"Nothing Makes You Feel Better....."

I learned a long time ago that when you're going through a rough time, or having a bad day, or are just stuck in one of those blah moments, nothing makes you feel better than doing something for someone else.  For me it usually seems to be making something in the kitchen.  It's gotten to the point where if I'm busy in the kitchen the kids will either ask "what's wrong" or "who is this for".  And that makes it sound like I have a lot of yuck days!  On the contrary.  I think now its just become second nature but, yes, it still makes me feel good no matter what the reason!

So yesterday was Sunday.  Early Sunday morning I received a phonecall from someone in the ward that I don't know very well asking if I could please take her place in nursery as she had a really bad cold.  I would've LOVED to take her place in nursery (it's a calling I've always wanted!) but it was my week to teach Gospel Doctrine and "Nerm" was still home with the flu so we were all "tag teaming" and taking turns staying home with him.  (Which, by the way, he is feeling MUCH better and could MAYBE go to school but I'm being an over protective mom and having him stay home until EVERY little cough and sniffle are gone.  His fever broke on Friday night!!!!)  It turns out that several people in the ward/neighborhood were home sick with the flu or a bad cold, so we decided to make our infamous carmel corn and take it to some friends and neighbors that we knew weren't feeling well.  I know Chicken Soup would've been better, or maybe even chocolate, but we were on a time crunch and this was something that was quick and everyone could help with (with the exception of "Nerm" who still wasn't allowed in the kitchen) and was the next best thing!  "Rosie" also made some Jell-O for one of her friends that wasn't feeling well.  The best thing was we were able to laugh and spend time together while at the same time doing something for others, which in turn made us feel even better (and my guilty feelings for having to say no to nursery went away).  I hope this is something the kids will always remember....to put others before themselves, to serve with a happy heart, and most of all that service simply makes you feel better even if its the simplest task.

UPDATE!!!

The doctor just called and it's 100% positive.....Tanner definitely has H1N1 - Swine Flu  :(
He's doing a little better today but we still can't break the fever.  Say a little prayer for him!

BREAKING NEWS: H1N1 Hits The Schofields!

And we were being sooooo cautious!  We even got our regular flu shots the other night for our family night.  Not sure how this happened.  Well,  that's not altogether true.  I am pretty positive it was no doubt from germs at school.  "Nerm" woke up this morning hotter than Haitis, coughing, dizzy, and achey all over.  An early morning call to the doctor (only to find they are booked until next week) sent us driving over to Instacare this morning.  Doctor said he has every symptom in the book and she's 95% positve he has H1N1.  We'll know for sure tomorrow afternoon when his rapid test comes back.  (Which, by the way, doesn't seem very rapid!)  They ran a throat culture to rule out strep just in case.  Sure enough, that was negative.  Poor baby!  Nothing is worse than seeing your little ones sick and knowing there's not a whole lot you can do except try to make them comfortable.  I should mention that the doctor said NOT to give him Tamaflu as they are finding it is causing mental confusion and hallucinations in children.  Hope everyone loves their new matching masks because I think they just became a fashion staple in the Schofield house!  We'll keep you posted!

"Warming" Up The House!

Okay, even though I'm not a huge fan of the weather turning colder, I have to say I always look forward to fall because I LOVE making the house feel warm and cozy and decorating the house in those wonderful fall colors.  There's just something about those fall colors and the yummy scent of spiced cider candles that make everything seem a bit more peaceful.  It must be a mom thing!   I remember my mom being the same way.  And though sometimes as wives and moms we might think our efforts to make things feel a little more calm and cozy this time of year go unnoticed, I bet if we were to forego hauling out those boxes with all the fall decorations in it one year we would surely hear about it!  And, in a way, that is recognition enough.  Trust me, they probably look forward to it just as much as we do.  So if you haven't already yanked down those dusty boxes from the garage, or merely scattered some fall leaves on your mantel or dining room table, get up and do it today!  Then light a candle, sit down for a moment and count your many blessings that make your life so "warm."  I promise it will be one of those moments you come to love and look forward to....and your family will too.  "Warming" up the house, one of life's greatest pleasures!

