To say that this morning was hard, is quite the understatement.  Before we even left for church I had completely passed my patience limit and was ready to throttle Derek.  (Thank goodness Lily was having a good morning.)  So, needless to say, by the time we had tucked Kevin into bed, and headed to church, I was in no mood to deal with my wild child.

During Sacrament meeting, when I truly thought I had reached my limit with Derek and was about ready to just sit there and cry, Cayman – the best 14 yr old boy in the world – saved me by coming and sitting with me and the kids.  I REALLY needed it today, and it was such a blessing.

Then fast forward to 2:20 in the afternoon, and the kids and I had just made it home (also through some miraculous help of people helping me coral Derek into our car), when I noticed that Derek was only wearing one shoe.  I quickly went outside to check the sidewalk and car, but it was not to be found.  I figured he must have lost it when he was trying to run away from me in the hall at church, and not having any clue when I could get back to get it, I just prayed that it wouldn't get lost or ruined.

However, not even ten minutes had gone by when there was a knock on our door.  There was our friend, Victoria, who was not only holding Derek's shoe, but Lily's scriptures!  It was such a blessing, and truly a "tender mercy" of the Lord.  He was reminding me that although there are times, especially lately, when I am close to the breaking point, He is there for me and loves me.

PS. And just because they are two of my greatest blessings, even if they drive me crazy at times, here are my kids . . .

Derek – I caught one of the rare moments he actually slows down.  He hopped onto his bed with a book and started reading to himself :). 

Lily – She wanted her hair in curlers last night, and when she found my grandma's old hairnet thing in the bag of pink sponge rollers, she decided she had to wear it to bed :).