Sunday, November 27, 2011
Speaking of Family Pictures...
My very talented friend, Shari, took some great pictures of my little family. Thought I would share a few!
Thankfuls
I've been trying to post something that I am thankful for on my FB page everyday this month. Some of them have been a little silly, and some days I haven't posted anything at all. FB is not really my forum for posting deep, meaningful things. I haven't been too great about blogging lately, and I need to change that. So, what better way to get all deep and meaningful and catch up on my blog at the same time, than to post a "thankfuls" post?!
It has been an emotional month for me.
I was excited for the change that took place in our stake. I pretty much grew up in the Huntsville Alabama Stake, and to see the growth over the past few years has been awesome. To see the split of the stake was a bit bittersweet, but exciting, too. My parents and sisters and I are not longer in the same stake. Most of the Mayfield clan are in the other stake as well. Not seeing everyone at stake functions will be a little sad, but of course we are family, so we will still see each other!
The changes in the stake brought lots of changes to our ward. I thought I was safe and sound in my "new" calling in the ward as Laurel Advisor. I had only been there for 3 months, so I didn't really think I would be called to anything new. Imagine my surprise when I got a call from a member of the High Council asking if he could come talk to me and Barry. Now imagine my even greater surprise when he said the words, "Stake Relief Society Secretary"!! I've never been really enthused about Relief Society. I love working with the youth, and had been thrilled to finally be back in Young Women. To say that I was shocked and a bit upset are an understatement. But, at the same time, I knew that I wasn't going to turn a calling down, and if the Lord wanted me in this calling then I could do it. I have worked with the Stake RS President, Carol Sue Harries, before, and I love her. It was hard to say goodbye to my Laurels, but before long they will be in RS with me. They were really sweet and told me that Heavenly Father must want the women to have as much fun as they were having, so that is why I was called! I am looking forward to serving with some wonderful women. We had our first ward conference last weekend, and it was fun meeting the sisters of that ward.
Work has been draining. I was in a panic to finish up one of big projects, which involves getting paperwork back from every student and then sorting it, inputting data from it on the computer, and finally getting all of that returned to the central office. Finally got it all done and turned in, but not without a fight! Just hoping they don't send it back because I messed something up! Also this month we discovered that a fellow office worker has lung cancer. I feel so bad for her, but thankfully the doctors think they can get it all with surgery and she will not need any further treatment. I've also been blessed to be chewed out by various callers this month. I know they were not really mad at me, I was just the "lucky" one who they got on the other end of the phone. I don't handle that too well and let it really get to me.
We have been blessed as a family to be able to go out to the farm and help my parents out this month. My mom has dementia, and it is starting to get really bad. My dad is her primary caregiver, and it has been draining on him. He can't get out of her sight, and so he has not been able to get much of anything done on the farm. We went out and cleaned out stalls in the barn one weekend, and we also helped get some firewood cut, split and stacked for them. Money is tight, and any little thing we can do to help them is appreciated. It is so hard watching them go downhill like they are.
So now that I have laid out all my woes, I should probably start counting my blessings!
I am thankful first and foremost for my Heavenly Father. I'm thankful for the testimony I have of Him and my savior, Jesus Christ. I'm thankful to have the gospel in my life, and truthfully, I am thankful for the opportunities for growth it brings to me. Even when the growing pains are hard!
I am thankful to be a mother. It's really the only thing I wanted to be in this life. Each of the kids bring so much joy to my life. It's hard seeing them grow up so fast, and knowing that half of them will be either out of the house, or about to be out of the house this time next year.
Kayti has had a hard month. She thought she would be graduating next month, but was told that she actually needs 4 more credit hours. She used up all of her scholarship money this semester because she thought it was her last one, so she will have to pay for this one on her own. Her plan is to transfer to BYU Idaho next fall, and I told her that she could still do that without actually getting her associates degree, but she felt that she had come this far and didn't want to not get it. I'm proud of her for wanting to finish what she started, even though it means changing her plans somewhat.
Josh was able to get his Partiarchal Blessing this month, and I felt awed and humbled by it. He is a great young man, and I am blessed to be his mother. We were able to go watch him perform in his school's one-act play for their regional competition this month. He loves to act and perform, and the play was wonderful! They won top honors, and will go perform at the state competition next weekend. He is so excited! He will also perform in an individual event, and have the opportunity to audition for scholarships.
Kyle is preparing to get his Patriarchal Blessing. He is such a great kid! He is a gentle giant... not a mean bone in his body. He is concerned about those around him, and wants to make sure that others are treated fairly. He was very proud of himself when he was able to split a log before his brother did!
