When I prayed after searching for a tool I needed last month, I opened up my scriptures and read "swallowed in depths of the sea".  My mind immediately thought of the backyard, where the tool could be buried in several feet of snow.  So I bought another one and did the job.  Well, today I found that tool, laying in the garden area which was covered in snow last month.  I laughed out loud as I remembered praying and asking the Lord to tell me where it was. Sometimes it's the little things that lets me know God loves and cares about me...and has a sense of humor.

I got a electric hedging thing and went around the yard going a little crazy with it.  In a way it was fun and relaxing, like I was working on some art.  Below are some before and afters or in betweens, in a mixed up order.  I'm not done with the spiral tree, but don't know if I will be able to finish it.  I scooped all of the poop over on the swing side of the backyard and we are having someone clear out all the junk (old cabinets, pallets, and tree branches) and then we will put a little fence so the dogs can't go over on that part of the yard.  I also cut down all the bushes over by the swing so that there will be less wasps over there when kids play. I took all the kids to a new dentist, a pediatric one, hoping the kids would all like it better than our regular dentist.  I was right, their staff is very friendly and helpful.   Will had to get a crown on his tooth and so they gave him laughing gas.  He did great, but doesn't like the crown.  

Happenings...

So, in an effort to do something fun and different for dates and stuff, Dave and I invested in a Bob Ross kit.  Ever since I was young, I thought it would be fun to paint along with a show.  Dave painted most of this, but I helped with some bushes and other small details.  We put paint thinner on with the base coat, which was a mistake.  Our clouds blended instead of being fluffy and everything was just too wet altogether.  However, I think it looks pretty amazing considering.  It took way longer than we thought, so we'll have to finish the other half another time.  It was such a nice weekend, we let the kids out and Maddy rode her bike for the first time.  We can't find training wheels for Wills bike, so, he didn't really try to ride.    I got some yard work done pulling out old weeds and pruning some bushes since I know once the wasps come out, I will not come out.  I would very much like to have a taken care of yard though, so we'll see what I can do.  I also installed 3 new lantern lights outside.  They are a lot bigger than the old ones and let off a lot more light.  I like them.  Now that we have days where it gets a little warmer 40s & 50s, we've also been organizing the garage.  We got pegboard for all our tools and put some shelves up.  We got some bids for the downstairs bathroom and luckily the sewage pipes are right under where the bathroom will go, so as soon as I have time to pull the rest of the drywall off, we will rent a jackhammer (doing ourselves will cost $50 and a few hours instead of paying someone else $1300)  and then we'll be ready for the plumber to come put in pipes.  I had to put that project off to tile in the laundry area since we got a new washer and dryer.  The kids now can and have been doing their own laundry; it has been great!  We got the detergent pods so they don't have to mess with measuring stuff and they can just throw a pod in the wash and press a button that we programmed in.  

I gave him heart to heart bear and it was so sweet watching him.

I have forgotten

I have no idea why I thought I could be choir director.  I have forgotten everything about music theory.  I was figuring it out until in a 6/8 time there are only 4 eighth notes.  What???? So overwhelmed now... I wish I had time to take a class, but how, where, when? Blah...  All I wanted was to pick the music. lol

I have been realizing the last week or so just how important it is to have a strong relationship with the Savior.  I know that if I ever have difficulty understanding something, He will help me get what understanding I personally need to help me accept what I might not understand, even if I don't see the full purpose.  I wish the members of the church who are struggling to know what to think of their religion, especially with current events, would have the faith and foundation to turn to the Lord with their concerns.  It is really sad and even sadder to hear other members say "If you don't like the church, leave it.". Some just lack that understanding and others accept everything without question and can't understand some people need reasoning.  I consider myself balanced, but only when I turn to the Savior.  

The most expensive haircut

I went to get my haircut today.  The girl who cut my hair didn't talk much and neither did I.  At some point I noticed she seemed sad and the more I paid attention it became clearer.  I said a silent prayer for her not knowing anything.  Afterwards, I saw in my mind that I should tip her a specific amount.  As I argued with myself reasoning this or that, I almost began to cry.  I silently asked that could I just tip her a large amount, less than what was in my mind, and surely that would be good enough?  Then I heard clearly in my mind, "(X) will not help her, (X) will."  The rest of the haircut I pretty much waited in vain to hear the spirit tell me something different and wondered if I really would tip that amount.  Well, I did and left as quickly as I could to avoid any awkwardness - I don't really know how to accept gratitude for being overly generous and it wasn't even me she would need to thank anyway.  In the car, the first thing I heard on the radio was about how if God calls you to give, you give.  When the spirit puts something in your heart, you listen.  I started crying and at that moment was so grateful that I had followed my prompting.  Like all things, it's not how we think we should give or serve or love, etc..., but rather how the Lord needs us to be at the moment He asks.  The girl ended up calling to make sure it wasn't a mistake and when I told her that is how much I felt I needed to give her she was very grateful.  I am glad I had this experience and grateful that we are able to sometimes give.  After all, it really wasn't that much and I'm not asked to give money very often.
As it gets closer to when Will gets baptized, I find myself being filled with joy that he will be able to have the holy ghost with him at all times.  I depend on that spirit constantly for just about any choice I make and can't wait for him to receive that gift.