True Joy

There was a discussion a couple of weeks ago among my daughters about an Institute lesson.  My oldest was complaining that the Institute teacher was saying something about having joy, not fun.  My other daughter was pointing out that it's not joy in the way the world views it.

She wasn't happy with the idea that we're not here to 'have fun'.  We're here to learn, grow and have joy.  There's a big difference between having fun and feeling joy.  Fun is a fleeting thing.  Joy is something that resonates in your soul.

This past week we were privileged to participate in my brother and his wife going through the temple.  The past year has been such an amazing one, with him coming back into activity and her joining the church.  Having them go through the temple was like the pinnacle of the mountain -- what an amazing day!!

When we thought of how our parents were feeling in the spirit world, our emotions couldn't be held back.  In the Celestial room, we had a group hug and I reminded them that mom and dad were there, watching us and so very happy that their children were back where they wanted us to be.  I still tear up just remembering it.

And then they were sealed.

I had really not felt such joy before!  I mean, the day I married my wonderful hubby was pretty close, but I knew so much more how special this was!  This shot is when they came out of the temple and my daughter was blowing bubbles for them.  Inez was helping the bubbles to float up, and it was the cutest thing ever!!!

The emotions and feeling of that day are forever engraved on my heart.  To see my brother so very happy, and to know that he is now part of the eternal family circle, just makes me so very thankful for the many blessings our Heavenly Father has given us.  It's difficult to express!  And I claim to be a writer!  Sigh.

Such a romantic day, so many feelings and such JOY.  That was what I would have loved to have pointed out to my daughter.  There was fun stuff, but this day was all JOY.  We were content.  We were thrilled.  It was such a strong wonderful feeling, that I hope they never loose.  

Thank you Lord.  For my brothers, my wonderful sister-in-laws, and my amazing husband.  I have been so richly blessed.

Sleep Deprivation? A whine...

Well....it's happened again.  sigh.  I'm going through a stage of having difficulty sleeping again.  I went through this a couple of months ago, but things settled down and I was able to sleep just fine.  I'm sure part of it is the heat...just because our AC can't handle the size of our house, and the inside temperature is only slightly cooler than the outside temperature...especially at night when sometimes it's way cooler OUTSIDE the house, so we turn off the AC and turn on the attic fan...  But then, that was such a long sentence you're probably wondering where the vehicle in the hit and run-on went ...lol  that was pathetic!  But I don't sleep well when it's hot anyway, so that's problem number 1.  And it's getting to the point where I might kick my daughter out of her room as she's in the coolest room in the house.  
Anyway - so part of the problem is this whole summer has been averaging going to bed about midnight.  Which isn't really good for getting up when it's cooler...
And so then I decided it was getting ridiculous because I'd go to bed about 11:30 and then toss and turn for 2 hours.  Yes, I did say 2 hours.  Sigh.  I'd finally get to sleep about 3 ish, and then my hubby has to work at 6 in the summer, so he gets up at 5, we have family prayer and then I try to go back to sleep.  It takes a bit to get back to sleep, and sometimes it never really comes until it's really time I need to get up...so I'm a zombie for the first couple of hours of the day.  UGH.  Then I kind of wake up by 3 pm, and I'm not really getting anything accomplished!!
So I start with the melatonin, my standby when I just can't continue like this anymore.  It has ALWAYS worked for me in the past, even taking quarter dosages!  But last night I took a half pill, and it didn't work.  NADA.  My poor hubby couldn't sleep either, and he still had to go to work today.  I'm worried about him making it home...
To top it all off, it appears I've got Restless Leg syndrome.  We've suspected it for a while, but it's never been a big deal.  I can usually get up, walk around a little bit, and be able to go to sleep.  Not last night.  I got up several times, walked around, stretched, even ate a snack (I was starving at 1 in the morning...what's with that???) and then went back to bed.  Hubby was a sweetheart, and since he wasn't sleeping well, helped massage the muscles.  He even got a damp cloth to help cool me off, can you see why I married this man??  Can you say Saint???  YES!
sigh.  I'm not sure when I finally fell asleep, but hubby mercifully let us all sleep and went to work.  I managed to sleep till 8, then tossed and turned till 9, and decided to get up. Face the world.  Be the mom.  You know...
But I think I've also got an inner ear infection going, because I've been having some dizziness.  We don't have the money to go to the doctors today, it's gonna have to wait till next week after we get paid.  Maybe it will settle itself out on it's own?  Who knows.  But it's just little trials, no big deals, and I'll get through this with no worries.  I just decided to whine a little.  I think I have some cheese here somewhere if you want some to go with it...

The bright spot of yesterday (and there were several, it was a great day) was the surprise visit of my daughter, her fiance and my granddaughter!  She was dressed so cute!!

I don't know why the photo is loaded sideways...it's saved right side up.  So, you're going to have to turn your head to see how cute she is, but it's also sad it looks like she's picking her nose...sigh.

But she's a cutie - even if she was in a violent mood.  She was hitting everyone, but I guess when they're going on 2, that's some of the behavior.  Doesn't mean they should be allowed to get away with it, right??  lol

Anyway, now that I've rambled on, I need to try and get my brain to function.  I've got to get some things done today, so I need to focus.  I had a WONDERFUL fruit/veggie smoothie for breakfast, and that's probably been the best part of my day so far.  Have I mentioned how much I like these in the morning now??  I've become a real green smoothie convert.  You should try it.  Really.  ;)  You'll like it!

This mornings was carrots, kale, banana, plum, frozen strawberries, frozen blueberries and plain greek yogurt.  I don't normally add yogurt, but since my spinach went bad, I needed a little protein.  ;)

Have a good one!

Happy 4th!!!!

Greetings my fellow Americans!!  Happy birthday to us!  In this time of chaos and trouble, with weather starting to turn and economies struggling, there is one thing you can always count on:

We are a nation of people that love our freedom.

If we weren't, it would have gone the way of the world a long time ago.  It is still struggling, and there are lots of people who just don't get it, but on the whole, there are (fortunately) many people who still cherish freedom and all it stands for.

I am so thankful that I have a family who has a military background.  My father was a Ranger who fought in WWII, my grandfather was in the Navy.  My other dad was a Marine, and his brothers were all in the military too.  I have several nephews who are serving, as well as a son in the Army and one who is looking at the Air Force.

We are not shy to say that we love our country, are proud of our flag, and worship Jesus Christ.  (probably shouldn't be in that order, but that's how my thoughts came out).

I hope you have a wonderful day in this amazing country that allows us to say what is on our minds, in our hearts, and teach our children truth.

Enjoy!!