Blessed and Grateful

My babes are asleep and you know, there are a million other things I would like to be doing right now like unpacking boxes, cleaning, laundry, organizing, washing my windows so I can see the beautiful sunshine coming through them...the list goes on.  First things first, that beautiful sunshine coming through my windows is all because we moved! Not a big move, just behind our old apartment actually. But a move is a move and that means boxes and clutter and disruption in my regular schedule. However, in this case, it means more natural light (winter will be so much more bareable!!) and more space. We got a three-bedroom and it is so nice to have some space for the kiddos. So, lots to be grateful for. And I AM!!!  But why am I NOT doing the other things I would like to be doing?! Because I am an invalid right now.
Yep, an invalid. I can hardly walk without looking like I have a disability of some kind. Which is very frustrating to me. I have had the normal lower back pain that comes from having a baby and constantly bending over and moving all day long to keep up with a three year old, so I thought nothing of starting my exercise back up about two weeks ago. Well, now I have a pinched sciatic nerve and last week was horrible! Thank goodness for my Mom and sisters who were so willing to help out. But now, I am on my own and it could be ugly. So much to do, and no one to get it done. Austin works. That is all there is to it. He can't stay home and cater to me, we need the paycheck!
Anyway, the pity-party is over. I really wanted to write because I have had so much on my mind lately. So much gratitude for the blessings in my life. As I sit here on my couch, with the sun warming my face and my sweet babes sleeping peacefully, I can feel my Father's love for me. And I need to put that down somewhere. And since I don't do well at keeping a journal, I guess I will put it here.
A few short weeks ago, I was stressed. To the max. Money. It rules our lives. Especially in our stage of life right now. It stinks. We were struggling with the painful reality of not being able to afford out-of-state tuition for Austin this fall. This fall semester missed meant we would be behind a year-and-a-half!! What?! Yep. He had to be in school this fall to get an internship. And without an internship, we would be staying longer. We have made this subject a matter of prayer for quite sometime now. Family prayers, personal prayers, prayers together, and many discussions of our options. And I felt like there were no answers.
Well, about a week and a half ago, I went to a ward barbecue. The day had been long and frustrating with Sedona and Titan and I considered not going at all because Austin couldn't go and I didn't want to do it by myself. But, going meant that I didn't have to cook dinner. So, I went.
When I got there, I would normally have gravitated toward people I already knew. Sad, I know. But instead, I felt very prompted to go sit by a couple I had seen several times but not taken the chance to get to know them. They don't have kids yet, so I was kind of thinking to myself that I would rather go where Sedona could be social. But nope, the prompting was stronger this time. I listened.
As I visited with this couple, I discovered that neither of them are from WY but that they are paying in-state tuition. Say what?! They told me that they took a letter into the Registrar's office that said his wife was working full-time and they gave him in-state tuition! Well, long story kind-of short, I went home and told my husband and he contacted Brother Wiepert (the husband of the couple) and he volunteered to meet Austin at the Registrar's office the following morning.
When all was said and done, all they needed was a copy of my driver's license and our marriage certificate. He was granted in-state tuition. Austin's tuition went from over $9000 to $2200.  He can go to school this fall. And we could move into a bigger place.
You guys, our Heavenly Father is aware of us. Through all of this, I never wondered where He was. I know He is there. All I have to do is look at my beautiful babies and my amazing husband and that is proof enough for me that He knows me and loves me.  But sometimes, I lack the faith in His timing.  For whatever reason that day, in my frazzled state, He loved me enough to calm my troubled heart long enough for me to feel the prompting of the Holy Ghost. And I am so thankful I acted on it. I am even more thankful that my husband trusted our Heavenly Father as well, and that he didn't delay in acting. 
We have been so blessed. I know our Heavenly Father loves us. I know He is aware of our needs. That helps me to believe that we will find a way to get rid of this physical pain I am in. It is frustrating to not be able to run and be active and get things done. But for some reason, I need to slow down. Maybe I need to not worry about the baby weight and just enjoy my babies. I need to apply the Atonement better in my life and realize He suffered not only for my sins but for my pains as well. I realize that my pain is temporary and that I will eventually be back to "normal" for me. So many people don't have the physical blessings I enjoy and I feel like an ungrateful brat for even whining about it. But hey, it is MY trial right now. And whatever the lesson is that I need to learn, I know it is because of His love for me. 

My Babies

It has been quite a while since I last posted. I thought about trying to play "catch-up", but let's be honest, I rarely take the time to post anyway. No way am I going to try and do 3-4 posts to try and catch up.  Plus, I may no longer have "pregnant brain" but I do have "mom-of-two-on-very-little-sleep" brain. I'm not sure which is worse. All I know, is I probably couldn't even remember enough of the details of the last two months to make decent posts. 

But, I had Michelle take some pictures of my babies when Titan was only 3 days old. I thought I would share some of them. She really does such a great job and I LOVE that I have these sweet pictures. Titan may very well be my last baby and I wanted to make sure I got great pics of them at these precious ages they are in.

Sedona Rose 3 years 4 months      Titan Joseph 3 days

6/18/2014 Titan Joseph Clift 7 lbs 20 inches long

Sedona requested that Michelle take a few pictures of her being silly.  I love how goofy she is.  I love that she loves life and is full of energy. I love how smart she is, and even though it does cause some frustration for me, I love that she thinks and challenges me with some of the things she comes up with. I love how friendly she is and although sometimes it causes some 3-year-old heartbreak, I always encourage her to keep trying and always be kind.  She is very persistent (that is a nice way of saying stubborn).  She is tender-hearted and feels emotions and expresses them well. My Mom said, "When Sedona commits to an emotion, SHE COMMITS." It's true. Proof that she is my daughter.  I think what I love most about Sedona is that she will tell me and her Poppy that she loves us about 100 times a day.  She loves to give hugs and kisses and gets emotional when she is being left behind by one of us (like when Austin goes to work).  She is truly a light in our lives and we love her so much!!

So, for your viewing pleasure, here are some pics of Sedona being silly. ENJOY!!