dryer

the dryer has been really squeaky and noisy lately. 

today, i threw a load in, and it wouldn't start! it had power, and would click, but not run. with the help of a friend, we tore it apart to see if we could fix it.

the belt was super loose, and it turns out, one of the pulleys was worn and needed to be replaced.

i quickly ran to an appliance store to see if they might have the piece in stock. they did! i was able to get it put on, then spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to wrap the belt correctly.

i pulled taylor in to help me, and with the assistance of the repair directions online, and the light on my phone, he was able to figure out how to wrap the belt!

2 hours later, 3 people, and a $24 pulley wheel, the dryer is working, and it's no longer noisy!!

i am superwoman, hear me ROAR!

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the restorative power of sleep.

2. that i am able to repair small things.

3. for love.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the power of love.

2. for healing.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for added strength.

2. for salt

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for second chances.

2. for the gift of peace.

3. that nothing truly ends.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

(ha ha! i didn't get around to finishing this before it posted... oops!)

1.for love.

2. for snow.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the little things.

2. for happy kids

3. for the knowledge that i am never alone.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the beautiful sunshine

2. that even though i don't have much, the lord still gives me enough to be able to help others.

3. for whiny kids...

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that i have a deep freezer!

2. for restful sleep

3.

Gratitude

today i'm grateful…

1. for quiet moments.

2. for the beautiful falling snow.

3. for encouragement.

Gratitude

Today i'm grateful…

1. for a lovng Father in Heaven.

2. for the incredible power of the priesthood.

3. For sunday afternoon naps.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for my pre-teens.

2. for my ability to cook and bake. it saves us so much money!

3. for kind neighbors.

Life

It's only 2:30pm, and i've already overdone it today. But, that's what happens when mom decides she's not going to wait for everyone else to do things.

My kids' rooms are nearly clean.
I made lunch.
I finished up my recipe binder project that i've been working on for about 2 years (it's not on the colored paper like i wanted, but they are all printed off.).
We got christmas back out to the shed.
My front room and family room are clean (taylor took care of all but the vacuuming though).

Finding balance is difficult. Even more so when i am not feeling great.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. that i can help others.

2. that my kids fight bedtime. (if they sleep in, so can i)

3. that all my family is safe and sound.

birthday boy

12 years ago today, i was in the hospital, in pain, awaiting the arrival of my first-born. labor progressed quickly, and then stopped. a decision was made to utilize the jacuzzi, hoping i could relax enough to be able to deliver.
at 1:37pm, taylor james came into the world. he weighed in at 6 lbs, 8 oz, and was 19-ish inches long.
his arrival started to heal a pain in my heart and soul. you see, he was my 6th pregnancy, but only my first baby.
by 6 weeks old, the kid was sleeping 12 hours through the night!

he's continued to be a great sleeper.

he loves transformers and legos. playing with friends and on the computer or wii.
he's over 5 feet tall, and can already wear shauns shoes...
he loves scouts, and can't wait to get the priesthood and join his other friends in young men.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the puddles of water (its warmed up, and things are starting to melt...)

2. for my beautiful piano, that my children LOVE to play!

3. for my hodge podge front room

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the healing power of the atonement.

2. that it's warm enough for the kids to play outside.

3. for the knowledge of other people

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the hard times.

2. for understanding kids.

3. to be able to resolve issues.

walls

in conversing with a friend, and trying to understand my new awareness, all my walls collapsed.

all the walls i'd constructed to keep keep the pain and anguish at bay, until i could deal with it, crashed to the earth. i sobbed. and although it didn't last long, maybe 5 minutes, it was enough to start the cleansing.

i will heal.

i will become whole again.

i will, eventually, find myself in a position to be able to help others.

it will take some time. and it will take some work. 

but, i will get there.

gratitude

today i'm grateful...

1. for the internet. (it's been wonky the last few days)

2. for knowledge. the more you have, the more you are able to do.

3. for easy-going children.