#24: Laci

Laci is my good thing today.  She is so amazing.  All my children are, in their own ways. Laci is the prime definition of middle child.  Her older sister gets a lot of attention for how much responsibility she takes on, and the younger ones get a lot of attention because they are toddlers.

We as parents, love them all, and do our best, but I think she often feels stuck in the middle.

Tonight, she stayed up the latest.  And I really enjoyed our one-on-one talk.

Laci is growing up and so intelligent.  She has a great logic, and I love the way she thinks and the ideas she comes up with.  Today she said it would be great if there was something to make it so we didn't have to clean at all.  She is always coming up with crazy ideas, and the way she gets to the final product just brings a big smile to my face.

She is also an excellent entertainer!  Her giggle is contagious, and though she may be shy with those she doesn't know, she is the biggest clown I know.  With both her little brother and sister, she is the first to make them laugh.  It is her daily goal in life, to make them laugh.  And she will do absolutely anything to accomplish it.

She loves fun, and hates work.  In our family, we work together to pull the load around the house.  She struggles with it, but never gives up.  She has the biggest heart, her emotions are deep and strong in all directions.

I can't wait to watch her grow and see who she becomes as she develops and uses all these traits for good!

Three Things I am grateful for:
1. Play & Pretend at the library. It was our first time- so much fun!
2. Beautiful weather!  We spent time outside, and Kayla finally has figured out how to peddle her bike.  Too bad it doesn't keep her attention for more than thirty seconds! :)
3. I am grateful to live here.  Where I am, right now.  Yes, sometimes it is hard, it isn't super close to the bus, and that bus only runs a 5 days a week/6am-6pm. But after today, and the friendships strengthened with neighbors, and friendships created, I am feeling really blessed!

One Good Thing #23

Today Sam was able to go to another friends house.  I am so happy to watch her grow up and become her own person.  I am really proud of who she is becoming, and she doesn't hear it nearly enough.  She is my good thing today.  When she was born, I was told in a blessing that Heavenly Father sent her to me, to show me how much He loved me..  Well, that couldn't be more true.  She brings such a sweet spirit to our family. And it wouldn't be complete without her.

Three Things I am Grateful For:
1. My sister-in-law, Emily (I love movie nights out!)
2. Girls willing to calmly take over making mac n cheese when mom slices her thumb open cutting a hot dog.
3. Super glue.  It saved me a lot of blood and band aids today

One Good Thing #22

Wow, I can't believe it's already been over 3 weeks since I start of this project. It has been interesting to watch it transform. I have gone from looking for things to be grateful for and a good thing that happens each day, to hoping and praying that I don't forget whatever it was that happened by the end of the day!

Today was it pretty average day when it comes to motherhood. potty training is always an adventure. And I think that's all I have to say about that!

The thing that made my day today was something that Jayce did.  I had just finished changing his diaper a few minutes before, so I was still on the floor.  He got up, walked over to the wrapped up diaper and picked it up. I was going to stop him, but I decided to see what he was going to do instead.  He examined it a moment, then proceeded to toddle over to the diaper pail by the door, open it, and put the diaper inside. He closed it, and continued on with his exploring!  How awesome is that?  Barely one, and already throwing away his diapers.

Three things I am grateful for:

1. My amazing kids.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much.

2. Oreo Pizza

3. Summer Thunderstorms.

One Good Thing #20

Today my sister brought me clothes.  That may not seem like much, but when you have lost a lot of weight, it is definitely a plus.  I guess I can say I officially love hand-me-downs! (never thought I would say that)

1. My sister taking the girls for a well deserved cousin time.
2. Sleeping in.
3. Good kids.

One Good Thing #19

Today we got to spend time with my parents, who were in ton for a wedding, and my sister! Its been a year since I've seen my mom and it was a lot of fun! They took all 9 grandkids school shopping! (It was quite the sight) And we even got some needed odds and ends. Then it was a quick lunch, said our goodbyes to Grandma and Grandpa Lake then, along with Cass, took the kids to the museum at thanksgiving point for the afternoon. Fun times had by all.

Three things I am grateful for:
1. My sister for taking Sam and Laci for a sleep over.
2. Toddler cuddles.
3. My parents' health.

One Good Thing #18

This morning before we went out on our crazy family excursion, I decided I wanted to watch Frozen.  The girls completely were not interested, but watched some anyway.  Makes me sad that they must grow up.  Sweet Kayla, though, when the other girls gave up and went on with their lives, came and cuddled with me for the rest of the movie.  It was heaven.

Three things I am grateful for:
1. Public Transportation
2. Easy Dinners
3. Kids that do dishes and husband that makes said easy dinners.

