Large or small, so grateful prayers are heard and answered...

I don't know if you heard... Yes, it was that huge sigh that just came from the depths of my being.  If you only could have experienced the anxiety I've been feeling--weighing me down, hanging over my head, never quite out of my mind, then you would appreciate that sigh.  What is the cause?  Yep, I joined our school PTA, and what's more than that, I volunteered to head a new fundraiser! 

Please, keep the snickering down.  Good has already come from it as I've had another opportunity to see the Lord's tender mercies in my life.  I agree, this may not be considered a huge, or really important item, but I know that isn't how our Heavenly Father judges importance.  Because I am a daughter of our Heavenly Father, just as each of us are His children, I know that if something holds importance in my life, it is in turn important to Him.  Now, I know that doesn't mean that all my cares are completely taken away and that challenges won't fall across my path, but I can rest assured that I will learn from each of life's experiences and that I can become better because of them--regardless of the outcome.  I also know that there are those precious, brilliant moments when with complete certainty I can say "my prayer was answered".  It's so wonderful to be paying attention at those times.  I wonder how many other times prayers are answered, possibly in ways that I wasn't expecting or maybe even wanting, and I missed recognizing the Lord's hand in my life; missed a chance to thank Him specifically for His blessings.  I'm feeling very grateful right now.  Let me explain...

Back to the PTA.  So I am chairing the Poinsettia Sale that our primary and middle schools are having.  It's the first year for this particular fundraiser so there hasn't been any past information with which I could benefit.  Did I mention that my committee consists of me?  Just little ole me.  Just little ole me who is brand spanking new to PTA and not familliar with the schools at all!!!  YIKES!  Let me just say that I have been learning a lot, and taking tons more time than what might have been needed if there would have been help.  I'll try to focus on the "learning a lot" part to that, but more important, my latest challenge was overcome today!

With fundraisers and other events, visual publicity is important; flyers, email blasts, signs, etc.  For those that know me, it is undisputed that I lack in visually artistic talents--I don't draw, paint, sketch--you get the picture--I was blessed with siblings that do all of that!  Regardless of that well known fact among my circle of friends and family, the PTA required that I perform.

Before submitting to my daunting task of creating TWO, 10 to 12 foot long signs, I took a moment to say a simple prayer.  I asked for help in accomplishing this task that was ahead of me.  After explaining my perdicament, I simply asked that I might be blessed with the ability to make the signs look presentable.  I wasn't asking for a talent that I didn't have or extremely unrealistic results.  Grateful for the peace that comes with prayer, I began.  Wouldn't you know, the Big Guy Lowe just happened to come in then (we had just put the boys to sleep) and asked what he could do to help.  Another level of peace came with the help of my greatest love.  (thanks babe)  I layed the paper out and began with the paint.  After a few hours of real work, I was thrilled with the results.  My prayers had indeed been answered.  The signs were finished and they looked great! (remember who's talking here!!)

Now, this might not have been like the time when the Big Guy Lowe and I were pleading with the Lord that we might be blessed to have children, even when the doctors told us it wouldn't be possible.  It might not be like the time we had just put money down on a house in California when we thought it was right, just to know it wasn't the next week, allowing us to safely remove ourselves without any negative consequences.  It might not be like the nights I have sat up with a sick child, praying that they might get better or that I might know when to take them to the hospital if things were to get worse.  But without a doubt in my mind and heart, I know the simple prayer offered last night from a little mother struggling to fulfill her seemingly inconsequential PTA responsibility was answered, and I am grateful. 

There is a God.  We are His children.  He loves us and wants us to reach out to Him.  He will always bless us, even when those blessings might not come as a requested 'poster'.  As for last night, I'm grateful the blessing did come in the form of finished posters--after much work.  He helped me be better than I was by myself.  I'm grateful, so very grateful.

Want to see the posters?  Take a look at these!

The Big Guy Lowe and I hung them up today.  I am so relieved they are finished...

and I am grateful...

YAHOO!! Big Boy Undies grace our home once again!!

Yes, you read correctly.  Oh, can you feel the excitement buzzing though my fingers as I type this?  I can barely contain myself to sit instead of doing a huge happy dance!!  YAHOO!!!  YIPEE!!!  Smiles to everyone everywhere!!  It is a good day!

