::tender mercies::

We have had such an outpouring of support and love from friends in the community and in the ward since the baby was born. It's made life for me a lot easier. Relief society sisters have been bringing dinners to us, two of our patients families have brought us dinner, we've had calls and visits and offers of help. We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner and told we weren't to bring more than one item. It's been really amazing and taken a lot of pressure and stress off both Kris and I. We've had good food to eat (more than enough good food) every night and haven't had to think about it.

But the other day something happened that was kind of amazing to me.
One of my most favorite foods at Thanksgvingtime is pecan pie. I just love it. It's delicious and so bad for you and reminds me of home. I'm the only one in the family that really likes it. Max won't even try it (crazy kid) and Kris prefers pumpkin pie if he were given a choice.
So I wanted to make one for us this year even though we weren't having Thanksgiving dinner at home. I needed to make that, and a sweet potato casserole to take to dinner and something else I can't remember now. I sent Kris to the store for the ingredients and he wasn't able to get one of the things that I needed. Then he started getting worried about me and told me I was doing too much anyway. This was probably true. I keep thinking I'm fine and I do a bunch of stuff and then I wear myself totally out.

After Kris got back from the store I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize. Turns out it was our neighbor across the street. I've never actually met her in person, though Kris and Max have a few times. She was calling because she wanted to make us a pie. She wanted to check and see if pecan was ok?

Uh, yeah! I told her pecan pie was my favorite thing in the world and we'd love one.

Wow, does that seem like a bizarre coincidence or what? So because of the kindness of a sweet neighbor who wanted to take care of us, I've been able to eat delicious homemade pecan pie without having to make it myself.
Is pecan pie really a blessing? Not to my hips probably, but to my soul? Yes.
It really did feel like a tender mercy. And it feels like the windows of heaven have been wide open with everyone's sweet generosity and there really isn't room enough to receive it all. Thanks to everyone and to our heavenly father that has blessed us with such good friends and such a great place for our little family to be.

::thankful::

(I just wrote this post and it got deleted--I'm very disappointed and I know this recreation won't be the same--I'll try though)

I haven't been feeling very good for the last week. I got a really yucky cold that's laid me low. I've been a little homesick. It would be so nice to be where I could have moms taking care of me.
It's made me think a lot about family.
When I think about it, I think that I've got to be the luckiest person on earth where family is concerned.

I was sent to the perfect family for me. I think my parents are two of the best, sweetest people that I know. They take such good care of me, even when I'm far away. And my siblings? I love them to death. They're wonderful ambitious, smart productive people, and I know they really care about me. I couldn't ask for more.

So don't bother asking me to trade. I won't do it. No way.

And to continue on--
I think I couldn't have found a better family to marry into. Not only did I get Kris, which would've been enough, but I scored two parents that I really love, and some great siblings too. I feel so close to my inlaws. And I know that's a serious blessing, and that it's not always that way, so I really appreciate it.

Nope, nope. Not trading them either.

And finally:

It doesn't get better than this little family. It's perfect. The best, sweetest husband ever, and the cutest little mischievous boy. I love them so much.

It makes me so grateful for the gospel I believe in. For the knowledge that these family ties--so solid, so tangible--don't have an expiration date. That we can be together and keep loving and supporting each other forever.
The thought of that keeps me going through the hard times, as do you my beloved family.