He requested a Thomas the Train themed party. I made all the decorations myself, it took a very long time, but it was so worth it! I got most of my ideas off Pinterest, I love that site. We used black duct tape on the sidewalk leading up to our front door, and on the living room floor to make train tracks. That alone kept Sawyer and Mealea busy the entire day while he waited for his party. We still have that on our floor, why take it off when it entertains the kids everyday? He also requested a Monster Truck cake. I loved that because it was really easy but it looked amazing! He wanted hot dogs, like last year for his birthday dinner. That's something to make my Dad proud:) We bought him a cozy coupe, he is in love with it. He named the cozy coupe Gru (after the main guy in Despicable me, his new favorite movie). But it has since been changed to "Mouth", don't ask me....? That night before I went to bed, I went to check on him and I found the cozy coupe in his room with a blanket on top of it. He put "mouth" to bed, how cute!
My baby brother Isaac left on a mission February 27th to Baltimore Maryland. I always knew he would go on a mission but I never gave it too much thought. In October with the new announcement on Missionaries age, he decided to leave right away. It was only a few months sooner than we would have gone, as he was 18 1/2 anyway. So he deferred his second semester at BYUI and moved home to prepare. He had a lot of time to himself since he was out of school and not working. He had all his money saved and ready to go. Those months I got to spend more time with him, but I wish I had spent more time with him and used the time more wisely. He would often come over randomly with only a few minutes notice. I didn't care, I am almost always home anyway. Plus I like seeing other faces than just my kids day after long day, even though they are my favorite faces. He would play with my kids so I could cook or clean. He would even help me clean my house. He is so thoughtful, kind and considerate. My kids loved seeing him more and growing a relationship with him. Isaac loved trains growing up, especially Thomas. Sawyer loves Thomas and has a train table in his room. They would play for hours up there. Sawyer would ask for Iky almost everyday. Then it hit me the last week before he left that he was leaving. I felt selfish and wanted him to stay, I am so happy and proud of him, but I was screaming inside for him to stay. My kids wouldn't even give him goodbye hugs the last time they saw him because they were tired and cranky and wanted to go home. They thought they would just see him the next day and play. They ask me where he is all the time. When I go to my parents house they say "we see Meemaw, Papa, Abi, Andrew, Eli and Iky!" I try to explain that they wont see him for a long time.
When he gets home, they will have most likely outgrown the relationship they had with him. I know they can get to know him again and everything will be wonderful. But it will never quite be like it was these last few months with him. Nothing ever is. Things are always changing, growing, evolving. We can't freeze time. But, that time with him was a treasure, and I am thankful that we got it.
We are taking a road trip for almost three weeks in May to Boston. Samong's only brother is getting married. It will be......
I saved the best news for last.... I got a new calling....Get ready...
RELIEF SOCIETY TEACHER
I have a few weeks before I have to teach for the first time, but I'm very freaked out! To say the least.... I just wanted to tell them to find someone else, because I wasn't the girl for the job. I know this may not seem like anything big to some people. But it is a big deal for me. It's my first time teaching adults, and I have anxiety issues with even talking to people I don't know well. I know that I can learn to over come that, I just need to step outside my comfort zone, and put forth the effort, which I haven't had to do yet. But since they called me, a week ago I've become more confident and less scared. I know this is what I need to be doing. I've actually felt it for a while now, but I always pushed it aside. They said they've felt strongly about me teaching, and I know they are right. I have felt like I've been stagnant the last few years. Probably since I became a mom. (But being a mom has made me grow in so many areas, so that sounds bad). Every Sunday all I do is worry about keeping my kids quiet, fed and away from the people in the ward so they can listen. I can't open the lesson manual, or scriptures. I can't even hear half the time, then I have to leave the room to deal with a poopy diaper or a tantrum. My kids are hard in church, its rough. Plus I've been in Nursery for almost a year. But the rest is just my fault, I haven't been reading or studying like I should. I need growth and learning. I need to be in Relief Society. I think I could be a good teacher. I just need to believe in myself, and break away my chains of doubt, anxiety, and fear. "Acting on even a twig of faith, allows God to grow it"- Henry B. Erying. I am choosing to act on this, because I want to grow stronger in so many ways. I know I've just opened a door by accepting this calling, and I'm ready for what it will bring.
