Surgery and Christmas Concerts

I hope all are doing well this Christmas break- I for one have been SO ready for a break...hw, school and the grind of our everyday schedule is so much work for this mama!  And we've been SOO busy with things going in every single evening/night.  I have been able to sleep in two mornings which has been very helpful; although this morning we had to get up super early for Audrie's surgery.  She is in the operating room right now, but was quite nervous beforehand shedding a few years before heading back.  I'm grateful for modern medicine but it's still hard sending your little girl to surgery!

Pre- surgery

 

Post surgery- the hard part for this mama #hurtsmyheart

 

 

Wednesday Tyler had his Christmas concert, which was great.  Thursday Kaylee and Audrie and I went to the nutcracker and had a great time.  Kaylee fell asleep after the intermission but she had a blast.  Andy and I went to his work party Friday night which is always more obligatory than anything for me.  It was much more formal this year which can be fun, but either way it was nice to spend time with Andy.

 

Me and the girls at the Nutcracker Ballet

 

The Son

I don't really have a lot to say (unusual, I know).  We continue with the business of our family and had some wonderful happenings as of late.

First off Audrie and Kaylee had their Katy Childrens Choir concert this weekend- they both did fabulous!  Audrie is a natural on the stage and Kaylee was not so comfortable.  In fact every time we saw sweet Kaylee she simply had a "I'm so lost" look on her face...lost in where she was supposed to be, lost in what she was singing...oh we giggled!!  Bless her heart, I'm sure she is EXACTLY like I was :).
Every once in a while I feel like ideas come for lessons directly from above and the one I prepared on Sunday was one of those.   It was on being Christ centered.  I talked about the universe and how in ancient times it was thought the earth was the center of the universe, but with modern science and technology "aka revelation" we know the Sun is the center.  I then talked about how without the sun we would simply not be able to live- or have life at all.  Then the parallel was made.  The Son is the center of our lives, but we sometimes forget and think archaically that we are the center of the universe.  We know many people that feel the warmth of the sun but they forget or don't recognize that that warmth comes from the SON.  It was really simple powerful.
Ever since I prepared I have felt a great Love.  It has been wonderful!
The Hart's should have arrived already!  And he flew out to Fort Myers and drove them to our house. But Audrey and I have yet to see them because we are still at dyslexia therapy. What an awesome guy eh?

 

Snakes and Ipods

It has been so great lately.  We took Tyler to the temple to do baptisms two weeks ago (see pic).  He was really, REALLY nervous.  There was a lot of people there when we got there and Ty does NOT like to be in front of peope, so he kind of freaked out when he realized he would be baptized in front of all of them.  Fortunately for him they were gone by the time it was his turn.  They asked me to help as soon as we got there so I didn't get to sit and talk with him, but Andy did. He was able to watch probably 10 people get baptized before him, so all those people may have been a blessing.   When it was finally his turn he did perfect :). I asked him afterwards if he felt the spirit and his response was "mom, I was way too nervous to feel the spirit."  I giggled- never though of nervousness interfering with the spirit!  But I guess any extreme emotions can.

Well we can now add more to Sam forgetting her panties at church incident....but this time it was Audrie forgetting her shoes, and not realizing it until we pulled into the church parking lot.  We should start a club :)  panties, shoes, can anyone top that?

We had a great thanksgiving.  Full of drama by yours truly!  The Ford's and Whitings (Kemarie and Jerry-she's my cousin on the Whicker side) came and the kids thoroughly enjoyed every second of their cousins.  Brinly and Audrie are just BFF's and similar in many ways ;). Adelle, Kaylee and Sam live in an imaginary world all together and Cade just idolizes Tyler.  Tyler however is going through some teenage-Dom and either is really good with playing with him or really bad.  Hopefully it's just a phase!

I dropped a food processor blade on my foot the day before thanksgiving.  I probably would have gotten stitches if Shane wasn't there!  It was a good slice :). Had to shake things up a little!  I even got to boss everyone around in the kitchen for a little bit HA!

I've been busy with YWs, giving way too many ideas and consequently being in charge of several major activities.  I'm still trying really hard to embrace this calling...I'm putting my best foot forward, but still struggling. As I get to know the girls I can more clearly see my purpose, but outside of that I find it all quite taxing.  Anyway the love is coming I can feel it but the desire is still lagging :). I will get there, it's just slow coming.

I've been writing this email for days now.  One paragraph at a time.  So if seems modge podged together, that's because it is.

I woke up from a dream this morning that I can't get out of my head.  I occasionally have dreams that I know have meaning and this one definitely had that same feeling.  In fact as I woke up I remembered I've had this dream MANY times before, but had forgotten. I remembered it this time because the ending changed.  I dreamt I was holding a venomous snake; a small but lethal snake.  But I was holding it by the neck so it couldn't bite me.  It's head wriggled and wiggled trying to bite me but my grip was strong enough and in just the right place to prevent it from getting my hand.  Unlike my previous dreams this time the snake was able to bite my thumb as I relaxed my grip.  I was able to see the venom enter my thumb.  It was like my thumb was clear ad I could see the cloud of poison begin to disperse.

That was it.

 I don't know if it was a warning or what, but I've been trying to figure it out ever since.  We try so hard to do what's right, so whatever it is I want to prevent it.  Interesting though huh?  Any interpreters out there?

On another note we have had to learn hard lessons lately.  Tyler took the case off of his ipod a week or so ago because he liked it better that way.  I warned him that it was a matter of time before he cracked the screen without the protection the case offered.  He didn't listen and two days ago the inevitable happened.  A big crack all the way across the screen.  Ever since the words "the parable of the ipod" have been running through my head.  It could be easily likened to ourselves....maybe for a yw's lesson or something?

Mother or Mayhem?

We are enjoying the cooler weather SO MUCH!  It makes exercising so much easier when you have the option to just go for run vs having to go to the gym.  I have really enjoying running lately (Seriously there is something wrong because I've always hated running!!).  

