Brian's 45th Birthday

My sweetheart, Brian's birthday was very fun. It was great to have wonderful family time together. We headed up the mountain and passed by Nevada City. It was so cute! I loved the Victorian houses, the trees, and fresh air there. We have been lacking in fresh air since the King fire keeps blazing, but it was such a nice reprieve to see beauty and breathe clean air with the family. We crossed a cute bridge and drove through heavily wooded areas. It was a change of scenery as we came into town passed Lincoln, it became flat, and you can see for miles  the rice patty plantations. California is sure diverse, it is so loved by us. We went to a sit down Pizza hut in Linda and saw a few places where Brian works out there. We had dinner and I made a cake, it tasted pretty good, but looked funny. Both the cakes were red velvet but one was colored blue and the other red. Spencer ate one of the frosting containers so I improvised. Cake and its frosting sure makes my head spin, but we had fun celebrating Brian. I gave him a blog book and several other gifts and Emmy made him a card. We played games and relaxed. It seems we are often protecting our family time, but that is because it is so important. I would not rather spend time with any one else. Being alone sometimes is nice, but building these eternal relationship brings peace and joy. Brian is such a giver. I think the kids got more little gifts on his day from him than he got. He spends time with each individually knows what they like and gets it for them to make them happy. What a blessing he is to our family.

Girls Weekend

I was happy to come home to my sweet family, but had a great time at Time Out for Women in Sacramento. I was excited to see Sherri dew, but she had a funeral to attend to. Family first. That is so important so I wasn't too put out by it. fortunately I was able to car pool over with some friends. We stopped at Subway and got dinner and went and met up with several ladies from our ward for the event. It was a more serious evening of religious talks then we walked to Crepeville. It was a great evening dessert. I love to get strawberries and nutella for my crepe toppings. There were close to twenty us walking around downtown at night. I was a little bit shocked by the bars hopping and the night life and the homeless in the area. I don't get out to downtown at night much so it was a unusual experience. Saturday's event was more upbeat and funny. I was inspired by Noelle Pikus, the silver medalist in the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics. She overcame so much after an accident and with he determination of a dream and the support of her family she succeeded with her goal to earn a medal. There were many inspiring messages from her, but I noticed she lived and endured well her trials. There seemed to be a theme of doing our destiny and overcoming trials and enduring well. It may have just been speaking to me, but I felt to focus more on my stewardship of my family. I am helping the next generation by raising my children to be spiritual, upstanding, responsible citizens, and great people. It is influence enough even though  the world would have us want fame, fortune, and recognition. I can help society in my little neck of the woods by raising good people. I also enjoyed the speakers who were men at the event. I learned a few great things about Isaiah and how to be happy from their talks. There wasn't any new material really, but it was great reminders of how I can try to do better and to take it one step at a time. One of the highlights of the weekend was all the going out to eat with the girls. Lucca's was especially yummy and fun. I had the chicken picatta and a few bites of delicious cheesecake.We may have to visit there again. The waiter liked our tip and I felt proud being in charge of figuring out the tab. I tell joseph it was using algebra in real life and I think I earned some brownie points with him. I cant forget another part of the weekend I loved which was seeing friends from my old stake. It was a very warm and welcoming two days amongst great women.

 

The Pocket

We had so much fun on our Saturday family ride. I really wanted to go see the pocket area near Sacramento that I heard was so cool. Of course we went to Deseret industries and shopped to our hearts content for toys and books and I found several great Halloween decorations. We have the best thrift store in town! We made it to the pocket and all got out and enjoyed the river. Spencer lead the way in helping find which part of the shore we wanted to go to and he never wanted t o leave. Brian found mistletoe, and Emmy found fools gold. Joseph and Celia loved the club a y like sand for drawing in the dirt and making castles. It was a sweet treat to have so much fun all together we enjoyed going out to Mountain Mike's pizza and to Dimple and spudnut donuts which apparently they have in New Mexico. The lady liked Brian so much she threw in several free donuts.:). What a wonderful  family day, blessed.~

