WOW! It's been a while, Eh?

Hoosh! It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I don't have much time right now to blog, seeing as how I've got a house and a van to clean, bags to pack, and an endless pile of laundry to wash, sort, and put away before I can go to bed. (I'm heading to Utah tomorrow) BUT I really wanted to write a little something while I had a few minutes. 

It's amazing how much the Lord can teach you in such a short amount of time (especially things you already "knew"), but I think the goal in my life right now is SIMPLIFY. Wow, the past six weeks have been a lot of growing for me (funny --- that's what I thought I was supposed to STOP doing once I had the baby!).  [[[For those who don't know me well, sorry, I think I'm severely sleep deprived and somehow can't control myself enough to stay on task]]] Anyway, I've realized just how much time and energy I waste on stupid things! Whether it's going to the store almost everyday because i haven't spent enough time planning ahead, or yelling at my kids all day because I keep myself too busy and too stressed out. 

Okay, I just wrote a big long paragraph detailing all the things that I've been stressed out about and then read back over it and realized that I've been rambling and not making much sense, and probably giving too much information...so I erased it and I'm going to SIMPLIFY.

The Lord is so merciful. He truly will take us gently by the hand to lead us and teach us the things that we need to know, if we will just let him. Sometimes we (I) just need to relax enough to listen. I've realized that when my kids seem to be having a particularly hard day, it's usually just that I'M having a particularly hard day...They're just acting the way they always are! There have been a lot of things out of kilter in my life the last little while, and it's continually amazing to me that if I get up in the morning (early) and read my scriptures and pray, miraculously everything else in life runs smoother - from the kids to cleaning to running errands to finances. If we truly will make Him the center of our lives, he takes care of everything else. I love him so much for being willing to help me be the best that I can be...even though some days my "best" is different from another day's "best". 

SO. He's now helping me learn to simplify. From budgeting, making a menu, and shopping to reading scriptures, praying, and taking time to play and learn with my kids. I'm really thankful for my kids who teach me how to "smile at me" and "just be happy, Mom." (Which is what they tell me when I'm having a "particularly hard day".) 

P.S. I just want to tell you all how much I love and appreciate my husband, who is currently upstairs taking care of Elsie. He has her in her swing, which is playing music, while he sits in front of her making up words to the songs. --- He's so great! --- I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I have a wonderful husband and two great little girls and a beautiful kitty! (Lilie has been a KITTY for the past 2 1/2 weeks!!! She likes to call herself "Pink Gertie" and talks like a kitty most of the day. Even when she gets hurt she has a really hard time stepping out of character long enough to stop mewing and tell me what happened! She's such a silly little kitty!)