Winter Blues

We've had a long few weeks as Ellie got her tonsils out just after Christmas.  We are VERY HAPPY to report she is feeling much better now. Today, Dad took her for a quick zip on the snowmobile out in the fields behind our house. Max and I happily watched from within our warm home!

Our new ward has been very welcoming to us in our new place. Each presidency has been stopping by to visit. When the primary presidency came they were asking Ellie her favorite color, food etc. When they asked her what her favorite thing to do was, she replied, "I like to play with my Mom." Man I wish I could have bottled up how good that made me feel and keep it for a rainy day! That little lady just melts my heart.

    Ellie has, surprisingly to me, had a difficult time adjusting to the move. She kept telling us on Sunday that she 'just wants to go to her old primary.' Through many tears and discussion we finally got her to church. On a play date with our new neighbors El refused to go play with the kids while the adults talked. After about an hour she left the room and I thought she went to play. But fifteen minutes later she walked up to me and as I grabbed her hand it was freezing! She looked at me and said, "Mom, the door is locked. Could you go unlock it?"  The little Stinker walked home in 15 degrees!!! Yep, bad mom moment right there. We are hoping to have a little tea party soon to help her find a few new friends.

    Max is growing too! He eats like a horse, and my favorite is that he has recently learned how to give hugs and occasionally he just keeps his head laying on your chest and falls asleep. He continues to be sweet, loving, and happy. Mitch and I just can't stop counting our blessings!

Side note: Ellie LOVES play-doe. I LOATHE play-doe. It's the smell. It makes my toes cringe. After we clean it up I sanitize the counter as if a raw chicken had been dancing on it. I have to be in a darn good mood to let her play with her 24 PACK that her friend gave her for her birthday. I will say her rocket ship looks pretty good though! 

We Are Not Exempt

Tonight we went bowling with Grandpa and Grandma Lifferth. Grandpa treated us all to a night of fun and ice cream and it was great! I think he is feeling a little sentimental as he starts his chemo on Thursday. It was at bowling as I laughed at the kids dancing around as their ball took 3 minutes to get down the lane, that I had the thought "we are not exempt".
 For the past few months the concept labeled 'trials' has been on the forefront of my mind. Sometimes we go on living our life in such a way that we only hear of bad things on the news, or happening to other people. Then when it happens to us we are naive enough to say 'why me?!' Or if you're like me I thought, 'really? is this really happening?'
      The more I thought about how fast things can happen and how quickly life can change there was a real fear that entered into my heart. I felt completely out of control of my future and realized that the only one who has true control is the Savior. No matter how young a child is, how good a father is, or how much life a teenager has left, we are not exempt from the trials and learning experiences that we have to face. Initially, this idea is a little frustrating but the more we pray and the more I ask for understanding the more complete the plan is to me. I think in my house I need to have a big sign that says, "TRIALS: That's why you are here!"

     What would be the point of this life if we didn't grow and to change physically, mentally and emotionally. How grateful I am for the opportunities to grow, learn, and depend on a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of us and who wants to help us.