Elder Scott

Each time an apostle dies, I am a little sad because I will miss them. But when I found out Elder Scott had passed on, I felt sucker punched. I didn't realize he was even sick beforehand. That would have lessened the blow. 

I cried. And to be honest, I felt a little lost.  Elder Scott has always spoken to me. I've always perked up when he took his place at the pulpit. Always paid a little more attention. 

And now he's gone. Who will be there to speak to me the way he does when I really need it? That's what I asked myself in somewhat disbelief that he was gone. And I couldn't help but feel a little abandoned. Who will be there to guide me the way Elder Scott did? 

I did what I always do when I am upset. I texted Justin and my mom. Justin of course took the eternal perspective on things saying he was happy Elder Scott finally got to reunited with his wife. I didn't want to happy for him. I just wanted him back. 

So many times Elder Scott answered my prayers. He's changed my life more than once. The influence he's had on the decisions I make and the way I make decisions has been huge! 

I suppose I will be able to go on living. My consolation is that I still have all his words to go back and reread. His previous counsel is not gone; I will always have it to read and reread.  And in my heart of hearts, I am happy for him that he is with his beloved wife again. 

But oh, Elder Scott, how I will miss you. 

Somebody's been sleeping in my bed...

Henry has been teething, and he's often up at night lately. So he usually ends up in our bed as an attempt on my part to survive. 

But Grace has been really freaked out at night the last month or two, and she almost always ends up in our bed as well...which gets really squishy. I tried to make a bed for her on the floor by our bed, but that doesn't cut it anymore. 

And Amelia has just decided that Lamanites are trying to get her (with a miniaturizer, of course) when she sleeps, so she has been waking up as well. 

This ends up in a game of ring around the beds EVERY night, and quite honestly I am all worn out, and I want out of this game. I have never drugged my kids with melatonin or Benadryl to get them to sleep, but last night around 3:30am, I was considering it. 

Since Henry has become a part of our family, I can count on one hand the number of times I have had three consecutive hours of sleep. 

When Henry isn't teething or sick, he sleeps great. But his sisters are up all the time freaked out that something is going to get them. (By the way, they barely watch tv let alone anything remotely scary so it's not like we are setting ourselves up for failure. They just have active imaginations). 

I got pictures of Christ to put in their rooms so when they are scared they can look at it. Didn't help. They are too out of it at night to think rationally.

We got them stuffed animals and night lights to help them not be afraid. Doesn't work.

We've tried all kinds of rationalization. Nothing. 

We tried leaving the lamp on. They woke up even more.

I think our only option left is either Justin or I sleeping in their room every night.

Oh man. I need a nap.

Back to School

My heart ached sending my kids to school, but they are enjoying it so much that I have accepted the fact and am trying to be cheerful about it.