Tender Mercies

Today was a good day.  And I count that a tender mercy.  Because, as I said in yesterday's blog post, I have been struggling with change and adapting, etc.  Today is one more example of how much I am loved by my Heavenly Father; another example of how aware He is of me.

I got a text at 10 from Lea asking me what I was up to today.  I told her nothing much until 3:30.  So she said she was planning to stop by before work if that was okay.  It was -- and I really enjoyed our visit where she got me caught up on their trip to Los Angeles.

I got a text from Annie at 11ish and she was just letting me know that she'd read my blog and she just was encouraging and loving.  I do love Annie!  She is wonderful.  It was a wonderful little piece of happy sunshine that brightened my day :).  (And Annie, I meant to text back and got totally involved in making food.  I'm sorry!  But you did brighten my day :)).

I talked to my dad.  And while he and I almost always get in a heated debate about something every time we talk, I am glad we talk.  We are just a lot alike.  Which means, Dad, that you're a hot-head too ;).  I love my dad -- and I think we just know how to push eachother's buttons so well because we are close.

I got some smile-bringing blog comments.  Okay, call me a dork; but these really do make my day sometimes.  Probably more of that social aspect of things -- like getting feedback.  And I appreciate those who shared their thoughts, advice, and experience of child-birth as they experienced it.

I tried out 3 new recipes I'd pinned on pinterest (more on that below)...

For the crafty/gabby/get-together thing I'm trying to do monthly.  I just invite any of my local friends over for the afternoon/evening to work on any craft they want to bring and just sit around and chit chat.  That social gathering I referred to yesterday.  And I love to have a reason to make yummy food and try new things; so I do that too :).  There's not usually a large group, but those of us who are here enjoy the time and the visiting.  And so I plan to keep doing it :).

I talked to my mom for a bit too.  On the phone.  She actually stopped by for a few minutes while the other ladies were here and she joined in on the visiting after she got off work.  Then she took a couple of the Southwestern Egg Rolls home for her and my grandmother, and she said my grandmother really liked it (and so did my mom).  It was nice to see my mom too.  It's kind of sad to admit, but I live like 3 blocks from her and, now that we're not in the same Ward anymore, it feels like I don't see her very often.  So it was nice to see her here for a few minutes and then talk to her on the phone.

And I listened to Christmas music from about noon until 7 p.m.  Haha...  Well, that's because Jeremy needed to sleep, so he was using the CD we had in the CD player in the bedroom as background noise to drown out the cackling of the women while he tried to sleep.  A Courier and Ives Christmas, so it was instrumental at least.  I love that man.  He does sacrifice a lot for me -- and I am often in awe of what a blessing it is to know he's my husband.  Gush, I know.  But seriously.  I think he does the sweetest things in support of me.

So here's the stuff I made with pictures and links to the website with the recipe :).  I liked all three (though I think Jeremy wasn't so impressed with the punch) and got rave reviews on the cookie dough dip (which is easy peesy!!  Definitely a keeper!)  I think I'll start doing this when I do pinterest things -- whether food or craft.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls

Lime Sherbet Punch

 

Oh, and what craft am I working on?  Well...  I want to hang the following (part of Wordsworth's Ode: Intimations on Immortality) in the nursery.  This baby may not have a crib -- but by golly it's going to have a poem hanging above where that crib should be! ;).  I charted it out today and am now ready to start stitching!

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakendess,
But trailing clouds of glory to we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!

I love that part of the poem, and I think it quite appropriate for a nursery :).

Oh, and yes.  today is 27 weeks.  So here is my picture.  Actually a couple.  I was trying to get a good angle, but the one picture where I'm angled too much so I had to really turn my head...  I was shocked to see what my belly looks like from that angle!  So, naturally, I had to include it here.

Anyway, it was a very good day.  And I do know it was an answer to prayer.  My current struggles may seem silly and insignificant when compared with those of others.  I know that they actually are.  But I matter to our Heavenly Father.  And because of that, my struggles -- no matter how small -- matter to Him too.  I am reminded of a quote from another talk I love:  "I am led to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us."  That talk is easily one of my favorites of all time.

P.S.  I really did have on regular clothes today.  And I meant to take my 27-week picture while I was in regular clothes.  But forgot to until after my shower and jammies...  At least they're different jammies this week ;).