somebody save us.

We've got three sick kiddos around here. I'm on the recovering end, but the boys are all still in the middle of a pretty nasty cold. That makes for three cranky kids.

Here, Reid is demonstrating that for you. He's protesting getting dressed. If you could hear him, this picture would sound like this, "No clothes, momma! No clothes!"

(notice the super shaggy hair)

Which brings us to now. Three boys, all down in their beds to rest.

Sad Alec.
Sad Dane.
And not very sad Reid because he gets to watch his Curious George DVD in bed. He's actually pretty jazzed right now.
Check out Reid's new haircut. I may have gone a little short, but I was getting tired of his hair always looking like Don King, or Krusty the clown. Your pick. (remember the picture from yesterday of him with gubs on, and his post-nap hair?)

He sure looks cute, but I miss his shaggy hair. Even though it was always full of yogurt, sand, boogies, milk, you name it.

Oh well. In 6 weeks we'll be back to super shag again. At least this way he's got a decent haircut as it grows out. Erik and I are his barbers, and we're not very good. Once, when I was pregnant with the twins and going to the OB all the time, I brought Reid to one of my appointments and one of the nurses was like, "um...who cuts his hair?", with a very concerned voice. Oh well.

So, while things are cranky and crazy around here, I'm still counting my blessings. Remember how a few weeks ago Erik and I got a lovely, violent stomach flu? Miraculously, none of the children caught that one. How about that for a tender mercy? Colds, runny noses, cranky babies, coughing, etc...I can handle. Three little ones with a stomach flu? No thanks.

Oh, Mandi, I remember when your boys were sick when Jonathan was gone. You are super-mommy, I swear.

summer of miracles.

Could you use a miracle?  

I'll make you a promise.  If you join me in this challenge that our bishopric gave our ward, you'll see miracles in your life this summer.

Seriously.  

I know it will happen for me, and I know it will happen for you, too.

(It was originally given to the youth in our stake by our stake president at seminary graduation a few weeks ago.  Our bishop thought it was worth giving to our ward as a ward-wide challenge.  I'm so glad he did.  I know in my life that I've seen over and over again that when I show Heavenly Father that I really mean it, when I put in the work to let my faith grow...miracles happen.  It's always good to get a reminder of that, and that now is always a good time to try harder and to love more.)

Here's the challenge: (my thoughts are in blue)

The Summer Formula

1. Daily Private Devotional

  a. Read and ponder the scriptures - The Book of Mormon (There is something about reading The Book of Mormon that connects me to my Heavenly Father more than any other scripture.  We read a chapter a day as a family and I know that we've received mountains of blessings just for that one effort.)

  b. Prayer that connects ("What can I do to be more clean and pure before God?") (I loved this phrase, "prayer that connects".  Sometimes doesn't it feel like your prayers don't even go past the ceiling?  You know what I mean?  I love the reminder that prayer is a conversation, a communion, and, when we put our hearts into it...a connection.  Oh, and one more thing.  Part of my efforts to be "more clean and pure before God" is to clean up my language.  I don't swear, but I do say crap and turd a lot.  I think they're funny, but they are also rude and not very...well, clean and pure.  So, I'm doing it.  I'm going to clean up my language.  If you hear me say either of the aforementioned words, then get me in trouble.  Okay?)

2. Daily Christian Service

  a. Eliminate selfishness (Wow.  That will take a lot of work.  But even small steps toward unselfishness are going to make a big difference, no?)

  b. Contribute to love and peace in the family (We can all do a little better, right?  And imagine if everyone in the family each did a little better.  That's a LOT better!)

3. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

  a. Prepare, serve, magnify, worship (I am proof.  Miracles happen when you prepare.  We've been working really hard to try and be more reverent during the Sacrament.  Usually that's exactly when the babies are hungry, so that means that during Sacrament Meeting we (and everyone around us) hears a lot of LOUD slurping, burping, spitting up, pooping, farting, fussing, etc. etc. etc.  Not very conducive to worship.  So we've really put a lot of effort into changing our schedule so that the babies will be ready to sleep about the time that Sacrament Meeting starts.  That's tricky, though, because that means they're tired, and it's a risk.  Sometimes tired babies fall asleep.  But, sometimes, tired babies want to scream.  Our miracle is that for two weeks now! the babies fell asleep in their car seats parked in front of us.  Like it was no big deal.  Their eyes were open one minute and closed the next.  And they slept all of Sacrament Meeting.  For me, that's a miracle.  A big one.  I'll tell you what, putting in the work necessary to have a fulfilling worship at your Sunday meetings it worth the effort.  It makes a difference.  I don't know why I forget that sometimes and have to be reminded.  But I guess that's just how it goes.  We just always have to try a little harder and remember things we used to know.)

  b. Duty to God, Personal Progress (These are programs for the youth, but the first thing I thought of was things that I should be spending my Sabbath time on.  My goal?  My journal.  I know I'll want to look back on this time and remember all the little details of my sweet little ones and our wacky life.  One thing I know, is babies don't keep.  Our babies our six months already.  SIX!  I desperately need to write our family's story.  It's a good one and I'm going to want to read it in the future.)

