The Parable of Embarking

The 2015 theme for the LDS Youth Program is from D&C 4:2: 

“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day”

Last night was New Beginnings for our Young Women. We chose a nautical theme for the year, and last night we just went ahead and built a boat. It's pretty lucky that our Bishop is a boat builder by hobby. He had all sorts of anchors and compasses and maps and ship things that he was so excited to share. And then he built a boat.

If you couldn't tell, the boat sail also doubled as a projector screen, because why not? Other than, or maybe equal to the boat's coolness factor was the fact that these girls took complete control of the whole night. The girls conducted, the girls did special musical numbers, the girls presented the theme, and the motto and the Young Women values. These girls are absolutely incredible. I thought I was the bees knees when I was a Young Women, but let's face it. This generation is on a whole different level. They are strong and powerful and insightful and kind. They have mile long resumes (ALREADY). They have strong testimonies and they are good. They are so good.

Our Young Women president, Lisa (who is an exceptional friend and also happens to be my midwife so I try really hard not to think about everything she's seen when we're at church trying to be grown ups. I'm totally kidding, it doesn't bother me at all) presented the Theme for the year with a beautiful parallel: boats and our spiritual journey, or Embarking. 

Boat: our testimony, our character

Safe harbor: our homes, church, families

Storms, wind and rain: trials, heartache

Light house: the temple

Anchor: "The Savior's hope is the anchor of my soul"

Her comparison of temples and lighthouses struck a chord with me. These sacred places of worship are literal lighthouses; whenever possible, set on a hill, brightly lit for all the world to see, places of safety in the storms of life. I loved all the imagery. 

And then I started thinking about all of Jesus' miracles with water. Calming the sea, walking on water, saving Peter from unbelief, breaking nets with bounteous fishing...As I thought about what water meant in the Parable of Embarking, I realized that storms create opportunity. And that in every instance of watery miracles, He plucked perfection out of the midst of a figurative and sometimes even literal storm. I know He can see the perfect and the prospect in every storm, because He overcame them all. 

I feel like I bring this up a lot. I must be slow to keep having the same realization so many times. It must be one of those lessons I really need! If so, I'll take it. It's an inspiring one. 

Life Lately

This morning was just the greatest. Michael was completely exhausted by 6 A.M. It was his third time awake since he was tuck-tucked so it's understandable. I know buddy, I feel it too. He ate, laughed at JR sleeping next to us for awhile, and then snuggled for a good solid 10 minutes. I mean full head on the shoulder, didn't move a muscle, could have been completely asleep cuddling. I hardly moved a muscle either. And then when I couldn't stand it anymore because my neck was kinked and I had to move, he still cuddled. I love you, baby boy.

JR started another semester of school last week, and I started a full schedule in the office this week. Life has been pretty crazy at our house, but we're having fun too. JR decided to take a photography class and last weekend we got to buy a nice camera. It's been fun to watch him experiment with a new toy. He's documenting all the most super important things for sure. Action shots of Michael (which always include drool), Gus, and me mid-bite at dinner. I'm hoping that so far he's only practicing and my mouth full of food doesn't make his end of the semester portfolio.

Because of our new schedule, nights are getting later and our hours together are fewer and far between. We decided to make more of an effort to have a real date night. JR and I trade off weeks planning date night, and so far (week one down) it's been really fun! 

Our first date night was dinner and Cupcake Wars with Jeffica. We ate at Los Cucos - guys, they have stuffed avocados, what?! - and every one of us loved what we ordered. And also Maelyn loved the beans. Over dinner we came up with a budget, decided on a Hollywood theme for Cupcake Wars and then split up boys vs. girls to shop for ingredients. Jessica and I cheated a bit, and ultimately ended up loosing to the boy's creative red carpet premiere. I would, however, like to point out that in the still of the night, after cleanup and warring was over, JR did admit the girl's cupcakes tasted much better.

Boys: Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Topped with the cast of BBT,

a red rope and flashing cameras.

Girls: 1. Vanilla cupcake with caramel, chocolate popcorn and a straw on top, and 2. Lemon infused cupcake with a strawberry and white chocolate star for our "Walk of Fame". Both cupcakes had butter cream, white chocolate frosting.

In other news, Michael is now mobile. He scoots all over the town. It's pretty funny. His little butt, I am convinced, does most of the work. If he's scooting it is UP. In the air. He uses his little butt a lot, but the funniest part is that his arms usually get stuck under his belly and he tends to face plant a lot. Also, lots of cleavage. Lots.

Happy almost Friday (!!!!!). Have a great weekend!

Postpartum

Okay. It's time to talk about postpartum all the things. You should know by now that I'm a sucker for a good list. In keeping with tradition, and because it's my all time favorite way to plan everything, here's another. (Side note, the list rules my life, and sometimes I write things on the list just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off. "wake up in the morning" check. Does anyone else do that? No?)

Postpartum Body
My body will never be the same. It just will not. And because of the things I have been able to experience through my body, I don't think I ever want it to. It will never be the same, but I think it will forever be stronger and better for the miracle of motherhood.

I will always have faint marks to tell the story of my skin stretching So. Much. I might have tiny sprouts of hair regrowth on my head for at least ten years. Maybe lower back pain indefinitely, most likely a better sense of the miracle of human life forever, and why do I feel like I have premature arthritis now?

Postpartum Schedule
Um. Is this a thing? I don't think so...Unless it's: grab snatches of sleep when and however you can, take less showers even though you always smell like baby something (spit, food, poop, etc.), kiss baby cheeks at least 200 times everyday, and always feel tired. Also it takes about 17 times longer to get ready to leave with a baby so you will probably always be late. Yes. That is the schedule.

Postpartum Depression
This IS a thing. And when your doctor prescribes an anti-depressant, it makes you more depressed. Taking it is also very depressing. It seems counterproductive until that depressing pill starts to mute your world. Then the moods aren't so drastic, but you also feel like you should be feeling more of something. Anything. There is a spattering of not so good days, and more really bad days but that perfect baby and a husband who loves your flaws into non-existence can usually put a smile on your face.

Overall, after baby, the time dubbed postpartum, has been incredibly hard. It's ironic too, because that baby boy fills me with so much purpose. His arrival has been so monumental that I sometimes feel like he has aligned the universe and put me right where I belong. This wife-slash-mom gig is seriously the greatest.