The Art of Patience

We have FHE (Family Home Evening) every Monday night. Sometimes we have a family council where we talk about schedules, or vacations, or rules. Or it could be an activity like carving pumpkins, or planting the garden. My favorite has been the birthday tradition. We all take a turn telling the birthday person why we love them, appreciate them and even like them! And we always end with some sort of treat. Yesterday, we went out for ice cream. But before that, Pete gave a "lesson" where we read James 1:2-4 and parts of a talk given by Neal A. Maxwell entitled, "Patience" (https://www.lds.org/ensign/1980/10/patience?lang=eng).

We all have expectations and sometimes we are disappointed if things didn't work out like we expected. We sometimes want to play victim and have any emotion we feel appropriate. And feel Justified in that emotion. We talked about some things but here is what i heard: Instead of complaining or being sad at what I am limited with or things I cant do that I loved, find Joy in the life I do have. Joy in things I can do.

His examples were things i had thought of before; a gym meet that didn't end as expected....; mom and dad didn't sign up for our lives to be difficult like this....; our dog having to be put down because of old age. The thing that made me look at things a little deeper was when he mentioned that Christian didn't sign up to be a baby when his mom had surgery. Although, that made me so sad, Pete followed it up with saying in spite of that he still chose to be a happy boy, starting kindergarten and enjoying life.

We all get to look at the wonderful things in life and not add up the unfair things instead. Christian may only be 5 but that is where we can try to be more like a child. Instead of looking for compensation, look for the happy. You'll find whatever you're looking for.

Mount Rushmore

Waterpark with cousins...Awesome!

Door County was CHILLY! We got cool hoodies to stay warm.

January 2015

It must be a while since I have written because it took me SEVERAL minutes to figure out how to get here.

Something very exciting happened this week! Wait for it....I wore heels!!!  Well I don't know if it counts technically because they were tall boots (so they stayed on) but they had 2 in. heels not conservative short wedges. I got to the point that I felt somewhat confident that I wouldn't have a spectacular spill.  I was going out without kids and I could hold on to Pete if I needed. I was anything but graceful but I soooo enjoyed it!

This Aug I went wake boarding with no expectations. I surprised all of us by getting up on the second try. My friend Sara Paul videoed this and then sent it to my mom.

"Who would have thought Amanda would be doing this 1 year ago."

 A day on a boat is always magical!

Although in April my therapist gave me a referral to Dr. Ward I didn't make an appt. until October.  I finally googled him and found he is a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial paralysis doing research for his degree and continuing for University of Utah. I had preconceived notions about my "need" for Botox, therefore it took me several months to see him. As I understand it though, Botox was developed for situations like mine, so, willing to try anything...

I hated the injections and as Pete and I were leaving the office I was certain I would never do it again. The next several days the injections began to take effect and I quickly loved the result. The muscle under my right eye no longer squinted when I smiled; the dimples from paralysis on my chin were gone; my neck no longer strained on my right; the muscles around my smile and forehead on the left were softened making things look more symmetrical. I love it! The number of staring people has dramatically gone down. Not that I mind the questions but most people won't ask.

 MAY                                     AUGUST

 NOVEMBER

  I'm not perfect but more ready to like pictures of myself than I have been for a long time.

I continue to wear a patch (moisture chamber) because my eye dries out here. In Florida, Seattle and other humid climates I hardly use the patch.  I still put eyedrops in. I still walk a little off balance. (People on the cruise we took were concerned about my drinking habits- but I don't drink!) My Mom and Dad regularly take Christian so I can sleep. Pete gets the kids to school in the morning starting at 6 so I can sleep till 9. I have many people making things soooo much easier and cheering us on. Simply put, we are blessed.