Friday, September 10, 2010

Life's Lessons

I wish I could have an advance schedule for my Life Lessons.  Don't you think you could do better if you knew what God had on the agenda for you, and approximately when it was coming?  I maintain that every kid should be born with a little schedule taped to his or her backside. I don't even need specifics...just give me a hint at what I'm supposed to be learning, and I'll be twice as fast to catch on!  I could have really used something like this:


Randi's Life Lesson Schedule:

1970's: 
Learn to be Flexible.
School is easier if you actually study.
Bell Bottoms don't look good on just anybody.

1980's: 
Marry your best friend.
Trust the Lord.
Naps will not kill you.

1990's: 
Don't wait "till the kids are old enough" to establish Family Night.
Follow the Prophet.  Like NOW.
Try to choose happy
Naps will not kill you

2000's:
You can't always be the good guy AND a good mom
Prayer is for real
Curfews are also for real.  And for a reason
Naps will not kill you

2010's
Whatever it is, try to look at it through an eternal filter.
Kids have agency.
You have to choose who you want to be.
Naps will not kill you


Some people just seem to go through life's crises so gracefully.  I seem to fumble it around and hope for the best, especially when it's sort of sprung upon me.   I've always done better with a little warning. 

As this summer ends, I find myself very busy making and remaking plans with Hannah.  The plans change all the time, constantly really, because one of us is very hormonal. And no, it's still not me.

Hannah is pregnant.  Which means all the stress and emotions --times about eleventy billion.

She's getting ready to move home so she can have more support through the next few months. (baby in January) She's decided to place the baby for adoption, which is a decision I certainly support, but it does present it's own set of hurdles for all of us.


so add to my 2010's list:
Personal revelation comes in many forms
The priesthood is powerful.
Life is hard.
Service is the best way out.
It will be OK.

oh, and

Naps will not kill you


26 comments:

Dave said...

man, good luck to all of you!!

the only advice i can think to give is try to nap frequently :-)

. said...

My heart is having all sorts of emotions for all of you right now. My little sis went through this situation about 5 years ago, and it has an affect on everyone in the family, that's for sure. Adoption is an amazing and difficult and incredible journey. I don't know if this is the right time or place for this, but I know some AMAZING couples that are looking to adopt, so I'd love to do some name dropping when the time is right. Praying for all of you!

Annette Lyon said...

I'd even take a list of what's coming stapled to the 2X4 before it smacks me upside the head.

Hang in there.

Tay said...

GoodNESS. Those hormones are not fun to deal with and I'm sorry you're experiencing the other end of them now. (For more than one reason.)

Many prayers for you and your emotions and your sanity. Just know that with God, all things are possible. We can do anything with Him by our side. I know you already know this, but I might as well remind you.

jjstringham said...

Wow! Adoption is HARD, but that baby and its future parents will be forever grateful. This I know.

Hopefully she has learned from her mistake. Consequences for bad choices can be a witch.

Good luck to you, your family, and especially Hannah in this hard time. We're all here for you (even if all we do is delay your death by commenting).

Erin said...

Hugs to all of you. I love you and think you are just amazing.

"Q" said...

Love to you both. xoxox

Tammy said...

I always learn so much from you Randi. Thanks for sharing what you've learned throughout the years. I don't know what to say other than, my heart goes out to you and Hannah. Good things can come from really hard times.

Barbaloot said...

It would be nice to know what's coming...so I could run the other way! Good luck and I hope things go well for you this next little while. What a hard thing to go through. But I'm glad she has you.

Naps may not kill you, but they certainly don't do a lot for sleeping at night.

Carrot Jello said...

((Randi))

Unknown said...

As I read your post, I immediately thought of one of my favorite poems. I found it in high school and have never forgotten it.

i can't go on
i mean
i can't go on
i really
can't go on
i swear
i can't go on.
so
i guess
i'll get up
and go on.

--Dory Previn

Sometimes that's all we can do. Hugs to you and your family.

melissabastow said...

People who look like or say they are handling their crises gracefully - THEY'RE LYING. I consider it a humongous success if someone can MAKE IT THROUGH a crises. Because just making it isn't easy, who needs to worry about doing it gracefully?

rocslinger said...

I just want to include my well wishes to everyone else's, this to shall pass.

Yvonne said...

All of the experiences we have along the way help to prepare us--so we may not have a schedule but we do know that we can do it.

You are absolutely amazing.

Thanks for your wisdom and your great example

Rhonda said...

One of the hardest things as a parent is to respect the fact that our children DO have free agency. If only they had OUR lifelong wisdom before they USED their agency! But I wonder if Heavenly Father has felt that way about me sometimes, watched me do things I shouldn't do, hurt his heart to see me do them, and loved me anyway. And His hand was stretched out still.

As a mom, I feel for what YOU are going through. We just want things easy for our kids, or as easy as it can be. Good luck and I have to put my endorsement for adoption in there as well. My husband was placed, raised by a good LDS family, found his birthmom 8 yrs ago, living in his sisters ward. In fact, his birthmom was a primary teacher to his sisters kids. True story! A happy one. We are very blessed!

Heather said...

Can't tell you how many times I listened to this song last year...

Thinking of you and all the family. You may not feel like you are an example of enduring gracefully but you are, to me.

beckers said...

I'm glad Hannah will be moving back home for a little bit. We love you guys!!

Vern said...

Did you just invite me to Sonic? 'Cuz that's what it sounded like.

The Atomic Mom said...

Oh Randi! I don't know what to say, other than you are in my thoughts!

The Atomic Mom said...

Oh Randi! I don't know what to say, other than you are in my thoughts!

The Atomic Mom said...

Oh Randi! I don't know what to say, other than you are in my thoughts!

Loralee and the gang... said...

I love it when people do the right, unselfish thing, especially when it's not politically correct! (and I happen to hate political correctness) I don't know Hannah, and she doesn't know me, but I hope you will tell her my thoughts and prayers are with her. And with you, my friend.

Nat said...

You are the most amazing! Wow, to remember life lessons since the seventies??!!! I am sure if I thought about I would remember quite a few myself. I have found that just when I "give up" I miraculously get floated across the situation. It's easier said than done. It is definitely a struggle until that happens, but when it does, I think...hmm...should I have done that earlier? :) Life lessons = awesome! Hang in there amazing lady, and don't forget to take a nap today ;)LOVE the video at the end (kind of says it all)

goddessdivine said...

Hang in there. You are an amazing person, and at least your daughter feels safe and comfortable to come to you for help. It sounds like she is also being wise about this and choosing adoption. Like it's been said, there are so many wonderful families looking to adopt.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Paul said...

Well, I'm glad that you seem to be maintaining perspective about it. Life is full of its ebbs and flows. Hannah will survive, and learn from this. Her baby will undoubtedly be a wonderful answer to some parents' desperate prayers. And you two can be proud that you raised a daughter that doesn't let one bad decision bury her.

Jennifer said...

You are considering the lessons to learn--that is so wise. I often forget to look for the lesson when I am caught up in the trial.

So when I am paying attention, I think to myself, "Kyle..." (oh wait that is you!) how would I want to react to this trial if I were staring in a movie about me?
Then I try to do that.

Which usually includes a trip to Sonic....hey don't scoff I have to include them, they are an official sponsor of my movie!
(You should consider getting them too!)