Therapy

Today was such a therapeutic day for me! We planned on taking the girls to a movie since we had a gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket. We drove into town and pulled up to the theatre. That is when I realized, the gift card that I thought was in my wallet, wasn't there. Ugh I was so frustrated. I always keep things like that in my purse. We figured that since we were close by, we would go walk around the Mesa temple. We pulled up and immediately recognized our dear friend Clint Allen. We haven't seen him for years. He is such a sweet and kind man. It was so good to see him.

We walked around and took in all of the beauty. The flowers were gorgeous! I love the temple in the spring. All of the different fragrances were intoxicating. It was so peaceful. I took every possible moment to rest when I needed, while Trever took the girls to go explore. They walked around the reflection pool, talked about each of the plants and flowers. I love having a landscaper for a husband. If there is a plant he doesn't know, he goes home and learns everything about it. Then as we drive around, he explains them to us and quizzes us on them. It's so fun. I have never really stopped to enjoy each individual plant. I usually just take it all in as a whole.

We walked through the visitor center. There was a neat exhibit with different pictures of Christ. I loved some of the pictures in there. Some were depressing, depicting the moments on the cross and so forth. Others showed him kidding a woman on the forehead as he embraced her. Leading his "little deciples" (holding hands with a group of children in a line. Like "follow the leader") one of my favorite was a picture of him sitting around with kids on his lap and standing next to him. The children were all Down syndrome children. (Special needs children, especially Down syndrome kids, hold a special place in my heart. I have very very blessed to know a few Down syndrome children/youth. They have touched me in countless ways)

We sat near the statue of Christ. The girls like to go touch his feet and feel the "nail prints" in them. I love how they long to be near him and touch him. I know it's a statue, but it has become a tradition. It's allowed for moments of teaching, about being near Christ and living a life to be able to do so.

Later we went out to eat with another grift card we had, to Chile's. I love gift cards! Especially in moments like these where times are tough. It helps me to get out and do fun things. It also helps with my need for retail therapy, without spending money that should go towards bills.

Trever's dad hung out at our house today while their house in chandler was being shown to potential buyers. The girls enjoyed playing with him and their dog Polly while I took a nap and Trever worked on the bunk beds he is making for the girls. We moved into a smaller house in December to save money on bills. With one less room, we decided to make some bunk beds so the girls can all fit. It has been a slow making process with everything going on, but it will be worth it.

Tonight we went to the park. The girls loved chasing Polly around and playing with daddy and grandpa. My little 18 month old Rebecca would giggle the whole way down the twisted slide. I wish I had a camera. It was priceless. I was so glad that my pain was minimal and I was able to do so much. It was such a blessing. As I watched the kids laughing and playing, feeling the breeze through my hair, I thanked Heavenly Father for allowing me to be alive to enjoy this moment. I took so much for granted before, and still do, but I am learning to enjoy the little things in life so much more now.

I had my nightly chat with Caleb's nurse tonight. It won't be long now before he is in my arms for good! He took 3 of the 4 feeds today by mouth fully. The 4th, he took a little over half by mouth. Then her first feed with him tonight on her shift, he took the whole thing by mouth. And in twenty minutes no less. She said she looked down and all of a sudden it was gone! He will usually take longer than that. Oh, side note... Another thing that the speech therapist told me was not to ever go over thirty minutes with a feeding. It wears them down so much faster after that. I think that is why
sometimes he doesn't take the whole thing. He takes so long to eat that after 30 minutes they have to
cut him off so it doesn't set him back and make him digress. So the fact that he ate so quickly tells me that he is getting energy to take it all in. Then he is able to rest that much more between feedings
which will only give him more energy. Serious progress my friends! His 11:30 pm feeding he took about half again. She said she isn't going to push him and just let him guide her. She wants to make sure to do things on his terms so he doesn't get super worn out. I like how they all have a less is more philosophy about the babies. They said it wasn't always that way, but they are learning that the babies progress so much faster and better when they aren't so aggressive.

He is up to 6lbs 10oz! Can you believe it? Almost 3lbs sin 6 weeks. He and I both had a great day today. We are almost there, I can feel it!