Replenished

"Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children." Elder M. Russell Ballard

I must confess, I have a saintly husband who took off work for two days, so I could spend FOUR FUN FILLED DAYS with my Mom, sisters, Dad, one of my brothers and his family! I missed Jason and the kids so, but I knew they were in the best hands, and how replenished I have felt!! I can't thank him, and my extended family enough!!

Thursday morning I flew into L.A. My Mom, Miriam, Shel, and I all drove up to Fresno for a Time Out for Women, hosted by Deseret Books. The ride to Fresno was so fun! (Actually everything was fun!! They're the best!!) We talked about everything under the sun!

Thursday after checking into our hotel, we went to see, "Wicked". I LOVED it!! I kept thinking Makayla and Malia would love it too, and I wished they could have been there with me!! When the dragon above the stage, belched smoke, and it's eyes glowed red, I thought of how Jared would think that was so cool.



Everytime we ate out, I thought of how much Jason would have enjoyed what we were eating, and wished I could teleport him some...because I ate more than I should have...It was just ALL SO delicious!!

Everytime I heard the kids on the phone, they sounded SO OLD! :(

It was humbling to have a new perspective on something. The Savior taught that as we lose our lives in the gospel and serving, we find it. I was reminded that as I've "lost" my life in the lives of my family, at first the family I was born into, and now the family I have created with Jason, and the kids, I really have "found" my life.

Friday we took it easy. We took our time getting ready, watching t.v., checked out an art museum, picked up some stuff for the humanitarian project (we left it at the hotel, and weren't sure if they needed it before Saturday morning), went to Costco (and naturally picked up some things), and I introduced the ladies to Winco, primarily their bulk section! :) Friday night we went to the first session of Time Out. It was so inspiring. Saturday morning we headed back for more fun. In order to get back to L.A. before too late we left a little early.

Sunday I went to church with my scriptures and a borrowed Gospel Principles manual. It felt surreal, almost a little off. When Jared let me hold baby Michael during Sunday School, and after Mary picked up the kids from Primary for sacrament meeting, it felt more normal. It was fun to hang out at Mom and Dads afterward and eat, play games, chat...

My Dad was called to be the first Counselor in his ward's new bishopric that Sunday. When people saw 3 of the 5 kids in my parents ward, they were a little suspicious.

Sunday night while I was talking to Jason before boarding the plane he told me they were ready for me to come home. Derek asked Jason why Mommy wasn't at church with them, and where I was.

Monday evening Jason realized I hadn't heard the message he left on the cell phone earlier Sunday evening, before I called from the airport. He says, "This is what you're missing!" and pauses so you can hear Jared screaming bloody murder in the background, having a major meltdown, after which he ends with, "Love you, bye."

I have to admit, I laughed, because there have been times when I have come so close to calling the bishop's office some Sunday mornings, and saying, this is Sister Hatt, and holding the phone back, so that the same message could be heard by him, and then I have to repent...and have a paradigm shift so I can remember, "for of him unto whom much is GIVEN, much is REQUIRED", that this is part of the process in which, "my dross to consume, and my gold to refine" occurs, and "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven". Heavenly Father is so generous in His blessings!!

It's been great to have the words from a Hilary Weeks (she was at Time Out, I'm such a fan of hers) song continually pop into my mind, "I've been blessed, with a beautiful life...", helping to remind me of the treasures I have ever before me...






and of course, Jason...and MANY more...

Today I was able to take pictures of Jared in his uniform (naturally, when Derek saw what was happening he had to get in on the action too) and at his game.







I wanted to do that for everyone's games today, but I've gotta be realistic, and take it one child at a time! Baby steps! :)