Attending the Temple! August 2015

Before we had Audrey, Ryan and I made a goal to go to the temple at least once a month. We did really well till I became pregnant with Audrey. Then it became hard for me to sit still and not be sick. We still tried, and in the following years, we got too lax with going. So this year I decided to set the date and go. One particular Saturday morning, I arose and told Ryan it was time to get ready to go to the temple. I had set all my girls up to be with friends, be picked up from art class or dance, and be kept until Ryan and I could make it home. So I was dissapointed when Ryan told me he had to work. Guess what? I went anyway by myself.

As I pulled up to the temple, on of my sisters started to txt me. By the time I drove through the parking lots on all sides of the temple, I finally found a spot on the street. I sat there for a few minutes responding to my sister, feeling the need to give some emotional support was more important than rushing in to the temple. 

By the time I did get out of my car and make it through the temple doors, I was informed that I had just missed the session, and that the next one wasn't for another half hour. So I decided to just go in and see what ever was needed. As I went to the womens dressing room, I was told that all the water in the temple had just gone out. What!? So I sat patiently in a chair by the little ladies who man the counter in the women's locker. They were so soft and sweet to everyone who came. We all waited to know what would be done with the water situation. 

Once the temple president gave the ok to continue with other work, I changed my cloths and sat quietly waiting to be called. As I sat there, an old family friend happened to sit next to me. So we quietly caught up on our lives. 

Imagine my disappointment as the same sweet lady who told us we could change came back to me and said that the temple president decided to close the temple because they did not know what was happening with the water, and didn't know when it would be fixed. So I quickly changed back into my street cloths and made my way back to my car.

I TRIED! It's the effort that counts right? 

I wasn't going to drive all the way home after going all the way to Los Angeles with out stopping for some macaroons at Bodega Louis. Its a must. In the middle of the stinky dirty downtown LA, is this high end restaurant that is always crowded. Doesn't matter the day or time. There is always people standing around waiting for a table.
I wasn't there to wait. I scoped out the desserts and decided on a box of 12 different macaroon flavors. And I am proud to say that the box made it home unopened. I kept it hidden till I could pull it out to share with Ryan that night after the kids were in bed. It is always fun to try new flavors. I highly recommend the Earl Grey, Lavender, or Vanilla.

Mom's Have Down Days too!

I'm going to be real! I'm struggling today. After a great weekend away from my own little family, to be with the women in my extended family, I came home and took off running with normal life. I flew home and went right into school pick up and teaching dance on Monday. Then everyday has brought many events that have kept me physically exhausted. So today my body finally said, STOP!
I woke up, did the crazy morning routine to get kids ready for school, dropped everyone off with the intent to come home and work, but hit a major wall as I sat on my bedroom floor, fabrics spread all around me. I decided to take some vitamins and shower, hoping that would help me feel better, but it didn't. So I laid on my bed giving myself a few minutes to recover, and here I am 2 hours later. So all the work I needed to do, the meetings, going to LA, and being productive did not happen. And you know what? I usually have guilt. I usually beat myself up that I need to be more efficient and do more with my time. But today I realized that there are certain times that our bodies tell us, STOP, SLOW DOWN, and TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH. Cause most days I don't. Even on the days I beat myself up about not getting enough done, I realize that I have done many things that have been for the benefit of my children and family. Those things may not have been on my to do list. But I was able to be a part of my kids lives, even if it meant letting go of things I know I wouldn't get done.
There are many days that I can feel the onset of anxiety or panic. This isn't one of those days. I'm just sluggish. Like I said before, my body is saying, slow it on down.
So I know there will be backlash later from myself when I see the things I didn't get done, work, ironing, laundry, dinner... But I'm one person who can't do it all. And that's ok. I'll do more when I feel better.