The First of 30 Posts This Month!

I'll be posting every day this month if I live up to my goal!

Finally! Another Post!

I finally posted at homebodyjane.blogspot.com, my private blog.

New Post at Homebody Jane

Nanette suggested I post on this blog when I've posted on my private blog.

She said she's seen other people do that.

Hope it helps!

New Blog

I've decided to start over with a new blog.
For now it's not private.
My mom and grandma always said a change is as good as a rest.
I hope changing to a no sugar diet tomorrow is restful!
Anyway, I'm still designing my blog but it is:

homebodyjane.blogspot.com

Mercies of the Tender Type

I have an amazing visiting teacher who always asks me,

"Did you write that down?"

when I tell her something,

so Jen, this one's for you!

I have been blessed with many tender mercies

and I know I don't always recognize them.

But in the last week I have had three.

I received a card in the mail

from a dear friend and neighbor

who has been across the country

helping her son and grandkids

for about five weeks.

She wrote to me that

I had been on her mind

and went on to tell me

the things she loved and

appreciated about me.

Little did she know that I was

depressed and struggling with doubt

about the things she was so kind about.

Heavenly Father knew though.

I am our ward's music chairman

and am responsible for musical numbers.

The ward choir wasn't able to perform

as they usually do the third Sunday

and I struggled to find a replacement number.

I felt strongly that

"Consider the Lilies of the Field"

should be presented.

I ran out of time to find a soloist

so I began to practice the song

myself as a piano solo, but started to get sick.

In the end there was no special number

and I was really disappointed.

I had previously asked a woman in the ward

to perform the 4th Sunday.

She called on Tuesday to tell me that

she will be playing

"Consider the Lilies of the Field".

Maybe I'll never know why this song

needs to be played.

Maybe it's for me!

Yesterday Nick came to tell me

that a woman and her father

were at our door.

I've never met this woman,

but I recently talked to her on the phone.

Her mom is a neighbor and is dying.

My mom and I were her

visiting teachers for many years.

I didn't go downstairs to talk

because I was a mess;

coughing up a storm
(see previous post)

and letting the adversary

get to me about my self worth.

Nick went back and told them

I was sorry but I was sick

in bed with pneumonia.

She sent back a message

to get better and

"I feel the Spirit in your home."

Immediately my spirits lifted.

She was an angel and a tender mercy.

PneUmonia

(Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Warning: composed at 5 AM while on many medicines.

Not responsible for possible gagging and other negative

effects brought on by reading this!)

Pneu (new), pneu, pneu-monia,

in my lungs you stink!

Cough, cough, cough, cough,

time to get a drink.

Cough, hack, hack, and cough,

why am I awake?

Especially since my cough medicine

with codeine I did take.

(I warned you!)

My Nick

My little Nickle Pickle

received

the Melchizedek Priesthood

on Sunday

and became

an Elder.

He also received his
Duty to God Award
which is a YM award
that you have to earn
as a Deacon, Teacher & Priest
in order to get the award.

He has met his goals of
Eagle Scout,
Duty to God,
and Elder
in the last few months
and is working
on more big goals.

I am so proud of my
not so little Nick.
His struggles have made him
so compassionate and kind,
non-judgemental and strong.

This is for you Nick:

Future Mozarts

We had all three grandsons at our house for a few days this week and had a lot of fun with them. I found that one great way to keep them entertained, especially Braiden, was to put them in front of the piano.

Notice the matching shirts. One of the things I enjoy doing as a Nana is shopping for matching clothes. Now that we found out that Nanette is expecting another boy, the challenge will be to find matching clothes for 4 boys!

GoaLs

Okay, it's obvious that blogging everyday, or even weekly isn't one of my goals this year.


But, even though it is already February and I haven't written my goals down, I have been working on them.


My plan was to work on my weight just like a lot of people do and I thought I had found a fun way to motivate myself. The boys already have a Wii so I bought Wii Fit which would entice me with the challenge of playing games and unlocking new levels. Well, the day the Wii Fit came in the mail I went grocery shopping for the first time since being in the hospital and as I was carrying in the groceries I had severe chest pains like I was having a heart attack again. Another echocardiogram showed that the fluid was still around my heart; no change. I was told to do nothing that would raise my heart rate. No Wii Fit. My kids assure me it is a lot of fun!


Luckily, I had already decided to exercise my spiritual and mental self also.


