Times Flying!

Time's Flying and Here's What's Happening!

Thank you all for helping me find the right words to say when I mention Leif being gone for school. They were all helpful and apply well. So when I use them in the future you will know what I mean.

I haven't been able to blog as much as I would have liked to in the last month or so. So much is happening every day... every moment. I wish that I could just think it, and have it come out on my blog for the record. But it doesn't work that way. Anyway, without further explanation let me try to share a few thoughts and things happening inside my heart and behind the scenes. There will be no order of importance to these thoughts...

Our cat Annie is pregnant. She'll have her kittens around the second week in May. We're excited for that little distraction. So much is happening within the first two weeks of May. It will be one of those times that will stand out in the memory for a long time. Annie will have her kitties, my dear brother's Jason and Jared will be going through the temple. Jason will be sealed in the temple to his wife Hannah. Jared will be sealed to his wife Heidi in one year from now. This event alone is tremendously awesome. But then to have Leif leave within days of these events is mind boggling. The emotions surrounding those two weeks... Wow! That's all I can say!

Most of my family all live out in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas now. My sister and I are the only outsiders. So getting to my brother's special ceremonies is not a small or easy thing. And then throw in everything else that is happening at the same time, let's just say making a trip out there at that time is complicated... VERY! In fact, I can't even get into it tonight. I will leave it at this: I might be able to fly out by myself for two days to go to the temple with my brothers and family (including my sister) -or- we might drive out as a family and I will stay with the kids in MO for the summer and Leif will fly to school -or- I won't go to the temple ceremonies and I will drive out to MO in June with my kids and my aunt and uncle -or- none of us will make it out to MO at all this Summer. No matter how hard I try to plan and make what I want to happen, happen. It is all out of my hands. It all depends on financing and what the Lord has in store for us and we won't know anything until May 1st at the soonest. Waiting is NOT easy for me. I am a planner. Ugg!

My dear baby brother Nate lost his dog (Gooby) the day that he was moving to Arkansas. His dog just disappeared. This was devastating news because Gooby is really important to Nate. Our whole family felt heartbroken for him. In fact, we held a family prayer in hopes that someone would find Gooby and Nate could be happily on his way to a new life and adventure. Well, unfortunately, Nate had to leave without finding Gooby. Well, FORTUNATELY, three weeks later, Nate got a phone call and someone found Gooby!! Isn't that incredible!?I hope Nate recognizes that finding Gooby wasn't a coincidence. To me it felt like a hug from Heaven when Nate called to tell me. :)

I cut my hair all by myself today. Well, I got it cut short a week or so ago. But it still felt heavy and it just wasn't quite what I wanted. So, I put my hair in an elastic band and had Leif cut it. That gave me the shape. Then I took Leif's electric clippers and cut the rest. It was not easy, believe me! I was trying to look in a mirror and get my hands, eyes, and brain, to work together. It was funny. But it turned out great if I do say so myself;) I took a  picture I'll post later.

I have had a couple of really good days this week. Days where I feel alive. I have been able to get a lot done and the whole day I find myself taking moments to give thanks for the well-being that I feel. I pray that the goodness continues to become a regular reality.

Leif and I have been working non-stop to prepare for the journey we're facing. He has worked endlessly to fix things up and add things here and there around the house and the yard to make my life easier while he's gone. I am so grateful for his thoughtfulness and willingness to do what he can to make my life better. He found housing for the year that he'll be gone. And the rent is just what we had hoped for. We feel very blessed!

The boys started Baseball and T-Ball in the last week or so. It's really busy running them back and forth. I question sometimes if it's worth the sacrifice of our precious family time. But they really enjoy playing and we go to most of the practices and games as a family, so in the end I'm sure it will be worth it.

I Love my van! I feel comfortable driving it and everything feels so spacious my friend and I joked that my family could be content living in the van. It feels just like home;)

Since I have had better days this week Leif and I have finally been able to get back to our night time gym time after the kids go to bed. That alone is great. But the best part this week has been our evening talks outside in the perfect pre-summer evenings. We've sat out on the stairs and talked things through and just enjoyed some quiet uninterrupted time together. Priceless!

I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Time to sign off for the night.