Chloe is 3 1/2 mos. old now and I have switched from recovery mode to getting back in the normal swing of things. Ciara, my helper I had during the summer, is gone back to college now, so we are transitioning back to doing things on our own. I still have help with laundry and some rides which is a big help but it is still a transition nonetheless. I have been fighting mastitis frequently which adds to the challenges. It is a pretty brutal transition! Life is basically crazy and chaotic. I keep feeling crazy and like I am living in chaos - my house is chaos, I have very little predictability...

Anyway, I have been trying to hold on to what matters most during this crazy time but sometimes when I feel so overwhelmed it is very difficult to do so. So I've been praying for help - I just keep telling Heavenly Father that I am really trying - trying to get things done, trying to meet the needs of my children, trying to meet some of my needs so I can meet their needs, trying to do what matters most first, and trying to not feeling crazy when it feels like I'm taking 5 steps forward and 5 steps back.

I expected to get an answer of how to make things work better, but the answer I received repeatedly is to have gratitude and have hope. I kept remembering this, and as I have tried to put gratitude and hope into practice I've seen a huge improvement, mostly in how I feel, which also influences my ability to do something about my circumstances.

(It's bedtime, so hopefully more later...)

More Chloe pics...

Baby Chloe

Chloe Marie Smith, born June 2, 2010, 4:22 p.m., 9 lbs. 8 oz., 22 in. She is beautiful and she is an awesome baby!

Costa Rica

We were able to get some great deals on tickets so we went with our family and Grandpa and Grandma Patterson to Costa Rica. Amazing and beautiful. Loved it!

Camille's Object Lesson

Tonight it took Camille extra long to join us for scripture study. When she finally came, she dragged to the kitchen table her heavy laundry hamper loaded with all kinds of things. She told us, "If you were wondering why it was taking me so long to come to scripture study, it is because I was getting my lesson ready." She proceeded to teach us.

Here is a picture of the hamper with a few of the "objects."

First, she pulled out a (huge) pillow: "This represents that you should get sleep and not stay up all day and all night!!"

On the pillow was taped a felt Santa: "This shows that we should love all people, even people like Santa."

"I don't have a ball, so this bear represents exercise"

"This shows you you should always drink enough water."

She pulled out some soap: "This represents that we should keep ourselves clean."

This candle helps you know we should not burn yourselves.

A piece of paper, held up to her lip:"This helps you remember to not cut your lip."

A candle: "This helps you to remember to not burn yourself."

"This towel also represents that we should keep ourselves clean."