3 B's means Busy

Back to School, Ice Bucket challenges, and Bunco. I've been having to choose between good, better, and best when it comes to using my time wisely. I'm glad to have such a great Bunco group. Our first meeting included hanging out in the hot tub and lots of great food and conversation. I have done book group with them too to discuss "The Giver" and we also went to see the movie all together with the girls. Tanya and Addison called Emmy, Joseph, Celia and I out to take the ALS ice bucket challenge and to donate. It was surprisingly cold and my family teases me that I still feel some affect from the challenge.  It was fun and we are keeping cool in the heat and are looking forward to Autumn. Celia was going to change schools, but the waiting list didn't pan out. Joseph is a big boy on campus being and eighth grader. Spencer is sporting collared shirts and jeans for his junior year and Emmy attended Senior Sunrise wearing red and loves her parking spot in the senior parking area even more after her car was fixed post accident (her first and hopefully her last).

Things break, weeks fly, by and the children are growing like weeds. I'm so happy with my family and try to protect  our sacred family time together. I have started cancelling scheduled events that take away from my time at home and with family. I want them all to feel loved and taken care of and for me to be there for them. It makes me glad to see them doing well. I know that the everyday triumphs and mishaps are what make up life and how we increase in love and knowledge. I know that by "small and simple things great things are brought to pass" and that family matter more than realize now. Small things being smiles, hugs, learning to do laundry, or cook. Being honest and nice to others or learning respect for each other and ones space. I'm glad I have these great people to share my life with. Life is challenging and I'm grateful for my family to support me along the way. I guess I must miss the kids now that they are at school and Brian at work, but I feel more than ever that my efforts on their behalf at home is worthwhile and paying off. It may be busy, but it is worth it and slowing down is going got Be great!

So Many Activities

What a week it has been. I love that Brian and I were able to celebrate our 20th Anniversary for a few days. We went on a double date to Lucille's' BBQ. The catfish is very yummy there and we enjoyed lovely conversation. On Wednesday Brian was able to take off work. We rode around beautiful new places and ate lunch with Celia and Spencer and took Joseph and Emmy out with us at night to Pete's. I loved the family time and walking outdoors when the weather had cooled down and we had the nice delta breeze. We live in such a beautiful place. We had been going on car rides to areas of our community we have passed by, but never explored beautiful. I felt like I was filling in a map in my mind discovering new ways to get places and having a great knowledge of our area.

Andrew left this last week too. The open house and airport goodbyes were endearing to see from my perspective. He will be missed. Luckily, Emmy has a lot of good friends, family, and school work to keep her busy.

Spencer has been off school for a while so we have had a lot of quality time together. We went to wake island on one of our rides and he loved it so much. He was laughing and dancing to the music. A dog came and visited us, he had food from Beach Hut Deli and got to watch a few wake boarders fall and also do some great tricks. One time an official on a jet ski busted some people and Spencer got the biggest kick out of it. I know feel like I know what he likes more because of how happy he was. We went to a ward BBQ, Celia went to a swim party, I walked with a friend and attended a Relief Society dinner that had several great classes which I enjoyed very much. Emmy and I worked on her personal progress and Brian and Joe stained the back fence. ( It looks so much better!) I feel so blessed and spoiled with gifts and friends and fun times. There have been challenges for sure, but the good has outweighed the bad. The kids go back to school in the next week or too, it will be nice to slow things down and get into a routine again.

Mountains and Mountains to climb

Just as Emmy starts her senior year tomorrow, Spencer is on a two week summer vacation. I hope we can structure up our days enough to have a pleasant few weeks. We have already had a great summer full or car rides, swimming, trips to the mall and various Dimple stores. It has been hot, but we have managed well. This week should be fun with our upcoming anniversary and various activities. Emmy had fun with the Solano's going to Newport Marriott Villas for a long weekend and also visiting Eagle Falls yesterday, near Lake Tahoe. With commuting Emmy to and from various girls camps, I've come to notice the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains nearby.

We're so blessed to live in such a great place. We went to Andrew's open house for his mission tonight. I'm excited for him to serve in the Utah, South Salt Lake Mission. He will be a great missionary and he will be missed here. Only two years. What  a great sacrifice to help others! Joseph will go when he is older. I think that will be very hard for me to let him go. It is so great to see each missionary grow in strength and spirit. Sometimes it is hard to do what is best for us, but the experience we take from it is worth it.