Can 'The Naked Chef' make us better parents?

Wahoo! Today is my first day back as an 'on my own while Dad is at work' Mom! I went to sleep last night so excited for today. Prince Charming came in at 6:30 to wake me with a kiss and a Diet Dr. Pepper so that I could be fully awake and functional by the time he left at 6:50. I took my morning meds, my pain meds, and spent the next several minutes praying for the help that I would need.
The morning went pretty well. The kids were so excited when I told them I would be taking them to school, and the three youngest were thrilled to learn that they would be going to friends houses to play this morning while Mom came home to rest.

One of the things that we believe and hold strong to as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the doctrine of personal revelation. We believe that God speaks to ALL of his children through the voice of the spirit - first at the Light of Christ, which is given to EVERY person born on the earth, - and then through the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is recieved after baptism. That voice can be heard in many ways, often as a simple thought, or some kind of feeling. Warm, peaceful feelings tell us that what we are doing, or thinking of doing, is in line with our Heavenly Fathers approval. Dark, confused, unhappy feelings are the spirits way of tellling us that something is wrong. Like a parent who has sent a child off to college, our Father in Heaven wants to be able to communicate with us and help us during our time on this earth. He hasn't sent us here to walk alone in confusion!

I am so grateful for the countless friends who have felt, and listened to that spirit and then blessed my life. I look at every phone call, note in the mail, email, blog comment, or act of service as a gift from our Father in Heaven, because I know that he is blessing me, through you! Thank YOU!

LOL! Last night Prince Charming and I caught the "sneek peek" of this new show:

After the first 15 minutes, we both looked at each other and commented that a nice little pit had settled into our stomaches. Part of me wanted to turn off the TV and go to bed - I think it was the prideful part of me. The rest of me knew that what this young Dad is doing is a miracle that our country needs.

It was amazing to watch the lunch ladies - er, cooks - lash out at Jamie. Actually, all of the adults, even though they had agreed to have him come, acted put out, offended and pessimistic.

It's easy to see where they are coming from.

I think that the general mentality in America is that cooking healthy is 'too hard'.

The USDA has complicated everything for everyone.

Jamie is determined to undo the damage that's been taking place for decades.

So Prince Charming and I have decided to hop on board.

We've signed his petition.

We will be watching each week WITH our kids.

Want to join me?

Click Here to sign the Petition and find out more.

Click Here to learn about Jamie Oliver

Click Here to find your local TV Listings for the time.

What do you think?

Crazy or Lazy Days?

10 days post-op and what do I find? The hardest part of this whole surgery thing is missing my kids! Who would have thought. I'm the same as every other Mom - I've had lots of Mom days when I wish the craziness would just stop and be over. But I miss it. All of it. I miss picking up the baby and breaking up the kids bickering. I miss taking them to school and bringing them home. I can hear the kids running around downstairs doing all of the normal things - with the addition of some outrageous things (thanks to the 'norm' being tossed out the window) and I miss being a part of it all.
It's so true what they say, the grass is always greener on the other side - hopefully I will be able to live out each day MORE grateful for what is going on in the present. How often have you been told "This too shall pass."? The bad will pass away, and so will the good.
Short post. I was so pleased to look in my in-box and see so many comments from friends! New friends from SITS (I can't wait to check out your blogs when I can sit up to the comp. for longer than 20 minutes) and old friends! THANKS!

Spring is HERE!!!

Home From the Hospital

Tuesday morning Kurt and I woke up feeling excited for the day ahead. I don't think I've ever felt excited for surgery but this day promised to be the start of my return to life without daily pain.
My anxiety rose throught the morning and by the time we reached the hospital at 1:30pm I was pretty much a wreak, chattering non-stop about whatever was going on. I asked anyone who attended to me if I was going to die, they were all very encouraging, and personable. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I LOVE McKay Dee Hospital! I've never had a bad experience there and I've never met a nurse I didn't like.
Details will follow, eventually. For now, I'm just grateful to be able to post that we've had many miracles this week. The surgery went perfectly. I was released from the hospital just 2 days later.

The greatest miracle to me what seeing the peace and contentment that was present in our home while I was away. Every time I was on the phone with Kurt or one of the kids, the noises in the background were happy. None of the kids called me to whine or cry that they missed me. Kurt was calm every day - it was obvious that the Lord was taking care of our family.  My Dad (Papa Bear to the Kids) arrived Tuesday afternoon and helped kurt give me a blessing, and my Mom (Grammy to the kids) came over as soon as she got off of work. This pattern would continue through the week with Mom and Dad coming in the late afternoon and helping Kurt with the kids and homework and laundry until bedtime was over and they drove home to collapse into bed! I have been continually amazed and soooo grateful that they are so close to help during this time in our family. They just moved to East Layton in January (from Spanish Fork) and it's such a novelty to have them only 15 minutes away! They have been continually supporting, encouraging and helpful and they truly are our guardian angles! I came home on Thursday and my Mom came up and laid on the bed by me to visit while she ate some dinner. Then she laid back on the bed and I fell asleep for a minute. When I woke up she had her hand on my arm and was sleeping too, so we took a little nap together! I've told my girls many times "Sometimes even Mommy needs her Mommy!" (And her Daddy too!)

I am so touched and overwhelmed by the love that our congregation has shown us also. We've had meals coming in all week, another who wants to come and clean our bathrooms once a week while I recover. I had 5 different visitors in the hospital and countless people who have stopped and asked how they can help. Notes of encouragement and hugs of comfort. The Lord has taught that "inasmuch as ye do this unto the least of these my brethern, ye do it unto me." To all of those who have served as the Lord's hands in blessing our lives we give our thanks and send our prayers of gratitude to heaven on your behalf. Words can't begin to describe the feeling that makes our hearts feel full of the Saviors love. Brought one drop at a time by our friends and family and neighbors, through freezer meals, car rides, cookies, a good book, a light to follow or a simple phone call in the middle of a busy day.

We love you!              THINK SPRING!!!

PS My doctor wouldn't save my parts so that I could see. Apparently there are laws now that classify removed organs as a bio-hazard. Hoowhee! you should have seen the look on her face when I asked her though! She said she's never been asked that before....LOL! Seriously, sometimes I crack myself up!