I have been a funk ever since we went to the Renaissance Fair this weekend, not sure why I can't shake it.  Tyler's scout troop went camping there Friday night and so Andy decided to make it a family affair Saturday.  I was skeptical about the boys camping there and my concerns became a full reality within the first five minutes of walking around.  It met every expectation I had about it.  It is an entirely different breed of people that go to those kinds of things.  SOOOO out of my comfort zone...especially when they are all talking in accent and saying things like lassy and lad....I'm sorry, I was just weirded out.  The drinking, smoking and scandalously dressed women were the icing on the cake.  I was in a bad mood the entire time.  Ask Andy.   

There were THOUSANDS of people there.  HOARDS of people.  And with that came tons of booths set up for shopping.  When we finally said enough was enough we started heading towards the entrance and walked right by a kiosk set up with framed pictures of fairies, and to my complete shock NAKED women.  Kaylee being the first to spot it said, "Mom!  Why are there pictures of naked women??"  I whipped my head around and to my horror I saw what she was seeing.  Within that split second my eyes went strait to Tyler's, as I watched him look -without turning his head- right at the pictures.  As we walked passed I said in a loud voice, "That is SO inappropriate! Tyler don't look at those."  He said he didn't, but I knew better.  As we continued to head to the bathroom my heart just started pounding harder and harder, and I started get angrier and angrier.  I took the girls into the bathroom and as soon as I returned I looked Andy straight in the eye and said, "I have to say something.  I will be right back."  I b-lined it to the kiosk weaving through the masses of people, grabbed the worst picture off the outside of the hut and put it on the counter.  One of the employees across the room looked at me and smiled as if she was saying, "are you ready to check out?"  But that smile turned into bugged out eyes as I started expressing my absolute distaste of the situation.   The lady behind the cash register knew exactly what was coming as I opened my mouth.  In the firmest voice I could muster without letting my emotions get the better of me I said, "I am HIGHLY offended by these pictures.  My young son just walked by here and I find these terribly, TERRIBLY inappropriate.  You need to think about your audience, there are children all around."  She mumbled something I couldn't make out and I walked out.  It took me the ENTIRE rest of the day to calm down.  I still can't believe that would be allowed- and WOMEN were selling them.  I started asking Tyler if he had seen anything else while he was walking around with the boy scouts (we didn't get there until 11am and he was walking around since 8am-ish).  He mentioned there was a mirror in a store that he saw that said "BREAST ARMOR> Do not open unless over 22, or you will be arrested."  He said he didn't look and I believe him, but it makes me mad that they are teasing these young, innocent boys.  Talk about evil.  No wonder I was in a bad mood.

Needless to say we will never go to anything like that again.  It was my worst nightmare.  Still gets my blood boiling as I write this.  I have wondered if I should have been kinder to the ladies running the shop, but I'm not sure it would have made the point I wanted to make.  I do however recognize that saying something may not have made a lick of difference to the the owners and they probably put that picture right back where it was, but I'm sure my words were ringing in her mind the rest of the day.  Even if they weren't I felt strongly that showing my children that something like that is absolutely intolerable would leave an impression upon them.  Hopefully it did and I didn't peak Tyler's curiosity any more because I made such a big deal out of it. 

Other than that lovely experience I received a new calling yesterday.  I am right back in YW's.  First counselor.  I was little surprised they put me back in, but upon talking to some of the leadership in jest they mentioned how I was actually on the list for YW's Pres and the only bishopric member (the exec secretary) from our previous ward chimed in saying I just got released in August.  I am so grateful that I am not President.  I feel like I need to recharge from the last few years of putting my all into those YW :)  There have been really kind words from everyone though saying things like, "Oh we have heard about you!  You're a YW legend. We had to FIGHT for you!"  Which I'm sure was meant to be flattering, but it actually has made me feel a great deal of pressure.  I'm not sure I can put the same amount of energy I did the last time.  I'm just not feeling as capable as I was, not sure why.  It may be because I am in charge of them mia maids who are the hardest group to be in charge of....especially when some of them are dealing with same gender issues.  I don't know how to deal with that kind of thing.  Or Maybe it's because I am still in my renaissance funk!  I am praying that I will feel love for these girls and have a desire to serve them :)  Hopefully it will come.

I let the girls ride there bikes to school this morning all by themselves for the first time.  Sam woke up with a HORRIBLE croup cough that is just painful when coughing.  She sounded absolutely horrendous when she got up.  I put her straight in the tub and then turned on my shower to fill the room warm steam.  It seems to have helped, but we will not be going to the gym today.  We will be going to grab some cough drops and maybe a vaporizer (I only have a cool mist humidifier).  The girls got to school just fine.  I had Audrie text me as soon as she got there.  

Sam also cut her hair yesterday while the rest of us were playing a game....to the scalp in one part, but left about an inch in other parts.  Fortunately I can just part her hair differently and it seems to be okay this morning; albeit some are sticking straight through the combed part of her piggy tails :)  That girl!!!

Audrie finally found out about her play.  She didn't get the part of Ariel, which she took really well.  She did get assigned the part of the Chef :)  She will be chasing Sebastian, trying the kill him.  And that's it.  Minor, but something.  Actually it may be a blessing because we found out practices are Monday's and Weds, which are the only days her dyslexia therapist does therapy.  She will miss a couple of sessions, but it doesn't sound like she will need to be at all the play practices so hopefully she won't miss much!

I'm concerned about Kaylee's eyes again.  I have started asking, when I notice her eyes look funny, if it's blurry and it seems I nail it every time.  Which means it's probably happening much more than when I catch it.  I'm not sure what to do at this point because the doctor basically said it's minor and nothing to worry about.  Hopefully I'm just being overly concerned.  

We are all VERY excited about Lyndsey's internship.  We are getting her room ready slowly (which is actually Tyler's early Christmas present.  He's wanted a new bed forever!  So Lynds, you are just the kick in the pants we needed to get this going!).  This weekend is going to spent painting.  It's going to be great.  I have this fun plan to make a map gallery on a wall in his room and above or below the map writing "I hope they call me on a mission" or "when I grow a foot or two" or something missionary related.  Hope it turns out.

Faith of Enos

We had our first meeting with our new ward today.  It was SO SMALL compared to what we are used to.  Seriously the small overflow was open and that was it.  We couldn't even see a lick of the cultural hall…which is so unusual.  We were enormous.  And now we are the smallest ward with 311 members…and get this:  300 are active.  Yep.  That’s pretty awesome eh?  Talk about a great activity rate!