Nanette and the boys came to visit while Chris was in Alabama on a business trip and Ethan was excited to tell me about his first week in Sunbeams. I can't believe he's 3 and goes to Sunbeams now! Anyway, he was singing me the first couple of lines to the song "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" that he had learned in singing time. It was so precious in his pure, innocent voice. I decided to try and look it up on the Internet. That led me to my new favorite website: sugardoodle.net . It is an LDS website that has a little bit of everything, no matter what your calling is. The 10 random things under the OTHER tab in January inspired my goals for the year.

1. Keep learning by completing free online classes from BYU. Right now I'm doing a Book of Mormon class. There is no credit for the class, but I've enjoyed the help it has given in studying, not just reading the scriptures. I'm interested in the creative writing, speed reading and gardening classes among others. There's even a bowling one that might help me improve my game in the future!



2. As far as scripture reading, I want to read all of the standard works this year. My favorite way to do this is using myldsscripturetools.com to set up a schedule. I'm ahead of schedule because of all of my down time right now, but I admit that I am listening to the Old Testament and then going back and reading the JST. I downloaded the mp3 files from LDS.org and listen while I crochet.



3. Our relief society presidency gave us the goal to read all of the talks from last General Conference before the next General Conference so I've been working on that.



4. I have always liked to write and I actually a novel half written, but I've put that one aside because I have a new idea. I would like to start and finish an LDS fiction novel this year. There are some great tools on the Internet now to help writers like mindmeister.com that lets you map out your ideas.
   


5. I will wake up everyday and say out loud, "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." (See Psalm 118:24) Veggie Tales tuned me into this scripture with an uplifting song.

Those are my main goals for this year. Did you notice that I didn't put eating peanut butter cups every day Brooke? That one backfired on me and I have the 10 pounds to show for it!

The Case of the White Mini-Van

When: Christmas Eve afternoon

Where: Lee's Grocery Store

Who: Kent and I

What: Kent and I were in the check out line almost ready to pay, when I remembered some needed items. I asked him to pay and then take the groceries to the van and I would just get back in line because the store was packed. It didn't take me too long and soon I was going out the front doors of the store. Right in front of me was a white mini-van. I assumed it was Kent. I opened the passenger door and tried to climb in but the van kept moving! I thought, "How rude! What is he doing?" I looked up to see a strange man in the driver's seat. He said, "Wrong van!" I mumbled, "Sorry, ours is white too," as I backed away and he inched forward in the line that was in front of the store! Then I realized that I had no idea where Kent was parked because he had dropped me off because there was no where to park. I walked around the parking lot with a red face and a stupid smirk on my face until I finally found Kent and could tell him what happened. I'm sure the guy in the van was laughing his head off or writing to his friends on Facebook about the crazy lady at Lee's! Have you ever noticed how many white mini-vans there are?

Here Comes the Bride

Here are a few of Naomi's bridal pictures.

I'm biased, but I think she's BEAUTIFUL!

(I'm sorry if you don't like the ones I chose Naomi,

but I can't tell which is best from a thumbnail!)

Ketchup #4

Nick finally received his Eagle Scout award at the beginning of November.

It was the same day that Dane gave his homecoming speech so it was a lonnnggg day.

Because it took so long for the court of honor, Dane was here and was able to present Nick with the award which was really special.

I won't be including a picture of Nick pinning the eagle mother's pin on me, because I was very emotional and looked like a blubbering idiot! Not an attractive picture. But, we are very proud of Nick!

Ketchup #3

I had big plans for our Halloween costumes this year.

Kent and I and the three boys were going to be super heroes.

I bought a pattern online that had capes, boots, belts, bodysuits; or in other words, the works.

Things were so crazy in my life that at the last minute, and I mean last minute (I was still sewing as the ward party was starting) I decided we were going the easy route.

I bought tights and basketball shorts and sewed simple capes.

Katie helped me use stitch witchery to iron on letters onto the capes.

Kent was super bishop, I was super mom, Dane was super RM, Nick was super sports star, and Caleb was super Sky View fan.

I had an interesting conversation with Caleb about the tights. He was looking over the back of the box and said, "Mom, according to this you could have bought me size small instead of medium." Not a conversation I thought I'd ever have with my son!