Megan has been snowed under with school work this month, and the pressure has been getting to her. She has had lots of late nights, and a few complete breakdowns. She cannot wait until next semester when her course-load will be lighter. She was very helpful at the farm while we cleaned out stalls. She pretty much put her brothers to shame! She is currently serving as the Mia Maid Class President, and has enjoyed working with some great leaders. She has been workin hard on her Personal Progress and completed another Value!
I'm thankful to have the job that I have, even if it does drive me nuts sometimes! The hours are great, and for the most part, I get to be home when the kids are home. I work with some of the most amazing people ever. Through a series of unfortunate events (and one of those angry phone calls I spoke of earlier), we learned of a family in need. Immediately there were offers of food, bedding, clothing, personal items, and a few things just for the fun of it for this family. We do an Angel Tree at school every year, and it is for our students in need. This family would not let us add them to the tree, feeling that there were those more in need than they are, but we couldn't let their needs go unmet, either. It was truly heartwarming to see so many to what they could.
I am so very thankful for my parents and sisters. It is hard not being closer to them so I can do more on a daily basis. My younger sister lives on the farm with them, and she has been carrying the brunt of the load, even though her own family demands are astronomical (her husband has MD, and his care demands are high). I don't know how she does all she does, but I am thankful for her. My oldest sister lives about 20 minutes away from the farm, and she does so much, too. It is so reassuring to me to know that they are there to take care of mom and dad.
I've been so blessed to be raised by my parents. They taught me many important life lessons, and worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed... and those things I really didn't need at all, but wanted really badly! I'm glad that I can now go and help them out with a few of the things they need.
I'm thankful for my hubby!! He truly is my best friend. He has let me cry on his shoulder a lot the past month, and also been the first one to try and figure out what more we could do to help my parents out. He works hard to support our family at a job that he really does not like. He has been trying out a new hobby, and he let his first project be something for me!
I'm thankful for my in-laws! We are a large and loud group, but there is a lot of love and support there as well. We are blessed to live so close to each other. They are wonderful to jump in and help when and where they can, or just be a listening ear when needed.
I'm thankful for my health. It's been a scary year, but I'm thankful that there have been medical professionals there when needed. I'm thankful that I feel better than I have in years, and that I am on my way to being a healthier person.
I'm thankful for good friends. I appreciate their words of encouragement, and the way they make me laugh. I also appreciate them doing favors for me, like taking family pictures! Or making me stretch and grow, like asking me to help with Christmas Festival decorations! Or help me be creative, like when we are together at stamp club! And especially when they let me know that things will be alright!
My blessing truly do outweigh my troubles, and I am so thankful for them. And I'm thankful for this time of year that reminds us to be thankful!
It has been an emotional month for me.
I was excited for the change that took place in our stake. I pretty much grew up in the Huntsville Alabama Stake, and to see the growth over the past few years has been awesome. To see the split of the stake was a bit bittersweet, but exciting, too. My parents and sisters and I are not longer in the same stake. Most of the Mayfield clan are in the other stake as well. Not seeing everyone at stake functions will be a little sad, but of course we are family, so we will still see each other!
The changes in the stake brought lots of changes to our ward. I thought I was safe and sound in my "new" calling in the ward as Laurel Advisor. I had only been there for 3 months, so I didn't really think I would be called to anything new. Imagine my surprise when I got a call from a member of the High Council asking if he could come talk to me and Barry. Now imagine my even greater surprise when he said the words, "Stake Relief Society Secretary"!! I've never been really enthused about Relief Society. I love working with the youth, and had been thrilled to finally be back in Young Women. To say that I was shocked and a bit upset are an understatement. But, at the same time, I knew that I wasn't going to turn a calling down, and if the Lord wanted me in this calling then I could do it. I have worked with the Stake RS President, Carol Sue Harries, before, and I love her. It was hard to say goodbye to my Laurels, but before long they will be in RS with me. They were really sweet and told me that Heavenly Father must want the women to have as much fun as they were having, so that is why I was called! I am looking forward to serving with some wonderful women. We had our first ward conference last weekend, and it was fun meeting the sisters of that ward.
Work has been draining. I was in a panic to finish up one of big projects, which involves getting paperwork back from every student and then sorting it, inputting data from it on the computer, and finally getting all of that returned to the central office. Finally got it all done and turned in, but not without a fight! Just hoping they don't send it back because I messed something up! Also this month we discovered that a fellow office worker has lung cancer. I feel so bad for her, but thankfully the doctors think they can get it all with surgery and she will not need any further treatment. I've also been blessed to be chewed out by various callers this month. I know they were not really mad at me, I was just the "lucky" one who they got on the other end of the phone. I don't handle that too well and let it really get to me.