They called the new auxiliary leaders today, just the quorum leaders and presidents, no counselors.  So we will see in a little bit what we have in store.  I hope they call Andy back into YM’s, he was really enjoying that change, but of course we will go wherever we are needed J  I feel like we are actually going to be able to have a ward family like we’ve never had since we’ve lived here.  It will be great.  I really enjoy change, although I have had a little bit of sadness about leaving all the wonderful families from our Katy 3^rd ward.  Truly a wonderful ward with some of the best people I have ever met.  The eternities are going to be so great….I feel like there will be no boundaries up there and we will be able to keep up with everyone!

I feel very tender soul-ed today (aka emotional, ha!).  I just feel so much love for people at times…I don’t really know how to explain it. I was trying to tell Andy today how I feel like our new ward is full of amazing people, that are capable of anything and any calling (as was our last ward).  I felt as though I was feeling just a tinge of what our Heavenly Father feels and sees within us.  We all have such great potential and I’m sure we don’t even understand what we are capable of in our current state J  (I hope that doesn't come off the wrong way, it’s just what was in my heart today

We had a great Halloween, although Sam was very vocal after about the third house we trick or treated at, “Whew!  I’m tired.  Can we go home now?”  HA!  Then later (after pulling out the stroller) she started refusing candy saying things like, “No thanks.  I have enough.” What kind in the history of Halloween has refused candy?  She got several neighbors giggling J

We swam yesterday during the coldest day we've had this fall!  Andy heated the pool and it was perfect….although after the sun went down both Andy and I succumbed to the hot tub!  Kaylee and Audrie swam ALL DAY.

Attached is a note that Audrie put on top of the pancakes I made for breakfast this morning.  I thought it was so very wise and mature of her to say such words.  It filled my heart J  Kaylee also has been drawing and writing LOTS of notes lately.  They always involve a stick figure of each person, lots of hearts and then words like “I love my family so much.  They are the best.”  Drops in my bucket.  Love. Love. Love.

Quick story about Tyler.  Once upon a time a year or so ago he watched a PG-13 movie in one of his classes.  I remember him saying something about this gross part in a movie.  Upon asking him about where he had seen such a movie.  I was appalled that it was in a class at school!!  I couldn't believe that they would show that without permission from the parents.  Anyway, after talking to Tyler about it we decided together if that ever happened again he needed to text me or talk to the teacher.  So this week it happened again…but Tyler remembered to say something.  He had the teacher call me and then after talking to the teacher I talked to Tyler.  Apparently he got teased later because of what he did, but this mama couldn't be any prouder ;)

I have been waking up with the story of Enos in my mind lately.  Particularly the part where he pleads with the Lord to preserve the record and when he receives the answer that they will be preserved and they would be brought forth in the Lords timing.  He knew it would be according to the Lord’s will, and then his soul did rest in that knowledge.  What faith!  He would never actually see the thing he was praying for come to pass, but yet he knew it would be and rested in the knowledge that the Lord knew.  And that was good enough.  I YURN to be more like Enos. 

Agent Maria & Barbies in Bondage

I am slow this week ;)  We are doing well despite being a little grouchy.  Sam has been so fussy the past week or so and it is starting to wear on me….plus Audrie has had a few meltdowns that are also beating me down.  I need to get more sleep too, which I’m sure is a MAJOR factor in my attitude.  I will be working on that today, (the sleep part which hopefully in turn will help the grouchy part) ;)

 

It’s been a fun week.  We’ve had some seriously funny things happen.  Some of you may have seen my post on facebook, so disregard if you have.   Sunday we were moving a little slow because I was trying to teach Tyler a little bit about family search (which I am still learning myself) and we were looking for baptism names he could take for his first trip to the temple.  (BTW Grandma Whicker if you have any male names for baptism we would love to get some from ya!)  After being on the computer for a while I looked at the clock and started bustling around to get everyone ready.  I send the girls upstairs to brush their teeth….which I should know better by now that I have to go upstairs and watch them obey otherwise they can be real stinkers…this was no exception.  Some time went by and not one of the girls had returned with clean teeth, or returned at all actually.  So Andy sensing my frustration went upstairs and came back down with his phone in hand and a half smile on his face.  Recognizing that he was finding something humorous I asked him what he was looking at on his phone.  He then handed it to me while explain what he had found upstairs.  There was tape, fan blades and the entire Frozen cast BOUND to the fan in Kaylee’s room.  Arms behind their heads and everything.  I couldn’t stop giggling….these poor barbies!  And how in the world did they come up with such a thing- not to mention in a relatively short amount of time?!?  Oh my goodness.  I am still laughing about it (see attached).

 

I guess my kiddos just needed to continue to make us laugh because once we were at church the funnies continued.  Sam was looking that that pop up temple book with Audrie during the sacrament.  On one of the pages there is an Angel Moroni that is on the top of the temple.  Audrie was trying to explain to Sam that the Angel Moroni had a hat on (I’m not sure where this originated).  After finally helping Sam see what Audrie was saying she leaned over to Andy and whispers, “Audrie said that the Agent Maria has a hat!”  Of course she meant the Angel Moroni, but I am still not sure where the hat came from- maybe the trumpet somehow??  Either way I’m not sure I’ll be able to see Angel Moroni the same again J  Good times.

 

We watched my cousins kiddos this weekend.  It wasn’t too bad except for one part.  The oldest kiddo woke up hysterical and just couldn’t gain control and ended up vomiting all over me (Oh yeah!).  She finally went to sleep after that, but that was the only bad part.  Their kids (Kemarie and Jerry Whiting) are so mild mannered; starkly contrasting our loud boisterous nature.  They were all really sweet and I am glad we are able to be the “family” in this neck of the country.

 

Our big ward split is happening this Sunday.  I am anxious about it! This will be our 6^th ward and 3^rd stake we have been in (and that is living in 2 houses).  It’s crazy how much it’s growing constantly in our area…unbelievable actually.  Cami said her stake just got split a couple of weeks ago and it’s the same story all over Houston (and we’ve been in the area for 11 years!  It hasn’t slowed down at all while we’ve been here.)

