Everyday Socializing

I've been having fun spending time with Joseph. He is the middle child and the other kids I have can need a lot of attention so it was fun to take just Joseph out for a mommy son date. He wanted to go to La Provence. It was beautiful there and yummy too. Celia has been wanting to scooter to school so we have been taking our bikes. Joseph rode home and I caught him on camera. He doesn't look for cars which makes me nervous, but at least he is willing to ride home from school.:) I had fun going to Halloween Bunco last night. There is always so much yummy food, great conversation and this time  costumes! I was like a girl robin hood character. It is fun for the moms to dress up since I doubt I will to take them trick or treating. We got some rain which as beautiful and it is finally cooling down here a little bit. I find myself wanting to relax and read the scriptures or watch something while the ids are at school and break up my to do lists to rejuvenate. The girls are going to L.A. and I'm sure the boys will have a great time here.

Autumn?

The Pumpkin Farm was fun on Saturday. I really want to start celebrating fall, but the weather has not been cooperating. Celia has a make up tutoring session on Saturday. It was fun to get out and about. Sometimes when in home, I just feel the need to clean. The farm was lovely and it wasn't too hot out yet since we arrived in the morning. We  checked out the petting zoo. The goats were cute and quite excited for visitors. The train ride was fun, even though I felt like we were in a hamster's cage. I did like giving the ticket, like we were on a train like in Harry Potter.  There are many life size statues around. some of metal, some of plastic.  Celia did great even though some were scary. We went through the haunted barn which was very dark, musty, and dusty. They did a great job with it although Celia asked why they would make barbies look like dead people? The rest of our weekend was great having rides together and family time. Emmy, Joseph, Brian and I played Magic the gathering card game. I didn't win and it was annoying, but I'm sure it was just my sore throat. We need rain badly and so I might of been grumpy from the dust and wind. At least we aren't at dust bowl status, but it is apparent that crops were not as good this year. I'm hoping and praying for a rainy fall and winter.

My Growing Young Woman

I'm so happy and Proud of Emmy for getting her young woman in recognition medallion. It did take all six years and is quite an accomplishment. She had to do many projects tallying up to ten hours each and she did read the whole Book of Mormon as part of the process. The scriptures and journal writing required are such wonderful steps to take to become strong spiritually in her youth. Brian and I were able to go to Young Women in Excellence and  see a video about her, watch her conduct the meeting and share her testimony and Integrity themed quilt. I'm so happy for the proud moments of accomplishment for my good kiddos. Emmy has so much going on getting ready for college and finishing her senior year. I'm glad to have this time together. Since it was date night, we took her to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and Emmy ordered the Filet Mignon. Who taught her to have such tastes?  We also enjoyed conference this first weekend in  October. I loved hearing Saturdays talks. I did pray about questions I wanted answered and concepts I wish to know more about and those prayers were answered in the talks given that day.

I visited Emmy at her speech and debate competition too. I like that Emmy is I competitive forensics. She can learn great skills for life and I enjoy dressing her up for the competitions.  Apparently, for the duo competitions you're not allowed to touch your hair. Emmy wanted her hair all up, so we did and she was looking so professional that day without any band merch bracelets which she missed of course.

We were happy to have Brian back on Saturday evening from his work trip to L.A. and we enjoyed conference and  family time on Sunday. We plays some cards and I made a Halloween wreath which I'm excited about since I had given away a few of our decorations last year and one of the tutors sad you always go all out for Halloween. Isn't it your favorite holiday? It isn't, but the pressure was on to get things all festive. I was pretty happy to decorate and Celia couldn't get enough of it. It should be a great month. Bring on the fall festivities!

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!