Okay, now that I have released some of my excitement I will explain the reason for my excited bliss.  Our middle son is now wearing big boy underwear everyday!!!!  Yes, you read that correct!!!  YAHOO!!  YIPEE!!  Opps, there I go again.  I am just so happy!

Last week we decided to go to the store and let him pick out some big boy underwear so that he could have something to begin encouraging him to use the potty on a more regular basis.  For a short while he had been using the potty every once in awhile, but not regularly.  I guess spiderman and Lightening McQueen have a way with convincing little boys to try a little harder!  Once we returned home "Big D" asked to put his new big boy underwear on.  I figured that it couldn't do any harm and decided to give him the opportunity.  He didn't have one accident that day!  Imagine my surprise, as well as the creeping hope that maybe, just maybe, we might be approaching the realm of another diaperless boy.  Well, in the past week there have been a few accidents, some my own fault, but other than that Big D has done great!!  Our biggest hurdle was overcome last night though.  For lack of a better term, #2 finally ended up in the potty on purpose!!  YAHOO!!! YIPEE!!!  I felt like I had spent the majority of the day in the bathroom as Big D needed to go, but alas, the fear of #2 appeared to be winning...until the evening.  Big D was so happy, he said that he wasn't scared and that it didn't hurt and that he heard the water splash!!  Oh these details will be relished when Big D is in his teens.  We are so happy for our son and for our garbage that has already noticeably decreased this past week.

Now we just need to work on the proper way to wear the big boy underwear...or is it okay now to tuck shirts into them?  ;)

Congrats Big D!!  We love you and knew you could do it!!!!

World's coolest mom

I am happy to say that I am friends with the World's Coolest Mom!  Let me explain...

Yesterday was going to be a great day.  Our oldest didn't have school and we were all excited to play like we did throughout the summer.  Don't get us wrong, school is great, but we also love playing together and exploring outside throughout the entire day!  Knowing that we had a free day coming, we planned with our friends the Crumb Crunchers, to share yet another day in the great outdoors.

The Crunchers have one of the greatest yards we know, and with the promise that there were many Praying Mantis to be found in their back field, we didn't hesitate to bring our treats, nets and buckets.  We knew it was going to be a fabulous day!

We were not let down!


While most of the boys were having a great time playing in the sandbox,

...our oldest son was on the hunt!  First a little garter snake was found.
 
Then, the world's coolest mom really started to shine. Knowing the love my oldest has for creatures/critters, she decided to start their riding lawn mower to take a few swipes of the yard to stir things up.  How cool was that?  My oldest son was so excited!



Prepared with net and bug house in hand he diligently followed the mower, looking for whatever might be moving.

When movement was seen in the tall grass, did the world's coolest mom stay on her mower?  NO!  She jumped right off and helped look!

Think that was cool enough?  Not even close.  After their search, she got the 'go-ahead' from me and then let our oldest son drive the mower himself!!!

I don't know how many passes she let him take, but she walked with him all over that back field.  I tried hard to take some pictures of our oldest looking like he was out there by himself--because I knew he would think that was great, but the world's coolest mom was never far.

After mowing awhile, the hunt continued for things.

More snakes, grasshoppers, praying mantis and other insects were captures for observation.

Doesn't this just make your heart sing?  Boys, bug, and snakes.  The only thing that could have made this day better would have been throwing in a trip to the creek!

Thank you, World's coolest mom, for helping us have such a great day! We think you are amazing, and I am grateful that I get to call you my friend.

Brothers and friends

There are many things that bring me joy as a mom, but one of the greatest is observing our boys being friends--all on their own.

And then making sure all of them get in on the love!

I love these boys!!

Our first child's first day of first grade

He was so excited. He'd been talking about this day for quite awhile. He was ready to go with his clothes set out the night before and his backpack loaded with all of the supplies on his list. For breakfast I made him a german pancake--his favorite. With both of his brothers still sleeping it gave The Big Guy Lowe and I some time to spend with him to talk about the day that was before him. So, maybe he was a little nervous, he shared, but he was mostly excited.

Before we got ready to leave, our son received a father's blessing. Because the Big Guy Lowe has been given the priesthood, meaning that he has the authority to act in the name of Christ to serve or bless others--and he is worthy to use it, he was able to give a special blessing to our son--specific to his needs and those things that his dad was inspired to say. It was a beautiful experience and our oldest son--in all of the wisdom of his six years--gave his dad a hug and told him how grateful he was to get a father's blessing. My mother's heart was swelling with love and gratitude.