 

Rowan Family Days & Pumpkin Patch

You know it’s funny I have to REALLY think about it when I spell ‘heart’ now…it’s pretty funny.  But then again we all know I am not the best speller, or even close as I have had many misspellings as of late and Lyndsey ALWAYS finds them ;)  Love ya Lynds.  Most of the time I don’t realize I even have put “pue” instead of “pew”, which is even more embarrassing.  It’s very dyslexic of me, which perhaps means I am in fact mildly (or moldy as I said before) dyslexic J  Good times.

 

It’s been a fun week!  We tried our darndest to do something fun for Columbus day and it kind of fell through, but we still had some fun.  I was determined to find a REAL LIVE pumpkin patch, but we had to deal with what our area offered.  It was a cute little pumpkin patch, but a very, very small patch of live pumpkins.  Most of them were pre picked and brought in.  Anyway, we knew it was going to rain that day, but decided to get there RIGHT when the park opened to see if we could beat the rain.  Well within 2-3 minutes of buying our tickets and grabbing a wagon it POURED cats and dogs, I mean torrential downpour.  We were absolutely soaked within seconds.  The older kids thought it would be fun to go down the slides and do the hay maze in the rain, but Sam, poor Sam wouldn’t have any of it.  Getting rained on was NOT fun in her book and she did NOT want anything to do with it.  See attached.  Pretty cute if you ask me.

 

Saturday was Andy’s annual family work party.  They have cut down on the way they do things this year, not nearly as big and they have made it local.  So instead of driving to Louisiana they did a smaller, day time event for the corporate offices just around the corner.  It was fun.  Tyler Zip lined and played bingo, the girls went down the water slides, got their faces and hair painted, had a gazillion cups of shaved ice while Andy and I mingled and played as well.  Ever since we won our ipad at this event three years ago the main thing the kids look forward to is the big raffle at the end of the evening!  Every year I always tell them ‘guys we probably won’t win anything so don’t get your hopes up’!  And EVERY year we have won something except one.  But we used to be able to put one ticket in per family member, but the last couple of years it was only one ticket per employee…no wonder we always won, we are bar FAR the biggest family hanging around the corporate office folk ;)  They always have the prizes up on display for all to see beforehand and Tyler had his eye on the Playstation and the xbox (which we probably would have had to sell if we did get, lol, I am such a mean mom).  Anyway, they started the bidding and about 3 or 4 prizes in they held up a mini ipad pulled a ticket and said, “Andy Hart!”  I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.  The only ipads we own are won from the very same events.  Crazy.  Then the final prize was a custom made BBQ (it was a raffle on it’s own that they let each family member put in a ticket for) and they swirled around the tickets and yelled, “Audrie Hart!”  I mean, seriously!?!  I couldn’t believe it.  So we went home loaded up with prizes J  My kids expectations are going to be SO HIGH now hahahaha.

 

 

 

Andy is at mutual with Tyler and Audrie is at A-days.  He is helping with an activity about missions.  He has been prepping for weeks!  It’s been pretty cute seeing how much thought and effort he has put into this one night.  You should see the plethora of food he made and brought to represent his mission! He has several mission stories that he is going to tell, some of which were new to me.   I wish I could have gone tonight to hear him, but it’s my turn to be home on Tuesday nights after years of me going.  I hope he takes a couple of pictures. 

 

I had a lady in our ward come to my house to do my hair today.  She cut it and I got some really sutble highlights, which I am now having remorse over, but they are subtle enough that it won’t require maintenance.  I just need some change and I thought this would do it :/  I met this girl at the craft Super Saturday evening that the ward put on and I instantly felt a connection with her.  She is clearly different because of all of her tattoos and loud look, but she has a real tender spirit about her.  Anyway, as soon as I heard that she did hair in your home I knew I needed to have her over.  She was a doll and I am anxious to be her friend.  Hearing her lifes story really puts things in perspective for me though…people can really cause hardships for others, it seems so unfair sometimes!  This lady has had one rough life, but she is still going to church and is trying to be a good girl, which gives me such a sense of hope considering my meager problems. 

 

On Sunday it was announced that there would be a special meeting for our ward and one other ward in our stake where a new ward will be made.  I was CERTAIN we were going to be split and put into the new ward the last time this happned a couple of years ago but was shocked to find out we weren’t.  This time I am even MORE certain that we will be apart of the new ward, hahahaha, so we will see.  I like change, always have, so this is exciting for me.  New people to meet, new friendships, new callings, new challenges, I just love the prospect of it all!  I wonder where I get that from?  Do any of you sisters feel the same way?  Mom? Dad?  Maybe it’s from all our years moving around?  I do remember whenever we found out we were going to move as kids that I would often think “Okay what to do I want to change, or do differently when we move?  They will only know me how I am when we get there…should I cut my hair, or try to be better in a certain area of my life?”  It was always neat to think I could start over wherever we went.  So maybe that is the source of my love of change.

 

Glorious

If you haven’t downloaded the song attached, you need to before I tell you this story.  It is by David Archuleta from the movie coming out “Meet the Mormons.”  They are letting anyone download it for free, so go for it!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GytW_rgr0RM

So as you all know my life has been focused on Audrie and her struggles for about 4 years now and it’s always in the forefront of my mind.  Always.  It’s probably a little unhealthy how much I think about it, but it’s all out of love.  Anyway, yesterday was dyslexia therapy.  When I drop her off at the therapists house usually I sit in the car for an hour reading, fiddling or working on necessary things.  This time after watching her walk in I didn’t do anything different except while sitting there I remembered about this song (I stumbled across it a couple of days ago) and wanted to download it.  So I did.  And it instantly tugged at my heart strings. 

 

The third time I listened to it I had something begin to happen.  I don’t really know how to explain it, but I suddenly felt all our ancestors around me.  Hundreds of people; from my line and the Hart line.  Then in my mind I saw multitudes of people, faces of people I once knew, all dressed in white emanating love towards me.  They were somehow all telling me they were part of Audrie’s symphony, and I HEARD them say, without words, “we are working on our side for her.  You are not alone.”  Then as quickly as it began it ended.