"Come Listen To A Prophet's Voice"

What a blessing it is to be able to hear the words of our beloved Prophet!  I know we sometimes take all of today's technologies for granted, but what an amazing thing for the church to be able to broadcast conference world wide in 92 different languages!  And to think we'll soon have over 150 operating temples around the world!  How blessed we are to live in this dispensation and have the fullness of the gospel in our lives and to be able to share it with the ones we love the most! 

"A Legacy of Love"

Family!  Is there really anything better?  And how well do we actually know our family, know our ancestors and where we came from?  Den and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the memorial service for his Grandma Helen this weekend in Milbrae, CA (pictured here with her sisters, Lee, Audrey, and Joy.  Helen is the young girl in the top center).  What an amazing legacy of love Helen left behind.  What an amazing woman!  What an amazing family!  It was so nice to finally meet Den's aunts, cousins, and family friends and to learn more of that side of the family and spend time with them.  We were also able to drive the few minutes away to Burlingame and see where Den was born and grew up; from the hospital where he was born to the field where he played little league, to the high school where he has MANY fond memories.  How great it was to finally see the things we've heard so much about over the years.  And the stories!  So many many family stories!  It was the perfect weekend and I'm sure Grandma Helen would've loved every second of it.  Family!  Nope, there's nothing better!

Den's Great-Great Grandmother Florence Bills

(Far left)

"Falling" Back In Step!

I can't believe it's the first day of Fall already!  Where did summer go?  Do you ever feel like you just fell out of step with everything?  That's the way this last month has been; I just feel like we've fallen behind in just about everything and need to get back in step!  We've done a little more with the house remodel this month adding granite countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen.  What a mess!  But I have to say we love it and it was well worth it!!! (Thanks honey...shmily!)

And then it was on to the next "remodel" project which was surgery last week for me (Kim).  That makes it sound like it was some sort of cosmetic surgery...haha...if only!  Trust me...was NOT elective and I'm glad I never have to do it again...but how much I've learned in the last couple weeks.  Things like you are often served by the people you are least likely to expect and not to ever deny people the chance to serve.  I've also learned that when the chips are down you really find out who your friends are.  And last but not least, and this isn't something I had to learn but was reminded of, I have the best family in the world.  I couldn't ask for a better husband or kids (although I did discover just how dependent our kids are when it comes to mom cleaning the house....did I really not teach them all that?).  I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Our other news this month was the passing of Dennis' Grandma Helen.  We were so sad to have her go but are so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge we have that family's are forever and we'll be able to see her again someday.  What a blessing it is to have that knowledge that we sometimes take for granted.  Her funeral will be in San Francisco on September 26th.

So now you know why we've "fallin" behind a little...but hopefully we'll be able to stay on track for the next little while.  By the way, everyone is doing great!  Lance just got transferred outside of Spokane back to a more rural area and is more than happy to be out of the "ghetto" and with a companion from Utah!  Jordan is getting used to her life as a college student but did come down with Shingles of all things!  Poor kid!  She sounds like she's doing much better this week.  Nicki is busy as ever with X-country now and Powder Puff Football.  I don't think she ever sleeps!  The boys are great and keeping busy mostly by teasing each other non-stop on a daily basis.  But I don't think either one of them would have it any other way.  They both get bored out of their head if the other isn't home.  Bruthaly luv!  Den is getting ready to take his motor cycle safety course.  He's hoping to get a bike so that he can play with the big boys.  Saturday football just isn't enough these days!  I'm excited too (it really is a pretty bike honey...just do it!  :)  And me, well I'm just happy to be out of bed and able to spend time with my family...and actually looking forward to the day when I can dust and vacuum again. And I never thought the day would come when I would say that!  Haha~