The next night was Halloween and Katie had planned a really fun party for our family. We played fun games, ate dinner using a weird menu so that we didn't know what we were ordering, and we all went trick or treating together. It certainly wasn't as warm as it was last year! The lovebirds were plenty warm though and danced up and down the sidewalks. Embarrassing! :)

Katie made Aaron's Popeye and her Olive Oyl costumes. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of Braiden who was asleep when we were taking pictures.

Chris had light up eyes, but one of his eyes burned out and so he was comically scary with Nanette:
Ethan (Handy Manny) and Logan (Baby Ninja) didn't really want their pictures taken: The toolbox with the glued on wiggly eyeballs was cute in theory, but useless and even annoying when it came to trick or treating! I think next year Kent and I should be super raggedy Ann and Andy and combine our costumes of the last two years and not worry about coming up with new costumes!

Ketchup #2

Dane's homecoming talk in Sacrament Meeting was on "Righteous Family Traditions" and he did a great job. He could have used another hour to speak because he had so many mission experiences he wanted to share. Kent, Dane, Nick, Caleb, Aaron, Raulon, and two men from our ward sang "Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth", accompanied by Naomi. It was beautiful. I love the sound of men's choirs.

Afterwards friends and family gathered at the senior citizen's center for lunch. Thanks to my good friend Tammy we had delicious pulled pork sandwiches. I'm not a huge fan of pork roast, but when it is cooked like that I love it!

Caleb isn't in any of these pictures because he's my go to guy when I'm too tired to get up and take pictures. Thanks Caleb!

My amazing favorite cousin Lisa took our family pictures when the lunch was over. She was so patient with our growing family and uncooperative (at times) little boys. Here are some samples:

Here's a blooper picture that showed some of the troubles we had getting all three boys to cooperate at the same time since it was nap time:

Sweet little Logan looks so innocent in this picture, but he had just kicked Braiden in the back and knocked him over. I tried to catch him but my reflexes were slow. Kent wasn't aware of what was going on and stayed posed!

Ketchup #1

Wow. (Shake of head).

Just wow.

How did I get so far behind?

Time to try to get caught up.

I just spent a night and two days

in the ICU at Logan Regional Hospital.

Kent took me to the emergency room

on Tuesday because I was having

chest pains like I've never had before.

After five hours in the ER,

a few blood tests and EKGs,

I was told that my heart was unremarkable.

I've mentioned in the past

that I hate being told that.

Now not only is my brain unremarkable,

but so is my heart!

The medical profession needs

a new word for "looks normal".

Anyway, still having symptoms,

they sent me to the ICU to be monitored

and so they could find ways to torture me

with more tests so they could tell me

I was unremarkable but ...

I'm sorry (not) to say there are no pictures

but they did let me keep

my pajama pants on the whole time

I was there which was a relief.

The stress treadmill test was inhumane,

especially for someone having chest pains,

but the cardiologist kept assuring me

that I could do it.

The young, female technician

for the treadmill test was really funny.

She said the test

must have been invented by a man,

because only they would think it okay

to put a woman in a hospital gown,

without a bra, on a treadmill and tell her to run!

Logan Regional now knows

my heart inside and out.

The echo cardiogram was so interesting

and we were able

to see all the chambers

and valves of my heart.

That test finally showed that there

was a small amount of fluid

in the sac around my heart

that could account for the pain.

It is most likely caused by a virus.

Did I mention

that my lungs are unremarkable?

Except for a small nodule

that they'll keep an eye on and retest again.

All in all,

my heart is in good shape

for a 43 year old woman

who is out of shape

and has high cholesterol

and high triglycerides.

And as long as I sleep sitting up,

I can tolerate the pain.

Remarkable!

Home Again

After two LOOONNNNGGGG years Dane returned on October 27th from his mission to spread the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Costa Rica.

We all arrived at the airport early since we left Smithfield in a blizzard and wanted to make sure to get there safely. Then began more waiting. Chris was tracking the flight on his phone so we knew exactly when it crossed into Utah and when it landed.

I enjoyed visiting with Elder Cowan's and Elder Cook's families who were waiting for their sons who were traveling with Dane. We were rookies compared to them since Elder Cook was the last missionary in his family and Elder Cowan has something like 11 brothers and sisters and 36 nieces and nephews.

Katie made some really cool posters and Ethan added his artwork to the back of the red one:

There are no words to describe the feeling of first seeing Dane come around the corner of the corridor and then feeling him in my arms and hearing him say, "I love you mom!"

