Sunday, August 30, 2009

Happy Happy Birthday Cary Dear!

Happy Birthday to my darling husband. I love you so very much!
We've had one great birthday weekend! I am going to try to upload some photos tomorrow. I will add more to this post then. :)
Love you honey

For Everything There Is A Season...

Those words were spoken to me today by my 1st Counselor in the Bishopric. He is a man that I have grown to love and admire deeply. He is gentle and kind and can also be the most hilaroiusly naughty fella (besides Cary) that I know.
The theme today in Sacrament was journals, family history, following the words of the Prophet. I consider this somewhat of my electronic journal that I hope to print off one day to keep all of my notes and stories in for my children. I decided to share something somewhat personal and I'm not quite sure why I feel the need to do so. I have learned, however, that when you get a prompting it is better to go with that prompting!
To lend a little background to the story...
Cary and I have been in our calling for almost five years now. We were called to be primary teachers and scout leaders way back when the wards split and we were moved into this "new" ward. When we were first called I was petrified. 11 year old boys? a lot of them? Are you kidding me?! Not only would I be teaching them the Gospel on Sunday, but I had to teach them how to be a Boy Scout on Tuesdays? How was *I* going to teach them how to be a scout? and a good one? pfft!
We worked hard and learned as much as we possibly could and we prayed for guidance... A LOT! I grew to love those boys dearly. They were, in all respects, *my* boys. They worked hard and did their best and I loved watching them grow and mature. Some of the boys that I had when they were 11 are now driving and in high school! It's been such an amazing journey to see them grow and become fine young men. I cried when they moved on to the older scout group, but would still see them on Sundays and at various scouting events. I have learned something from each boy that we have had. They are amazing boys.
In January we were moved into the cub scouts and are teaching the 10 turning 11 year olds. It has been a great experience as well, albeit a different one.
It has been difficult lately for me to be excited for scouts and get ready for our den meetings and pack meetings. I truly hate using the kids as an excuse, but having them has made a huge difference in our lives. It seems everyday someone has a class, a therapy appointment, a visit, boy scouts, activity days, band, you name it...we're probably doing it.
So, the point is that we have sucketh mucheth in our scout calling as of late. It's not necessarily been intentional, but it's defintitely not been on the fore front. There is no excuse.
The Primary President told me today that they had called two men to replace Cary and I as scout leaders, but that we were still going to be Primary teachers. I had so many emotions run through me in such a short time span. I was relieved, worried, guilty, and most of all sad. While I realize it is a good thing, it weighs heavily on me that I did not, have not, done all that I should be doing to fulfill my calling to the best of my abilities. Today was also the day that we needed to renew our temple recommends. (nothing like waiting until the last day to get things done, no?)
As I sat in Sacrament and listened to the speakers I watched all of our boys and thought of how much they have impacted me. I know that I am a better mom to my boys because of the experiences I was able to have with the scouts. I definitely learned how to deal with boys better and let *some* things roll off and let them go. I thought also of how I was going to have to meet with a member of the Bishopric and have my interview.
Yikes.
Almost immediately as I sat down with him I began crying. It was as if someone had turned on my crying faucet and rigged it up so that it was unable to be turned off. We had the interview and at the end I was able to receive some very wise counsel from him. Some things I hold very sacred and will keep them to myself.
But, some of his words I would briefly like to share.
He said that everything has its season. We have to know when we can give and do, but we must also know when we need to pull back and tend to other things. There is no shame in that. Everything has its time and Sometimes we are able to give and give and give,but we must also know when we need to give to ourselves.
I suppose our season for scouts is finished, for now. I have five other bodies to worry about and help right now, for which I am truly grateful. I love my kids and I want to be the best mom that I can be for them.
I love my Bishopric. I know that they are men called of God to guide our ward. I'm grateful for the service they give to me.

Friday, August 28, 2009

My Little Princess....




