Sometimes and an update

It's amazing how disconnected you can feel when you leave Facebook.  I wonder what's happening in the lives of my friends, and I realize that I don't know how they're feeling all of the time.  While it's only been a little less than a week, I wonder if they're doing okay because I haven't heard from them.

However, my life is no longer consumed with checking Facebook all of the time and scrolling through a lot of "nothing."  I'm glad I'm not reading the controversies and getting confused and frustrated with the difficult times we live in.  I still catch myself coming up with status updates to post and then remember that I won't be posting anything.  This week it was especially helpful to not have access because I had some major events and humbling moments in my life that involved several Facebook connections.  I'm glad I couldn't be tempted to post anything I would regret.  I'm glad I have had ample time to calm down and let my emotions relax.

Today Jackson performed in his first piano recital.  He was the first to perform, and he did a fabulous job playing a simplified version of "I Lived in Heaven"!  We were so pleased with his hard work.  Afterwards, he was so excited and giddy as his nervous emotions evolved into delight.  Anyone who has ever performed, whether on stage, in a sports event, or been recognized in front of anyone knows the after-euphoria.  We took the boys out for ice cream to celebrate.

Cole is as busy and as cute as ever.  Poor kid has had so many babysitters in the past two weeks as I've been busy with Parent Council and School Board stuff.  I'm working on a project, and I've been required to be out and about a lot.  I'm excited to feel like a mom again.

As I mentioned above, I had some really trying and difficult moments in my life in the past two days.  Making mistakes, paying for them, and being hurt by people who you respected can really bring you down.  The last two days were some of the lowest I've had in a very long time.  I admit that I made a mistake, and I'm sorry for that.  BUT this isn't about how much I hurt.  It's about the gratitude I feel for true friends who strive to comfort me when I'm lower than low.

I'm grateful for a husband who can give me a Priesthood blessing when I need comfort.  I'm grateful he can give me "tough love" and help to stand strong on my own two feet.  I'm grateful for a husband who keeps me going, loves me forever and for no matter what.

I'm grateful for friends who know me well enough to know when I'm so deeply hurt and just masking it over.  I'm grateful for friends who call and text me to see how I'm doing even though they know the answer.  I'm grateful for friends who can tell by my voice that I'm not really okay.  I'm grateful for friends who don't abandon or chastise me even though I made a mistake.  I'm grateful for friends who take me out for ice cream and can make me laugh and find myself again.  I'm grateful for friends who leave "Sometimes" baskets and make me smile and cry through the pain.

I'm grateful for friends who find joy in sharing pink flamingos with each other. . .

Above: Wiping my teary eyes with my Princess tissues

Below:  Cole HAD to try on the glasses and try out everything else in the basket, too.