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.

 

January, here we go again.~

I do believe there is a season for all things and that includes change and hard times. It is weird how January seemed to start things a new. Our family has been so blessed with date nights and time together. However abbreviated, we have and still continue to see see glimpses of joy, progress and strengthened ties in our family as we endure adversity.

We will miss our dear beloved Prophet President Monson. He was such a living example of how to be kind to others and to be Christlike. I am pleased with and sustain our new Prophet, President Nelson.

A change with our little family was Celia went to Sly Park. A science camp overnight for a school week! She hiked all around, saw a deer, and looked at the starts. She was in the rain a lot too. I can't believe she did so well and came back so grown up. I was a little worried when she couldn't carry her own luggage on the way in and it was expected of the scholars to be independent. She came home carrying it on her own and with drama free memories.

I wanted a getaway too. It had been so gloomy and ambiguity loomed over our household. I wanted to see the sun. I looked at my weather app, I thought Oakland would be a great Saturday trip. The girls and I headed to the Oakland temple. Sacramento's temple was closed and I had a great desire to do some family names. I thoroughly enjoyed this temple and the girls did a wonderful job watching videos and waiting for me in the visitor's center. We then went to lunch. I looked up a place and we found quite the paradox where we ended up. It was an upscale waterfront walk, but your could only get there through passing through tents cities and signs of homelessness under the freeway. We did feel the sun and had a lovely time, but I couldn't help feel for those who are so unfortunate. Through more experiences, I became more aware of the poor person's plight. I feel it is so important to see others to care and comfort the lonely and depressed, the sick and afflicted.

 Our doodle has been through some medical and behavioral challenges. We want peace and comfort for him so much. I am glad for the support and love of the family for him. Especially; Brian, Emmy and both sets of grandparents.

Life can definitely be ugly and rough, but there is beauty in it. In our backyard, we had a regal and beautiful hawk visit. I was memorized by him. He then started taking apart a lizard for lunch and it was so hard to stomach. Life is like that sometimes. We can recognize and focus on the blessings and the beauty though and still feel so grateful for our opportunities to experience it all.

Water is so comforting me. I got to go hiking/walking by the American River with the kids sans Spencer. We saw several deer and were blessed with a great time together. Hoping for many more relaxing and memory times with these cuties in the future.

Teeth and Temple

Time has been flying by. Celia got two teeth extracted and is handling braces like a trooper. We did have to say we would get her a dog sometime during her two year stint with braces. We look on the Placer SPCA website everyday for good options and I have applied twice to organizations for a service dog.  We have been kept busy with our Spencer this month. I think his ears and jaw having been bothering him. He might be getting his wisdom teeth in.( going to have that checked soon) Little sleep and a bit of Strong aggressive behaviors have been challenging, but we love our buddy.

I did get to go to the temple last week. My parents had gone the day before and were very pleased with their visit. I was going for peace and I found it. The Lord speaks through his servant here on earth and the scriptures can give us needed insight and perspective. An older lady in the temple struck me as a wise woman, an Indian chief of sorts, giving me blessings and grand advice from God. It was the usual ordinances, but I felt the spirit and was happy. I am grateful for the little tidbits of knowledge and great feelings of peace and comfort I feel when I am trying to be obedient and live up to the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father.

Celia and I went to my mom's house to watch the General Woman's Conference broadcast.  I was happy to have grabbed my kindle just in case ( felt I should bring it) and it was great to us as we were having technical difficulties as he broadcast began. The talks were great and inspired. I feel such a high when I feel the spirit and a little bit of a low when I see the stewardship and duties awaiting me at home. The lows are short lived. Little by little, I go about my work and am blessed and buoyed up.

I'm glad the Land cruiser still lives and Joe can bring his sister home from school, it is so very helpful. I'm also grateful for technology and the convenience of my phone from which I can do almost all  my household management, kids school, and church calling communications. I can even transfer money to Emmy way out in Idaho. I'm proud of her cooking more and budgeting food money over just having a dining card. Grateful for the daily grind and the blessings of each day!

