Blessed Day

I love that Joe serves in the primary and has been coming to church with us consistently. I have always loved to sing the hymns with him in church. I was so pleased to see him receive the Melchizedek priesthood today. I feel suddenly, he grew up and is a man now. I guess I can let him go off to college and live his life and I am so proud of him and all that he has is. He has been making great strides lately and it warms my heart. Brian mentioned me as an example to him in the priesthood and I felt so happy to hear that and so glad for my striving to do the Lord's will.

 

March Madness

I can't believe things are progressing for Spencer's growth and for his Independence. He had another procedure checking out his GI and overall health. He was so patient and happy and willing to endure well, the things asked of him. I love him so much and am so proud of how he communicates non verbally that people can't help but announce how sweet he is. He changes everyone he comes in contact with for the better. It is so nice to support him through his hard times, He is so worth any care and special time and effort given to him. I'm looking forward to a good meeting tomorrow for taking the next steps for him to be moving into his own Duplex soon.

The weather had been rainy and bad and now we have seen the sun shining a while and it is a wonderful reprieve. I love all the blossoms on the trees around town. Joe and Celia are collecting Pokemon on and playing the game together. Brian and I are getting a lot of car rides in with each of the kids around here separately. We are liking our dollar tree runs for Pokemon cards and little chances to go out to eat and spend time together. I can't believe Joe will be 18 very soon. I go thim a few dapper clothes and can't wait for him to wear them to church and anywhere else he may need to dress up for. 

 Emmy was accepted into Graduate school .BYU Special Education We are so proud of her. It was no easy feat to interview and prepare and work in all the fields and places necessary to be admitted Next month will bring gradations and trips all around. It will be another busy month, but family time together will be a high priority and such a joy.

Sunday, a time to reflect and write

I can't believe September is more than half over. Things have changed and are continuing to change, but for the most part things are good. I just finished giving a lesson to the beehives. I am pleased to be with these great girls., I love their open eyes, their comments and the way they talk with me. I love having a positive influence on them and having a relationship with them. Sharing experiences makes me happy and I am glad they are willing to listen. I love the Lord and his way of helping me out when I desire to do his will. I have felt so much gratitude this weekend. For my husband that is so loving and kind and for our rich lives together. I truly need his support with the family. I also love the time I have to be still and quiet and try to be mindful. I am glad for my health and abilities.

 I did feel overheated and upset on Saturday after walking at the auction and the sunrise mall. I'm glad that isn't a feeling I experience very often. I mostly feel loved, grateful, blessed and happy. Sure things happen that get me down, but the bounce back is so fast. I saw myself having joy as I attended church in the same car with all the family at home last week. I have so much joy when the kids are doing well and when we do the things that help others and bring meaning to our lives. Joe brought sacrament to a lady in the ward that needed it. Joe and I also went and visited his friends who had a choir performance in Rocklin. We looked at old cars all fixed up and explored the fair. He ditched me, but Brian came to my rescue and took me to Chipotle and later took Celia out for a fun time and I rested. My job as a mom is being redefined.

I'm glad I have written in my journal in my life. I feel like I know who I am and was because of it. The spirit touches, me tells me things I should know and do and I keep it in my heart. I need to write it down more often. I use the memo portion of my phone as reminders of goals I create, or feelings I have while listening to the spirit. Quiet time writing makes me happy, as well as photography, yard work, visiting while eating with others and riding in the car. Oh and Sugar free hot chocolate from Starbucks:) It can be so easy to think we have to do or be something other than we are. We can take who we are and remember others and love God.

I need to write to remember. I feel like the days and weeks so go fast and are full of good things, but sometimes I forget to see my happiness or enjoy the blessings that are there. I feel blessed to have each child of mine benefiting from the Lord's watchful care of them.

I got a borderline bad test result for my A1C this last month. I am determined to keep my sugar intake down.to prevent any health issues. I am walking more and making more of an effort to go to the gym. I have found I love walking by miners ravine. It really improve my mood and my day. I took my folks to walk there this week too. I hope I always remember to make nature a part of my daily schedule.  I am on day 14 of really watching and tracking myself. I feel healthier already knowing I am taking care of myself and watching my health and habits.

