Anyone Need a Gall Bladder?

It has been an adventure since I last wrote. This past Monday I had my gall bladder surgically removed. Yeah, that is about as much fun as it sounds. I have been recovering this week and I am doing pretty well. I have had so many interesting thoughts that I wanted to write in my blog but then I had this happen.
During my hospitalization though, something became clear to me. Since becoming a missionary my life has changed. I mean, I was evangelistic the whole time, even to a resident just moments before I was being wheeled into surgery.

The only bad thing about it is that you have to make sure then, that you are always on your best behavior. And when you are feeling perfectly crummy it is hard to do!! When you work for God you are always on call, 24/7.

I missed Emily's confirmation. My oldest daughter was confirmed just hours after my surgery. She looked pretty in her dress as you can see. (She's the vision in lavender!) I am so proud of her. All my kids are so awesome, I am just so blessed. When you are lying in a hospital bed, high on pain pills, you have a lot of time to think about things. Kind of evaluate your blessings, and I just felt so wonderful about my family. I missed them so much. But I knew I needed to rest because at home I would have had no rest! Even since I have been home it has been crazy trying to get some rest.

But I am getting there slowly but surely. Okay, so I am going to write some more tomorrow because I took a pain pill and I have a feeling that I am going to read this tomorrow and say, "Did I write that?". (Think Steve Urkel voice)

Until the morrow. Unpainfully yours, mama michelle

Confessions of a Chocolate Addict

Well, I have to take it easy because of back pain and so I have time to post things. Not too much to say though. I feel bad because I didn't make it to church today. I think God will understand. I can barely walk across my living room, much less down an aisle of church.
I am feeling better though. Just in time to get the kids ready for school! I am still so far behind. I just have to get more organized. I feel like for every step I take I go three steps back. And the last couple days have been wasted on mindless television and heating pads! Oh, and I shouldn't forget, chocolate ice cream. Way too much chocolate nutty cone ice cream. And chocolate panda paws, and hot fudge.
Okay, so I am a chocolate addict. It finally comes out. My not so secret secret. Now you know. I hope you won't hate me for it. Or maybe it will make you want to stop and leave your own chocolate confessions.

One Thing After Another

Okay, first a kidney stone. That took up my whole August. Now my lower back gives out. I have been out of commission for a couple of days. When you are a mom of nine children you can't be out of commission for two days. Everything gets shot to hell. I can't bend down to pick up people's dirty socks, shoes and various other articles of clothing.
I know. You, if you are out there are thinking, why the heck don't they just pick up things themselves? Before you start giving me suggestions of charts, reward systems, and Barney clean up songs, let me tell you I have tried them all. There's just too darned many of them to stick to any one thing.
Plus you would think they would just do it when mom can't cause the stuff piles up. Nope, they just walk over it. Someday, some poor daugher in law is gonna be upset with me because my son will be making her life messy. One thing is guaranteed, I will never give her a hard time for a messy house. I will probably pitch in and help. Or take her out for a vodka and tea.
I better end here before the pain pill and muscle relaxant takes effect. Good night to all and to all a good night.

What's Detachment Anyway?

So many of the saints have talked about detachment from things, from people etc. But I haven't quite gotten it. I just love people too much. I can't help myself. I am an emotional person, plus I am a huge extravert. I literally feed off of other people's energy. God made me this way so why would He then expect me to detach myself from them. People that is.
But we are also reminded that our God is a jealous God. He wants us for Himself. We can love the Creator but not become attached to those He created. I am so confused. Maybe I should look stuff up about this. Anyone out there have any suggestions? We are supposed to love people but be able to let go at a moment's notice. I just don't know if I am capable of that. It makes me tired even thinking about it.

Does it sound like I need a dating service?

How depressing! I get so excited that someone has commented on my blog and then it ends up being a commercial for a dating service. Pleasssssse! I am a happily married woman with nine children. Do you think I need a date? Have you even read my blog? You said it was cool but I don't believe you because you could not have read it and then sent me something about a dating service!!
Okay, nuff said. Anyway, all the kiddos are back at school and it is pretty quiet here during the day. Not that I am on vacation or anything. I can't get any housework done with a two year old and a baby. When one naps the other one is awake and vice versa. It is kind of frustrating. My house looks like the wreck of hespers. How can kids be such slobs? I feel like a major recording, saying the same things over and over! And I am so tired.
But that is life with nine kids. I love them and I miss them when they are in school. If only they didn't take their socks off in the middle of the living room floor and leave them there. Of course the biggest kid of all, my husband, does that too. At least I know where they get it from.
I have this fantasy that when they all leave home I am going to go get myself my own little apartment with all kinds of feminine doodads and I will only have to clean up after myself. AAhh, some women dream of vacations, I dream of clean apartments...
Anyway, here is a picture of the whole crew. Hope you enjoy, and no, I am not interested in finding my soulmate. I found him and I have to go pick his dirty socks up off the floor right now.....

Me,as a maid of honor

It is midnight and I am sitting here trying to write with a two year old on my lap. Why is this two year old still awake and sitting on your lap, you may ask? Because her father let her take a nap for two and a half hours this afternoon. He went to bed and here I am with her!
Anyway, I was the matron of honor for one of my best friends this weekend. What a blast we had. The ceremony was beautiful and we danced all night at the reception. All of my kids were there accept for the two year old who spent some quality time with her grandparents. So we all had fun because she wasn't there to make any one miserable. Don't get me wrong, I love her but she is a handful!
I will write more about the wedding when I don't have a child in my lap! Here's a picture for now.