Miracles...

I have much to say... hee hee. It's been a while since I had much to say so it's nice. A friend told me in a recently to pray for a miracle. I took her advice and did so.... not knowing the blessings that would come in the next 3 days.

First: Kyler felt better the day after he had the blessing and I asked you guys to pray for him. He has been back to his old self since.

Second: On tuesday night I was finishing up my shift at work. We have to take our drawers upstairs to count them and then come back down to make sure they balance. When I came back down stairs to settle my drawer I noticed a cart by the service desk and it had a bunch of presents in it. I thought, "oh, that's cool." I put my drawer down and the lady at courtesy told me to look at the box. On the side there was a note that reads:

Dear April and kids,

" We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and hope that over the next 12 days we can help to make it even better. Each gift has the day to open it attached. Have fun, laugh and play.... It's Christmas! "

The box is full of gifts to open from the 13th to the 24th. And no one will tell me who's idea it was... grr... hee hee.

Third: Last night at work I closed with a cute girl that is a year younger than my brother. She's really fun and it's hilarious to relive high school dramatics through her... hee hee. Anyway.... she told me not to leave without getting my present from her. I told her that she didn't need to get me anything but she said she wanted to anyway. So I kept wondering what it was... thinking some chocolate or a mt. dew or something that she knows I like. After we close she gave me my gift.... a gift certificate for a $30 hair cut at the place that she gets hers done... she's told me about it before. And then she handed me a card too. When I got home I opened the card and immediately gasped as I saw $250 inside! Her family had decided to do something for me and they gave me $250! I BAWLED!!!

It's so overwhelming but I count those blessings as blessings for others as well. I am so grateful!

A loving Heavenly Father

I have a friend that was very recently extremely close to death. It has really made me feel grateful for the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father. There is no medical or scientific reason to explain why my friend is still here on this earth today. I am very grateful for that mercy and love and will thank Him every day of my life for those things. I also thank him often for the gift of my best friend! I wish I were close enough to go visit her or help with her children while she has to be in the hospital but I pray for her and think of her constantly. I am so grateful for the doctors that are helping her to get better and for Heavenly Father's love for her as well. I love you Hillary!

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

I am more grateful every day for the gift of the Holy Ghost. At just the time when I feel like I just can't take anymore, can't carry my load, can't be as good a mother as I want to be.... I always feel peace in comfort inside. The calm reassurance that things will be ok, that I am a good mother despite struggles at times, and that I don't have to carry my load alone. I am also eternally grateful for the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. If it weren't for him there would be no one to truly understand our pain and suffering. I am grateful that He knows how to help carry me through my trials and hard times.

A Small Miracle

Today something amazing happened and I don't hesitate to call it a miracle and a wonderful blessing. Kyler and Kamaryn had dentist appointments today. If any of you know my daughter, you know that she doesn't really like strangers or strange things and really hates going to the doctor and things like that. So you can't be surprised when I tell you I was terrified that she would make a huge scene at the dentist. So I was apprehensive when we got there. I had talked it up completely for about 3 days about what they would do and how fun it would be. Apparently.... it worked! We got to the office and they hygienist says, "who wants to go first?" Kamaryn.... yes, Kamaryn volunteered! Can you believe it?! I was shocked. There was shock number one. Then she actually climbed right into the chair. When we've gone to the ENT she makes me hold her so I was again astonished that she actually climbed in herself. She had a lovely new tv with Sponge Bob on it (something I never let them watch but I think it helped in this case). She was introduced to all the tools they would use, she had her teeth painted purple, brushed, polished, counted. She only seemed nervous once! Shock number...... I can't even remember. I was amazed and so excited that she actually did it. She did a great job and was a perfect patient!! Yay Kamaryn! (little miss shiny teeth)

A positive balance in the checkbook, etc.

Well, today is a rare occurrence for me. I have just finished paying bills (sure hope I got them all) and the balance in my checkbook is still POSITIVE!!! Woot! And that is on top of having almost $200 less in my paycheck because of the Christmas break. I hope I can keep this up. Now my dilemma is whether to start paying off the credit card debt or save for 2 months and enroll in a medical transcription program.... I have to decide soon. I hate decisions sometimes.

I am thankful for warmth. Our heater has been not fully functional for over 2 weeks now. The previous post about being thankful for heat has been knocked from its place. I am grateful for heat but that post was about it being back. It worked that night and then the next day it started acting up again. It hasn't worked right since and we have had below zero night temps for 3 days this week. And let me tell you... 52 degrees outside might feel just perfectly dandy. But 52 degrees inside the house in the middle of winter is not quite so pleasant. So I am grateful today for long sleeves, sweatshirts, socks, slippers, blankets, warm jammies for the kids, and hot rice bags in bed with you. I am afraid when it finally works right that I'll be feeling sweaty at 70 degrees :)

I am grateful for the blessing of friends and family. I know I've said this before but without their support I would not be doing as well as I am. Thinks would be a lot harder to get through and I'm extremely grateful for all of the love and support and listening ears! Thanks everyone!

A good birthday

Today is my birthday. It was a pretty low-key but nice day. I went to work and took a bunch of candy for *birthday treats* and shared with all three Kindergarten classes. They absolutely loved that! I came home and hung out for a while and had pizza for dinner, courtesy of dad. Christena came over with her kids and we had cake and ice cream. My mom got me flowers and a card and she bought me a book for my kids to give me. Kyler sang to me and played birthday songs on the piano too. It was a fun day and I quite enjoyed it. :)

Heat

After nearly 48 hours without a functioning furnace I am very grateful for heat! We haven't frozen to death by any means and it's been nice to bundle up in sweatshirts inside but it's so nice to have the heat back on. Whew!

Back to work

I am grateful to be back to work. Two weeks is a LONG time to be off. And also a missing amount of money. But I started back today and I'm glad. I enjoy being out of the house and able to have a few conversations with other adults. I also enjoy helping the kids learn. And it also keeps my mind busy and I feel happier. So I'm grateful that I'm back at work. And also grateful that Kyler is back to school. He's much easier to deal with ;)