Eternity

I'm horrible at checking messages. We have voice-mail and for some reason even though I see my phone blinking I can't always bring myself to get my messages. Rarely, I'll miss out on something important because I didn't check them but to be honest the messages are mostly from telemarketers.

This time I nearly missed out on something I would have been very sad to have missed. Friends of ours were sealed in the temple to their 3 teenage children. I have been to many sealings since our own little family was sealed nearly nine years ago. I always try to take advantage of an opportunity to attend a sealing, especially ones where parents are sealed to their children. I can pause and think back about the day we were sealed and how important that day was for us.

I've seen family members sealed to their spouses and children.

My step-brother and his wife who adopted a sweet little girl were sealed.

Recently, we attended the sealing of our dear friends to their six adopted children.

Every occasion equally joyous, special, and unique in its own way.

Always a happy experience beyond description.

I was especially touched as I witnessed this beautiful ceremony. I was able to sit quietly in the temple and reflect. I listened intently as the sealer instructed and guided this family towards eternal togetherness. Because these children were older the sealer took great care to explain the importance of this great ordinance. It was a wonderful gift to be there and hear the words being spoken. True words. I am grateful and my heart is full.

As I walked through the temple I had the impression that my home would be a happier place if I tried to have the same spirit that can be felt in the temple. When you attend the temple everyone seems like an old friend, someone you've known and loved for years. You are always greeted with a warm smile and a hello. There is no shouting, no yelling. Inspiration and instruction come through quiet thoughtfulness and peaceful meditation. There are tears of joy and loving embraces. It is the perfect home.

I'm thankful to live so close to the temple. It is a blessing for me and my family.

Oh, and since then I've been trying to be better about checking my voice-mails.

NOW I'M SICK

After Scott got sick then Karley got sick and then Dustin, Paige, and now ME! (madison's immune to our icky germs. she's hardly ever sick.)
It seems like I'm always the last to catch something but when I do it's bad.
I wasn't feeling great all weekend but Sun. night was really awful. I fell asleep at 8:00 and thought I was better when I walked the kids to school Monday morning.
Nope!
I thought I would stay in my jammies and clean Scott's room. It was horribly messy and embarrassing and since we (meaning my dad) laid the carpet in the two kids rooms I thought I'd get more organized for our move. I spent nearly ALL day cleaning it (when I wasn't taking pills, blowing my nose, or sneezing) going through books, clothes, and toys.
More purging!
Last night I went to bed early and when Scott woke in the middle of the night Dustin went to get him. He crawled back into bed and said, "Oh, Leah, you are going to be so pissed in the morning." I rolled over thinking it was a dream.
OH, NO! I was wrong!
Sometime between the hours of 8:00p.m. and 3:00a.m. Scott single handedly DESTROYED everything I had accomplished on Monday. He emptied every one of his drawers and had a good old time throwing his entire wardrobe around the room. Then he dumped out almost all of his toys. The books? The books stayed nicely in the bookshelf. Thank goodness, I'm pretty sure that would have put me over the edge.
And just when I think I can take no more Scott comes into my bedroom and pats me on the elbow and says, "I'm sorry I make you so mad, Mom, I'm sorry."
ALL IS FORGIVEN...
but I'm still going to make him help me clean it up!

Just SKATING Through Life...

I had my whole day planned out:

1. Drop Scott off at pre-school.
2. Hit the gym.
3. Reward myself with a treat afterward.
   BUT...

Scott woke up this morning at 6:00a.m. Which is weird in itself since he crawls into bed with us EVERY night (or morning) at 3:00 or 4:00. He watched "Arfur" in bed, went to the bathroom, and fell back asleep at 7:00 and was still sleeping at 8:30 when I had to walk the girls to school. I put him in the stroller and walked while Scott still slept. He's running a fever and "pooked" on the way home. But of course right at 10:30, time for school, he perked right up and is now throwing all of my pillows off my bed that I made so nicely this morning.

It's thrown my whole day off. I have plenty to do but can't find the motivation. I cleaned yesterday, I wanted to play today.

So, it's time for an update.

Dustin is:

• Working.YEAH!!!!! YEAH!!!!!
• Going to school three nights a week. He started this summer but added another class a few weeks ago. He has his final exam tonight for one of the classes and then takes October off before he starts round 2. He loves it and he's got an A in his class.
• Running a half marathon with his Mom in December.

Leah is:

• Another year older. Last month, but still it's true. I'm now trying to anti-age.
• Working on the big move. Which includes organizing, purging (not food, just stuff), painting, cleaning, and most of all STRESSING.
• Enjoying getting back into a normal routine. Dustin back at work, the kids all in school, and me just trying to keep life running smoothly.

Life's GOOD.

Karley's Happy Birthday skates.