Day 118: Where There's Dope, There's Hope :)

Aha:
I woke up early this morning cause I couldn't sleep, on account of the fear of going to the dentist.  Well, I took half of a valium and by the time I got to the office, I was pretty loopy.  Needless to say, this dental experience was MUCH better than in the past.  I was pretty calm all throughout and am ever so thankful for modern medicine!!  My tooth is (so far) FINALLY feeling better!!  I took a giant drink of ice water for the first time in six months without cringing in pain!  Yippee!!!

Ha ha:
My niece came into the dental office while I was in the chair...sorta out of it.  I also had a rubber dam in my mouth to isolate the tooth being worked on, I looked pretty creepy.  Anyway, she was a little leary of me.  ***
My niece is mortified of getting a cavity (what with her daddy being a dentist and all).  She insists that her teeth get brushed every night before bed and is convinced that missing just once will result in a cavity.
***
After they left, she got in the car and, in a panicky voice, asked her mom, "Mommy, on which night did Aunt Dani get a cavity?!"
Ha ha!

Days 116 & 117: I Love My Family

Aha:
Well, as I said yesterday, I am home for a brief visit with my fam-a-lam.  My trip has been wonderful so far!
Yesterday, I got to surprise my niece and nephew by picking them up from school.  The suprised-look on their faces made my day!  We played all afternoon and when it was time for bed, they asked me to tuck them in.  A good tucking-in by your's truly was not enough; I had to sing them a song too.  If you know me at all, you'll know that I am an EXTREMELY emotional person.  I cry at everything and especially things involving my family.  Well, needless to say, I cried through the whole thing (fortunately they couldn't tell).  My niece was grabbed my hand and held it up to her face.  After I finished singing I looked up to find her fast asleep still holding my hand.  Um...yeah, that made me cry more (I'm tearing up typing about it).  Gosh, I love my family.  It is so nice to be home!
Today, I went into my brother's dental office to have him look at a tooth that's been bothering me.  I am pretty much terrified of dental work, so I was not looking forward to this visit.  He decided what needed to be done and although he could have repaired it today, he decided to wait until I could have some valium and be calm.  Although it would be nice to have it done today, I can at least be rest assured that I'll be much more relaxed about it tomorrow!  Keep me in your prayers, k?

Ha ha:
I was playing duck, duck, goose with my sister's kids yesterday.  We were having a great time but my nephew was really wanting to be picked.  As his older sister was making her duck-duck rounds, he would whisper "oh, you should really call me goose".  This went on for several rounds until she "goosed" me (no pun intended).  I was sure to listen to his little goosey prompting the next time around. :)
Today, I was playing hide-and-go-seek with this same set of kids.  It was my nephew's turn to seek.  I laid down in the child-pose inside the bathtub.  He looked and looked but couldn't find me.  With a little help from Grammy, I heard the bathroom door open and the patter of little feet running towards the tub.  The curtains pulled back and I hear, "I found you Aunt Dani!"  I told him had and as I was getting back up, he leaned over the tub, pulled his hands up to his mouth and whispered, "Aunt Dani, I saw a little bit of your panties." 
I guess the next time I hide in the child-pose I'll wear a belt...or a longer shirt. :)

Day 116: Traveled Home to See Family--will post update in the AM

Day 115: I Need to Hear the Spirit, Not Ghosts

Aha:
I am so thankful for wonderful friends and family who have been keeping us in their prayers.  We have felt your love and support as we seek the Lord's help in expanding our family.  We are still uncertain with how or when this will all happen, but we know the Lord is in control and will somehow ensure that things go as He would have them.

Thank you for your continued prayers, they are much appreciated!

Ha ha:
I just got back from taking Peter for a walk.  While out, I was looking up words to hymns on my phone.  It was dark outside and the light of the screen totally blinded me to everything around me.  Anywho, as I was walking in front of Leaf Blower's house, my focus completely on my glowing phone, I hear a loud, "BOO!"  I looked up to see Leaf Blower sitting on his side steps, laughing to himself.
Me:  Oh my gosh!  You scared the crap out of me!
LB:  Ha ha.  Sorry 'bout that, I couldn't resist.
Me:  (as neighborly as I could) Geez, you jerk!
LB:  We saw you coming from way down the street.  Your face was just glowing and we couldn't figure out what it was until you got closer.  Kinda weird.
Me:  So, I guess I scared you first?
LB:  Yup.
Me:  Well, then I guess we're even.