One Good Thing #15

Today is Jayce's official birthday.  I can't believe it.  Where has the year gone?  I love this little boy so much, and I can't picture life without him.  One of the highlights of my day, was this afternoon.  Everyone was outside squirting each other with spray bottles, Jayce was on the grass in the play pen, with a basin of water and some water balls.  He was so excited and soaked.  It brought great joy to my heart seeing all four of my kids play, even with the large gaps in age.  It makes me wonder what life will be like when they are older.

Three Things I am Grateful For:
1. Slobbery Baby Kisses. (You know, where they open their mouth and pretty much slime your face)
2. Kayla totally rinsed the dishes today.  She got out the step stool, climbed up to the sink, and rinsed the unrinsed dishes, then moved them to the other side of the sink, with the rest of the already rinsed dishes.  Cutest little helper ever.  I gave her 5 pennies and lots of hugs.
3. You know the water fight?  It was during that play time Sam managed. I didn't have to do a thing.  So grateful for her!

One Good Thing #9

Tonight I was able to have a Girls' Night Out with my sister-in-law.  It was quite fun. I am so glad we started a movie night once a month.  It is so nice to catch up with her. I am so glad we get a long, especially since we are the only two add-on girls in the family. I am so grateful for her. Even if we only got to watch part One of Deathly Hallows, it gives us an excuse to do it again next week!

3 Things I am grateful For:
1. Arctic Circle shakes
2. Wal-Mart Pizza
3. The ability to sleep off the calories and begin again tomorrow.

One Good Thing #7: My Glass Balls

Tonight we had Family Home Evening. It was slightly chaotic with a busy two year old and one year old, but it was so nice to gather the family together after a lot of busy times, and just enjoy eachother. I am grateful that Sam took it upon herself to make sure it happened. She made brownies and made up a game, teaching us what we can do to be more like Jesus. Even Kayla said the prayer, Laci led us in "I Am a Child of God, and Jayce participated by trying to eat the dice.

More and more recently, I am being reminded and guided to putting my family first. I have a new business, in Direct Sales with Younique, and I love it. I love that it's whole foundation is to provide a way for mothers who would otherwise have to work, to stay home and fulfill their most important role: Motherhood. Granted, I have never had a job, but, I love that I can now work. Without having to leave my home(not that I can, anyway)

My friend, Ashley, recently went to a leadership retreat with Younique, and this is what she had to say: "So today, I'm thankful that I learned the difference between my "Glass" Balls in my life and the "Rubber" Balls in my life. As Melanie, the Younique Founder talked about how our Glass balls are the things in our lives that should be and are most precious to us. And the rubber ball can be important, but if you drop them they will keep bouncing and you can pick them up later when you taken care of the glass balls. As she talked about this concept it really hit home to me and made me really emotional. I decided my glass balls need to be my children, my husband and my faith in God. I need to set a schedule for myself and that it's ok to drop all the other rubber balls in my life when the glass ones need a little more attention. I need to hold them close and care from them. I need to protect them and not let them break. When my children need me I need to drop the rubber balls and be there for them. I learned that it's ok for priorities to change. To set times to work. Starting yesterday, my phone doesn't need to be in my hand 24/7. My team can wait when my Glass balls need extra attention. I'm so grateful to be a part of something where they teach us it's ok to be a mom first. So today, I'm grateful for my lessons I learned about the glass balls in my life."

Good Thing Day #5: Nothing! (read on)

Today, the good thing that happened is the fact that nothing happened.  It was just a great day with lots of family time. I got some cleaning and organizing done, Bryan took/picked up some stuff to the storage that had been cluttering our house, the oldest two girls went to the library for Lego Day (Well, Sam took Laci), and we watched Legend of the Guardians as a family.  So today, my good thing is plain old down time, without somewhere to be, or errands that could wait til next weekend. :)

3 Things I am grateful for:
1. I love that S & L are getting older. They are turning out to be strong and independent young women, with big hearts and a desire to do good.
2. I love having J & K around to make me feel young again, and remind me to have joy in simple things.
3. Microwaves.

Good Thing Day #4: Birds

Good Thing for today:  This morning Bryan sacrificed sleep so we could go as a Family to the Tracy Aviary downtown.  I almost didn't go, and I almost stayed home and cleaned. The weather was beautiful and I couldn't resist.  It was so relaxing and a ton of fun.  The three girls got to feed the Sun Conures.  And they all had birds hanging out on their heads!  Fun times.