We have been blessed as a family to be able to go out to the farm and help my parents out this month. My mom has dementia, and it is starting to get really bad. My dad is her primary caregiver, and it has been draining on him. He can't get out of her sight, and so he has not been able to get much of anything done on the farm. We went out and cleaned out stalls in the barn one weekend, and we also helped get some firewood cut, split and stacked for them. Money is tight, and any little thing we can do to help them is appreciated. It is so hard watching them go downhill like they are.
So now that I have laid out all my woes, I should probably start counting my blessings!
I am thankful first and foremost for my Heavenly Father. I'm thankful for the testimony I have of Him and my savior, Jesus Christ. I'm thankful to have the gospel in my life, and truthfully, I am thankful for the opportunities for growth it brings to me. Even when the growing pains are hard!
I am thankful to be a mother. It's really the only thing I wanted to be in this life. Each of the kids bring so much joy to my life. It's hard seeing them grow up so fast, and knowing that half of them will be either out of the house, or about to be out of the house this time next year.
Kayti has had a hard month. She thought she would be graduating next month, but was told that she actually needs 4 more credit hours. She used up all of her scholarship money this semester because she thought it was her last one, so she will have to pay for this one on her own. Her plan is to transfer to BYU Idaho next fall, and I told her that she could still do that without actually getting her associates degree, but she felt that she had come this far and didn't want to not get it. I'm proud of her for wanting to finish what she started, even though it means changing her plans somewhat.
Josh was able to get his Partiarchal Blessing this month, and I felt awed and humbled by it. He is a great young man, and I am blessed to be his mother. We were able to go watch him perform in his school's one-act play for their regional competition this month. He loves to act and perform, and the play was wonderful! They won top honors, and will go perform at the state competition next weekend. He is so excited! He will also perform in an individual event, and have the opportunity to audition for scholarships.
Kyle is preparing to get his Patriarchal Blessing. He is such a great kid! He is a gentle giant... not a mean bone in his body. He is concerned about those around him, and wants to make sure that others are treated fairly. He was very proud of himself when he was able to split a log before his brother did!
Megan has been snowed under with school work this month, and the pressure has been getting to her. She has had lots of late nights, and a few complete breakdowns. She cannot wait until next semester when her course-load will be lighter. She was very helpful at the farm while we cleaned out stalls. She pretty much put her brothers to shame! She is currently serving as the Mia Maid Class President, and has enjoyed working with some great leaders. She has been workin hard on her Personal Progress and completed another Value!
I'm thankful to have the job that I have, even if it does drive me nuts sometimes! The hours are great, and for the most part, I get to be home when the kids are home. I work with some of the most amazing people ever. Through a series of unfortunate events (and one of those angry phone calls I spoke of earlier), we learned of a family in need. Immediately there were offers of food, bedding, clothing, personal items, and a few things just for the fun of it for this family. We do an Angel Tree at school every year, and it is for our students in need. This family would not let us add them to the tree, feeling that there were those more in need than they are, but we couldn't let their needs go unmet, either. It was truly heartwarming to see so many to what they could.
I am so very thankful for my parents and sisters. It is hard not being closer to them so I can do more on a daily basis. My younger sister lives on the farm with them, and she has been carrying the brunt of the load, even though her own family demands are astronomical (her husband has MD, and his care demands are high). I don't know how she does all she does, but I am thankful for her. My oldest sister lives about 20 minutes away from the farm, and she does so much, too. It is so reassuring to me to know that they are there to take care of mom and dad.
I've been so blessed to be raised by my parents. They taught me many important life lessons, and worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed... and those things I really didn't need at all, but wanted really badly! I'm glad that I can now go and help them out with a few of the things they need.
I'm thankful for my hubby!! He truly is my best friend. He has let me cry on his shoulder a lot the past month, and also been the first one to try and figure out what more we could do to help my parents out. He works hard to support our family at a job that he really does not like. He has been trying out a new hobby, and he let his first project be something for me!
I'm thankful for my in-laws! We are a large and loud group, but there is a lot of love and support there as well. We are blessed to live so close to each other. They are wonderful to jump in and help when and where they can, or just be a listening ear when needed.
I'm thankful for my health. It's been a scary year, but I'm thankful that there have been medical professionals there when needed. I'm thankful that I feel better than I have in years, and that I am on my way to being a healthier person.
I'm thankful for good friends. I appreciate their words of encouragement, and the way they make me laugh. I also appreciate them doing favors for me, like taking family pictures! Or making me stretch and grow, like asking me to help with Christmas Festival decorations! Or help me be creative, like when we are together at stamp club! And especially when they let me know that things will be alright!
My blessing truly do outweigh my troubles, and I am so thankful for them. And I'm thankful for this time of year that reminds us to be thankful!
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