A Good Read, A Cantankerous Moment, and a Sleepless Night

First of all, I know that I am really slow on the get go here, but I would like to publicly announce that I love President Hinckley. I'm sure you all blogged about this weeks ago, but since I have been out of the blogging world, I needed to say that. Having said that, my sister (cute Anna) sent me a talk from President Monson's daughter, given at a BYUI devontional. It is a wonderful talk, and it really brings President Monson to life. I loved reading it and wanted to share it with everyone! Here is the web address: http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2008_02_19_Dibb.htm

President Hinckley's biography, Go Forward With Faith, was also wonderful and inspiring!

Now, on to bad news. I, for some reason, love to expose my faults and follies on my blog. So, I thought I would share with ya'll my latest blow-up at a complete stranger. On Thursday, I was running errands with the kids right before dinner, and I realized that I had absolutely nothing to feed everyone. Since we were passing a store at that precise moment, I decided to run in quickly and grab something for our dinner. Well, I should have walked straight out when Indi and Rem and Walker all started squabbling over samples being served. I was so embarrassed when all the kids grabbed one of everything before I could stop them and then started trying them and putting them back because they didn't like it. (used sample cups--anyone?) We had a little chit chat about expected behavior and I continued on my search to find something for dinner. 10 minutes later, after a torterous and hurried trip through the store (and I was already feeling VERY frustrated), we made our way to the checkout, only to be approached by an older gentleman who stepped in front of me and then sputtered, "I could hear your ROWDY children through the whole store!" I was so startled by his unkind words that I stared at him dumbfoundedly, then stammered an apology and began to walk away when this surge of rage went through me and I turned around and loudly retorted, "and I had to listen to your miserable voice!"

Okay, so that wasn't really a great come back. I should've left it alone with the "I'm sorry" portion. Why couldn't I walk the high road and let him be the only unkind person? What about setting an example for my children..."Hey kids, this is how we show respect for grumpy old people and how we respond when we are angry!" Or, if I really must say more than "I'm sorry", how about being honest..."I'm sorry they have disturbed what should have been a relaxing shopping trip for you, Sir. If it makes you feel any better, I am even more irritated with them than you, and you have now succeeded in heightening my frustrations even more."

Note to self: when old, do not ever forget that I was once that young mother with the extremely active children, and that offering a hand or a kind word will do far more than piously pretending that my own children were perfect.

Anybody sense my frustration still?

What happended to the high road? Guess I need to work on that one!

And now, I have to tell about my sleepless night, this last Friday. Walker had been sick all afternoon with the flu, but, a couple hours before bedtime he seemed to feel better and went straight to bed. Indi, awoke at 11:00 that night because she was now throwing up. I had high hopes that it would be like Walker's, where he threw up pretty intensely for a couple of hours and then seemed to be over it. Not so. Indi was up every 20-30 minutes (if we were lucky) for the entire night. And, as always happens, when the food was gone she continued dry heaving. I cannot believe what a cute little trooper she was through it all. She never once cried except for when I sensed her discomfort at one point and asked her how she felt. She sniffled a little and said, "I feel really yucky and I have to poop too much (said with a huge sob!)" She had diahrea along with vomit. I never thought that someone could be cute while throwing-up, but she somehow managed. She is such a tough cookie, and I am so grateful that she was quiet...otherwise we might have had the whole house up! I'm also grateful she's my girl--I am a super lucky (and blessed) mom!

I am a highly complex and contradictory individual.