Happy Easter

I have been feeling sick and miserable since Thursday.
Strep Throat is no fun, and it has gone around, and around, and around our house.
I was the last to get it....and the hardest hit. (I think)
Luckily my family stepped in to help with the kids who are feeling better after a week of antibiotics.
Unfortunately I misunderstood the doctors instructions. I thought it was one pill twice a day, and didn't realize it was TWO pills twice a day. Too bad it took until today to figure out why I had 40 tablets.
No wonder I have been in bed since Thursday evening.
I have literally not been able to do anything but lay in bed. Or fall asleep on the heater, or stumble painfully to the bathroom.
Today I showed a small sign of success.
This afternoon I actually walked to the living room.

When the kids came home this evening I told them that I wasn't able to get to the store to buy stuff to fill their Easter baskets. (In truth I don't even have a basket)

But just as I was putting them to bed I heard the doorbell ring.
And what a surprise was found on the doorstep.

The basket is complete with real living grass!
Amazing!
.....one more for the kindness team.
YES! Still goodness in the world!
Thank you family for helping with the boys and letting them dye eggs and other festivities.
And thank you anonymous "Easter Bunny".

More than the Sun. Farther than the Moon, and Beyond the Stars

Six months ago I wrote a letter to myself.  Last week I saw it peeking through the mail slot in my front door.

It read:

"Dear Kimberly,

I am writing this letter to remind you of who you are and who I know you can become.  This time of year is usually hard for you and I want you to remember that it is OK to Grieve the losses that you have experienced.  You are OK and you will be OK.  

You are a strong woman and you are loved.  You are a wonderful Mother and your children are lucky to have you.  Remember that Mothers Day saying that Bishop Goff gave you.  "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

You are lovable and you are likable.  Sometimes you get down on yourself.  Stand up and reclaim that power that is inside of you.  Bad things happen to good people, but Good things also happen to good people.  And good things will happen for you.  Don't give up.  There is hope and happiness ahead.  Some blessings come early, some come late, and some don't come till Heaven.  Remember what Elder Holland said.

A word of caution.  You tend to use humor and sarcasm as a deflection.  Sometimes you use it to avoid feeling the gravity and the heaviness of your life's experiences.  It's OK to say no and not share.  Speak your truth, whatever that is in the moment.  

It is scary to be vulnerable and to cry.  Sometimes you see it as a sign of weakness, but truly it is one of your greatest strengths.  

You have a good Heart.  You have a pure heart.  You are kind, courageous and compassionate.

I hope all of the best for you in your life.  I want so badly for your dreams to come true.  I want you to find that system of support that you are so desperately searching for.

Remember Hope, Faith, and Love.  Kindness to others and charity.  These are gifts that you possess.

Be patient with your family.  One day they might actually get it.

I hope that you have a beautiful house.  I want you to have all of the things you need and also the things you want.

Build unity with your children.  Try to connect with them each day.  Love them, play with them.  Parent without shame or guilt.  For yourself and your children.  

Have fun.  Read. Love. And remember to laugh, deep full belly aching laughs.  

You are special.  You make a difference.  You are wonderful and amazing.  

I love you more than the sun, farther than the moon and beyond the stars.

Love Always,

Me"

What Happened to Spring?

Costco

Does anyone else hate going to Costco?

Luckily I found out that their slow day is Monday morning.

Note to self...

Avoid Costco....the crowds of people have the potential to ruin your day.

Welcome Spring

It's finally here!
New life.
New beginnings.
New growth.
New opportunities.
Thank God for spring!

Success...I Hope

The Munchkins found the clover pieces on the floor.

It took a while, but we enjoyed a breakfast of cereal with green milk.

The leprechauns always turned the milk green at my home growing up.  

They also managed to dye the sugar in the sugar bowl from time to time.

For dinner we stopped by Grandma-Great's (aka Grandma-Grape) for some green pancakes.

I love that my children get to know my Grandmother.  She is wonderful.

She even sat down to watch an old TV recording of Faerie Tale Theatre.

If you would like to enjoy these childhood classics, check them out on Amazon.

"Kiss Me! I'm Irish" (I think)... 

and it's been a really long time.

St. Patrick's Day

I also borrowed my Mom's food coloring to turn the milk green.

A favorite tradition from my childhood!

Grateful

I am so truly grateful for so many things.

 

As of today I simply haven't found the words to express how I feel.

Thank you for your kindness.

I hope that my lips can speak, (and my fingers can write) the gratitude that has been penned in my heart.

Thank You, Thank You,Thank You!

Procrastination

Yes.
I am!

Snow Day

I had an adventure today. 

I'll tell you about it later. 

Right now I am off to sleep after a long day of sunshine,

 fresh air, snow, family, mountains, and rediscovered love.

....

Thank God for people who get it!

Late Night Sickie

It's no fun to be sick. 

Especially after a good day mixed with shopping, fun, school, chores, play, and a pizza party that ended with a movie on Mom's bed.

Yet here we are.

Little Bear doesn't want to sleep alone, 

so I made him a comfy bed on the floor next to mine.

The floor has a double layer of yoga mats in case somehow he misses that huge pot.  

Then a squishy camping mat, topped with an orange blanket that has been folded in half.

I'm hoping this protects my floors.

(I'm already doing laundry from last hours mess)

Dumping the pan and then washing it is part of loving my children.

Notice I have a towel on my head.

That is because I went to snuggle my coughing child and then realized that I was laying in his vomit.

That smell hits you like no body's business.

On to the shower for a quick scrub down.

Now my hair is wet.

Should I sleep on it wet and wake up with a mangled wavy mess, or do I wake the house up with the blow-dryer to make my hair nice to sleep on?

I took precautions with my little Bug.

Hopefully if he gets sick later, he will find the pan :)

Hip, Hip, Hooray for parents all over the world who take good care of their sick children.

...until next time

or click here to see what happened last time I blogged about sick kids.