How many times to we experience a stressful event in our lives and it seems like it's just the BIGGEST problem ever? When we're in the middle of it, it's hard to see anything else and we can easily become overwhelmed. Yet looking back on it, we can see it for what it really is: a minor inconvenience. Heavenly Father knew that I wouldn't handle experiencing the full effects of this past week, so He blessed me with the ideas listed above and helped me keep the stress away. When I would tell people about our flooding, they would exclaim, "Oh, I'm so sorry! How awful!" I'd wave my hand casually and say, "Eh, it's just a minor inconvenience." Later my husband returned home after being gone all week at work. He became easily frustrated over simple things, as is his nature, and I looked at him and said, "Brian, it's not the worst thing that's happened this week. It's okay." I repeated that phrase multiple times that day to anyone who tried to pity me for everything that's happened. I refused to be pulled down into self pity! I think that's a first for me. My new approach (and we'll see how long this lasts) to stressful situations is: 1) Eh, it's just a minor inconvenience. 2) It's not the worst thing that has ever happened --or-- It's not the worst thing that's happened this week/month/year. My little sister asked me to help her with an identity theft issue she's having. Being 19 she is devestated and overwhelmed by it all. She started panicking, saying this is the worst thing that could happen. Again, I casually waved my hand and said, "Eh, it's just a minor inconvenience." I've been disgustingly giddy and positive this week, enjoying life as it came. The old side of me is screaming, "What the...?!"
Last Monday Brian was on his way home from work, an 8-hour drive from Arizona. As he drove into our valley he called me on the phone and said we were going out to eat at Golden Corral because he had a surprise for me. In the past we have celebrated at Golden Corral for raises and ratings by gorging ourselves on food. So I thought something really great must have happened at work. Oh, no. The big surprise was he brought home a hitchhiker named Brandon to feed, shower and wash his clothes, and sleep in the guest room. Apparently Brandon started out in Florida and was making his way to Seattle. It took him 2 weeks to get to Utah. They showed up just as the rain started to pour again and got us all nervous. Luckily it stopped after a few minutes. While we have the carpet pulled up, my father-in-law thought it was a good time to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. So Brandon pitched in and we repainted half of our family/dining/kitchen room. Kylie was desperate to help and was a happy girl when her daddy taught her how to paint, then let her loose with the roller. While we were painting the topic of religion came up, naturally. Brandon asked me if Mormons believe in Heaven and Hell. I had a wonderful opportunity to teach him about The Plan of Salvation, complete with a drawing and everything! He was so excited about that and asked if he could keep the paper. The next morning Brian took Brandon to the bus depot and bought him a ticket to Seattle to help him along his way and sent him off with a Book of Mormon and phone numbers to some wards in the Seattle area. It was an interesting experience. All I can say is that Brian and his parents are more open and giving than I am.
Lately Kylie has been sneaking to get the camera and taking random pictures. Apparently she enjoys the abstract. I thought it would be cute to post a few pictures through Kylie's eyes:
The back of my head.
A flip flop.
The space that exists between a clock resting against a piece of furniture.
This appears to be the interior of a cardboard box.
Underneath the log futon.
I have no idea what this is.
This is what showed up at my house tonight. Joe'E had her wisdom teeth taken out this morning and my mom contrived an ice pack for her to wear. I don't have an explanation for Alex's hat, other than its SHEXSHY! They hung out and played Zelda and watched Scrubs with me. Joe must have some pretty sweet pain killers to be doing all that the same day as her surgery. She said I had to put her pictures on Facebook...but we'll see how excited she is about them once she comes down off her high. 
Sallie the cat has developed a strange fascination with worms. She doesn't eat them, just carries them around in her mouth and watches them wiggle and writhe on the ground. Tonight she caught two worms and brought them to the window to show off while attempting to bring them inside for further fun. Crazy cat!
Today we celebrated Father's Day while Jill was still in town helping Janeen with her new baby. The weather was bad (again) so we crammed 30 people into my place. 
I also have a wonderful father-in-law. Brian will be quick to tell you that his dad is his hero. He is the hardest worker I know and doesn't quit until the work is done. He has instilled a sense of pride in working hard within his children, who in turn have become dedicated workers as well. I have admired his dedication to his family, especially to his wife. She is still his sweetheart after all these years. You will frequently hear him say things like: "Isn't she just the cutest thing?" and "I'm sure glad you talked me into marrying you." Brian loves to spend time with his dad on the farm. When the work was done and it was time to kick back, his dad would say, "It's Miller time!" and they would head into town to get something to drink--Mountain Dew, Pepsi, or Diet Coke. This was also referred to as a Beer Run. Brian has now passed that down to our child, who relishes in a Beer Run with her dad. They even sing a song. Brian fills up on Pepsi and Kylie chooses a slushi and usually talks her daddy into letting her get another treat.
Thank you for being such great dads!
