On Short-Term Memory Loss

We all thought it was so cute, that little blue fish Dory and her "short-term memory loss." But now that I've discovered that it's a real thing, it's not so funny anymore!...

Like the time on Halloween when I invited some friends over for a playdate. We had a great time chatting, letting little boys chase each other around the house, and talking all things home-related. But when they had all gone and I sat down to eat lunch, I looked at the clock and realized with a sudden horror that I was supposed to be at the school right then to pick up the girls for a dentist appointment!!

Or like the next day when we packed up the van and were headed to Columbus. About a half-hour into the drive I again had a sudden horrible realization that I forgot something...Eric's birthday cake! The one for his celebration at my sister's the next day. The one that he chose over a month ago. The one that I had started preparing since the night before. The one that I so carefully timed out my day for so that it would be ready to take on the road with us. Yes, the cake.

At least I had left it in the fridge so that it didn't completely go to waste. And it ended up that we got to make one of Eric's favorite treats (Toffee Blondies) in place of the cake. So all was not lost.

But we didn't make the trip to Columbus to just share a cake with cousins; Eric and I got to go to the temple, and it was wonderful. The two of us got up Saturday morning when the house was quiet and still, and we left our sleeping kids knowing that they would have a fun morning with their cousins. We enjoyed the peaceful drive to the temple, the beautiful spirit inside the temple, and the chance to talk and uplift each other.

It was such a contrast to Friday night when after midnight all four of our kids were still awake! After napping on the road to my sister's and pulling in at almost bedtime, there was no hope that the kids would go to bed well. But for me, that horribly rough night was just a testimony that the small sacrifices we make (our sacrifice being to get to the temple) are a gift to the Lord and a way to show our faith. I know we are blessed when we sacrifice to be obedient.

But I must say, the lack of sleep certainly does take its toll. Maybe I don't need to wonder why I have such severe short-term memory loss!

Hi, I'm Robyn...

For the sake of documenting, Eric got to blow candles out on his real cake on his actual birthday the day after we came home. He chose pumpkin spice cake with honey cream cheese frosting. And I think he would say that it was worth the wait. :)