Now it was time to go to school!

We arrived at school and quickly found his classroom. He was happy and a bit surprised to see other kids that he recognized from last year.

Now he was happy and starting to become calm with everything. We met his teacher and explained the curse of going by a middle name instead of a first name. She reassured that all would be well. We then found his desk which happened to be across from one of his best friends--Logan!! (It will be interesting to see how long those seats remain that way!!) :)

After following his teacher's written instructions on the chalk board, all of a sudden it hit me that my son was ready for me to leave--maybe even before I was ready to go. He was talking with his friends, laughing and looking absolutely happy. It really was time. I said goodbye and started to leave, something that I realized was harder for me to do at that moment than it was for my son to have happen. He was fine, and that made it easier, but there was still a part of me that again realized my son was growing up...quickly. I said a silent prayer for him to be protected and kind to others as I began my lonely walk back to the car.

The day was SO LONG! I didn't count how many times our middle son asked when his brother was going to get home or if it was time for us to get him from school. I was wondering too! I found that I really missed him. Boy, I have so much to learn as a parent.

Finally the time came for school to be out! Yippee!! Earlier we had decided to have our oldest ride the bus home because his good friend would be riding too--he was just at the next stop after ours. After waiting an exceedingly long time, the bus was FINALLY coming!

I was happy to see that he had the same bus driver as he had the year before--she is wonderful and always instilled a sense of comfort as our son would leave my protection and climb onto that bus. And then there was our oldest--all happy and comfortable in his new first grade status (also a bit embarrassed that his mom was taking pictures again!).

It was a successful day! Our oldest was excited to see his brothers and tell them (and the Big Guy Lowe and me) about his day. He wanted to know if they missed him (something that meant alot to me). He explained all about his day in first grade and shared great excitment that he now has TWO recesses a day and gets to eat lunch at school. Could anything be better?

Sigh. It's been a big day and it will start again tomorrow. We have a lot to be grateful for and today. I'm focusing on our oldest son and his wonderful growth into a bigger boy. There is a part of me that still feels a saddness about him growing up so fast--I can only imagine how I will feel at other milestones he has yet to meet. We'll meet them though, maybe with a tear, but hopefully with smiles too. Have I mentioned that I love my boys--and their father? I do.

Our new favorite breakfast at home

Eggs Benedict.

The Big Guy Lowe will almost always order it if out for breakfast. This past weekend we finally bought the little pan that makes it easy and clean to poach eggs. Hence, our fully home made eggs benedict-- from the hollandaise sauce to the hash browns. Ohhhhh my was this good!

I think I could eat it again tomorrow morning...

The Force is with us

Every night before the boys go to bed, we read as a family from The Book of Mormon--another testament of Christ which we read along with the Bible. This past weekend we finished reading The Book of Mormon another time. Whenever we do this we find something fun to do as a family to celebrate. This time was no different. I need to give a bit of background in order for people to understand this celebration...

Our family loves Star Wars.

This past Halloween our oldest son was a Clone Trooper and our middle son was Darth Vader (he didn't like wearing the mask though).

We wanted our littlest guy to be Yoda, but many other families beat us to purchasing the costume it seems, as they were all sold out...everywhere!! When he's older, do you think he's going to mind that he was a pumpkin amid such powerful companions? Hmmm, something to ponder another time.

Another example of this love our family has was when our oldest son wanted to write Mr. Lucas and ask him if he could assist in creating another movie--as it had been too long! We took pictures of him with all of his Star Wars paraphernalia to include with the letter.

Our oldest spent quite a bit of time placing each action figure/ship/etc right where he wanted them. This was the picture he liked. :) Interestingly enough, soon after the animated movie came out. No, we can't take any credit, but our son was thrilled!

Well, a few weeks ago the Big Guy Lowe and I were out shopping alone (GASP!) when we stumbled upon a store completely dedicated to Star Wars. How perfect! We knew we would be returning with the boys. It became our celebratory activity for completing The Book of Mormon!


It's always fun when plans turn out. The boys LOVED the store and EVERYTHING in it!




I wonder what we will do the next time we finish?