Temple, Work and Pools

First off I want to make a disclaimer that I DID write last week, but alas my email woes continue....and I did write 3 times last week and lost them.  By the third time I threw my hands up and gave up!  So now I have learned to write in 'word' until Andy has time to figure out the problem!  Super frustrating (and dad I tried your suggestion and it didn't help...so unsure how to fix it.). 

Anyway last Saturday was a highlight for me and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Andy and I were planning on going to the temple, had a babysitter lined up who canceled last minute.  But instead of letting it get the better of us, we decided to let Tyler babysit.  Normally I don't feel comfortable letting him babysit yet when I have no way of communicating, but we decided to go for it.  And it worked out great.  We were able to do a couple of names from Andy's line and it always feels so good to do family names!  We went in trying to confirm our feelings regarding Audrie's schooling and came out not only feeling like we were making the right decision for Audrie, but I got answers for other questions I had without even really seeking answers!  It really was an awesome temple session.  While in the temple I just kept thinking back to a conversation I had with Audrie.  I have kept the decision for her to stay at the private school or go back to public school very open with her.  We have talked a lot about it and I often ask her, "so what are you feeling about school?"  And she and I have gone back and forth about staying or going. 

Anyway, one time while doing reading, I asked her the usual question and instead of her usual banter, she sat right up and said, "Mom, I need to go back to Stanley." (the public school) Then she put her head down, pondered for a moment and then looked up with tears in her eyes. "I didn't know how to be confident," she paused and then continued with a quivering chin, "and now I know how.  It's time for me to go back."  She was obviously feeling the spirit and I felt the power of her words.

Despite that conversation I continued to question the decision of putting her back into public schools.  But while in the temple I just kept replaying that conversation over and over again.  Then I remembered the scripture the Lord showed me when I was making another big decision, which said,

3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.

I knew it was the answer and that I simply needed to have faith.  Which is clearly a weakness of mine because it is sure hard for me!!!

In other news Andy has worked all weekend....he is still at work at 7:25pm and has alluded that he may have to pull and all nighter...yeah, not feeling super happy about that.  But when duties call what's a wife to do?  They have had some serious catastrophes that they have a deadline to fix by tomorrow morning, thus everyone has to be on call.

On a more positive note we are seriously considering getting a pool!!  We have had one contractor come out already and give us some graphic designs and a quote.  You can see a couple of shots he gave us of his suggested design attached.  Pretty huh??  Wish the mountains were in the background like his depiction shows, but alas we are in suburbia ;)  There will be some modifications but the general idea will probably end up being the same.

The kids just spent over and hour making brownies (from scratch mind you) and pudding (not from scratch) for me....making me close my eyes as I walked into a candle lit dinner table :)  They even CLEANED up their mess!!! Miracles never cease!  Hahaha, seriously it was very sweet (it was only laced with half a dozen crying sessions by one or the other...not too bad as of late, HA!).