3 Things I am grateful for:
1. This beautiful world we live in. It was a beautiful day!
2. Younique.  The opportunity I have to work from home with some great products and great people.
3. Spill-proof sippy cups :)

A Home for Christmas

I cannot believe how much this little family has been blessed in such a short amount of time. Since the decision to move to this small town, soooo many things have fallen into place, and we have been blessed little by little. I don't even know where to begin! Let's start with being close to family. I absolutely love being by my sister! She and I were best friends when I was in high school, and I feel like we have been able to rebuild that. (Of course, she will tell you we were only best friends because she got a car, and started driving me places *don't worry, she's kidding, although it helped!*) We talk everyday. She helps me so much. She has helped me find in home help (like Eliza was, back in California), she has helped me move in, ran errands, and most importantly, she has been here for me to talk to. Some of you know, I have certain personal battles I am facing right now, and tough decisions ahead. Cass has been my rock, and the ONE person I can really depend on to understand completely. It is amazing how different it is having a friend in front of you, or a phone call away down the street to be a listening ear. The next major blessing is the place we live. First of all, it is smaller than the apartment in Sandy, which has positives and negatives. Smaller corners, so it is harder to manipulate my chair, but it is less to clean. When I first moved in I was really worried about having room for everything in my kitchen, but still to this day, I feel like the Lord is miraculously making everything fit in this little apartment. It has really been a blessing. A major part of the blessing is the owners of the complex. It is a small town, it's not part of some big property monopoly, nope. The owners are a couple native to the town who just enjoy being landlords. They call it their hobby, not their job. They are even in my ward. Anyway, when I first moved in, we asked about one handrail in the bathroom, he put in three. I told him I knick corners with my chair, he put in corner protectors. I told him I was worried about the doorways, he said, "Well, we may widen them, it wouldn't be that hard, we have done it before." When I first did my walk through, she was worried I would be disappointed because the carpet is old and wasn't shampooed after the last tenant (who moved to the next building and only lived here 3 months). Those of you who know me, know I am extremely GRATEFUL the carpet wasn't new or stainless. I always have SO much guilt when it comes to the carpet and my wheelchair staining it. This time, it is one less thing I have to worry about. OH... also during my first walkthrough, Cass and I were talking to Denise(the landlord), and mentioned I was going to buy bunkbeds for the girls. Well, we didn't have too. Denise and Mike had some, from when the complex was for college students, and we got them for free. They even came over and put them up for me. It has really been a positive experience living here. If I have ANY problems at all, they are here. The girls love Mike (one of the landlords, the husband) they call him Uncle Mike (plus, I think it's funny he looks like my Uncle Joe, only shorter). The other night he came over to help me with my internet, and Laci was sick, he poked in her room in the midst of the puke and caos and said, "Are you sure there isn't anything else I can do?" Now on to the church. I was really having a negative experience with the church in Sandy. People were just not there for me, in a very hard time in my life. I have only been in this apartment, and in this ward for thirteen days, and I am so overwelmed with love and gratitude for these people. They have offered to give me rides to church and activities, in fact they insist. My Relief Society Presidency has been over to my house both Sundays to talk and see if we need anything. We have already been brought three meals. I didn't even request it. They just said, "We will be bringing you meals twice a week you can freeze for when you need them. There is a lady on bedrest above you, due in January, and we are doing it for her. It is just the right thing to do, it can't be easy for you either." Okay then! We went to the Ward Christmas dinner this week (by way of ride with someone in the ward of course) and it was great. The couple who gave us a ride, sat by us, and helped with the girls. There wasn't that pressure to be a perfect mom anymore. Also, they sent us home with the leftovers from the turkey dinner. Needless to say, my freezer is full and ready for my down days (we all know I have a lot). Just when you think it couldn't get any better, something else happens. It's funny, a month or two ago I was saying the opposite. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse... Did I mention, Sammie's new kindergarten teacher grew up in Sandy in our old ward, and knows her old teacher? That is a huge blessing. I don't know if she did yet, but was going to call up her old teacher and get the scoop on Sam. And they have requested already to test her for speech and other delays. The speech therapist has put a call in to Sam's preschool in CA requesting her IEP. Hopefully, Sam will finally get the help here in Utah she deserves, since the school district in Sandy took her out of Special Ed. Other school news, Laci was tested for preschool on Friday. If she gets in, she will be bussed everyday to a nearby town for preschool. It would be fantastic for her. Even though, right now she is in a rut as far as potty training, (all the changes triggered digression) I really feel that she is also being blessed behind the scenes with everything else. While I have been sitting here, I have been watching the snow fall. The snow falling has gone from, not sticking to the cement outside, to sticking and the entire parking lot out my window is white. Even though I can't get anywhere when sidewalks aren't shoveled, the Lord is still providing a way for things to happen that need to. Sam has a ride to school everyday, even though it is across the street. The girls and I put up our little Christmas tree Thursday night. We did it all by ourselves. The Christmas tree, and the nativity set is pretty much all we have out right now, but what more do you need? Even though, it's insane to move right in the midst of the holidays. Even though we won't have much under our tree this year. To me, it just feels nice to finally be home for Christmas. We have eachother, and good people around us, that's all this little family needs. Happy Holidays.