 

At first I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what was happening.  Then afterwards my heart felt like it was going to burst with love and I just couldn’t contain myself.  Tears, lots of tears just flowed.  I’m certain that this is not only the case for Audrie, but for Katie and each one of us.  There are MANY unseen faces working for us, part of our symphony, trying to help us and influence those involved in our lives.  The power and love I felt are inexplicable.  The only word that truly begins to describe it is simply Beautiful.

 

I love you all and remember we are never alone!

Rice Experiment

This is going to be short as I put all my energy into yesterday and I am feeling quite tired this morning. 

 

I wanted to share with you an experiment we are going to start today for FHE.  It is called the Rice Experiment.  I have tried really, REALLY hard to help push out any negativity in mind for the past couple of weeks and this lesson is hopefully going to be a memorable one for the kids.  My sweet children are struggling with talking kind with one another and I had heard of this experiment quite a while ago and wondered if it was legit.  It’s kind of silly, but it will (hopefully) prove a point.   Kindness matters, and unkindness hurts.  Check it out here.

 

This is also the same place I found the “clicker” experiment.  Do you guys remember that?  You count the positive thoughts you have with a clicker you keep with you at all times?  Another experiment we will do eventually, but I think we could ALL benefit from things like this J  In fact I was thinking we could base our 2015 P& G Whicker Family Reunion on this very idea.  Everyone would get a clicker at the beginning of the week and at the end we would have a devotional  that would let everyone share how it affected/effected (I STILL don’t get that one right) each person.  If you don’t remember check it out here.  (very poor graphics, but I love the original video, the new one is good, but the original is so funny and real)

 

Other than that I am not going to lie this week has been tough.  I have shed mucho tears over Audrie and fighting the school on particular accommodations.  The good news is that I am now feeling peace about it all.  I just have to keep telling myself what Andy keeps telling me, “Heavenly Father has a plan for that girl.”  And I am trying my darndest to have faith and getting rid of those doubts.  So far I am doing well (pat on my back!).

 

Women’s conference was AWESOME.  I had so many little whisperings to my heart.  Audrie came with me and REALLY struggled sitting still, but it was a great excuse to get her all to myself.  If there is one talk to listen to it’s Elder Uchtdorf’s.  LOVED it.  I keep thinking “I hope Katie is listening to this, I hope Katie is listening to this.”  If you haven’t Kate (and you happen to read this) then please do!!  Love, Love, LOVED IT.

"Everything's gonna be alri-ight!"

Do you remember that little jingle sisters?  That is what I keep singing in my head every time I start having a doubtful, sad or faithless thought regarding Audrie and her situation.  I am determined to have FAITH!  It is hard for me, but having those negative and doubtful thoughts are just bringing me down and I am done with it J  So just remember, “Everything’s gonna be alri-ight!  Everything’s gonna be alri-ight!”

 

Nothing much to report on.  School is going well, we are having our struggles, but we are hanging in there.  Tyler is having his usual beginning of the year organizational struggles and has reaped the consequences of that grade wise so far.  I am trying my darndest to teach him how to stay on top of his stuff, but he is just having to learn the hard way.  If any of you have any suggestions PLEASE send them my way.  (Just FYI- He has a planner, but will not use it, he thinks he can remember everything.  He has a zipper binder with pocket folders for each class so he can just shove stuff in the folders.  They have an online website that posts hw (albeit it’s not always updated).  He has his ipod to take pictures of assignments, notes, hw, etc; although I am worried it may be part of the problem-so we will be taking that away to see if things improve)

 

Audrie is keeping her spirits up, although she is failing her reading class already.  I keep telling her grades don’t matter as long as she is trying her hardest, and she is trying.  I am meeting with her reading teacher tomorrow before school to discuss some things to help her be more successful.  They gave her a reading passage that was front and back page with the tiniest font and no spacing…which totally throws her off.  This is what I mean when I say people truly don’t understand dyslexia.  It is truly ignorance and I am determined to teach the teachers….but my goal is to do it in a kind and loving way so I don’t come across as an overbearing mother (which may be unavoidable, I don’t know).  I continue to have answers regarding her, little tender mercies telling me that everything is going to be okay and I am trying my hardest to hold onto those in the midst of hw struggles and tears.

 

Kaylee is thriving.  She is doing great.  Loves school and loves learning.  She does have some similar tendencies that Audrie does in her writing which does raise a red flag (dysgraphia is related to dyslexia…and I actually think Tyler may have a touch of that).    But they won’t make a big deal out of that until 2^nd grade (which technically she could be in since she did kinder twice).  I would take dysgraphia over dyslexia any day.  She is so shy but yet always has a mischievous twinkle in her eye!  She can be a clown when she wants to be.

 

Sam is my little happy go lucky child.  Smiling and giving me the occasional hug with light just beaming through her eyes, and DEFINTILY is a clown…but lately she has a dark side.  She is showing some rebellion!  My sweet Sam is starting to blatantly disobey L   We have had several children do similar things and are going instill our “poop pick up” program again.  It is the ONLY thing that seems to work with our kids.  As much as we talk about poop I guess it only makes sense, hahahaha.  Why is that a constant topic of conversation at our house?? 

 

Quick Sam story.  Since I was released from my calling I feel like I have been so much more on top of making sure the kids are looking their best for church.   Well, at least until last Sunday.  We strolled into church finding a pew to sit in.  And upon sitting down Kaylee and Audrie started giggling uncontrollably.  I quickly went up to them and asked what the problem was.  They blurted out (LOUDLY of course), “Mom!  Sam doesn’t have any panties on!!”  My face turned red I’m sure, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.  Holy cow.  I must be worthy of some reward now…how many mothers have sent their children to church without PANTIES ON??!  Well the Hart’s have.  We are awesome.  And to top it off Audrie decided to strike up a conversation with the family in front of us about the fact that Sam was currently bare bumming it right then and there, in the very pew behind them.  We are definitely a special breed.

Melancholy

Well, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been feeling quite down since Friday.  If Audrie only knew how much energy I put into her alone she would never feel unloved.  Ever. 

