Blessings

This a post I've been thinking about for quite a while. I've wanted to record it but not sure how to do it without "cheapening" the feelings and the faith I've been feeling. This has been a hard few months. There that's out there. But, overall, I've felt incredible peace and faith. I'll try to put it into words. This baby surprised us a little. I'd decided we were done- pregnancy is too hard on me and my family. I have to rely on other people to take care of my kids, my house and often even me. I also was enjoying being healthier, losing weight and exercising. I wanted to be able to run the 5k this May and run the whole thing. But, as we've seen with our other children, our babies come to us when our Heavenly Father decides that they come, not when I decide. I think knowing that truth is what has made these last few weeks easier. I know the Lord has a plan... (Sometimes I do wish he would fill me in...)

Through this experience we have been so richly blessed. Things and people have come into our lives exactly as we need them. When Doug was first laid-off we were told we would have insurance until the end of February. So, I started looking into some other options... The first of March I told Doug to just call and check on our insurance again- this time we found out that we would have insurance until the end of April. What a blessing! There are some other options after April but I am really praying that Doug is back to work before then.

Financially I think we are witnessing a miracle. Doug has never made a ton of money and with my earnings we still were not breaking even. But since Doug was laid off we have never gotten all that close to being out of money and we have not had to charge one penny. Part of this was due to some decisions we made a few months ago (probably an inspiration) and part of it is due to the fact I had a major stash of food and part is due to the fact we just have not spent any money but mostly we've had a miracle. We haven't even had to take our girls out of their extracurricular activities, although it was a serious consideration at first, we decided we want to keep their lives as normal as possible. We have been VERY diligent in paying our tithing- down to the penny. Indeed those blessing have poured out.

Our lives have been blessed by our friends and family. Just this last Friday the women that I work with in Young Women brought us "Dream Dinner" dinners. This way we have them for when I have a bad day or something else comes up. This was something that was so not necessary but so appreciated. We told the Relief Society that we were fine and did not need anything but we had a couple different ladies who happened to have extra food from big dinners they did who brought a couple of meals into us. It was so nice to not have to worry about our meals those night. Especially when nothing sounds that good to me anyway and both those meals were absolutely perfect! My mom has been amazing- helping with food, kids, bringing me slushes and even helping me clean my bedroom (we won't talk about how long that's been messy!) Alesa just happened to come up on the day I got out of the hospital and she was able to stay with my kids until we could be there (after Bevan had been shuffled around for the day) and she mopped my floor!

A few months ago I reconnected with a friend on Face Book. We didn't "talk" for a while and then last week he was stuck in an airport and we spent quite a while "chatting" (on Face Book). First of all, that helped me through a day I was feeling a little discouraged and alone. But the best thing was Doug and I were able to go to their house on Friday night for games, dinner and a bunch of laughs! What a blessing to reconnect with this dear friend after so long and to meet his wonderful wife!

And, lastly, as much as I would like Doug to be back at work I am very grateful he's been home. Things would have been much harder on me and the girls and Bevan would have been shuffled around many days instead of just one day. So, I guess even Doug being unemployed was a blessing. (But I hope that blessing ends soon!)

So, we have been so blessed, life is good. On discouraging days I pray for more faith and it comes. Thank you for your concern. I appreciate that I have so many friends who care and who want to help. We will let you know...