We had a rough morning. Casey does not love church. Lately, we’ve had to drag him in kicking, screaming and biting. Today wasn’t that bad. BUT, in our rush to get out of the house, we had forgotten to give him his ADHD pill and had forgotten to grab his ear covers. Double fail. Without either, I was pretty sure I was just going to have to take him right back home. We lasted through Carter’s talk and the first song before Casey got mad that he didn’t get called on to hold some bells during singing time. He started kicking me. I took him to the back of the room where he began to pound on the curtain in between us and the older kids’ class. I had no choice but to take him out. As I’m walking him down the hall, Farrell James stopped and asked how I was doing, was super cool to Casey and then asked if I needed help. It meant so much to me.

I get down the hall to the foyer where I see a couple of friends and we begin talking. I’m carrying Casey at this point and my back HURT. I put him down where Farrell’s wife, Heather, one of my very best friends, took Casey on her lap and talked to him about Christmas. They then made an entire list of what Casey wanted for Christmas. Then Heather traced his shoes and made sharks out of the shoe prints. Casey was so calm and so happy. So I was so calm and so happy. Heather then gave up going to Relief Society to stay with Casey so that both Lance and I could go to Young Men and Young Women, where we have callings.

Heather has an amazing way of just being there when I need her. She always just knows. There was a day when Lance was gone (did I write this before?) out of town and I was so tired I thought I was going to lose it. I was trying to find a babysitter so I could take Abby to the doctor and was unsuccessful. I hadn’t showered in DAYS. My house was a wreck. Then at my door comes Heather’s distinctive knock. I answer the door and she says, “We’re here to help. What can we do for you?” She had two of her girls with her, and they came in and held Abby while I showered. They cleaned. The girls then watched my boys while I went to the doctor and to the store. She was an answer to prayer that day.

After I had Abby, everything was kind of a blur. Lance had sent out a text, we called our families and that was about it. We had only one phone with us, and it was slowly dieing. Abby wasn’t doing as well as we would like, and I was exhausted. I was sort of at a loss at that point. I was so excited to have Abby, but so overwhelmed. Then Heather showed up. I didn’t have to ask her… she just came. I needed her. I needed her to be there and to love Abby like we did. I’ve needed her this last six months since Abby was born. She’s made it a party.

Heather is one of a handful of people who have ever been brave enough to OFFER to watch all of my kids. She does this a lot. It’s not like she has a lot of time on her hands. She has six kids. She’s been in school full time, graduated with her degree in Education in May and now is working on her Master’s degree. She’s crazy busy all summer doing festivals and when she’s not attending her school during the year, she’s volunteering at the kids’ school. But when I call and tell her I need her to talk me down from a ledge, she’s right there. No one can make me laugh like Heather. No one.

Her kids amaze me, too. I’m fortunate enough to work with the Beehives (the 12 and 13 year old girls at church) and currently have two of her girls in my class. Courtney, the second oldest is so so dear to me. She has the same sort of service oriented heart as her mom. She’s always been SO good with Casey. She’s a real natural with him and with other people with different needs. She’s patient and kind to everyone. I’ve known her half her life now, and I’m constantly amazed at the girl she’s turning into. She’s beautiful inside and out. Mickaela is 12 and LOVES Abby. She wanted to go with me to my ultrasounds when I was pregnant. She comes over every Wednesday to help me with my kids. She’s always SO excited- like I’m the one doing her the favor.

Anyways, back to today. What a blessing she was again today. Her husband, too. She doesn’t draw attention to these things that she does. She never acts like it’s that big of a deal, but it always is to me. Thank you Heather for being there for me. For being my friend even though you know entirely too much about me. I love you with all of my heart.

I’m grateful for good friends. We are blessed to live in an area where so many people have gone out of their way to be good to us. Where people know our situation, know that we bail on planned activities at an alarming rate, but are still willing to extend invitations. We don’t have any family out here, but have never felt like we were without.