To Do List

Only 5 days left until Dane is home and I've created a list of things to do before we pick him up at the airport:

• Lose the 20 pounds I've gained in the last 2 years. (I didn't say this was a realistic list !) :0)
• Try and match the hair color I was when Dane last saw me so he'll recognize me.
• Refresh my first aid skills so I can treat Dane for shock when he sees Caleb for the first time. (Caleb has grown at least 8 inches and his voice now sounds like Kent's instead of mine.)
• Collect Dane's belongings from his brothers and sisters and return them to his room. (Mostly dvds, tv, speakers, etc.)
• Finish writing the song I'm going to sing as he comes down the escalator at the airport. (So far no one will agree to sing with me!)

To the tune of "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission"
"I'm glad that you went on a mission,
though it felt like three years instead of two.
You proved that you're a worthy servant,
And oh how the people of Costa Rica love you.

You said that you are now a "Tico",
I was afraid that you would want to stay.
I was ready to come and drag you home,
I'm so happy that you're home and with no delay!

Can you think of any more verses?

The Ringer

My Granny Smith had an old washing machine
with a ringer and a metal tub.
It didn't look exactly like this one but it used the same concept.


I feel like I've been through the ringer lately.
People keep reminding me that trials
are for our good and we're to learn and grow from them.

Some things I think I already knew,
I just needed to be reminded.
Some things I think I needed to feel more deeply
so I could feel more empathy for others.


It is interesting though that most of these trials have come since Kent was called as bishop and the closer to Dane coming home the more they are intensifying. To add injury to insult, Kent's car broke down in Pleasant View today at the church where Kent's nephew was giving his mission farewell speech.
It was almost literally the straw that broke the bishop's back or gave him a heart attack.


Back to learning though.

I have learned that I need to act instead of react.


I have learned that things aren't always as they appear.

I have learned that you have to accept the fact that people are going to misunderstand you and not allow you to explain yourself.


I have learned that the simplest expression of friendship and love
can mean the difference between despair and hope.

I have learned that we can't choose when our trials are over
and we have to allow others their free agency.


Most importantly, I have learned that the
Atonement of Jesus Christ is real
and can heal our pain and grief as well as our sins!

Permission and a Blessing

Last evening I was lying in bed watching a movie when my cell phone rang.

It was Kent who was in Layton (?) visiting his brother Dennis who is in the hospital.

"Caleb just called and told me that Raulon is there to visit me and I think it might be an important visit. Can you go down and cover for me?"

I agreed and went down to the living room to find Naomi's boyfriend standing there.

I asked him if he wanted to sit down.

He did.

I explained where Kent was and he said that the mom usually gets the raw end of the deal in these matters so maybe he'd just go ahead.

He proceeded to ask permission to marry Naomi.

I gave him my blessing.

Naomi Van Tassell has a nice ring to it. :]

Parents

Last night I watched an episode of Oprah about people whose lives were changed in seconds. Stephanie and Christian Nielsen from the Nie Nie Dialogues (I have the link to her blog on my sidebar) were some of the guests. It is an amazing story of trial, faith and healing. One of the things that touched me the most was an interview with her parents and brothers and sisters. Her mom sat there with tears running down her cheeks as she told about Stephanie being in a medically induced coma for 3 months while she recovered from 3rd degree burns over 80% of her body. She would whisper in Stephanie's ear, "You can do it!"



I am in no way comparing myself to Stephanie, but her mom reminded me of mine. Five years ago I had double hernia repair surgery. My mom had a really hard time climbing stairs, but every day for a week she climbed the stairs to my bedroom while I was recovering, to keep me company. She sat in the recliner and watched movies with me (I got her hooked on the 6 hour version of Pride and Prejudice), or we would just visit. She would help me in and out of bed and cry with me when I cried. While I was in the bathroom she would straighten out the bed and have it all ready for me to climb back in. Meanwhile, my dad would come over a couple of times during the day to check on us and one time he surprised me with a big wooden get well card which I still have.
I have amazing parents and I know they still love and care about me. I am so lucky to be a parent myself. I can't think of any greater privilege (unless it's to be a grandparent!)

P.S. I had trout tonight! Nanette and Chris treated us to Red Lobster. I always get the double portion so I have some for breakfast. Thanks Nanette and Chris for getting me out of the house and cheering me up! Thanks Ethan for eating "trees" with me. Thanks Logan for all the hugs and macaroni and cheese hands!