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U = Uninterrupted Sleep

Joni Mitchell first sang, and then The Counting Crows, "Don't it always seem to go. That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone."  Ain't that the truth!

It has been over a year since I had a night of uninterrupted sleep.  From the second I found out I was pregnant, I was waking up numerous times in the night to go to the bathroom.  Now I have a stinker bug Doodlebug that wakes up (still) every two hours to eat.  Hence why I look like this...

That's my yawn, and extremely fresh hair.

I would love to be able to sleep in, or catch a nap without fear of it being 30 minutes because Doodlebug isn't consistent with his naps.  I also wonder how much happier I'd be and better I'd feel if I actually fell into a deep sleep and didn't have to sleep with one ear open.

So please be grateful for your uninterrupted sleep because I wasn't when I was getting it, but I sure am grateful for (and miss it) now.

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T = Talks

The visiting teaching message this month was to present one of the conference talks to the sisters.  There were so many great ones to choose from but for one of my visits this week, I chose Elder Bednar's.

If I weren't already a member of the church, this talk would have converted me.  The story of his boys' immediately caught my attention.  Just like his son spreading the good news of the band-aids healing power, why wouldn't I want to share the gospel with those around me and testify of the Atonement?  I just loved it.

Another favorite of mine is, again, from Elder Bednar.

One of my favorite quotes from this talk is, "You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose not to be offended."  

I've been reminding The Lime to stop and think if what he does/says is a good thing or a bad thing before doing/saying it.  I need to follow my own advice and take a moment to remind myself that I have the choice to be offended or not.

This is another one that I love and think of often.  And not just because I have one of his quotes hanging on our living room wall.

It is such a blessing to be able to do a simple search, of essentially any topic, and find a talk that fits the criteria perfectly.

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S = Standing Up

Have I ever shared the story about my friend standing up for a kid in our ward, while we were in high school? I know I've shared it in talks at church so please forgive me if you've heard it before.

This boy, his mom, and younger sister were new converts to our church. At school, he could usually be found by himself, whether it was at break, going to class, or at lunch. On this particular day, he was in the library, as was my friend, when she noticed a group of boys bullying him. Rather than ignoring the situation, she exemplified what Christ would do and stood up for the boy.

Even though this situation took place over 10 years ago, I think of it often, especially when I'm put in a position where I need to stand up for what's right, even if it's not the cool thing to do or what ramifications I might face for doing so.

For example, same-sex marriage.

It's unfortunate that when someone stands up for their beliefs of marriage being between a man and a woman, they're labeled as a hate-filled bigot.

During Proposition 8, my parents had their "Yes on Prop. 8" sign in their yard and woke up one morning to their garage door covered in raw egg. The sign didn't say anything degrading or discriminatory. They were simply standing up for what they believed to be right.

There are lots of arguments about this topic, even among fellow church and family members. I, too, have questions regarding this matter that I'm not sure anyone can answer. But when it comes down to it, I believe "that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) I believe that we are sent to earth to gain a body, to be tested, and to return to our Father in Heaven if we keep the commandments and live according to the laws of the gospel. I know that when the Prophet and Apostles speak of this matter, they are a mouthpiece for the Lord.

I am grateful for their examples, my parents' example, my friend's example and anyone else who is courageous enough to stand up for what's right, no matter who is watching. I don't want to find myself, when the time comes, trying to come up with an excuse as to why I didn't stand up for what's right.

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R = Relaxing

I'm a very high-strung person. I'm always worrying about something and I'm actually surprised I don't have ulcers. Going to bed used to be a nightmare because the second my head hit the pillow, and all was quiet, my mind would think about everything under the sun that was concerning me. That would delay my falling asleep, thus causing me to worry more...

I don't remember when I started this, a couple months ago I think, but it has worked miracles! And it's weird, so just be prepared.

As soon as I get in bed, I lay straight up and down (to promote proper draining) with my arms barely tucked under my sides. I close my eyes and take deep breaths, imagining my lungs filling up, and then slowly release the breath. As I breathe out, I can literally feel any tightness I may have flow from my arms, to my legs, and to my feet. Once it reaches my feet, it leaves my body. If I don't feel that sensation, I continue with my breathing until I do. I only have to do it about five times before my body is relaxed enough and I fall asleep within minutes. Minutes, people! This has never happened to me!

It's so freeing to be able to literally release the worries. I'm thankful for the time I have to relax my mind and body and allow it to rejuvenate for the next day of stress and anxiety.

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 6

-Is all over the place in regards to crawling.
-Still isn't too stable when sitting up.
-Doesn't take great naps nor does he sleep well at night. Like, he's up every two hours.
-Loves to smile.
-Likes shoes.
-Loves The Lime's cheetah, Lucifer.
-Does great in the Baby Björn.
-Still no teeth.
-Gets the hiccups when he laughs a lot.
-Gets up on all fours but then falls down.
-Loves playing peek-a-boo.
-Has horrible eczema behind his right ear and under his left eye.
-Loves to grab hair and beards.
-Wants to be just like his big bro.

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Q = Quality time

It's been exactly six months since it was just The Lime and I hanging out together all day.  I wouldn't trade having Doodlebug here for anything but I sort of miss that one on one time I got on a daily basis with The Lime.

We try to do something each day, outside of the home, so after visiting teaching, we headed to the mall.  Doodlebug was long overdue for a nap so I put him in the stroller and reclined the back.  He was out like a light before I knew it.  That allowed The Lime and I over an hour of much appreciated quality one on one time.  We went to Pottery Barn Kids and played store with their ADORABLE toy cash register.  We went to Build A Bear and The Lime played around with the bath machine and teased me with a SF Giants bear.  We went to the arcade and blew through $5 way too fast.  We went to H&M and looked at clothes for me and he tried on a big, fluffy orange snow jacket with a furry hood.  We went to the toy store and got some Christmas present ideas.  And we finished our visit off with a stop at the Disney Store where he would have loved to buy all the planes from Planes: Fire & Rescue.  

It was so pleasant to be with my best little friend.  There was no arguing, whining, begging, disciplining...nothing!  I am grateful for The Lime and the quality time we get to spend together before he's off to school in nine months.

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P = Pre-existence

Nothing gives you the sense that heaven is closer than when a baby is born.  It boggles my mind to think that one second, their spirit was in heaven and then it's here, inside of a tiny little body.  My mom has often said that babies can't talk right away because they'd tell us all about the sacred, special things that happen in the pre-existence.

I was a single parent at church today and during our break from Sacrament meeting, we were walking through the foyer.  On one of the walls, The Lime noticed this photo:

"Is that Heaven?" he asked.  I told him yes, more specifically when Jesus Christ comes again.

I could see the wheels turning in his head as we continued down the hall.

Later on, I was bouncing Doodlebug in the back of the primary room when he got the happiest look on his face.  I turned around to see this picture:

Same picture as above, just more focused on Christ

He wanted to get as close to it as possible and began talking to it.  At that moment, I knew he saw a familiar face.  I understand that when we come to earth, we pass through the veil and don't have a recollection of the pre-existence.  But Doodlebug is still new enough that the veil isn't as thick as it is for The Lime and I.

Doodlebug could have spent the rest of the day interacting with that picture of Christ.  He was talking to his friend and didn't want to stop.

I'm grateful for that tender moment I was able to witness and for the testimony I have of the pre-existence.  I know we were with our Heavenly Father before we came to this earth and I know we have the opportunity to return to his presence again one day.