November Times

These past couple weeks since I was released from the Relief Society President have been interesting.  I started my "new" job at work and without having a calling things just felt different.  I honestly was feeling lost in a way, not sure what to do.  I felt like my confidence was gone, and more specifically I felt like the Spirit wasn't as strong with me.  Things that used to be so easy to me seemed a little more difficult to do.  As I started thinking about it, it reminded me of when I got home from my mission.  I know in both cases I had been "warned" about it beforehand, but you can never truly know what to expect.  The mantle that I was given both as a missionary and then as the Relief Society President was in fact gone.  As strange as it sounds I felt as if a piece of me was missing and I was definitely feeling the difference.  I didn't feel complete anymore without that extra measure of the Spirit and direction and I felt the past 3 years.  Work was "easier" as was all other aspects of my life in that I felt I was able to complete more it seemed in my "limited" amount of time.  I know the Lord in fact blessed me while serving as the president.

As I was feeling this way I decided to ask Steve for a blessing of comfort and strength.  The blessing was just what I needed to hear and also what I needed to feel.  Since then I've been feeling much better per say.  Today I also got another calling as a Relief Society Instructor.  I'm excited for this new opportunity to serve the sisters in our branch.  As I was set apart I was encourage to seek the Spirit and teach towards their needs.  In the blessing Steve gave me last week I was also encouraged to pray more frequently in order to know the Lord's will and to have the Spirit w/ me stronger.  I know these things will definitely help me feel that extra measure of the Spirit that I'm needing.

Aside from feeling this way, things are going well for me at work w/ my new position.  It's been nice being able to set my own schedule per say.  As a Portfolio Specialist you're technically salary so you can come and go as you'd like, as long as your work gets done.  Since I'm just on loan though, I've been making sure I get 40 hours in and usually 3-4 hours more.  When Steve has class on Monday/Wednesdays at 5pm I've been able to get off at 4pm in order to meet him and switch off w/ Nyles so he can get to class on time.  Aside from just getting off when I need/like, it's also been nice to have a little more daylight.

The flip side of course is that sometimes you'll need to stay late to accommodate for certain clients.  This past Wednesday I had an appointment at 5 pm and didn't get done until 6pm.  Steve dropped Nyles off at Dave/Joann's then went to class.  He actually got out of class about the same time I got off, so he headed to get them since I was jumping on the train still.  While Nyles was at Dave/Joann's place, they gave him some peanut butter and he had a reaction to it.  He's done that one other time to us also.  Around his mouth it turned a reddish-purple color.  He didn't stop breathing thankfully but it did stay that way for a little while but then eventually went away.  He's had PB before and didn't have any problem so it seems to be random at this time.  We called his Pediatrician the next day and he said to come it so he could look at him.  After learning more about it the Pediatrician felt it would be best for us to take him to an Allergy Specialist.  So next Monday, the 2nd we're going to get him test and find out what exactly he's allergic to.  In the mean time he gave us a prescription for an EpiPen in case he is given something and stops breathing.  It's a little scary but I guess we don't know for sure until after the appointment, and no matter what it is the Lord will help us to be able to care best for Nyles.  We love him so much and are so thankful to have him in our lives.

Nyles had his 15 month appointment on the 12th as well.  He weighed 21 lbs (8th percentile) and was 31.7 inches long (70th percentile), which he grew a good amount since last time he was only the 58th percentile.  His head has been a little more steady at 47.8 cm which is the 69th percentile.  The DR said he growing great, just might be a skinny kid ;)  Nyles has been doing well walking w/ his walker that is, but just hasn't quite got confident enough to go w/out it.  He doesn't like wearing shoes/sandals though that's for sure!

Taking off his sandals

Zooming past w/ his walker.  

He likes to talk my lunch bag and take off w/ it.

Just cruising around being cute!

This past couple weeks we've been a little sick as well. I first got sick.  I mainly was tired and a stuffy nose.  We went to the DR on the 10th and she said it was a virus so it would just have to run its course.  She suggested taking Mucinex and a nasal spray, so we went and picked them up.  This past week Steve started feeling not the best and Nyles has had a runny nose also.  When Steve took him into the DR on Friday he let him know what was going on, but also that a cousin had croup recently who we were around on Sunday.  The Dr said that sometimes kids can get croup w/out the coughing if their immune system is strong enough, so it was possible that they both had it just w/out the coughing.  He's been sleeping a little more (thankfully still through the night also), hasn't been wanting to eat us much, and has been a little more "sensitive" but overall he's doing better now.

Steve, Nyles and Conor at the Honoree Dinner

(They climbed up on the little table all by themselves!)

Last Sunday we had our annual "Honoree Dinner" where we select someone to honor.  This year was Ryan Hammet, Carrie's husband.  He's a convert to the church and with everything going on these days we felt we would focus more on the spiritual talents.  It really does take a lot of courage and strength to convert to the Gospel.  We decided to give him a picture of Christ with the saying from C.S. Lewis, "Don’t shine so that others can see you.  Shine, so that through you, others can see HIM."  We also gave him a 100 hour emergency candle with the scripture from Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."  Lastly we gave him a cake mix and frosting (ingredients) w/ this poem.

Ingredients for a Heavenly Home

First, at the very beginning, invite the Holy Ghost to your home to stay.

Crush Temptations and Sin and set them aside outside the bowl.

Blend in one Temple Marriage, one Mother (who loves Dad), one Dad (who loves Mother).

Gradually add Children.

Quickly stir in Living the Gospel: Scripture Study, Prayer, and Meeting Attendance.

Sprinkle liberally with Courtesy and Communication.

Garnish with the Word of Wisdom: Exercise, Proper Diet, and Rest.

Pour Love over everything.

Serve with Unselfishness.

Nyles being silly like usual and putting his feet up.

Helping w/ laundry...he actually took the basket and pushed it from our room into the living room, then started to take it out.  Silly kid.  I hope we can teach him to do laundry as his first chore since he likes it so much.  He likes to push the buttons on the laundry machines also.

 Eating at California Pizza Kitchen, since we had free meals.  

Nyles liked the kids menu, especially the crayons!

 

Steve is getting close to getting done w/ this semester of school.  He should be done about the second week of December w/ all his finals, so it's getting closer.  I know he'll be glad to be done with his classes, like usual.  I'm also looking forward to some time off.  I'll have Thanksgiving off and the day after (Steve's birthday).  I'm also going to have the 6th off and 4 days during Christmas week, which will be awesome!  I can't believe this year is coming near to a close already; it sure has gone fast.  

Happy Thanksgiving this week!