Sunday, February 28, 2010

Prayer and Promptings


"Experiences of prompting and prayer are not uncommon in the Church. They are part of the revelation our Heavenly Father has provided for us". Boyd K. Packer
This was the focus of our Relief Society lesson today and it made me do a lot of reflecting about listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and how important prayer is in our individual lives. It was during the lesson that I realized that there are things I should record so that my grandchildren will realize some day that their grandmother did listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and had I not, their father might not be alive today.
Here is my experience:
As the mother of a brand-new baby, I read everything about how to care for your newborn. When Corey was only a few months old, I decided that I didn't think he was sleeping as well at night as I thought he should (though he was probably being normal as a newborn). I had read in one of my "baby" magazines that if you laid a baby on a sheepskin rug, it would help them to sleep better due to the softness and comfort. I had a sheepskin rug so I washed it and dried it and placed it in Corey's crib. I don't remember if the article said to place it under the crib sheet, but I placed it on top of the sheet. Les was working a 16 hour shift so he'd already left for work and I was so tired after caring for Corey all day.
When it came time for Corey's bedtime, I placed him on his tummy, as he had always been able to lift his little head and turn from side to side almost from the day he was born. Also, at that time there was no training to place babies on their backs. He began crying as he did every night when putting him to bed, but I walked out the door shutting it slightly and went about doing other things. During this time, I continued to hear him crying and thought nothing of it. After several minutes of wandering around the house, I decided to step outside for some fresh air and pick up the newspaper out of the yard.
While standing in the yard I suddenly heard a voice in my head which said "Go check on Corey". I remember wondering if I'd really heard this or if I was just thinking something or what. However, moments afterwards I heard the voice again and decided I'd better go do as I was told. When I entered Corey's room, I realized he was crying anymore, but sounded as though he was gasping for air. I quickly flipped on the light and there he was - face down in the sheepskin rug - he body totally wet from perspiration and his skin turned red. I immediately scooped him up and when I did, he took a deep breath of air and began to cry.
I ran and placed Corey on my bed, hurried to my bathroom where I got a warm washcloth and then began to wipe the sweat from his little body. Then he began to smile at me - his mother. His mother that almost let him die. This child that I had waited for and wanted for so long I almost let die!
After calmness returned to the both of us, I realized at that moment that had I not listened to that "voice", the voice that I believe was the Holy Ghost who had been given to me as a gift from my Heavenly Father, that Corey would have died that night.
What great things might the world have missed out on if Corey had died that night? I,as his mother, would never have known the joy he has always brought to my life. He would never have met Nikki and we would never have had Derek. I think of the influence he's had among so many people and the happiness he has spread.
I know with every fiber of my being, that I was blessed that night and that my Heavenly Father was looking after me and looking after Corey. I believe in the promptings of the Holy Ghost because it saved my son's life that night. How grateful I am that I listened and that my Heavenly father loves me and loves Corey.

Daddyisms

We've all grown up hearing the sayings that moms always says, i.e., "always wear clean underwear because you don't know when you'll be in an accident", "because I said so", "eat all the food on your plate. Think of all those starving children in China", etc.

In our family, we've also grown up listening to "Daddyisms". They've included:
  • A hundred years from now, you'll never know the difference.
  • We're off like a dirty shirt. (Uttered when we headed up the highway).
  • Never borrow trouble/worry today that you might not need tomorrow.
  • Where is it written that life is supposed to be fair? (Usually said when one of us kids would whine about something not being fair).
  • Some people wouldn't be happy if you hung them with a new rope. (This would apply to people who seem to never be happy or contented).
  • When in doubt, go straight (pertains to when you come to an intersection and you don't know which way to go).
  • Let's make like a tree and "leaf".
  • If a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn't bump his tail when he hopped. (Used when someone would whine and say "If only...", "What if...", etc.

What other "Daddyisms" can others remember? Help me list them.

It was cold this week and as I stepped out of the house today, I noticed the water faucet by the front door. Quite a piece of art, isn't it?

Playing With The Dogs

The kids called Thursday to let us know that they were going to make a surprise visit to us Friday afternoon. Though we'd only seen them a couple of weeks ago, anytime we can spend time with them is a blessing.

Saturday morning the dogs were allowed to come into the house so that the kids would have the chance to visit with Blaze and Derek could see the dogs.

Lunch - On The Border

We all went to lunch Saturday afternoon after a trip to Midwest to check out the possibility of renting a house in Midwest (pop. 480). (We've decided it's too far out of civilization considering Joe's spontaneous medical problems and lack of public transportation).

Lunch as at On The Border, one of the kids' favorite places to eat in Casper. Yummy Mexican food was had by all - especially Corey and Joe with the "Endless Enchiladas".


After dinner, Corey took Derek outside for a little fresh air and this is what we saw when we came outside. Corey and Derek were in the bed of the truck making snowballs...
Then Derek, according to Corey, threw a snowball at me. It's that white thing in the middle/left of the picture hurling at me. Thank goodness it missed me!

Like Father, Like Son - Blocks

When Corey was little, he LOVED playing with his Duplo and Lego blocks. Apparently Derek has the same love of blocks as his father did (and still does).
Don't you love Derek's special block building posture?

This is the "I don't want you to take my picture Grandma" pose...

Then it was on to playing with the train set again...

This is the "I'm sleepy and I'm full" parental units after lunch...


And this marvelous structure is what Grandma Carol and Derek made with all of the blocks after he'd had his bath. Impressive, huh?

Bathtime

Corey and Nikki went out Saturday night for a little time by themselves. That was a real shame because that meant that Grandma Carol and Grandpa Joe had to have Derek all to ourselves. Because the little guy needed a bath, what a perfect time it was to have Derek try out one of his new presents from his grandparents - tub crayons.

Do you think he enjoyed playing with them?

You were probably expecting those typical "Derek in the bathtub with bubbles" pictures, huh? We were having too much fun for that this time.

Taking Down The Bed

The kids slept on an inflatable bed in our special guest room. When it came time to deflate it, Derek helped Daddy...


Staying Out of The Way...And Out Of Trouble. Yeah, Right!

While the kids were loading the truck, Derek decided to impress me with his facial features. He did a very good job...

Then he discovered his daddy's truck keys..

Oops, caught on camera by Grandma Carol...(see,no more keys on the table)...

Uh oh...now Daddy has arrived. It seems that for some reason the alarm on his truck has mysteriously begun to go off...
No, Daddy, it couldn't have been me that pushed the button on your key ring that made your truck alarm go off.
Bye Daddy. See you in a little while.
-------------------------------------------
BTW...Derek is sitting on a little wooden bench that I purchased before Corey was born so it's now almost 28 years old.

The Kids Heading Home (boo hoo)...

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and there goes Nikki and Derek...

And there goes my baby...(after a big bear hug)

Yes, Virginia, there is a small boy in the back seat of that truck...

And there they go...back to Utah. Next scheduled visit is when we meet them at the airport in Atlanta for the family reunion.

Leftovers - Dead Fish


Though the kids have left and even took the "little guy" with them, it's always nice to know that he left a little something behind to prove he was here. The proof this time...

What is it? In it's former life, those yellow things used to be...

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Weekend Visitors


Alisa Lyman, aka the ex Sister Lyman, and her mother came to visit Saturday from Redmond, Utah. Alisa came back to attend the baptism of someone she'd taught while on her mission here in Casper.

Derek's Second Birthday - Extra Pics

Wanting the balloons so badly and Grandpa Joe wouldn't help...
Isn't that a sad face?
Never stops trying...
Wondering what's in the bag...
It's some blocks from Grandma Carol...