Tender Mercy at 2 O'Clock

Two o'clock this morning, that's when my Little Man and I were privy to a little miracle, or tender mercy, call it what you may. My sweet baby boy fell victim to his first long-termish cold last Thursday. AND it's still going. At least the fever hasn't returned since Saturday. Now we are on to wicked coughing fits (which Bubby has been experiencing for over a week as well). Last night was the worst coughing fit yet.

I awoke at 1:20 am (THIS morning) after being aware of Little Man coughing for quite some time. I decided it was time to intervene. Since pretty much all infant cold medicines have been pulled, I haven't dosed him up with anything for the congestion, just put a humidifier in his room. But I digress. I decided to get a baby bottle, and a little Vicks Vapo-Rub, and headed into the baby's room. My poor little man was bent over his legs coughing and moaning. Sweet thing. I rubbed the Vick's on his chest, got him out of bed and started feeding him a bottle. Once he downed 6 ounces, he coughed so hard he spit up a bit. Then, he was restless. I rocked. I stood and swayed. I grabbed a blanket and snuggled it around him and tried to soothe. He remained restless. Not fussy. Just couldn't get back to sleep. SO, after about 30-40 minutes of failed attempts to get my sweet Little Man back to sleep, I finally whispered to him, "My sweet boy, you MUST go to sleep so your body can get well. You can either fall asleep while I rock you, or I can put you back in your bed and you can fuss it out in your bed. But you really need to go to sleep." I said this to a 10 month old (I know, I know). And you know what? He turned his head, took a deep breath and relaxed! Then, the tender mercy:

As I rocked my sweet baby boy, who was trying his hardest to relax into a sleepful state, I said a silent prayer. Here's the gist of it:
I addressed my Heavenly Father, and I bore my testimony to Him that I KNEW he had the power to heal my child, and that He had the power to calm my little boy's cough and help him to rest so that he could be well. Then, I asked with all the faith that I have for Heavenly Father to exercise that power and PLEASE touch my child with His healing hand and calm his cough and help him rest so that his little body can heal and be whole. I finished my prayer, tucked my baby back into his bed, and went to my room. He coughed two quick coughs, and his cough was calmed FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT! He slept restfully until 7 am, at which time he woke up HAPPY! He still has a runny nose, and coughs a bit, but our Heavenly Father heeded this mother's desperate plea to help her baby.

God is good. He loves us. And he indeed shows His tender mercies to his children.

PICTURES!

They are on Facebook. For now. If you would like to see them, look at my album on facebook. If you are not my "friend" on facebook - invite me to be your friend! If you do not have a facebook account, send me an e-mail to request that I e-mail pictures to you, or leave your e-mail in the comments, and I will e-mail pictures to you.

I WILL post pictures here on this very blog, as soon as I learn to watermark them (protect them from weirdos wanting to copy and paste them and use them for evil). Does anybody out there know how protect pictures from being "lifted" from a blog? I would love for you to share!

Have a nice day!

I Hate it When..

D: "I hate it when you run out of ice cream. It's so depressing."

Bubby-ism

Bubby (in a really whiney voice): I really did want...wait, what was I whining about?

Nip-Tabulous Comment at the Dinner Table

At last night's SPECTACULAR feast put on by my mother dear and shared with my brother dear in honor of his reaching his 28th year (WHAT??!!?? When did that happen?), the conversation started with a comment from my Bubby:
Bubby: Cousin PM has a nipple.
The rest of us: WHAT??!!??
Bubby: PM has a nipple on her arm.
TROU: WHAT??!!?? Where?
Bubby: Right there on her arm.
PM (2 1/2 years old): I have nip-ple (pointing to her chest).
Bubby: No, you have a nipple on your arm.
D (investigating): I think that's just a mole.
PM's Mother: She doesn't have a mole on her arm. Are you sure it isn't a piece of food?
Bubby: It's a nipple on her arm.
D (upon more finite investigation): It's a piece of food on her arm. See?
PM: I have nip-ple (still pointing to her chest.

Laughter ensues. Ahhhhh, sparkling conversation! It was a lovely dinner!

Remembering

I was reminded through a family member's Facebook status report that today marks the third anniversary of D's brother's passing. He was D's brother by choice - coming into the family at the age of 14 (maybe 15, not sure) after his biological brother joined the family at 16-ish - and choosing to remain a part of D's family into adulthood. D's parents names even shared space with this brother's biological parents on his wedding announcement. A late night motorcycle "joyride" without his helmet, wind blowing through his shoulder-length hair, turned out to be his last ride on his beloved "speed machine". A corner taken at too-high speed. A small tree. That was the end to a mortal body.
I would like to share some of the beautiful memories I have from around this time 3 years ago. Primary among them is that D's mom organized a family picture, taken two weeks before we lost our brother. He was present. Pictures of him from that day were used at the funeral. More importantly, some much needed emotional healing for several people began on the day of the family picture. It was a good day. I myself got to witness this brother's sweet tenderness with his then 5 year old daughter. While figuring out which tasty ice cream flavor to choose, their discussion about Rocky Road brought a lesson from a father: every person has likes and dislikes and that's okay. It doesn't make you right or wrong. It's just one of those things that makes you, you. Lesson learned. Thank you!
At the funeral, my little Bubby, then 3, asked me if I would like to look at Jesus. I asked him if he saw a picture of Jesus he would like to look at. He said, "No, Jesus is in the bed." He then pointed at the casket. To a three year old, a man with long hair looks very much like the pictures of Jesus he has seen, as many artitst renderings of Jesus depict Him with long hair. I found this comparison by my sweet son oddly comforting, as my brother-in-law had a great deal of religious angst in his mortal life, and I was reminded that he is now with his Savior, and can receive andswers to al his religious questions, and finally is spirit can have peace. It made me grateful for the knowledge I have gained as a member of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Although a person's death leaves behind grieving loved ones who grieve because they miss the one who has passed on, I know that death is merely a graduation from this life into life in the eternities. And I think returning home to a loving Heavenly Father and our Brother Jesus Christ would be a joyous reunion indeed.
In the meantime, I am sending my thoughts and prayers of comfort to all MY loved ones who are remembering and missing D's brother today.