 

The reality of school is hard and has hit full force.  I knew it was going to be hard and Audrie knew it was going to be hard, but I guess neither of us were emotionally ready yet because we are both struggling.  Friday she came home from school having ended up in tears in class over a test that she didn’t understand.  The teacher called me that afternoon and we talked, and she clearly doesn’t understand how difficult this is for her, but still very understanding.  Then Saturday we tried to do her review worksheet for the same class (math) and it turned into a nightmare.  She gets so frustrated and so unable to process what I’m trying to help her understand she actually shuts down.  Tyler tried to help her yesterday and they only got through three quarters of a page before they had to call it quits (she and I got through 1 page in about 1.5-2 hours). 

 

I’m listening to a book called the Dyslexia Empowerment plan written by a very successful dyslexic.  His entire perspective is extremely enlightening, but also disheartening to me.  He reads at a 5^th grade level….hated school, really struggled with the shame of dyslexia, but eventually embraced it and now advocates for children (and adults to a certain extent).  His theory is to embrace the fact that they will never be a proficient readers and to help them be successful through other means….such as audio textbooks, text to speech programs, etc.  Which is a hard pill for me to swallow.  There are so many elements of life that require reading that I am not sure I can embrace that thinking.  Don’t get me wrong I want nothing more than for her to be successful, but I want her to be able to read so desperately!

 

Anyway, I have had numerous answers telling me that all is going to work out, that this bit of her experience is only but a speck in eternity, but I still struggle.  I need to have more faith!  In fact I was praying last night to find some comfort in reading my scriptures and I opened up to D&C 127: 2, a famous scripture passage I am sure you all familiar with.  It’s when Joseph says, “…deep water is what I am wont to swim in.  It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation….for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.”   The end of the verse was the part that gave me the comfort and reminder I needed, but then I turned the page and vs 4 is when I felt He spoke to my heart. “…let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts.”  So I guess I need to redouble my efforts….which quite frankly just makes me tired.  It may have not been the answer I wanted, but an answer it is and I will do my best to follow His counsel. 

 

On a happier note, I was able to teach my lesson in decent fashion yesterday.  It was one Temple Blessings, and the sealing power.  I was a big BABY oh my goodness, I barely got 4 words out before I started blubbering.  But I’m pretty sure the spirit was felt by most in the room.  At the end of my lesson I likened a 9-11 story that I had never heard before to those waiting to be “rescued” on the other side.  You can check the story out here.  We have been “called” by our “Captain” to come and help people that are unable to help themselves.  It was pretty cool and had some great parallels. 

 

Andy received a new calling about 5 minutes before church started.  He is now a teachers quorum adviser.  Now it’s his turn to be in the youth program!  There are 22 teachers alone!  The bishop said how basically they are going to have to be a ‘YM presidency’ for each quorum, and for Andy to treat his calling as such.  It’s crazy that there are that many kids in that age group.

 

The Ford’s came down this weekend again so Cami could shop around for baby stuff in our community garage sale.  It was a lot of fun.  Rainy, but fun J  It was actually quite a bit cooler than it has been and Andy had to turn on the pool heater so everyone could get in while they were here. 

 

Anyway, the only other thing I can think of is that I canned 22 quarts of pears this week J  My canning cupboard is looking really pretty with all the different home canned items I have in there.  Peaches, pears and cherries!

 

Oh, one more thing.  Tomorrow is Audrie’s big 504 meeting (4pm), so if you guys don’t mind sending up a few prayers on Audrie’s behalf (well, and ours so we say the right things) then that would be really, really appreciated.

 

Sorry this was such a melancholy letter.  Hopefully I will be back to myself by next week’s letter!

Matagorda Bay and Kaylee's Birthday!

 

What a morning.  We have already been to the doctors this morning and TWO pool stores, made two orthodontic appointments, one ophthalmology appointment and am on my way to getting kiddos busy with projects.  I’m tired already which is never a good sign at 10:30am, hahaha.

 

We just returned from a weekend trip to Matagorda Bay with the Ford Family.  It was a lot of fun and we really had some fun moments.   Shane’s coworker (a surgeon) owns a river front home near the beach in southern Texas and he offered it to him for a weekend…so we got to tag along as well!  The first day there we got in the river, fished and canoed.  The river was, um, seriously gross.  It brought out the shrieking crazy woman l may have inside of me as my feet sunk into the mud at the bottom of the river all the way up to my KNEES!  I think the neighbors actually came out of their home to make sure no one was dying, hahaha.  Yes it was that bad.  I nearly died (okay not really, but seriously it give me the willies just thinking about it).   We also spent a good half day at the beach which was MUCH better than I anticipated.  We boogie boarded, cast nets for fish among the other normal beach stuff.  Good times that is for sure; although I think Cami was exhausted most of the time.

 

The big news of last week was I got released from being YW’s president.   I have been in YW’s for almost 4 years this time and I have truly LOVED the girls…it has been one of the best callings I have ever had.  I found out Sat afternoon and boo hoo-ed all weekend long…when they actually released me in sacrament meeting it turned into the ugly cry (that was slightly embarrassing in hindsight), but I just couldn’t help it!!  I just love those girls like my own.  I really do.  Fortunately that Tuesday night we still had the activity we had planned which was a end of summer pool party at my house.  It turned into a “goodbye” party instead and I was quite taken back with all the gifts and cards that were given to me.  The cards especially meant a lot.  One of the girls that I have worked particularly hard with wrote some very meaningful words to me that I will cherish forever.  It made it all worth it.  

 

The timing of everything I found to be very interesting.  Two day prior to being told I was getting released I had been in the temple with TWO of my older YW (from the last time I was YW Pres in Humble).  The older one (I was closer to as she helped me when I was on bed-rest with Audrie) talked to me quite a bit and in the celestial room she said, “I just have to thank you.  I didn’t know how much of an influence you would have on my life, but you YW leaders really do have great influence.”  It was so nice to hear those kind words and upon hearing about my release those were the words that kept running through my mind over and over again.  It was a great comfort hearing that and I know the Lord was watching over me as he knew this was coming.  Several LTM’s have happened since then (Little Tender Mercies) and I can’t help but recognize the Lord in the details of my life. 

 

I made all the YW a cute little jar of cookie mix as my good bye gift to them.  I think they turned out pretty cute (see pic), as I turned them into a value experience that they could pass off for Personal Progress.  Fun fun!

