, and if you're keeping track, it's been almost 4 months. :)

Erin is still with us.  She returned from her mission at the end of March and will be going back to BYU soon.  It's been so nice to have her for this long--I'm going to really miss her when she leaves.  She hasn't been feeling great since February and we're trying to get it figured out.  It looks like she had a bad case of mono in Feb and pushed through it, which resulted in her now dealing with chronic fatigue.  We're still searching out the rheumatoid factor and fibromyalgia options, but dealing mainly with chronic fatigue.  She's taking a serious dose of vitamin D every week and has had a B12 shot to help as well.  She's still a little slow and taking it easy but those vitamins have helped.

Caitlin is getting married this summer.  It's coming up fast for us!  We're excited for her and Michael!  They've been dating for about a year and really enjoy each other's company.  I was able to go to Idaho and Utah about two weeks ago to get some wedding things done.  I drove way too much for someone that doesn't really like driving.  I flew into SLC on Thursday, then drove to Idaho, saw my girls, took them grocery shopping, slept one night, then Cait and I drove to SLC the next morning to get to work.  We stopped at a dress shop in Kaysville and found the dress.  I was so grateful that we found it so soon and then was even happier when we found out it was on clearance.  Definite score!  It took us longer to find the shoes.  We did more shopping and then stayed in SLC for the night.

Saturday morning we drove down to Alpine and American Fork to meet with our planner, my cousin, E.  She's amazing.  She's got great ideas and is pulling it all together for us.  We ate French toast and made lists.  Then we visited my sister-in-law, put flowers on my dad's grave, and went back to SLC for more shopping and meeting friends.  Then, in the evening, we met Michael and his parents, found him a suit, then went to dinner.  After a delicious dinner, we drove back to Rexburg. 

Sunday morning I put dinner in the crock pot and went to a student ward with Stefanie.  That was awesome and will always be a fond memory.  It was the first time I had ever gone to a student ward and I was so impressed with the knowledge and wisdom these kids have!  They are all natural leaders.  After church I had an much-needed nap and then we had a delicious dinner that we shared with whatever roommates and friends showed up.  And of course, we played games.  Monopoly Deal is a new favorite! 

Monday we ran errands around Rexburg (found the rest of the fabric for Stef's HS grad quilt--one day it will actually be done!) and then ran errands in Idaho Falls.  Cait's roommate introduced me to a great antique store in IF, in which  we spent way too much time and had me wishing for a UHaul.  I bought a few surprises for the kids.  I got Benj some old comic books which he promptly devoured, and Jace a wrestling-trophy belt.  I expect to see him wearing it when the season starts again.  I got Stef a cake pan shaped like giraffes--her new favorite thing.  I got Erin some tiny canvasses at the store where I found the quilting fabric.  (I know this is TMI.)

Monday evening I drove back to SLC to sleep one more night (thanks VT's!)  and got to the airport by 4 am to come back home!  In going back and forth to SLC to Idaho and Utah County, I drove 1200 miles at least in those 4 or 5 days.  But mission accomplished!  We got the dress and a lot of stuff checked off our list!

We have had so many tender mercies through all of this wedding planning.  We are able to have money to pull from to get all of this taken care of.  We are finding things easily and on sale over and over.  We really have been blessed.  It's going to be a fantastic wedding day for C & M!

I Need a Light

My husband is out of work.  It’s been two and a half months now.  Every day he gets online, looks for leads, sends out resumes, fills out applications, and waits by the phone.  Every night we pray and try to sound positive and lift each other up. 

Daily life has changed.  I go to work, he stays home.  He is here for the kids and does the grocery shopping.  We still make the menu and the grocery list together but there are always those nights when dinner gets away from us and I have to bring home fast food.  I used to be the one calling him, “Honey, can you bring home KFC tonight?”  It’s backwards now and getting to be more so.  I never wanted to be a working mom and have this role, but I am grateful for the job and the little income it brings in.

I’ve learned some things about myself.  I’ve learned that I don’t like having to working.  I love my job but I don’t like having to give them so much of my time every single day.  I miss doing the things that I used to do.  I miss cleaning the house.  I miss sewing and quilting and working on projects.  I miss having the time to serve others.  I miss reading.  I miss having a free Saturday since it’s now full of all the things that I have to do but couldn’t get done during the week.  I’m mourning my old life.

Time is dragging and we’re looking forward to looking back on it all.  The future is a big unknown to us.  Will we be out of work long?  Will we be moving this summer?  How long will our savings last?  Will I quit my job when he finds one?  Will we be able to find a better job than what we had or will we have to take a pay cut?  This is what bothers me the most—the big  unknown.  I want someone to tell me, “Two more weeks,” or “Get the house ready to sell.”  I need a light at the end of this tunnel.

The Sorting Hat

A few days ago I received this text from my BYUI freshman daughter, “Guess who’s the new 40^th ward sacrament meeting chorister! :D”  It was time again.  Time for all of the Bishops to pull the hat off the shelf, dust if off, and figure out where to sort all of their members. 

I have had children attending college for the past five years.  Every single semester there is the usual getting settled in a new dorm or apartment, meeting roommates, getting classes figured out, and buying books.  And every semester there is a new ward.  The bishop tries to meet with every single student-member of his ward at the beginning of the semester to get to know them and to give them a calling.  Every semester I receive a text declaring the new calling:  “Family Home Evening Mom,” “Gospel Principles Teacher,” “First Counselor—Relief Society,” “Gospel Doctrine Teacher—again,” “Second Counselor—Relief Society.”  

After the hat whispers the beloved calling the ward members know their place for the semester.  Who they work with, how they spend their time, and what their focus will be is all decided.  The Sorting Hat has done its work and takes its place of honor back on the shelf.