suffering

Last Friday morning was not my favorite...getting all the kids out the door by 8:05 to take Stetson to school was unusually difficult, lots of whining and lack of cooperation.  I was really irritable and to top it off I hit my head on the part of the cooler that sticks outside.  Ugh.  So I got Stetson dropped off, headed to the Y, dropped Kandace off and decided to just come home instead of stay and do my normal bootcamp routine.  I'd been planning on just taking that day off because my back was sore and I didn't feel bad about it at all.  So I come home and see I'd had some missed calls and heard a voice msg from an old friend from HS.  She said she had some questions so I called her back, she didn't answer that time but then called me right back.  She's had post-par tum depression and wanted to talk about it a little since she knew I'd had it too.  I know she was looking for some sort of relief and I wish there was a quick fix, even with meds which take a couple weeks to do anything.  I hurt for her because I know how hard it is but it felt so good to feel needed in a way I guess and to be able to relate with and help someone.  After our conversation I started thinking about suffering and even thought its miserable, I fortunately understand from a gospel perspective that suffering plays a fundamental part in Heavenly Father's plan.  I started thinking about what non-members, specifically my friend, think when they feel like they've been completely abandoned.  I remembered I'd posted a conference talk on my fb page about mental health that Elder Holland gave.  I sent my friend a quick msg and told her to go watch it and she already had.  I was so excited.  I sent her a msg about suffering and how it could easily make someone wonder why a loving Heavenly Father would let his children suffer.  I mentioned that it makes us stronger, more able to empathize with others experiencing similar trials, and it prepares us to meet God.
I'm so thankful to know these things and even though I would never wish my post-par tum days back, its helped me appreciate the happy days and helped me truly empathize with others who suffer.  I told my friend about how when my dad dropped me off for my first semester of college I bawled and was really depressed for like 2 days.  It was so weird looking back, I think my depression is triggered by change a lot of times, but it was indescribably difficult.  Thats the first time I learned first hand that one purpose of trials is to remind us of our reliance on God.  During those 2 days I was constantly praying, reading church books, trying to be so good and begging God to show me some mercy.  Miraculously I woke up the first day of classes literally a new person.  All symptoms of depression gone.  It doesn't always work that way but it did that time.
I'm so grateful for tender mercies and for that Friday morning that strengthened my testimony in a totally unexpected way.

check-up with dad

 Last week Michael needed to practice checking ears, nose and throat and we had some very willing subjects come into his office!  It was way fun to see where Michael spends all his time..  I didn't realize that the campus has several doctor's offices just like the real thing for the students to practice in.  Michael even let me look into that black thing in Stetson's ear...pretty cool.

 Janelle surprised me with how still she sat and patiently let Michael do his thing.  Pretty cooperative 2 year old.  Don't let her fool you though.  She's not usually like this. :)

This is Michael's classroom where he sits.  Someone is trying to steal his seat.

The day we flew a kite

Tonight Michael suggested we go fly a kite!  The weather was a little chilly but the wind was perfect for kite flying.  Felt so good to take a break from the normal routine and do something different. The kids L-O-V-E-D it.  The grassy field we used was perfect.  Its right by our condo and its where Stetson has flag football practice every Tuesday evening.

 There are a million things I could say about this picture.  I will start by saying that I did not dress Janelle this way but we just sorta let her do her own thing.  The blue headband is from Kandace's Cinderella costume last year and Janelle thinks its "her hat."  In her words though it sounds like "mah hat."  Don't try to take it from her or you're in for it.  Kandace is starting to share all her great fashion advice with Janelle, including the wonderful world of "tu tus."  Janelle actually says "Tu to" really well.  And always says "mah tu tu."  Mah stands for "My" of course.  Michael said today that when he tells stories about Janelle at school they "fall out of their seat laughing."  I didn't think she was that funny..maybe Michael is just a really good story teller. :)

 a little disciplinary action........

 help from sister