I still need my mom

Having my mom here for the past two weeks has been wonderful. I think it has been one of our best visits in a long time. We've had fun reminiscing, going shopping, playing with the kids, and relaxing. She has spoiled me, folding laundry, watching the kids for dates, cleaning up after meals, running to the store for that needed gallon of milk, playing with the kids, and letting me run errands on my own. I am beginning to wonder how on earth I ever did all this without her being around. I have grown quite accustomed to her help.

I've also learned that despite being extremely independent and stubborn, I actually do still need a mom. A few days after my mom arrived, Anna and I were hit with a stomach virus. I felt miserable for a few days and was not up to doing much of anything besides wallowing in my bathroom. Mom watched and fed the kids so I could sleep and pray to feel better. As the sickness went through all the family, Mom was right here to help out in any way she could. I couldn't have done it without her. Well, I could have, but I am sure I would have been a miserable emotional wreck as I tried to care for my family and not puke everywhere at the same time. I needed my mom!

Then the other day I had the chance to run errands on my own. It was heavenly and I was able to accomplish a lot, like buying a new swimsuit for Anna. Despite what I have taught sweet Anna, as soon as she saw the new suit, she cut off all the tags and tried it on. To my horror her new suit was much too small! And with the tags off I couldn't take it back. I was so upset and annoyed. I knew I had gotten the right size, but how could it not fit?! And now the tags were off so I couldn't exchange the suit for another one or get my money back. There was $13 down the drain! I felt I should check the tag on the actual suit and was shocked and pleased to learn that it was in fact a size 6 suit. No wonder it was so small on my size 10 girl! I really didn't want to go back to Target, especially since I was still nursing a sore ankle. But I knew I had to get that suit back asap. Mom was more than willing to make the run back to the store for me and return the suit for one with the correct size. Target was happy to exchange the suit that was wrongly marked for one that fit. Another stress and problem solved thanks to Mom.

Even though I am a grown woman, there is still a little girl in me who knows Mom can make everything all better. And sometimes it is so nice to have Mom around to take care of me when I need it. I love my mom.

Cherry Picking

I love cherries, but rarely buy them because they are so ridiculously expensive. You cannot imagine how excited I was when a friend passed along to me that a farm down here offers cherries for $1/lb if you pick them. With my mom in town and the need to have some adventures, I decided to load up the kids and go pick cherries.

We had a few protesters, mainly Anna as she hates fruit and was determined she would not be picking any. But we drove all the way out past the Sand Hollow Reservoir to the farm. And what a gorgeous drive it was! Once the kids saw the cherry orchard with buckets and tall ladders awaiting, they got into the spirit and had a blast picking cherries. Everyone did a good job of waiting their turn to pick cherries and got so excited each time they would get a handful off the tree. There were tons of cherries and cherry trees. We ended up getting 10lbs. The kids were very proud of their success. And they had the chance to create a fun memory with me and my mom. Plus now I have tons of fresh cherries to eat, freeze, and enjoy. Mmmmmm. What's not to love?

Joy

I really wanted to go to church today and share my testimony as my mom is visiting and would be there with me. She is not active, but is good enough to come with us to church when she does visit. But it seems the sickness that had Jimmy and Jacob down last week now has Anna, Rachel, and I. So I am home with the girls while my mom is at church with the boys. I hope she can feel the Spirit and is touched. My hope that she will come back to the church will never extinguish. It may get frustrated at times, but I'll never give up on her. I am very touched that she'd be more than willing to take my boys to church for me while I am at home with the sick kids.

As I pondered my testimony these past few days, I have been reminded over and over again of the joy the Gospel brings. All the happiness I have experienced in my life has been a result of living of the Gospel. The joy of the Gospel is lasting and stands the test of time, trials, and circumstance. That doesn't mean my life has been without hardship since I have taken upon the yoke of the Savior, but my burdens have been easier to bear because I am bound to Him. I have experienced trials that I never thought possible to endure, sacrifices I didn't think I was capable of, and peace I never imagined possible. I have grown and my testimony has been solidified. I cannot imagine living without the Savior in my life. It would be a sad hollow existence, ever searching for happiness, but never able to obtain it.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and know His true church has been restored to the earth. I know that yoked to the Savior I can endure all the trials that come and still have joy in this life. Despite all that is going on around me in the world and my life, I am happy. Really happy because I know God lives and with Him all things are possible. True joy can only be found in living and following His commandments and prophets. What more can a person want or ask for?!

"Sherlock"

I have been on a Sherlock Holmes fix. I've always wanted to read the books and am almost finished with "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes". What's not to love about the characters of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson? We recently came across the BBC series called, "Sherlock", which has the adventures of those two fictional famous men set in modern times. The show, as always by BBC, are well done, fast paced, amusing, and whitty. I always love a new take on something old. And these shows do a superb job. Check them out if you are a fan of Mr. Holmes!