Day 9 & 10

Day 9:  Family.  Always family.  I was texting my big brothers yesterday during some down-time at my niece's birthday party.  It was a short conversation but long enough to remind me how much I miss them and wish they lived closer.  Being with Andrew's family helped with the longing for my own.  Sure, we are a little screwy but no body makes me laugh quite like my family.  We have similar senses of humor and any time I get to spend with them makes me heart so incredibly happy.
Andrew's family is also fantastic.  I've never been real close to my own sister since she moved away to Pennsylvania when I was 13 or 14.  But over the years I have gotten close to Andrew's sister, Cyndi.  It was her daughter's birthday party we attended last night and it was so good to see them.  I only wish we got to see them more often.
Day 10:  Last night I had a horrible dream.  When I say horrible I'm talking death of my child horrible.  It was awful!  I won't go into details because I'm really hoping that I'll forget it soon if I don't share details.  Anyway, I turned on my pandora the second I was up for the day in hopes of shaking that awful feeling awful dreams leave you with.  And pandora totally came through.  Song after favorite song all morning long, all of them making me a little bit happier.  And, it wasn't even my holiday station.  Music has always been special to me.  It speaks to me on a spiritual level.  It lifts me when I need, helps me cry when I need, and of course entertains.  I'm grateful for all the many varieties I am able to appreciate.  I'm grateful that I can play music myself.  Nothing relieves stress for me quite as well as pounding out a nice tune on the piano (though I don't much anymore because I'm always joined by four little hands and they kinda get in the way)  Andrew teases me about not being able to stand silence and that's totally true.  Why have silence when you can have music!  I have been told several times that you need to take moments of silence for yourself to connect with the Holy Ghost and from time to time I do but ultimately I feel closer to my Father in Heaven and the Holy Ghost when I'm listening to music.  Obviously the right kind cuz Metallica just doesn't scream spiritual.