 

Today we celebrate THIRTEEN YEARS of marriage.  Um.  I am seriously starting to think I should be feeling old.  I cannot believe we have been married that long.  Time sure flies when you’re having fun!!  And we do have fun.  Andy is such a comedian and I love that about him.  He is always lightening the mood and doing everything he can to make sure we always have a smile on our faces.  Even with that humor he is also a VERY hard worker.  He really keeps us comfortable.  The affect of our electronic cleanse has continued in our home.  Andy has particularly tried VERY hard to follow through with his own personal goals regarding electronics and I have really seen what an amazing man he really is.  He has yet to turn on the TV…I think it has been 4 or 5 weeks for him now.  He started doing his own version of cutting out before we did as a family and I am amazed by his willpower.  He has always been amazing, but man he is MUCH more amazing than I ever realized.  Love you babe.  You have always been a great companion!!  Can’t wait for eternity!

 

For the last three weeks we have had lessons on marriage, which  is interesting.  I taught a lesson on eternal marriage, then last Sunday Andy had a lesson on Marriage in EQ and then this week while in Matagorda we had yet ANOTHER lesson on Marriage.  It is very interesting and I don’t think it was coincidence.  I have seen several marriages fall apart recently.  One friend is right in the thick of it and I can see what hardships a failing marriage can have on a family, not to mention the rippling affects on everyone else around them.  I think the Lord is trying to tell us that we need to make sure our marriage is always a priority  (which honestly I have always tried really hard to keep in balance with my callings and other duties) and to keep trying to better and better what we have.  I haven’t even told Andy this yet, but I got a distinct impression last night while talking with Heavenly Father that there is going to be a new responsibility that will challenge us and we need to be prepared.  I don’t know what that means, if Andy is going to get a time consuming calling or what, but right after that I felt quite the outpouring of love directly from my Father in Heaven, like a direct infusion of pure love to my heart.  I felt truly connected to Him in a way that I have never felt before, like I was feeling His love directly into my spirit.  It was amazing and wonderful all at the same time.  We shall see what the Lord has in store. 

 

We celebrated Kaylee’s birthday last week.  It was great!! I think most of you have heard about Kaylee and her weird obsession with eyeballs….if you haven’t, just ask her.  She will explain the “eyeball game” in great detail.  It usually involves you “taking out” your eyeball and rolling it to another person as she takes it and puts it into her eye socket….then she does the same.  Like I said, very strange.  We have no idea where this eyeball obsession came, but for the most part everyone she comes in contact with knows about it.  So about 6 months ago Andy jokingly suggested that she should have an eyeball cake for her birthday.   So we made that a reality and gave her just that!  See attached.  Pretty dang cute and made by yours truly, HA!

 

Well I better end this eternal note and get moving on my household duties.  I ignorantly shocked the pool this morning unknowingly causing the inability to swim today, so we may actually have to go somewhere today (heaven forbid) and use one of the community pools. 

School Begins!

We are doing well just getting back into the groove of school J  Today is day two and we are plugging right along.  Tyler still isn’t feeling super great (I think he has a cold) but he is being a trooper!  But really there is more homework for the parents the first week than anything, hahaha…I spend hours filling out paperwork.  I wish they would do all of it online, but for whatever reason they don’t (Wait until Sam is in school, then it will be paperwork X four, ha!).  Kaylee was EXHAUSTED after school yesterday and actually really, really struggled to get up this morning.  I think we are going to have to push bedtime back to 7:30pm for her, she just doesn’t have the endurance for a 7am-4pm “workday”.  Sam has napped several days  in a row as well, so maybe we are just fighting something; although Kaylee has always been my tired girl.  Speaking of Kaylee we are heading to a ophthalmologist today at Texas Children’s.  She started complaining again of that one eye going blurry and her unusual eye movement is as present as ever.  This was the earliest appointment they could get me (I made it weeks ago- and actually yesterday was the earliest, but I thought the first day of school would be bad to miss!).  So hopefully they will be able to shed some light on her  J

 

Other than that I have had a very good week.  I have been particularly sensitive to the spirit lately and slightly weepy because of it.  I received a new calling on Sunday (didn’t think that would happen!) to be a RS teacher, which I couldn’t be more excited about.  I just LOVE, love, love that calling as well as being apart of RS.  I just love being with women, I know it is part of my calling here on earth!  After talking with the education counselor yesterday she sent met the schedule of lessons and my first lesson that I am to teach is on sealing power and temple blessings….I could NOT believe it.  In addition to that Andy had his EQ lesson on Eternal Marriage this past Sunday and I am absolutely certain that we are being prepared for something.  I can FEEL it.  I hope we are doing what we need to be to learn whatever it is the Lord is trying to teach us.  We try to keep things light and are continuously joking with each other (being very dramatic), “I love you if this is the last time I see you.”  Or “do you  have mistresses that I don’t know about?”  Or “when does that life insurance kick in?” J  (BTW he assures me otherwise and I have complete trust in that man, he’s a good one and a keeper.  It’s only funny because I know he would never do anything of that nature J  Love you Babe!)

 

Andy and I were able to go to the temple on Saturday and as we were walking into the chapel we were advised that the session was in SPANISH ;)  So I  got to use headphones (of course Andy didn’t)….let me tell you, headphones in the temple during an endowment is actually quite difficult.  I was banging it around, twisting it up in my attire and truly struggling!  I had a moment when I realized I had something on completely inside out and backwards because I was so disheveled when dressing, hahaha, it was quite hilarious; although I’m sure everyone thought something was very wrong with me.  Nice to change things up though! 

 

Yesterday I listened to a podcast on the Mormon Channel that is part of a series called “Endure it Well” (thank you Ali for the recommendation!).  It is a series about enduring trials with faith and hope through real life experiences of people within the church.  It was fantastic!  Throughout the entire radio show I couldn’t stop thinking about a friend who carpooled with us last year to Audrie’s school.  Her son has Muscular dystrophy and they have had many health struggles in addition to that.  The podcast was about a family with 4 children that had MD and talked about how the dealt with their trials and ultimately the death of 2 of them.  Anyway, I felt I should send to this lady the link to the podcast.  So I did.  Then later that evening around 9pm I saw that she had posted on facebook that her mother had passed away that very afternoon.  I couldn’t believe it.  I sent her that podcast just a few minutes before her mom died.  It hit me like a ton of bricks!  The spirit was talking to me…I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it.  I’m not sure she will even notice the time the email was sent, but either way it affected me greatly and I will remember this experience for a long time. 

