The power of prayer

Im not really sure where to begin. I guess we will start with Sunday. Cody left right after church for Milwaukee. It was a tragic event for my little Kevin boy. He does not handle long trips well at all. Two days, he is good for that, anything longer, it's sobbing, and I mean lots and lots of sobbing. Even when he tries to be really tough, it just gets the better of him. So...you can imagine what it was like when Cody left. Soon after he left, I texted my neighbor, Karen, to see if her and her kids wanted to come for dinner, her husband plays in a church music group and they were playing that evening. I had decided on home made pizza because Kevin has been begging to make homemade pizza and invite Riley (the neighbor boy) and his whole family to dinner. I mixed everything up and went to get the flour from the cupboard, I only had about 1 1/2 cups and I needed 5 1/2. I again texted Karen and Kevin ran over to rescue dinner with a bag of flour from Karen. While cooking dinner anything that could go wrong did. Lacey was sobbing the whole time, Elena was super fussy, Kevin woke up grumpy, I was cutting the chicken with a pair of scissors and they broke in half, anyway, it was starting to get annoying. I texted my Mom and said, "Satan is doing anything in his power to make this dinner not work out." Her response, and I knew what it'd say before I even sent the original text, "I'll say a prayer." I did the same and things immediately looked up. Lacey flipped a switch, Elena calmed down, Kevin got happy, the pizza turned out yummy, and all was well. 

The next day I got up and exercised like a crazy women. I'm finally starting to see results and I'm in the middle of my 4th week of Insanity. Seeing results produces some serious motivation on my part. I then ate, showered, and got four cute kiddos ready to go grocery shopping. We walked in the store on the side of the produce and while we were looking for the things we needed, I noticed I was more frazzled then normal and a bit shaky, I figured it was from my workout. We got our produce and started toward the deli when I noticed that my left eye had a bright yellow spot in the middle of my vision. Similar to the effect of looking at a bright flashlight.

While I was trying to order my deli meat I noticed my peripheral vision had a big black spot on my left eye. While we were waiting for our meat, I snapped this picture. It was right after Julia serenaded the meat man with, "The Skunk Song." She walked over to him and belted it out and then walked back over to the cart and climbed on. The guy had the biggest smile on his face, it was hilarious. Despite the look of the picture, they were being angels. As soon as we got our meat, the baking isle was on our way out and I told Kevin that I really needed his help because I wasn't feeling well, he obliged. he grabbed two bags of flour and a bag of sugar for me and then I was looking for the yeast, but I could not for the life of me read a label. That's when I knew it was go time. I started to get an upset stomach and we dashed for the registers. We checked out in record time, as the bagger bagged our groceries, Kevin put them in the cart. Bless his soul. I don't know where I'd be without him. We got in the car and I said a prayer that we would make it home safely. About 1 mile from our house it felt like I had slammed my head into a brick wall, I had a full on  migraine. It was such intense pain I felt the need to scream. I said a prayer that I'd be able to get the little ones to sleep so that I could take a nap. I asked Kevin and Julia to bring the groceries in. I got Lacey into bed, made Elena a bottle and put the deli meat into the fridge.

The kids finished bringing in the rest of the things from the car and I told them that if they would go downstairs and play really nicely that they could skip naps. Kevin was very concerned and said Ok. I told him that if they got hungry he would need to make them lunch. I took a pill, and then I laid in bed and fed Elena. At which point Cody called. I started bawling. The blankets were hurting me. One of my arms was numb, I was very nauseas, and I couldn't lift Elena to burp her. He asked me to text him the Branch President's wife's phone number. At which point I sat up and Elena burped on her own, I wrapped her up tight and put her in the swing and she went right to sleep. Which was a miracle, she had been sleeping the whole time we were out. I called Cody back and told him not to call anyone. WITH THE LITTLE girls sleeping, I'd be able to sleep now. Julia came up to see if I was ok, I assured her I was and she went on her way. About an hour later Cody called again and I took a 2nd pill which seemed to make a huge difference. I then fell asleep, Kevin came in twice during that time to see if I was ok. I slept for almost two hours and felt much better when I woke up. VERY drugged and really sluggish, but the intense pain had subsided. I said a few more prayers of gratitude that we had survived such awfulness and for such great kids. When I came out of my room Kevin was making sandwiches for he and Julia and they washed them down with tons of chocolate. I went out on the couch and fed Elena who had now slept from 10 am-3:35 pm and Lacey woke up and Kevin got her out of her crib. I apologized to Kevin and Julia a few times and thanked them a million times for being so good. It broke me heart how sweet and caring they were. Kevin said, "Oh, it's ok. We just watched two movies and played with our toys." I was out for TWO WHOLE MOVIES. Yuck. The following day I got up ready to exercise but I had what I call the migraine hangover. Any sudden movement caused a shooting pain through my brain. I decided cleaning the house and painting the hallway would have to do for my exercise for the day. I am still overwhelmed with how blessed we were on monday. Lacey thought it was crazy that I sat on the couch doing nothing while she consumed as much chocolate as she could stand.

That brings me to tonight. Julia's favorite thing ever is for Cody or I to, "tell me a story with your mouth." I think we all love it as much as she does. It usually starts with someone saying, "tell me the story of ______."  And then the person telling has to tell a story about whatever was asked. We've had so much fun telling each other wacky, funny stories.

Tonight Julia said, "Tell me the story of the time I visited Sister Temple's House." So, me being the teller has to start with, "Once upon a Sister Temple..." or something funny to do with the story. Anyway, I told them a story of a time they were walking to Sister Temple's house on Julia's birthday and they got in a bit of a predicament, but their Primary teacher Sister Levitt has always taught them that if they are nervous or scared or don't know what to do that they can say a prayer and they did and even though it wasn't the answer they were expecting they were protected and all was well in their world. I tucked them into bed (they are both sleeping in the same room tonight) and came upstairs. I heard loud talking so I went down to check on them and Julia was saying a prayer (back story, Cody's parents are on their way, but their flight is delayed due to all the storms in the midwest and east.) I walk down to hear Julia say, "We are thankful for the storms and we are thankful Grandma and Grandpa are coming and that they can be safe when they drive here." After saying amen she turned to kevin and said, "Ok, lets go to bed now." It was the highlight to my day.

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of my Savior Jesus Christ. Im grateful that I can pray to a loving Heavenly Father a receive comfort from the Holy Ghost.

Now, onto other things I've been working on while Cody was gone. Ive mostly finished Lacey's bedroom. I want to find something to add above her bed...it's bugging me there, but I'm not sure what to do. Maybe a tree out of vinyl with some birds or something...

The living and dining room is finished. 

The kitchen is also finished for now, but I don't like the fruity backsplash at all. Next year we plan to replace it. Kevin's room needs one more picture, Cody promised him a picture of a Harely. Julia's room is also in need of one more thing, I just haven't decided what it is yet. Once I get pictures of them, I'll get them posted too. We sure are loving this place. We are so blessed and I know it.