Snuggle Sunday: A Day of Rest

I've always loved Sundays. Since I've had Parley, they have felt significantly harder. The toughest part is that our church is at 9, and one of Parley and my biggest chunks of sleep is usually around 8-10. Last night, as you read, wasn't the greatest night for me, but I took a bath and got all ready for church this morning. Nikki got me a pretty green dress with a v-neck for nursing like I like and pockets! It was my first time wearing, plus I put on mascara, so I was looking so good. But I was tired, and a tiny thing happened, and then I was crying about everything and nothing and couldn't stop. 

Nikki told me to go take a nap and that I can go to church next time. At first that made me cry more because I wanted to go to church and really want to be put together enough to be able to go to church. But this increased crying convinced me that he was right. We turned on the YouTube live of our sacrament meeting. Nikki snuggled Parley and listened, and I fell dead asleep and got nothing out it. Except a nap! 

Then Nikki went to take a nap in the room, and I snuggled Parley. I wasn't crying anymore but just felt down about missing church. I want to be more capable and be able to do things, and I want to worship God. Plus I had dirty dishes in the sink, full garbages, a mountain of clean laundry needing to be put away, and a sleeping baby on my chest who always wakes up when I put him in his crib during the day. And Nikki must be so, very tired because he never takes naps. 

In an attempt to at least not miss out on worshipping on Sunday, I listened to the entire soundtrack of The Savior of the World. I thought about how all the scripture stories are of people doing hard things but trusting God through them. I decided I need to do that more. I started praying out loud, which I don't do near enough of, and asking for strength and help through these things that were getting me down. As I was praying, I remembered my baby carrying wrap. I had tried it once, weeks earlier, with no success but decided to try it again. Parley was asleep and stayed asleep when I put him in. I was so excited! I did all the dishes and even cleaned out our nasty microwave. It brought me so much hope that I can do things!

After that, we had a restful, wonderful day as a family. Nikki and I took turns snuggling Parlwy and helping him get to sleep. We really think he needs to sleep more than he does and have been trying to help him do so. Our white noise machine came in the mail today! I think it helps. Throughout the day, the person not holding Parley took the trash out, tidied the living room, made chicken cordon bleu, tacos, and chocolate chip cookies, interviewed my friend Mary about school administration impacting teacher self-efficacy, took another nap, and showed me cool new outfits he got in the dress up game. I also talked to most of my family on the phone. 

The three of us went on a lovely walk around Provo. Parley was so curious and looking everywhere. I read Parley a tiger book Olivia gave us, I Love You Stinky Face, and The Seven Silly Eaters. Parley got a little tired of it, but The Seven Silly Eaters made me a bit teary. It's about a mom who loves her family with all her heart being run ragged trying to take care of them until they all start taking care of her and each other. There was a familiar feeling as she gave all she could for her family while being exhausted and discouraged and in a messy house. 

Over all, it was a restful and rejuvenating day. I know the house cleaning bit might not seem particularly restful or spiritual, but it felt like such an answer to prayer. There is hope for me being able to do things, consistently, again! And there is something just so special about hanging out with my little family that I love so much. I felt like it was a day of rest and of worship even though I didn't make it to church. I'm so grateful.

One last thing. There is nothing quite so restful and wonderful as coming back to bed after putting Parley down throughout the night and having half- asleep Nikki move my pillow into the perfect snuggle position and him wrapping his arm around me while I fall back asleep. I feel so safe and loved and like the luckiest woman in the world! Snuggle Sunday is the best!