Bucks, bears, elk and a hike.~

We saw a beautiful buck in our backyard of the cabin after my folks left. We also saw some bear prints from an assault on the hummingbird feeder.  My folks did get to see elk up close and had a grand time with the gators. We went to Taos ski valley and saw a cute bear in the parking lot there. It was a beautiful alpine ski resort nicer than park city or North star, I would say. My favorite part of the day was talking a walk through the stations of Christ in San Luis. I was impressed by the sculptures and of course a walk through the suffering our lord endured for us. Bri had been meaning to visit that area and all who went up with us was glad they did.

Be Mindful

Spring has Sprung in town, finally. I love the early spring in Northern California. The blossoms are so noticeable with color burst and fragrance. Flower bulbs have grown in my backyard and I'm feeling a sense of gratefulness. Grateful for the warmer weather, It was 79 degrees yesterday.  We are making plans to visit other places soon and I see the light at the end of the school year tunnel. Although I am beginning to miss the driving I'd do all day before Emmy came home from school. She is such a great help and I needed the reprieve although I"m missing the quality time I would spend with each of my children as I drive them to and from school and activities.  Spencer has been making up for it. When he has any time off of school we ride and ride. This last weekend we saw so many vistas of heights and beauty nearby our home.

We had a scare with my Mom's high blood pressure. Something like this sure puts life in perspective and how important it is to take care of your body.  We all have insecurities, stressor and ways we deal with adversity.  My goal is to try and live healthily and spiritual enough to tackle each situation with moderation in all things. Not too much shopping or food, or idleness. I do love my walks and yoga and delicious fruits and vegetables. Preparing healthy food for the family and taking time to feed ourselves mentally, intellectually, and also physically is worthwhile and quite the balancing act. Reflection and tracking seems to help with trying to keep things in order. There are so many distractions these days, we can be separated somewhat from mindfulness. I'm glad we have the routine of the Sabbath day and Temple worship. We can remember and explore the different facets of ourselves. Scriptures can be the bread of life. Prayer and exercise and mediating can improve our happiness and feelings on life. 

Beginning of November

We missed Emmy for her birthday. I'm glad her roommates threw her a fondue party, chocolate and cheese, and that she enjoyed the electric blanket we sent her from California. She is coming to visit tomorrow and we will have an early Thanksgiving. Meanwhile we have been having fun at home. Celia is so fun. She runs around the backyard gather pieces of plants and reporting on her day. Sh talks of Zach, her little admirer, who makes her army tanks made out of paper and brings her gold nugget looking rocks. I'm so pleased that she has been doing her own homework assignments with out me glued to her hip and is sleeping a little better. I think Celia believes she slept better in the bunk bed sharing with her brother, but I think she just is being silly since her full size bed is so nice. Celia cleaned her room up nicely for me today and says "Wahooo" when she has a fun ride home from her carpool or a friend over. I can't believe how the children are growing. It is in leaps and bounds. Spencer has been doing so great. He rarely bites his hand or gets too upset anymore. He loves the routine car ride with their acquisition of Popsicle and bread.  wish that could be my diet, too. I'm getting excited to visit Hawaii next month. Life is good and I feel grateful for my freedom, health and strength.

I've been wanting the boys to be happy about their bathroom. It is usually disorganized and plain in there and not too clean. I decorated it and cleaned it up a bit an Spencer was pretty happy, Joseph too. Brian changed the toilet seat and bought led light bulbs. Now, I feel like I can send visitors to either bathroom when they come over. I had my visiting teachers over for lunch and for hours and was a little hesitant to send them to the boys bathroom. Sometimes I like to nest and feel confident that I can have my friends go throughout out home, and feel welcome.

