I'm scared of water!

I know water is a good thing. It keeps us alive, clean and hydrated. But when water has damaged our new home not once, but twice now it scares me to pieces. I'm afraid to turn on the water to brush my teeth, take a shower, flush the toilet, run the dishwasher, start a batch of laundry and every other thing water might be needed for in my life. I now fear falling asleep because I might wake up to a mess. I even have dreamed now about sinks overflowing and dripping.

I awoke two evenings ago in the early morning hours of 1:00 am to what I thought was somebody taking a shower, only to discover as I ran downstairs that our third level was a pool of water with it pouring out one of the walls in the laundry room. The drain in the laundry room wasn't functioning and so all this water was pouring out on into the hallway and family room. Had the drain been working I think our mess would have been far easier to deal with. I ran upstairs to wake up Mark and then shut off the water to the house in the basement. After the boys started sucking up water with the wet/dry vac downstairs I went looking for water damage upstairs to start drying things off and to see where the origin of the water problem was. Mark discovered a supply valve in our master bathroom had popped off under the sink and so for about 45 minutes it had been pouring out from the upper level of our home down to the third. So basically now, we are in a mess. We have called our insurance guy and will hopefully get things all worked out soon. In the meantime we have been using 5 large fans and working on getting this place dried out. The sad thing is it was brand new carpet and brand new paint. I know things will improve but for now it's a challenge to feel motivated to move forward when I feel like I'm going backwards. I have a very good friend who gave me this for Christmas. She is such a rock to me. She hears all my woes and challenges, highs and lows, and is a woman with much inspiration and knowledge. I lean on her more than she probably realizes. Well, when I opened this and then read a very tender card she had written I cried. She shared her feelings of how I was the one with the strength and courage and how this saying totally made her think of me. My challenge for this year is to continually be courageous through whatever life throws at me. I need to keep my chin up and strive to move forward.

Because I try to stay positive in life I feel the need to share some experiences that have happened since moving:

*My dad who was hanging on for dear life just over a month ago in the ICU has improved dramatically and even is finding positive things in life to feel good about. It's so wonderful to see him on this happy path.

*My husband's leg has improved a lot! I debated showing photos because some of you were curious but trust me, you would be traumatized to see them!

*We have such wonderful neighbors. One in particular helped us move our piano and then came over and tuned it, fixed a few keys, fixed the pedal, and basically did a major brush up job on the whole thing. He works in the music department at BYU. As I was getting out my checkbook to pay him he said "Merry Christmas. I know trying to move is a challenge and you have a lot going on. Don't worry about it." Of course I cried. What a very sweet man he is.

*We have a wonderful ward who has welcomed us with open arms. The bishop is amazing and connects so well already with my boys. The Christmas program in Sacrament Meeting was absolutely fabulous. I felt like I was watching a little mini Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Mark and I have already received callings. We are team teaching the 14, 15, and 16 year old sunday school class. I was also called to be an Assistant Camp Director. So, we have been put to work already and look forward to the experiences that await us there.

*I went to my first Enrichment Meeting in December and felt so welcomed and met so many wonderful women. I look forward to forming some new friendships here.

*Our old friends haven't forgotten us. We will ALWAYS treasure those friendships we have formed in the past 19 years of living in our previous home. There have been quite of few of them that have helped with our move and with our struggles. I won't share names but just know that they are priceless to us and somehow, someway, someday I have to figure out how to express my appreciation to them for all they continue to do and have done. Maybe a great big dinner and party when our life and home is a bit more settled??

I hope you all have a great 2010. I know I sure am hoping for one! I want NO repeats of 2009, that's for sure!!!