My Husband

Today Chad had to drive to Twin Falls and I miss him terribly. Its funny how we sometimes have little moments that really make us grateful. It isn't easy sometimes to parent so many kids and still have patience at the end of the day. And its even harder when you are pregnant and sick and would rather stay in bed. Yesterday amid my mental meltdown, with snot running down my face and mascra dripping everywhere, my sweet husband drew me in with his loving arms and gave me a the best hug. He didn't have to say anything. He just held me and he communicated it all. How much he loves me and that it will all work out. I am so very very blessed to have this beautiful man in my life. I am so blessed.

Blessings

I hasn't been easy having Chad out of work. We thought he would be with Kimball Equipment until retirement...but things didn't work out that way. I continue to be amazed at the blessings that keep coming our way. Chad decided to go back to school. He left University of Utah in 1992 with only a semester to go. We thought for sure that he would have to redo much of his degree but when he started the process we learned that he was only 18 credits shy of his degree completion. What a awesome blessing. The second struggle of course the money. We didn't qualify for as much financial aid as we thought and being tuition being out of state we really worried about how much we would have to take out it loans. It was looking like it would be almost $6,000. Today he learned that during summer term which is when he is finishing everyone is considered in state and our out of pocket will probably only be $2,000. Talk about blessed. Everyday another little mircle comes and we see more and more how much our Heavenly Father loves us. I am so thankful for this knowledge and the understanding that our Heavenly Father is constantly aware of us and that we are truly blessed, in spite of the trials that we sometimes face.

Washing Dishes with Mama

Ellie is quite the little helper. I can give her a rag and she will wash doorways or wipe up the floor. She decided a few weeks ago that she wanted to wash dishes with me. I started out dreading the mess and ended up having a blast. Chad and I laughed until we nearly cried. We actually got the dishes done and she was so proud of herself.

Out comes the Sun!!!!!!

Finally sunshine!! Levi and Ellie were so excited, they begged to go out on the playset and of course we couldn't deny them. They played hard and loved every minute. And of course, when it was time to come in there was a lot of whining. I am so glad that spring is upon us.

First barber haircut

I have been cutting Levi's hair for three years and I finally decided I didn't have the patience for the wiggling anymore. We went down to Barber and Style on Main (where his Grandpie Birch goes) and Mark the barber cut his hair. Wouldn't you know he sat stock still and was a dream, go figure. The barber comed his hair in the traditional 'Leave it to Beaver' style and it was funny, Levi wrinkled his nose and said, "Spiky." The barber chuckled and gave him a awesome mohawk. He kept saying the rest of the day, "I got a hair cut, don't touch my hair." He is pretty darn handsome if I do say so myself.

My nephews

Just wanted to brag on my two youngest nephews. Coben (Lee and Chanthy's baby) just turned 1 on the 3rd of March. He is so cute and is starting to walk. He has a huge smile and an infectious laugh. Aiden (Kara and Rich's baby) is 6 months and discovering solid food. If you eat near him be prepared to share. He is rolling over and is very ticklish. I love you babies! I love Devon and Kien, too! I love all my nephews.

Band Dinner Concert

Celia and Jeremy had their Band Dinner Concert on the 12th and did a beautiful job. Both of them had solos in different pieces and did a great job. The food was ok, but the Tiger Butter I made for the dessert aution did really well, it sold for over $30. Thanks to Grammie and Grandpie Birch and Auntie Kara for buying tickets to support the band and our kids.

Prom

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a little bit of a mush when it comes to my kids. I tear up easily and embarrass them often. On Saturday the 14th Jeremy went to his Junior Prom. His date was Allie Gelsky. He doubled with Ty Higley and Tyler Vine. He was so handsome and was such a gentleman (I watched out the window as he opened the car door for her). I can't believe that he is going to be a senior and will be graduating next year. It seems like it has flown. Jeremy said they had a wonderful time. They had Especially For Youth in the afternoon, dinner at Romio's, danced and then went bowling. He made his Mama proud.

Special Day

Anna was chosen as VIP or Very Important Pirate this month. We went to the school and watched her get her award and then got to stay and eat lunch with her. Gotta love that school lunch. Talk about inflation, $3.00 a piece for us to eat with her, but we had a blast. Grammie and Grandpie Birch came and were there to support Annabanana!

March Birthdays!

This March we celebrated Jeremy's 17th birthday and Savannah's 9th birthday!

Handy Levi

I was walking into the living room and Levi was standing at the front door tools in hand. I walked quietly and got my camera and was able to get some darling pictures before he caught me watching. I asked him what he was doing and he replied, "I am hanging the door, Mama." What a cutie!

Catching up

Well it's been a bit and I can't seem to get my groove. I have been sick and so has most of my family. I am constantly reminded how grateful I am for different things and my health is one lately. Yesterday I was feeling a bit discouraged and asked my husband to give me a blessing. I was sitting on the edge of my bed and Ellie was right next to me (she had blessing the night before because she was sick). Anyway, she jumped up at the word blessing and put both her little hands on my head and said, "blessing, blessing." Of course we had a little laugh, but as I thought about it the chuckle turned to a tear in my eye and it made me realize just how blessed I am. To have a husband who can give us blessings and that my little ones know what a blessing is and to have those memories to cherish and those experiences to build their testimonies.

Reflections

It is early in the morning and I have found myself unable to sleep. The trials of the past day have weighted heavy upon me as I struggle to reconcile myself to battles this life brings me a times. As I have tossed and turned in bed for hours thinking and contemplating, I have sought peace which to this point has alluded me. I pulled up the blog to just look at pictures of my beautiful family and as I looked at each of my wonderful children, that peace distilled upon me with a force I can't begin to describe.

Frustration,fear, sorrow, exhaustion and hurt have fled and in the wake of these things I am reminded that I am so blessed. I can feel the love of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I know that tomorrow is a new day with beauty in and unto itself and that with that new day is the opportunity to write what I wish for it to be. I am reminded as I think of the promise of Elder Holland in his talk For Times of Trouble, that we are never alone. Elder Holland said:

"Elisha, with a power known only to the prophets, had counseled the king of Israel on how and where and when to defend against the warring Syrians. The king of Syria, of course, wished to rid his armies of this prophetic problem. So, and I quote:
“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.“… [They] compassed the city both with horses and chariots.” (2 Kgs. 6:14–15.)If Elisha is looking for a good time to be depressed, this is it. His only ally is the president of the local teachers quorum. It is one prophet and one lad against the world. And the boy is petrified. He sees the enemy everywhere—difficulty and despair and problems and burdens everywhere. The bus is gone, and all he can see is Chicago. With faltering faith the boy cries, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kgs. 6:15.)
And Elisha’s reply?“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kgs. 6:16).“They that be with us?” Now just an Israelite minute here. Faith is fine and courage wonderful, but this is ridiculous, the boy thinks. There are no others with them. He can recognize a Syrian army when he sees one, and he knows that one child and an old man are not strong odds against it. But Elisha’s promise: “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
“And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kgs. 6:16–17.)
In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed. I close with this promise from heaven. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;“And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”“… I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … and mine angels [shall be] round about you, to bear you up.
“… The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.” (D&C 78:17–18; D&C 84:88; D&C 78:18.)"

As the quiet promptings of the Spirit have chased darkness away, I am filled with peace and quiet.