Challenges

Baby girl has been giving me some trouble, although it may just be my own fault.  I have been very stressed out lately with lots going on; kids have a hard time adjusting to new school (mostly harder curriculum), feeling like my calling is a little too demanding, a messy house, worrying about other kids and just life I guess.  Last week I started having contractions regularly every half hour and some bad lower back pain.  With just over 2 months to go, that was not a good thing.  I talked to a nurse and she told me to stay off of my feet and not lift much.  That is not easy with a toddler in the house.  If the contractions didn't slow down she wanted me to go to the hospital and get checked out.  Well, they were persistent so Neil came home from work early last Wednesday and we found a babysitter for the kids.  Luckily even though they were regular they aren't doing much and I haven't started dilating.  The nurse at the hospital said to take it easy and not lift anything more than 10 pounds.  Anyone that knows me knows I don't do well with getting help from others.

I think this is a learning experience for me.  A lesson in becoming more humble.  I needed to get someone to pick up Austin from school last week.  Luckily there is a boy in his class that is also in our ward and his mom was more than happy to bring Austin home.  We have had to convert Emma's bed to a toddler bed so that I don't have to lift her in and out.  She does not like it!  My easy girl, who would go to bed without a peep now cries when we get close to her room at nap time and bedtime.  Luckily the crying doesn't last long and she eventually finds her way to her bed and goes to sleep.  But when it was so easy before it is hard to hear her crying.  I think this new baby will be a challenge for her.  My house is a mess and the kids are a little out of control.  I know it will pass, but it isn't easy for me.  I have become more of a control freak as the years go by and I don't know how to just sit around.  I have been able to rest though and the contractions have slowed down and the back pain is barely there.  I am thankful for those who have been so willing to help and I hope that I will be able to grow from this and see the Lord's hand in all that we do and go through.  I am excited for General Conference to come and pray that I will learn more about why we go through these challenges in our lives, and how we can move past them and grow from them.