A Day in the Life...

I wake up and immediately put on my workout clothes, with intentions of shredding (Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred) as soon as Goob goes down for his morning nap.  I'd like to think the capris are getting baggy because I am losing weight, but I think they just need washed and will fit snug again.  Drat!

I send Mr Medic off to school without making breakfast or packing a lunch like a "good wife" might, and immediately go to work finding my friend a ride to her dr apt and calling girls from my church congregation who are expecting babies or are are moving to find out what help they need.

This span of semi-unsupervised time allows for Twodles and Goob to pull out every.single.toy which  creates an olympic size "obstacle course" (aka mess) for me to dance through when I go from one room to the next.  I do pretty well dodging most toys, but occasionally step on the dreaded army guy land mine.  Thank goodness we don't own any legos...yet.

The dishes are piled a mile high from last nights meal, both boys are still in jammies, and before I know it, it's 1pm and I haven't even had breakfast.

I pour myself a bowl of Cinnamon Toasters and shovel spoonful after spoonful into my mouth like I've been fasting for days.  I give Twodles a couple choices for his lunch, but of course he wants cereal too. I explain that he already had cereal and we only eat that for breakfast (while ravenously devouring cereal myself) and try to convince him he wants something different.  Finally, I determine that I can't tell him cereal is only for breakfast while I'm clearly eating it for "lunch" Defeat...the boy gets another bowl of cereal.  Goob on the other hand eats what I make...sort of.

I clean the boys up (still in jammies) and get them off to naps.

Now it's game time!  I still haven't done my workout and I've got to get everything back in its place prior to Mr Medic getting home from school for his one hour break before work.  At least I can make it appear as if I've been productive.  But wait...I feel like I have been productive!  It doesn't look like it, but I know I have been busy all day.

Just my luck, he comes walking through the door before I can even lift a finger.  I immediately give him a look of death that says "why are you coming home before I have everything put back together?" as if its his fault.  He doesn't say a word, but I quickly find myself getting steamy and defensive while trying to explain myself.  I rattle off everything I have done hoping he will overlook what I haven't done.  I tell him I sure hope no one comes knocking on our door this very second, because it will appear as if I've done nothing.

Like the amazing man he is, rather than look at me like I am lazy crazy, he simply helps me shift my perspective.  "That crock pot sitting on the counter means you fed your family and provided a meal for someone who's wife is out of town.  Same with the dishes.  And the boys are in their jammies because you are super proactive...they are ready for bed early!  Who cares what anyone else thinks."

What a stud.

We have a good laugh and enjoy a quick lunch together (yes my second meal within an hour of each other) and as soon as he leaves I totally shred it up and indulge in a nice warm shower.

I take advantage of a little more quiet time and get the dishes done.

Everything is in order once more!

When the boys wake I don't bother dressing them, but have fun being their mom.

I make them some food for dinner, then we do the usual bedtime routine.

The boys are in bed a little early so I wait for Mr Medic to come home to me.  We talk about our day and finally decide on something to make for dinner at 9:30.

I kiss him goodnight and ask him if he remembered to brush his teeth (he usually never forgets, but I think our late dinner together threw him off) He doesn't feel like it, but heads toward the bathroom anyway.  All the while I'm chanting "don't do it...don't dooooo it!" Makes him seem more human if he forgets one time, or better yet is reminded and chooses to fall into a deep coma sleep without brushing.

He asks me if I'm coming to bed with him, and immediately I think of a talk given not even a few days ago about chastity and marriage and how husband and wife should go to bed together.  Even so, I decide against it and get some more work done for my church responsibilities (and let's be honest, some leisure facebooking, blogging, and amazon-mom deal finding)
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What I've learned from recounting my day:

-Goals can help you do things you didn't think you could do, but sometimes need to be adjusted to fit
your life and be sure you are doing what is most important at the time.
-Wearing workout clothes all day in hopes it will motivate you to exercise doesn't always work, but this day it did!
-Eating for the first time at 1 pm is probably not the best way to help rid your body of excess fat.
-My kids are still fine even though they were in their jammies all day, and ate cereal for two meals in one day.
-I should listen to Mr Medic more often.  He's a pretty smart cookie
-Helping other people always makes me feel better, no matter what is going on around me
-Today I'm not really feeling down on myself for what I didn't do, but more-so worried about how I appear to others.  If my performance is "graded" solely on what others observe, then I'm in big trouble.  I say, heck with that!  I'll be the judge of my own success or failure.  I know when I've done enough or when I've given it my all.  And I also know when I haven't.

I choose to see today as a success.

*sorry, no pictures!

Grace

Scripiture of the day:  "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." -2 Nephi 25:23

I think I want to take this scripture one bit at a time.

First the idea of laboring diligently.  This scripture is specifically talking about being diligent in keeping a record that man may be persuaded to believe in Christ.  I believe that the idea of laboring diligently at anything good will inevitably bring about these same results.  If we labor diligently to keep the commandments our children will be persuaded to believe in Christ the same as we do.  See what I mean?

This verse also reminds me how important it is that we bring our children, friends, family, neighbors etc to God, in other words missionary work.  In the particular area that I live it would seem that everyone already knows and believes in God and doesn't need me to tell them.  Even if that truly is the case, I think the most positive influence I can have on people around me is simply by acting as the Savior would.  Someone may not be gravely estranged from Him, but they may have lost sight of who they are and what they have the potential to become.  In those cases my actions and kind deeds will help them be reminded, and re-connected to the Savior and His loving guidance.

