Continuing in the way

We have been going along doing what we know will help our family, our Spencer. Things have started to calm down  for him which is true deliverance. We did find out Spencer's tutor will be going on to do other things. I hope we can find a better situation with this new change.  We sure have loved having Emmy at home this winter/springtime. She loves to celebrate and be a part of all the family experiences. You can tell by her smiles, the great relationship she has with Spencer. She will do so great at BYU in her new program. She has so much experience with our family in special education, and statewide services for those in crisis.

I pray and ponder what to do and how to be for the whole family. Each child is precious and Brian is such a great Father to them. We have missed our date night, but we find ways to get together and renew our relationship. We are still blessed.

Eating out and fun outings

Our Samsung refrigerator loss coolness. We have been through Spring Break with no refrigerator.  cooking, preparing and storing food had to be rethought. We have been blessed with lunches at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He McCartney's had Brian and I to dinner for a birthday celebration. The Lazy dog was a great restaurant and we have been back. We have been to Jamba juice enjoying the fruits found in those smoothies. We've been to the Waffle Barn and I have been to Mimi's café with Alex and her daughter while Emmy watched Spence. Emmy and I did get to go to a concert together, Trapt. We saw our friends we knew in Antelope there. The Abdon's were so fun and shared nachos with us! We should feel very blessed with our friendship and ability to go places. we drive and see beautiful vistas, most of which I don't get pictures of. We can look at our hardships and see the blessings are so much more. Sometimes we focus on what isn't going well or unfulfilled expectations. Waiting on the lord and working on things really does make a difference and dreams do come true.

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.

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.