Hawaii Part One

As I got on the plane, I couldn't believe it was happening. I really had the chance to sneak away to Hawaii. There was so much hype surrounding this trip. I didn't know what to expect, but hoped it would be great! The plane from Sacramento to Los Angeles was tiny, old, and wobbly. I did get my ginger ale like usual for refreshment in the air. I enjoyed a great view of the Los Angeles temple, Downtown where my Dad worked for twenty years, and of the coast. There was a haze covering the   suddenly, I remembered the place of my youth and how I have moved to greener pastures, but had wonderful memories from there. LAX was familiar however, the giant Boeing 757 was not. I knew it would be a six hour flight, but didn't realize how long that is in real time on a plane. My nervousness was misplaced as I had meals with my folks and caught smiles, and pleasant glances from them.

 My mom was sitting next to me and then went to sit by my Dad. I had more room then. It was a beautiful descent into Honolulu, Hawaii. I could see the blue green water and other islands there. It was balmy and warm as we got off of the plane. We were excited and warm, really warm! My mom had six layers on and soon we started to shed our layers and feel of the aloha spirit. My Dad was a little stressed out, but a detour took us through a scenic route to Tanya's house on Pali Road. It was so beautiful We saw 3 waterfalls and quite the ocean view while we got there.

 Tanya was such a great host. They gave me Kieran's room and it had a squishy queen bed, a personal air conditioner and a little outdoor patio. It was so nice. I was noticing I didn't have clothing cool enough for the weather.. I don't know how the marathon runners did it that day, but we walked to Ross, Tanya, Christian, and I and I got some active wear and a casual dress. I'm so glad I got those clothes. The next day would prove to be even more hot as we climbed Diamond Head. It was a great view and I learned I'm a little claustrophobic..

After a little rest looking at the ocean and ignoring the crowds I was able to go to the top and reap the beautiful view. Staying calm in life helps me to be successful and I need to remember that for later. The sunrise was great, the sunsets were great and I loved how well my sister and I were getting a long.

Family Festivities

Our sweet Emmy came to visit! I got the biggest hug from her right off the greyhound bus at the station in Sacramento. We snapped a picture together. The excitement was so thick you could feel it. Emmy noticed Spence had turned a little more like a teenager with acne.Emmy loved being back. It was a twenty four hour bus ride home from school, but she was still peppy and didn't seem tired at all. She was such a trooper. We went out to eat and the grandparents met us. Joseph opted to stay home so we were missing him. Spence motioned for Emmy to come over and get a hug. It was so sweet. We were all in a good mood having her around.

She settled in and saw so many friends and did so many things. We went and got highlights in her hair together and shopped.We of course went to the concert that was highly anticipated.  She saw friends there she didn't know were coming. We loved the Meet and Greet and the fun gourmet food before it started. We got a great parking space, view, and had a wonderful experience there.
The Lord must love Emmy because she is so blessed and things go her way more often than not.

On Monday, Emmy stayed home and did Homework and Celia and I went to the capitol building on her field trip. We had a great time and the State Capitol building was impressive. We pulled a few strings an were able to visit the assembly floor and see where the law making happens. Celia also was in a skit for her core values assembly and had a harvest party that week. Her skit was on personal responsibly. She did so well. It was a fun and eventful assembly and was said to be the best ever by a student and teacher. The fourth grade was putting it on. Joseph and Celia have been doing pretty good in school although they were sick last week. All my kids learned about missing school and how you have backed up work because of it. I have tried to keep a relaxed attitude as getting straight A's isn't the most important thing in life. Yes, it opens door, but I am trying to focus on relationships and strong moral values for our family in hopes we produce great citizens, fathers, mothers and members of society.

I have been feeling so grateful lately and today is no different. We had a lovely Thanksgiving over here. My folks and George and Ginny were our guests. The food was just to my liking and the conversation was great. I traded some cranberry sauce for Rah Rah's homemade rolls and they were so good! I got a better end of the deal. Thanksgiving was a hit an I felt so supported and loved. I don't recall a more pleasant hosting experience. Joseph even asked what he could do to help after dinner. It was so nice to hear. We fit all of us at the table and Joseph and Celia were excited to be at the adult table. I'm grateful we have a table big enough now thanks to my parents mahogany hand me down. I wanted to shop last night for Christmas, but I didn't want to ruin a perfect day.

  Celia is my buddy. Today her and I went Black Friday shopping. It wasn't crowded at all until after 11am. Christmas shopping is done and we got some great mommy daughter time in. We visited my folks and had a Christmas tamale meal an then we visited with Rah Rah and Carson for Jan's birthday. We are so blessed to have our family in town. I'm also grateful that Emmy is having such a great time visiting Lance an Dawn for Thanksgiving. We had a turkey dinner here with her a week early and now she traveled to Utah from Idaho. She escaped the cold somewhat and is being shown great hospitality in Utah.

So now the Christmas season commences. I want December to be about family and service and good times with those we love. I'm excited to go to annual parties and to visit my sister in Hawaii for the first time. This has been a great year and and glad it is finishing well.

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.

Loving those Succulents

I love how my parents have beautified their backyard. I'm kind of obsessed with the great color and texture of the succulents. I brought my camera over today and took a few pictures in their back yard. Photography is very relaxing and helped me to forget about feeling under the weather.

Annual Trunk or Treat.

I wasn't feeling up for the Trunk or Treat last night, but I'm glad we went. Celia was so independent, looking for her friends, sitting with them and going to all the games. Good thing, since I didn't have Emmy there to be her escort.  Joseph hung out with the kids his age too! The grandparents decked out their trunk and I visited with friends Spencer and Brian enjoyed the time they were there and my folks and Brian and I finished off date night at Pete's restaurant. It was fun and we checked out Dunken Donuts hot chocolate afterwards. It is definitely feeling more like fall around here and like the holidays. I have to remember to scale back the activities to avoid being over busy and getting sick. It is dark when we leave for seminary and it gets dark early now too. I feel grateful for the comfort of home, great family, and things to look forward to. I appreciate all the efforts put forward to get together in the ward and with friends and family.  Serving and supporting one another feels good. Brian and I had a lovely time at the temple the other night and enjoyed seeing ward members there after for a tail gate snack. We do lift each other and enhance our lives as we care about and for our neighbor. We carpool to school and good thing. The new traffic pattern was horrendous for drop off today. When we share the load, we can be more patient, more understanding, and more appreciative. I'm glad to have the friends and support group I do. All is well.

Moving into Fall

 October has been full of activities and volunteering. I've have been at John Adams a lot prepping for the Dance a ton. It was a great success, although some organizational endeavors definitely need to be revisited there.  Spence had his first EEG and was able to be compliant and did so well. He has been doing to great lately. Last week in church he stayed all the way through sacrament meeting. Then came back for class too! Celia and Joseph get out of school early on Fridays and Celia has tutoring with Liz, so we meet Liz at McDonald's sometimes. The kids love it of course and Celia gets a chance to play on the play structure outside. Spencer has had a lot of days off this month so we go hang out with the grandparents. We go walking on nature trails and have meals at their house. Spencer is really get some great time with them and I am so pleased about the bettering of our family relationships.