Joe is swimming for school, planning golf with the priests, going out for birthday parties and hanging with friends on top of work and school. He is tired, but he is growing. We have time with him to help him grow and I'm so glad for that. I may have let him lay by me instead of go to seminary the other day. Babies don't keep and he will be turning 18 soon. Time does go by and they grow up, I'm glad we have a good relationship. I realize Celia may even grow up someday, I will use wisely this time and enjoy her around. Bri got a new family game for Celia to play and we are on day two of playing it. Aquarium is perfect for her and she beats me at it. We are still the same, but yet changing routines and working out our progression through life. I'm pleased for the good things in life and being able to see and write a glimpse of it on Sundays.

Winter Gala

Joe was convinced the formal at his school would be lame. I told him, I would join the planning committee and do my best to make it great. There was so much talent and love put into the dance.  The  music, decor and feel of the dance was so beautiful and energetic. Joe joined his friends at Olive Garden beforehand and went with a big group. I let him drive my car which I rarely do and it seemed official like his first formal dance. I can't wait to see pictures from the photo booth. I was in charge of refilling food for the chocolate fountain and making an amazing ceiling for the dance floor. My new friend Emily and I enjoyed ourselves very much, dancing along to the music, and checking out all the cute kids, and maybe reminiscing just a little. These formals are kind of a rite of passage in my opinion. On another note, it has been gorgeous outside. We have seen 74 degrees several times this month. My seeds I spread around with wildflowers are blooming and beauty is peeking up in the backyard, just a little.

November changes and opportunities to party

It was fun to Host Thanksgiving at our home. My folks and Brian's folks came. I invited more extended family via a fb page.:) Willow, Jeremiah, and Uncle Scott made it. It was so nice. Emmy was in town, our New Adult. I can't believe she is 21 now. She still went and shopped Black Friday with me and when she is home it is just like usual and like she never left. We did have some challenges/adjustments this month. Joe and Caroline broke up and we had some issues with identity theft and purchases. We are pretty resilient though and still felt grateful through this Thanksgiving season. I had our Bunco party for Christmas early on November 30th at my house. It was a fun time and my friends left at midnight after yummy food, a favorite items gift exchange and a whole lot of chatting. Thanksgiving pack meeting went well as also. We collected items for the homeless and put up a thankful tree. It was a neat opportunity to serve in the community. I also was interviewed for our family being the spotlight profile in the West Roseville news. I was nervous, but happy with the end result. I suppose the socializing will continue in December with the KJ Christmas party as well as the packer party and the  ward Christmas party to start.

Many Blessed Times with Friends and Family

July is flying by. I was happy to host for fourth of July. We had George and Ginny over with my folks. We enjoyed great conversation, it was really neat hearing about George's experiences in the navy and being at the helm from Hawaii to Long beach. I'm glad we had Brian's new BBQ for the hot dogs that turned out great! The zombie chaser turned out to be a great finale for our front yard fireworks. The night before the fourth we went to Rah Rah's and Papa's backyard. Caroline joined up and we all enjoyed a great seat for the Sun city aerial fireworks.

Joe got to go on his high adventure trip with the priests. He rode motorbikes and went white water river rafting and drove jet ski's. We also managed to get his driver's training done and he scored a perfect score on his driver's license exam.  We have needed another driver around. Spence has been out of school and he is really into being active and gone in the car day and night.  One day I decided if I was going to spend the whole day driving, I might as well see the beach. We have a lovely drive to Stinson beach. Spence didn't last long, but Celia and I got to go and get some amazing pizza and hot chocolate(Parkside café) and visited a surf shop in town. We were home by 3:30pm. The benefit was we saw and took in amazing sights and sounds and then made it home before any rush hour traffic.

My Dad had a Birthday on the 9th and we celebrated at this house. We also got to go and have yummy posole as Rah Rah's with my folks. Looking back, it has been a great July even thought there were hard times, we were able to have fun, have our health and visit with friends and family.

Celia went to a 12th Birthday candy themed party for Caroline's sister, Mandy. She seem to have a great time and Joe stayed out late visiting this party and Caroline even after the trek. Joe pulled a cart in pioneer clothing 20 miles. I'm proud he made it and enjoyed it and said it wasn't easy, but easier than he expected. I prayed so hard for him and he walked for his ancestor Jesse Bigler Martin who was a pioneer and a captain of a party that crossed the plains and settle in California and Utah. I want our children to feel of their heritage and feel so grateful for what they have now, so it pleases me to have my son participate in such an activity.

We are getting excited for more family time in the mountains of Colorado at the end of this month. We are preparing for the trip for spencer with all the sensory tools we can. Bri has been loading us up with weighed blankets and hand massagers and swings. We should be good.