An Answer to Prayer

Lately, Jacob has been having really long hours at the office. Busy season for the Auditing and Taxing world. So, I'll be alone for an entire day with Alexia, and somehow, those hours between 6 and bedtime are the worst. They're the hours when we usually hear daddy driving up, and I know I'm gonna get some help with Lexi, and she knows there's someone else to entertain her. So, the days when he's not able to come home until 8 or 9 are really long. I'm exhausted. Lexi is ornery. I'm out of patience, etc.

A couple of weeks ago, Alexia and I were having a particularly rough day. Jacob was in for a long evening at the office, and I couldn't figure out why Alexia was crying so much. Didn't want to eat much. Screamed her head off when it was nap time. Fussy all-around. Didn't dawn on me until 2-3 hours into this that she's probably teething. During the crying spells, I'd say a silent prayer in my heart "Please help me to figure out what's wrong," or "Please help her stop crying," or "Please help me with patience to deal with her..." etc.

Earlier that day, I had made my Visiting Teaching phone calls (I'm a supervisor). The Relief Society President is one of the people I call, and she was returning my call that evening. In the background, Lexi was screaming. The President asked if I needed a break, and offered to come over. I told her I'd be fine, but she told me to call if I changed my mind. I got off the phone, and realized I really did need a break. I was at my breaking point, and even if Jacob could leave work right then, he was still a half an hour away. So, I called my Relief Society President in tears, and asked her to come over.

She was at my house within 2 minutes. Acting the part of a nurse, she asked me how much Lexi had eaten, slept, what symptoms she had, etc. We both figured it had to be teething. She told me to give Alexia to her for at least 5 minutes, and take a break. So, I handed my screamer to her, and went upstairs and just sobbed for a couple minutes. Said a little prayer, took some deep breaths, and went downstairs. Lexi had stopped crying for a minute. The R.S. Pres then asked if I had any teething tablets. I had forgotten I had some! But, I remembered that my sisters gave me some at my baby shower. So, I got them, and gave Alexia two. She ate some applesauce, and was sleeping in my arms within about 5 minutes. I let her sleep for about 25 minutes while waiting for Jacob to come home. Then, I fed her and put her to bed. She slept until 7:30 without waking up!!!

I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father sending me that return phone call, right when I needed it. I'm grateful I was doing my calling that afternoon. I'm grateful my wonderful neighbor was willing to drop everything and come help. And especially that she asked me about teething tablets. They've since saved our lives on three or four occasions. They're wonderful!!! Thank goodness for prayer, and for wonderful neighbors!