So there it is.  I hope you'll join me.  And let me know how it goes.  I'll post about the miracles I'm seeing in my life, and I'd love to hear the ones that happen in yours.  Believe me, it's gonna happen.  

True business.

Oh, and do you have a Book of Mormon?  If you don't I would love to send you one.  Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll get one out to you right away.  And I'll send a fun little present in there, too.  How about a cute little pincushion or something?

Okay, that's misleading.  I am not sure that I could make a pincushion this cute.  But I'll sure try.

Tender Mercies.

The weather in our part of California is just gorgeous. Really, it's nearly perfect. Maybe 95% perfect. The other 5% puts everyone into a tailspin. A couple weeks ago we had great 80 degree weather and then BOOM, we've had cold rainy (snow not too far away) weather for over a week now. Just about every family we know has had someone get sick, and in our family we're 3 for 3. Alec started with a runny nose and slight fever on Friday and it progressed to the point were Erik and I got pretty concerned. By Monday I took him into see our pediatrician with the concern that it was RSV. It was. He sent us to the hospital where they confirmed the RSV as well as pneumonia. I've been with Alec in the hospital since noon on Monday and we're hoping that he'll be able to go home tomorrow. I'm here to grab a shower, some decent food, give my other little ones some love, and hug on the huz for a little bit. He's been amazing...taking off work to watch our other babes, Reid and Dane, who have since started showing RSV symptoms, too. So 3 for 3. 3 kiddos all with RSV. I don't think I'll be bringing my kids to playdates anytime soon. We wouldn't be very welcome.
Now, to the good news, because there's lots.
1. Alec is a fighter. He's had more health struggles than any 2 month old should have to have. I haven't really talked about them much here, but some of them are run of the mill baby stuff: jaundice and bilirubin test after stinkin' bilirubin test, a tear duct drainage system problem which leads to goopy eyes sometimes, etc. But he's also had some more serious things. A month ago he had a bi-lateral hernia repair operation. Prior to that he had ultrasounds, urgent care visits, and a 7 hour stay in the stupid Lompoc ER (which I do NOT recommend). The surgery went well and his recovery has been fantastic. Our other concern is that prenatally he was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta. That means that there's a narrowing in the aorta that could require surgery someday. He's being followed for that by a really great Pediatric cardiosurgeon. So...all this to say that he's had some struggles. But I don't worry about Alec. He's tough. You should see him when the nurses and doctors are poking and prodding him. He really gives them a run for their money. He's batting their arms away and screaming in their faces. It's awesome. Just because he's small, he's not going to get pushed around. He lets you know just where you stand with him. He'll give us about 10 seconds from the time that he decides he's hungry to when we had better get food in his face. This kid is scrappy, and it's a good thing he is. A tender mercy.
2. Our ward members are practically beating the door down with meals, offers to babysit, anything we need or want. It's amazing. They are very aware of us and are SO anxious to help. I can't imagine what we would do without a ward family to be a part of. What a tender mercy.
3. Months ago Erik's parents made arrangements to come out this weekend. They wanted to see the babies, help us with our small projects around the house (look for a post in the someday future about the joys of homeownership as well as the joys of toddlerdom), and just hang out with us in gorgeous California. I've been so excited for them to come, I LOVE when company comes! But now, it's more than just a fun visit from Grandma and Grandpa, it's a tender mercy. We've got some sick kids, and we can't wait for the extra help.

I'm sure there are millions more, but it's time for me to go back to the hospital to care for our little Alec. What an angel. We've got 3 wonderful little boys and we're so grateful for a Heavenly Father who is aware of us and our needs, gives us JUST what we can handle and not a morsel of a struggle more, and sends help all along our way.

1 Nephi 1:20
...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

I'm not sure if we're chosen, or mighty, but we can certainly feel the tender mercies of the Lord, even unto deliverance. You know what I mean?