Part II: Life Lessons

*Sorry, I'm going to write in a different point of view than Part 1.

I had a pretty easy pregnancy. Experience led me to believe that recovery would not be too bad. And babies are babies... I figured that I knew what I was doing and things would go pretty smoothly with baby #4.

And it would have. Until I found the bugs. Yep. In Madison's hair. On Sunday, during General Conference, two days after we got home from the hospital. I won't go into details, but through all of the trials I have had, this is the one I have had the hardest time with. When Joe lost his job, when my brother died, when things have gotten tough... I've never asked "why," felt like I couldn't do it, or asked for Heavenly Father to just step in and change things/take it away. Until this happened. I felt so upset that I couldn't sit down and rest and enjoy my new baby. I felt like this "thing" couldn't have come at a worse time. I was emotional/hormonal, exhausted and probably somewhat neglectful of my family while I tried to figure out what to do.

I tried to handle it on my own for a few days.... but I was so exhausted from not sleeping (we'd put everyone to bed and then stay up until after midnight trying to get things under control, and of course I was up every other hour feeding the baby, and then I'd have to get up at 6:00 to help get everyone off to school), having a baby, taking care of everyone, and trying to figure out how to get rid of the horrible, horrible practically invisible pests that had invaded our home, that after 2 days I called my mom in the middle of the night and cried to her that I needed help. She had a flight planned for a week later, but she changed all of her plans and flew out the next day to rescue me (and my family from me). Maybe I will have a chance later to go into more detail, but for now I just want to remember the things I have learned from this experience.

1. Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. Remember my (answered) prayers to get Grant to poop on the toilet? To have the baby early, go into labor on my own, and at a convenient time? Yeah...

2. We just finished the book of Mosiah in our family scripture reading. I need to be more like the Nephites and pray to have help getting through my trials instead of complaining that I can't handle it or to just take away my trials.

3. I need to make sure that I am aware/spiritually in-tune with the needs of others around me. I was too afraid to ask anyone in our ward for help--even if it was meals, which would have really helped out those first few days.

4. It's ok to ask for help. As soon as my Beehive advisor found out what was going on a few days later (she called Joe to see if she could pick up Grant, and he told her a little about what was going on), she called the compassionate service lady to arrange meals, and then she and a few other sisters in the ward came over to help clean my house, which was a disaster from trying to wash 30 loads of clothes/sheets/blankets, bag up toys, vacuum furniture daily, etc.

5. It's not necessarily the service (which was wonderful), but knowing that there are people who care about you and are happy to help. I was at the point where I felt like I had to hide from the world--I didn't want to open the curtains or answer the phone. These wonderful women helped to make me feel human again.

6. Parents are awesome. It was so, so wonderful to have my mom here to help me, to support me, and to know that she loves us and was willing to change her plans (and so many people needed her that week, too) to take care of me/my family.

7. I need to be less selfish and more selfless. My mother flew out about a week later to meet my father in AZ, where they picked up my grandmother and drove back the next day to see us. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and some other health issues and needs a lot of help right now. My mother was very sweet and tender with her, and I could just see/feel the love they had for each other. I have recommitted to being more tender with my children and husband and really trying each day to show through my actions how much I care for and love them.

8. A little mess is o.k. If you know me, I HATE clutter and mess. Well, my house is a mess right now. And while I don't love the mess, I've been ok with it. I hope to slowly, over the next few weeks, get things back to normal. In the meantime, there are much more important things to take care of... like reading with Grant, and helping the kids with their homework, and taking a nap so that I am emotionally o.k.

9. Lice... there I said it... is not the end of the world. Or any other trial that we have. We get through it, because we have to and there is no other option. Everyone I've told has shared with me their own experiences with lice, and they all say it's not a big deal. Well, I am glad to hear that it's not uncommon, or that we aren't going to be labeled as "that family," but it is sure a lot of work and a PAIN!! But we did it, we survived, and I have learned a lot through this experience. Oh... and it sure helps to have a sense of humor while you are getting through those trials.

Well, until next time....

p.s. pictures and blessing details to come...