Finally, I've been thinking about grace.  What is it really?

Sources about grace:  This and this.

Here is a great explanation: (this source is also a really good read)

“It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”

"Grace is the divine assistance or heavenly help each of us desperately needs to qualify for the celestial kingdom. Thus, the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond "our own individual desire and natural capacity."

Grace is an enabling power.

Grace is something that can easily be misunderstood in the scriptures.  The Bible especially makes references that make it seems as if all we have to do is believe in Christ and we are saved.  The above links will give insight on that.

I like to think of it this way:  Grace is a gift, and sometimes a gift requires more than just a grateful heart.  It requires action on our part.  To me action shows true appreciation.  Actions that show we are grateful for the grace of God include- prayer, keeping the commandments, treating others as you would like to be treated, strengthening your brother, and so much more.

Sometimes these actions can seem impossible to do, but I find that when I am anxiously engaged in good works I am happy with who I am and see others and the Savior does.  His grace enables me to do my very best!

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT 

I Never Want to Forget

I wanted to write this down before I forget.

I was recently given an assignment for church that will require a lot of time.  I was surprised, but not nervous.  The day after I was asked to take on this responsibility, my thoughts were all over the place.  Still I did not feel nervous.  Here is what I have observed so far...Heavenly Father will bless you for doing what He asks.

Blessing #1-  I had my very first experience with a non-mormon in my tiny Mormon filled town, the very next day after this assignment was given.  I was caught off guard, but excited for the interaction.  My new assignment made it possible to share a little about our church.

Blessing #2-  My children can sometimes get the best of me!  I have recently discovered that I exhibit signs of what the Dr liked to call reactive hypoglycemia (may be made up just to satisfy me, IDK)  I have found that if I do not start my day with a protein rich meal, and continue to stuff my face with wise food choices all day long, I quickly get shaky, weak, sweaty, and very very irritable.  It could just be my imagination, but since my church assignment was given, I feel that I have kept this under control well, and have not been irritated with my children's usual annoyances.  I have found them to be very amusing, and I sit and admire them for long periods of time.  I love who they are. They are so funny and sweet and happy.  They make me happy.

Blessing #3-  This one could be kudos to me or my husband.  Either way, I like it.  I have noticed that we are being better team players.  Case in point:  I decided that I may need to get with the times and add texting onto our plan since others will need to be in contact with me more than usual (again, relating to the church assignment) I hesitantly suggested it to Mr Medic, expecting him to roll his eyes and laugh at what he thought might be another one of my lame attempts at being part of the "in crowd"  I was shocked to hear him say nothing more than he agreed and to call the phone company.  WOW!  He has also taken initiative of random things that will make my life easier without my knowing it beforehand.  I can't even begin to express my gratitude for a companion that enables me to serve to the best of my ability by offering support and unconditional love.

I know there are many more blessings and miracles in store.  I'm so thankful for the blessings I have been given and the love I feel from Heavenly Father.

It's My Party & I'll....

I have spent 5 birthdays with Mr Medic and several years of other holidays.  Without going into too much detail (I'm sure it's a yawn anyway) I finally decided that I would let Mr Medic know exactly what I wanted to do for my birthday rather than expect him to use his X-Man power to read my mind.  In past years the X-Man thing just hasn't paid off, and I've been disappointed.  The poor guy does try hard, but we just aren't on the same waive length.  I'm a partier, the more the merrier, and he would much rather spend some quality family or one on one time.  (I'm kinda speaking for him, so I hope I'm right!)

What I wanted was a party!  I've tried to pitch the idea before on my Friday the 13th birthday with not much enthusiasm. (Doesn't anyone else think a Zombie party would have been super fun?)  

Anyway, late one night while feeding Goob (new name for #2 that is actually sticking) I had this brilliant idea for a party. Each month of the year has different national celebrations.  You know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Get the idea?  So I started looking up different celebrations for the best month of the year...NOVEMBER!  

I gave Mr Medic the shpeel, and even though he gave me the usual "I'm not following you" look, he consented to helping me achieve my wildest birthday dreams, even though it's not his cup of tea.  I am so glad he was willing to do what I wanted for my birthday, but I have to be honest in the end I did feel a little guilty asking him to do something he wasn't fond of just so I could have a fun time. 

Even though there were moments of stress, we I had a good time, and we learned some important lessons on working together and communication.  We'll see if we try anything like this again any time soon!  

The decorations went along with November being Aviation History Month

Folding Paper Airplanes

Flying Paper Airplanes

Instead of gifts each person brought a food item and filled our carry on bag to donate to the Family Crisis Center for National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month

Bubble Gum Blowing Contests for TMJ Awareness month

Reese's Ice Cream Cake for Peanut Butter Lovers Month

DDR just because it's fun

We put together New Mother Packets for the local hospital in honor of 

Family Caregivers Awareness Month

Notice the garland in the background...all thanks to Mr Medic for folding tons and tons of airplanes 

And a party just isn't complete without a photo booth to celebrate MO-VEMBER

HERE'S ALL OUR WONDERFUL FRIENDS THAT MADE IT SO MUCH FUN! 

AND FOR MY TWO FAVORITES THAT MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE...LOVE YOU BOTH!