Day 114: What Matters Most

Aha:
I work with a great group of women.  I really do.  We have our less-than-ideal moments, but in general we get along so well.  And when things really matter, any one of us would drop everything to help.  I was the recipient of such help today.
My coworkers saw a need and offered so much love and support!  What a blessing it is to work with people who are so giving!  Thank you ladies!  Thank you for being good coworkers, and even more, for being good friends. :)  I love you guys gals!

Ha ha:
Clinton and I came across this Autocorrect on the internet a while ago and thought it was hilarious!

The reason I share this is because I had one of these myself today while I was typing a very serious text message.  It went a little something like this...
Other Person (OP): How are things going?
Me:  Ok, I just got off the porn...
(Fortunately I caught it before I clicked "send" and could change it to what I had intended...PHONE.)

Day 113: Blows My Mind

Aha:
In our couple scripture study, Clinton and I came across Helaman 12:1-5 (1-3 are quoted here, this is from the Book of Mormon):

1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and ^aprosper those who put their ^btrust in him.

 2 Yea, and we may see at the very ^atime when he doth ^bprosper his people,...yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do ^dharden their hearts, and do ^eforget the Lord their God, and do ^ftrample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.

 3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth ^achasten his people with many afflictions,... they will not ^cremember him.

Anyway, this scripture struck a chord with me.  It does seem that when things are going well in my life, I can get lax about saying my prayers and reading my scriptures, but when times are tough, my prayers become so much more fervent and sincere, my scriptures become my life-line and my time with the Lord is greatly increased.
How sad that it sometimes takes chastening for me to keep the Lord an active part of my life.  He is so willing to bless me and does so when I put my trust in Him.  It seems there is a pattern.  We're blessed and content--we end up becoming lazy, the Lord sends trials our way to help us remember Him, we are humbled and seek His comfort and blessings, He blesses us, we're blessed--we become lazy/proud...etc.
If only I could keep my focus always on the Lord!  I am so grateful for His love and mercy for me, despite my weaknesses.  He is a wonderful example of how to love and forgive.  I love that this scripture says He loves and prospers those who trust Him, and if people aren't loving or trusting Him, He'll provide trials that will bring them back to Him and He'll bless them even more!  What a great way to be!

Ha ha:
It feels like the innards of a tornado outside; the wind is a-blowin' somethin' fierce!  Peter was fairly insistent that we "brave it" anyway and go for a walk.  Well, as you probably imagine, the wind was blowing everything everywhere.  Garbage cans were knocked over, branches had fallen from trees and leaves were everywhere.
Now, I won't call him an idiot, but this doofus in my neighborhood was actually outside blowing his leaves off his grass with a leaf blower...while the wind was still howling!  I actually stood there and watched him for a few minutes, totally dumbfounded (or shall I say, I found the dumbo?).  He'd blow the leaves, turn his back to work on another section, turn back around and re-blow the leaves that had blown back and then he'd start the cycle over again.
Um...am I the only one who thinks this is an ineffective way to clear one's yard of leaves?

Day 112: Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Aha:
Clinton was on call today.  We had no idea what time he'd be able to get home, but we had a very important meeting to get to today at noon.  I just prayed for a miracle.
I got a call from him at 10am saying he was on his way home...miracle!

Ha ha:
My phone has pictures of people in my contacts list that I can click on to make quick phone calls.  As I was leaving the grocery store I pressed on Clinton's photo.  A woman answered.  At first I was taken aback.  I thought it was my friend Amber, but then I realized it wasn't.  It was my friend Emily.  I must have pushed the wrong photo!  I apologized for misdialing.
I tried his button again.  This time it called my coworker.  I hung up.
I tried it again--a friend from church.
Last time--some random phone number.

I deduced my button my be malfunctioning.  I actually had to DIAL the number like in the old days.  Weird.

When I called Emily back to apologize, her photo dial worked just fine.  Weird.