There has been an upheaval among my friends over the Handbook change in the church. I feel calm about the change. I feel that the brethren are trying to do the Lord's will in protecting the traditional family that the Lord has instituted as an integral part of his plan. The family, the Plan of Salvation and its precepts that have been determined by our loving Heavenly Father and he has made the order in which it is best support for the individual to learn, grow, and return to him.Policy denying privileges is hard to handle, but so are disabilities, medical issues, and political injustices. It takes a lot of determination to follow the Lord's way when it is unfair or seems so now. I can't help, but think of all those who have to wait on the Lord for blessing. All those who it really will be okay in the end if they are obedient and follow the Lord through confusing situations. What happened to the rallying sounds of General Conference just a month ago?

 Let us sustain the prophet, stay in the old ship Zion, and defend the faith. I participated in the quest to defend marriage with Proposition 8 in California. I walked the streets and talked to families and heard stories and reasons became aware and sometimes understanding of what others felt. It is very hard to stick to something that can affect some in a seemingly negative way. His ways are not our ways and the boundaries and laws have been set. I have tried to follow the commandments, policies, and my covenants. It has brought me and my family peace and blessings. I want to continue to follow that now. I have had too many positive experiences to renounce my faith.

The Lord has seen me through several extremely difficult situations in my life. He helps me through illness, sadness, accidents, betrayal, and sin. The atonement is real and the peace I have felt from submitting to the Lord's will has given me confidence and power to accomplish feats, I could not otherwise do. Parenting is difficult. I feel extremely blessed to have help in rearing our children. From my husband and from my Heavenly Father, I think I have come to know Him a little better through the trials of my life.

There is much to learn, but I do know he cares for all of us. He wants us to be charitable, kind and patient. He wants us to give of ourselves, and not seek our own. He wants us to be stripped of pride, meek, and lowly of heart. He wants us to mourn with those that mourn, succor the weak, and comfort the feeble. He loves and cares for his children more that we know. He wants us to be brave, have more of an eternal perspective, and to follow His commandments so he can bless us with all that he has. I pray everyday to do his will and make a difference in His Kingdom. I want to be better and hope that his promises will be fulfilled and His Son's sacrifice will help all mankind to experience His love and Happiness.

Grateful

General conference was inspiring. The family time with Lance's family visiting from Utah was great. The weather has been beautiful despite allergies flaring up around here. There is much to be grateful for. We are at the beginning of a busy time with Spring. Right now I'm feeling appreciation for the respite worker we have had for a few years. She moved away and trying to fin d a replacement has been tricky. We do have Merlene coming this week and I appreciate her so much after trying to train new workers to understand Spence and successfully get his needs met. He is doing well right now, but he can be tricky to take care of.
I also feel grateful for being safe. A tornado touched down in our neighborhood, but we were okay. I went on a field trip with Joseph and the school chartered a bus. They arrived safely home, but further up the road a chartered bus was struck by a fed ex truck and there were injuries and fatalities to the students, drivers and chaperones. Life is short and I'm grateful for the time with my family and our temple sealing as comfort that we can be together forever. There was also a high speed car chase in Antelope last week where we used to live that took the life of a father and daughter. The community has reached out and come together to support their family.  Whenever tragedy strikes I just want to pull my daily close and hold them near me. I want to follow the prophets advice and stand in Holy places. That can be our home, temples, meeting houses and anywhere where we are keeping the commandments and engaging in good. I'm grateful my parents have been safe through the many minor earthquakes in L.A. Also, for the rain we have been receiving.

The field trip turned out to be such a great time. I met and talked with Lindsey and Chris who are Brian and Sean's moms. I drove to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. We experienced the museum , had a great time driving around the city and walking on the Golden gate Bridge. it was cold and foggy, but so fun and beautiful. We hit traffic on the way home, but our conversation was engaging and we love stopping off at El Pollo Loco for a Mango Chicken Tostada. I feel like I have a few more friends over at Joseph's school and would love to chaperone again.