This past weekend we had a birthday celebration. One of my little girls turned the big 8!Holy Schmoly! I met her when she was six and she is certainly blossoming into quite the lovely young lady. We had a good time celebrating and since I can't post a photo of her on here quite yet, I *CAN* post a picture of Daddy!! I love that Cary can laugh at himself and goof off with us the way he does. He makes us all giggle as well as roll our eyes! :D
This Sunday is *his* birthday and I don't yet have it all planned out. I do have some surprises up my sleeves for him. I hope it's a great day for him.

I shall post more photos fo' sho'!

AND guess what?! I won a bloggy giveaway from Kelsey at Vanilla Joy !!! I scored 4 tickets to Thanksgiving Point Children's Discovery Gardens! We are taking the kidlets on a surprise adventure and I can hardly wait!

Monday, August 24, 2009

The love of a little one

I still have not uploaded those photos of my darling beloved wearing his beautiful tiara, but I plan to do so tomorrow. Today was full of laundry, laundry, and Oh yes! more laundry! Bah. We certainly have loads and loads to do these days.

This morning I took the kidlets to school. They were unbuckling, strapping on their backpacks, running out of the door before it was even fully opened. I had to chuckle as they were spilling out of the car and Bug was ever so nicely asking them to hurry even faster. She was on a mission to watch Dora, of course! I waved and grinned and called out our usual goodbyes. This day, however, was made special by my 9 yr old. He had almost walked all the way to the school doors when he turned back and ran to the van. He looked at me with those big brown smiling eyes and said, "I Love You!!" and ran back to catch up with the rest of the kids. That moment made my entire day. I have thought about it several times throughout the day. It warms my heart that he says what he feels and his feelings are so tender and real. It totally made up for all the whining tonight when there was homework and reading to be done! :)

The day when these moments aren't as common will be a sad day indeed. For now I will continue to thoroughly enjoy every minute of it.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A post is a post is a post.

How busy the days go by! We've had five little children in our home since 12 June. It has been one amazingly busy and fun summer here in the Nicholas household. I honestly never thought that we would have five children, let alone get them all at once essentially. I realize what a blessing these little stink bums are in our lives. I probably wouldnt have things any other way. Well, I would change a few things perhaps but mainly about their previous experiences. Unfortunately their short little lives have not been easy nor pleasant for the most part. They are strong and resilient and I pray daily that they will be able to overcome their pasts. They have perhaps the best male role model I could imagine or hope for. Cary is the best daddy to all the kids and I'm ever so grateful for his love and devotion to this family. I know it's not what he had envisioned for our lives either, but Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us, doesn't he? I often wonder what exactly His plan is and wish that He would divulge just a little bit to me. I reckon I will know and understand everything perfectly one day.
This past week school started and oh my that was one happy day! I was a little bit sad for a couple minutes as the kids got out of the car and walked through those double doors to the school. I quickly got over it and headed home for a little girl time with my bug. She has enjoyed it immensely with her siblings gone for most of the day! Mainly because she thinks she's the queen while she's the only one here. I so don't know where she gets THAT!
She will actually start school this Thursday. Preschool that is. Oh dear me I will have two whole days that I have 3, count 'em 3, glorious hours to myself!!! H.E.A.V.E.N.
I love all of my kids dearly, but I am dearly loving a little quiet mommy time too! That's normal, no?
This weekend we celebrated a birthday. My little darling turned 8 today! We had a birthday pool party for her yesterday and had some of her siblings over. She had a great day. And, I am the "best ever", thanks to iCarly!! I have some photos that I will upload tomorrow. Cary donned a beautiful princess tiara that I must share with the world. I love watching the kids as we sing "happy birthday" to them. They love that attention and excitement. Today was more subdued as we went over to visit our Aunty before she went back home to New Zealand. How I wish she could stay longer! How I wish that I could stow away in her luggage! Cary and I are starting to plan a trip for the reunion in 2011. It seems so far away, but we will definitely need the time to save up for all of our little expenses!!
I was going to make this a Spiritual Sunday post as I got a little inspired after reading a dear friend's blog this evening. However, it did not turn out as such.
I do have a testimony of the Gospel. I love my Saviour. I love my family. I know that President Monson is a true prophet of God. I am grateful for the Restored Gospel and for the power of prayer. I'm grateful for my eternal companion and pray that one day very soon we will be an eternal family with our kids.