Yesterday

Church was good. It was testimony meeting. Bishop Hope (our previous Bishop) got up. That man radiates the Spirit. Whenever he gets up to speak I can be sure my heart will be pricked. Cathy Hope (his wife) taught the lesson in Young Women's today. We were all combined. There were only 8 young women in attendance. She always does a fabulous job. The lesson was on happiness. It was perfect timing for me. I loved being part of the listeners that day and learning. I am also becoming more comfortable in my calling. I always meant to blog about it.

In August we got a new Bishopric. With that came a reorganization of the Relief Society. I was 2nd counselor. If I recall correctly, the Relief Society President had been in the calling for 6+ years. She was so ready to be released. I was not ready, having been in there just over a year. I loved my calling. I loved teaching the lesson every 3 months and listening to the other teachers. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies and plan activities for them. Luckily, I knew the time was coming and had time to mentally prepare. In all honesty, I thought I would stay in the presidency. So I was a little shocked when I was asked to be 2nd counselor in the Young Women's. Of course I said yes. But I would be lying if I said I was not intimidated. Teenagers have frightened me ever since I stopped being one. Wait, not true. Teenage GIRLS have frightened me. I get along swimmingly with all the teenage boys in the ward. We joke and I have them babysit Carter and they are easy to talk to. It was a harder transition with the girls because I really did not know any of them. I was not sure how to relate to them or what I had to offer them. I am still learning this. I am still breaking the barriers that girls put up so much so than the boys. I am still learning who they are and what makes them tick. They are still feeling me out too. I can truly say I like each one of them. More and more so each time we meet. They are unique...the majority of them being very mild mannered and even tempered. I can't wait to get to know them more. I can tell they have a lot to offer me. I hope I can say the same about myself, in regards to them.

After church Carter and I drove home. Josh stayed for choir. He goes to church for meetings at 7:30 and 8:00 and then stays after for choir. I sometimes question if he is human:). Anyhow. Carter was complaining of death by starvation the entire ride home. I assured him he was indeed going to survive the 20 minute drive. He did not believe me because he reminded me every few seconds of his impending doom. Arriving home I quickly scrounged up lunch. No, I did not have a crock pot simmering with a delicious meal. I did not have a casserole in the oven. I basically failed at Sunday dinner yesterday. I hate to admit that I warmed up two frozen burritos for each of us (yes, cringe, but when you are starving they can be quite delectable). Luckily I did have a fresh, individual sized, chef salad in the fridge that Carter and I split to go along with our microwaved (in no way good for you) entree.

While settling down to eat Carter disappeared into the kitchen. Only two bites in and I hear a loud thump on the ground a very panicked cry from Carter. He came running into me screaming, "mommy, mommy, mommy" while holding his hand. I assumed he pinched or smashed a finger and wrapped him up for a healing hug. The hug didn't work. Now something was wrong. I pull him free from me and see that his shirt is covered in blood. Now my brain is on alert as I panic just a titch inside and haul him as fast I can into the bathroom before locating the source of the blood. Once the hand is under the cold water and everything is washed off I can see the blood is flowing very quickly from a nice, deep slit in his middle finger. If not under the water even for a second the blood floods his palm. I think to myself this may be too deep. I tell him to keep the cut under the cold water while I search frantically for a bandage, band-aid, gauze...NOTHING! Finally my eyes land on the box of panty liners. I wrap one around his finger and put pressure on it. The cut basically fills the liner up. More pressure. Finally I am able to pull the pad back with out blood gushing. Phew. The bleeding has stopped. We have saved a trip to the urgent care. I cut a liner in half and then tape it around his finger. I pull off his white shirt and throw it away. There is no way I am going to try and get the blood out of it.

Once Carter is settled on the couch I slip off my most favorite white skirt which has been dotted all over with tiny droplets of blood. I mourn just a little thinking it is the last time I get to wear it. I spray Melaleuca Pre-Spot all over the blood. Then I pour detergent right onto each of the spots and put it in a cold water soak. I am thrilled when I come back later that evening and not a spot of blood is visible.

After Josh gets home we crawl into bed. I read some. Right now I am reading "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. It is thrilling and frustrating and captivating and heartbreaking. I read many passages to Josh about sharks in the water and squeal a little bit when a Great White Shark makes an appearance. I tell him about the Japanese soldiers and find myself getting very upset at them and upset at American soldiers who have tortured their captives. It is not okay. I am seeing a different side to war. I hate it.

Then we doze. We sleep for 2 hours!! Glorius Sunday nap!

After we wake up we hurry and get ready and drive the 20 minutes back to Sentatobia (where our church is. A town south of us) and then 15 minutes out into the country from there. We reach the Syme residence. They are great friends and have invited us over for a Super Bowl party. I am not even aware of who made it to the Super Bowl. All I know is that the Saints or the Cowboys did not. I chat, eat yummy food, catch the half time show, watch a few plays, chat some more, play with little Wyatt who is enthralled with my necklace. Carter runs around and play with Cecelia who is 6 months younger than him. They play very well together.Then as the clock passes 7:30 and reaches towards 8:00 I start to silently panic just a little because Carter is not in bed. So I round everything up and say thank you and leave before the Super Bowl is over. Who won?

Once home I rush Carter into bed and get back into mine to read some more. Yes, the book has my interest. I think about it whenever I am not reading it. I am thinking about it right now and wish I would stop typing so I can read some more. But that is when the coughing starts. Carter starts coughing so hard and is wheezing. He has a hard time catching his breath. I give him allergy meds and puffs from his inhaler. I rub vicks on his chest. Later I give him cough medicine. I am desperate for something to work. To stop the coughing and allow him to sleep. We pray. Then I pray some more. After several hours we are all finally able to sleep. I am concluding Carter is allergic to the animals at the Syme's house. That is the only thing I can think of. It came out of nowhere. He is asleep now and has been silent since closing his eyes. Thank the Heavens. One of the most difficult things I have encountered as parents is 1. potty training and 2. unstoppable coughing. Nothing is more exhausting. He came in during a coughing fit crying and said "I am just a kid and just don't feel good". It broke my heart because there was not a thing I could do to make it stop. I know that is the part of parenting that everyone hates. When you are helpless.

So that was my yesterday. A little good, a little bad. That is most of my days. I think none of it worthy to write about. But now that I have it down I see that it is. That was one of days that makes up our lives. Carter learned a lesson about not using sharp scissors to try and open a water bottle and that he should come to me first. I learned that I can take care of my hurt child and dress his wounds even if unconventionally. I can make his bleeding stop. I can get stains out of my favorite skirt. I have friends. I am always happy when Josh comes home. I have the Gospel. I love reading. I have an amazing bed. And prayers are answered :)

Lots of good things in my little day to days.