The Sunday Blues

I don't know about you, but Sundays tend to be a little hectic for me. What ever happened to the day of rest?

Well, Sundays just managed to get a little more hectic for the Salmon family. Troy got called as 2nd counselor in the bishopric a couple of weeks ago. Wild right? I think what hit Troy the most was the fact that he is now a High Priest and would have to hang with all the old guys the rest of his life. No more Elder's Quorum socials for us! I think what hit me the most was how much time he'll need to put into this calling, leaving me a single mom for a good part of the week.

Because of General Conference, this was his first Sunday on the stand and my first Sunday sitting alone with little Pipster. Let's just say it was an incredibly long day.

I'm used to Troy being gone for a good portion of the day because before this he was the executive secretary. He usually had early mornings and late afternoons. I would get myself and Piper ready and was always relieved to know that Troy was already there waiting for me with a pew saved for us. This was the first Sunday where I had to get there early enough to find my own seat. Those of you who know me well know that I suffer from a severe disability of being chronically late so this was a challenge for me. I managed to make it a few minutes early though and I found myself a good seat.

Piper is just a little ball of energy constantly on the move and ready to discover something new in the world at every given moment. Holding her during church is a LOT of work. By the time the sacrament was passed it felt like I'd been holding her for a good 2 hours. I was already drained. Usually at this point I would trade off with Troy, but that wasn't going to happen and I began feeling a bit sorry for myself. I sat there and realized that this was going to be my life for the next couple of years. She started to get pretty disruptive and so I had to take her out in the hall and missed the rest of sacrament meeting. I then moved on to Sunday school where I was alone again for a good portion of the meeting until Troy showed up, but then I had to leave again because Piper was fussing and ready for a nap. I finally got her to sleep just in time for Young Women's but it didn't last long once the Young Men filed into the room for a joint lesson. They were as loud as ever and tried to peek at Piper under her car seat cover.... those little punks. She was wide awake and lasted for a good 5 minutes of the lesson before I had to take her out again before she ran the spirit right out of the room. So much for church that day!

I had choir right after church, but had to run home quickly because I had run out of wipes and Piper was in serious need of a diaper change. I got home to find that Piper had blown out of her diaper and her adorable little outfit was now covered in poop. I then had to quickly find her something new to wear and then rush over to choir practice. Luckily Piper loves music and was pretty good for most of the practice and even joined us in song for a few verses haha.

I got home and Piper was in dire need of a nap, but felt the need to put up a good fight. I finally just put her in her crib to cry it out while I scrambled to try and make some mashed potatoes in the 20 min I had left before I needed to be at Troy's parents for dinner. Troy got home just around the time we were supposed to be leaving and looked at my progress with the potatoes and said "Running a little late?" I'm pretty sure I gave him a serious stink eye.

At this point I was starving and exhausted with a bad headache.

We made it to Troy's parents and Troy got to stick around for about an hour before he had to leave again for another meeting.

Do you feel sorry for me yet? Cuz I sure did. Haha

On my drive home I was thinking about my day and my terrible attitude. I thought about how this was going to be my life for the next few years and the sooner I accepted it and changed my attitude about it the better off I would be. Sure, I would likely have a lot more tough Sundays, and Tuesday and Wednesday nights while we're at it (more meetings), but there is a reason why Troy has been called at this time and in this particular calling. He needs my support. I decided that this would be the last day I would let myself indulge in my own pity party. I have faith that Heavenly Father will give us both the strength and energy to carry on. I'm confident that as time goes on we'll be able to see this as a big blessing in our lives. I know that although we may be spending less time together that we will be blessed to grow closer to one another. I've already felt it. I also know that Heavenly Father will bless us to be the parents we need to be to our sweet little Piper. I'm very grateful to have a husband who is a beacon of strength to me. He is such an example to me of faithfulness, and service. I have not heard a single word of complaint from him so far even though it's him that's enduring the long days and meetings. He is a very compassionate and caring person. Troy is one of the most non-judgmental people I know and is always looking to lend a hand to those in need. He loves the Lord and always strives to do what's right. I love him and know that he'll put his all in this calling and he'll be great at it.

I will do my best to support him and when I'm feeling worn out I'll do my best still wear a smile on my face because I know that's what the Lord would want me to do. I know he'll be there to bear us up.

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88).

Wish me luck.