Tender Mercies

It has been a crazy few weeks. Heck....crazy few months. As I was busy with several different projects last week for several different things, in the back of my mind I kept wondering how everything was going to work out. TENDER MERCIES. So many things happened last week that made it possible for me to accomplish things that needed to get done.
I read a quote this last week that said, "Coincidences are not just chance, they are God's way of helping you anonymously." I truly believe that. Here's an example...
Last Sunday the girls and I climb in the car after church to head home. I go to start it and it won't start. I can tell that it's not a dead battery, but it won't catch when I turn the key. GREAT! After Jim and I towed it home later in the day, Rich came over and helped us diagnose that it needed a new fuel pump. Fuel pumps are not cheap. Over $300. EEEE. We just don't have an extra $300. Especially knowing that Brindley was going to be having her Birthday in 2 days and I hadn't done any shopping for her. (As I type this, I am brought to tears because I am realizing so many more Tender Mercies that actually took place this week that I didn't recognize.) Here's how the Tender Mercies unfolded.....Monday came with daycare. As the second child came, the mom handed me her late check. She said she didn't remember how much she owed so she wrote it for what she thought and I could just figure on the next check for her. It was $20 over her bill. I took that check and some other cash I had on hand. I handed it to Jim and said, "Here, deposit that and it will pay for the fuel pump." There was just over $300. Just enough to cover tax. Yes, that money was the grocery money, but my kids quite enjoy hotdogs and mac-n-cheese. The fuel pump was purchased. We were still down a vehicle...leaving me at home. Which is ok. (The Ranger had gotten a flat tire the week before and it wasn't a flat that could be patched.) I knew I had til Thursday that I would need a vehicle to drive the girls to piano. So, on Monday I knew I would need to go bday shopping for Brindley. Trying to figure the $.....On Saturday we had gotten the mail and there were some kohls ads. Three of the kohls ads had $10 off a $10 purchase. That's $30! Then there was a 30% off coupon too. Well, Brindley loves clothes, so.....We waited for Jim to get home and we went shopping! Now on to Thursday when I needed a vehicle. Rich had found a used (still in good condition) tire for Jim to put on the Ranger by now. Jim drove the Ranger to work this day, leaving me with his truck to take girls to piano. K, we are good! The girls got home from school and I had them all practice piano before we were going to leave. When the time came, I told them all that Piano was cancelled. Amber had texted earlier in the day to cancel piano. Karissa came to me and said, "Good thing piano is cancelled. We wouldn't have had enough room in the truck for everyone." It hit me then that I hadn't even thought about that. I still have 3 daycare kids at the time we leave for piano. The truck wouldn't have fit all of us! I seriously wanted to cry and tell Amber, "Thanks for getting sick!" It saved me from getting very frustrated at the whole situation......The Expedition was fixed later that night, thanks to Rich and Jim.
I thank my Heavenly Father for helping us find ways to make our week work. Tender Mercies are real.

2014

Wow, has it really been that long since I posted.....

So many thoughts go through my mind every day and I even state them in my mind as if I'm typing them out in a blog or on FB. I really do need to get back into blogging. It is such a great form of journaling.

Some highlights of 2014:
*Mike and Holly got married in Feb.  So happy for them!

*I was made the Primary Pres. in May. It has been a learning experience, but also a rewarding one. I love *being able to feel and recognize the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
*Logan got his mission call in March and left on his mission on June 11th. He is doing wonderful!
*On July 6th I really started the effort to lose weight....By Dec. 21st. I was down 32 lbs!! HUGE accomplishment for me. Hopefully I can get going again and lose some more!
*My baby started Kindergarten.
*Baby McKay was born in August....6 weeks early, weighing 5 1/2 lbs.
*Baby Chase was born in October.....full term, weighing 3 1/2 lbs.
*Surprised Jim with a trip to Carson City. Wow, I never knew all there would be to do to schedule him and cover him with out him knowing. Whew....It was a great trip though.

I'm still doing daycare. At times I struggle with having to do it, but then I remember that "WE" wanted to move back to Utah and because of that, that is why I do daycare.  I am blessed to have great kids with great parents.

Jim's job is going well. I'm excited to see where it will take him in the future as it develops.
Brindley is growing and HOLY COW....maturing! She got braces this last August. They are really changing her appearance. She is a beautiful young lady.
Karissa too is growing and maturing. It's hard for me to accept them growing and getting these little high school personalities. She loves having fun with her friends and is always telling me about some kind of mischief they are getting in to.
Lexie makes my mind think....She is the thinker...Always analyzing things. She loves to create projects using what ever she can find (tape, paper, yarn, rubber bands...)
Samantha started Kindergarten. My baby is in school. :( It has been very hard for me to accept that she is in school, but she loves it! And she loves her friends at school. She has learned so much already!.

I know there is a lot more that has happened, but this is where I will leave this today. Now to figure out how to blog from my phone.... :)