 

We had back to school blessings on Sunday and I just bawled throughout all of them (what is wrong with me? And no I’m not pregnant), but I particularly felt the spirit strongly during Kaylee’s blessing.  Andy said some very interesting things that caught me by surprise.  One of the things he said was that he blessed her with safety, that she would be careful, cautious and safe throughout the year.  It was totally unrelated and kind of random within the blessing, so I asked him afterwards what that was all about and he said he didn’t know what that meant.  He also said he felt the spirit really strongly during her blessing as well.  My maternal worrying has kicked in high gear, but we are being very cautious. 

 

Anyway needless to say I am kind of on edge with whatever is coming…I am reading into everything, wondering and worrying.  But I do feel that the Lord wants me to have faith in the unknown and His plan, so I really need to be more faithful and less fearful! 

 

Yesterday was the kids first day back at school and everyone reported positive things, so it should be good. I am trying to get the ball rolling with Audrie’s 504 plan, so hopefully we can get that going as soon as possible.  They want to retest her dyslexia diagnosis (schools diagnosis, they don’t have to accept outsides sources and like to do their own testing) because it’s been 3 years since they did their last one.  So the district has to do that.  I hate all the testing they have to do with her, but it will be good get her re-evaluated with updated information.  She will be thrilled to have to have more testing (NOT!).  Maybe if I offer her Psychoeducational eval from 2013 (that we paid big bucks to have done) they can use that instead?  I will see what they say.

 

The Summer Life

I have sat here for 5 minutes trying to figure out where to begin.  Haha, I just haven’t written for a while and sooo very much has gone on I’m at a loss as to what to say. 

 

We have had a very busy summer, cram packed with many birthdays, fun filled trips and lots of family fun. First we went to Hawaii with the Padres and Lyndsey and Katie.  It was great!!  We had so much fun and enjoyed all that Hawaii had to offer.  Then we had a break for a couple of weeks and then everyone began arriving in Houston (Mom, Dad, Lynds, Katie, and the Kusilek clan) for Tyler’s ordination.  It was awesome.  We played hard and really enjoyed having everyone around.  The cousins absolutely LOVED being around each other and I think little Wade was so pleased to have playmates 24/7 that going home was difficult J

 

I have attached several pictures of our visit with the Family.  We played several games that were a HIT, some classics such as “Poor kitty kitty” and some new ones like the “sitting uno game” and “minute to win it.” (I will put more pics on my blog because I just can’t fit them all on here).

 

The main reason for the gathering of all of our family was to celebrate Tyler’s ordination.  I can’t believe my son is old enough to hold the Aaronic priesthood!  It has been quite the emotional and spiritual experience for me!  He is growing up in so many ways and I am so proud of him being the kid he is.  Yesterday was his first time passing the sacrament due to traveling, and he did such a wonderful job!  Andy and I were watching him the whole time with HUGE grins on our faces.  He mentioned when he sat back down with us that he was so nervous the tray was shaking as he handed it to the first few pews of people.  But he also said it wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be.  All around a really neat experience. 

 

Then a few days after everyone left our home we traveled to Florida to visit the Hart family.  It was great!!  We went to Sanibel Island and stayed there for a couple of days and then simply enjoyed being with Grandma, Grandpa, Cousin’s Eli and Annika, and especially fun Aunt Sarah.  Good times all around. 

 

I am glad to be home and am trying to get back into a routine of sorts, struggling in some regard but having great success in others. 

 

We decided to do an electronic cleanse when we got home…meaning no tv, no computer, no wii, ipods, kindles, ipads, etc…NOTHING.  I was so surprised the kids didn’t even protest a bit, not ONE BIT.  I haven’t had to lock doors or threaten punishments because they have actually followed through without any hesitation.  It’s like they all knew it was time.  I have seen Tyler come alive in ways he hasn’t for a while and all of the kids seem to be rediscovering their true relationships with one another.   It actually has been an incredible spiritual experience for me!  I can FEEL the spirit in our home more and when there is contention the feelings of contention seem to leave faster.  It’s as if everyone has been set free in a way and the spirit speaks louder and more often.  Tyler, Audrie and Kaylee each on their own (without knowing each other have mentioned this) have said they haven’t had any nightmares or bad dreams while the electronics have been off…which I thought was fascinating (and we are VERY particular about what our kids watch because they have always been so sensitive to anything…I mean we are talking Scooby doo scares them).  Andy said how he has been sleeping better as well.  I found out yesterday after I went to a church meeting that Tyler voluntarily fasted over lunch to Thank Heavenly Father for the good times he has had this past week!  I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK…I feel like we are living a higher law of sorts and cringe knowing that this is going to end. 

We are going to set up new parameters around everything before we give back electronics, but I know it won’t be the same.  There will be a limit to times on electronics….2 hours a day including TV and that is it.  Maybe one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and when that time is up there is no more.  I am anxious to do this “cleanse” again and am wondering how we can keep the peace we have had in our home despite the need for electronics during the school year.  Using electronics for pleasure is controllable but using electronics for school is a whole ‘nother matter. 

 

We went to the temple on Saturday and I had many promptings while there in conjunction with our little 7 day experiment.  I kept having the words “our home is our Temple” and thoughts about how we should only invite WORTHY things, games, electronics and especially TV shows and movies into our home.  If our home TRULY is like a temple we need to treat it as such and never give evil the opportunity to lurk inside our walls.  Simple, yet profound, as are all of my personal revelations J  I am excited at the possibility of being better and having the distractions of the world not be so distracting in our home.

 

While traveling to and from Florida Andy and I read a book called “Visions of Glory” (thanks to Dad’s recommendation).  It was a VERY interesting and though provoking book…I simply could not put it down.  I had never really contemplated the reality of people being so “visionary” in our day, but after reading that book and then picking up the scriptures and reading I realized how similar his experiences were to MANY of the Book of Mormon prophets and (non prophets).  It really has rocked my thinking and perspective on things…which is partially why I wanted to do the electronic cleanse, among other things.