Gladness of Heart

I'm feeling that I should be grateful. Life is full of things that require effort and patience, but the blessings from the work are significant. I feel love from others. Alex gave me a gift and thank you note for being her friend. I am happy with the relationships I nurture and the love and joy that comes from those. I feel the Lord's tender mercies and and am often comforted when things seem uncertain. We sure had a lovely time in Hawaii. Yes, there was some bickering. I never get over how affected I am by others arguing. I am not used to it anymore. I did see insights in to how others view their world as I tried to understand where they are coming from.  I did feel inspiration and love even though I wasn't in my usual routine for quiet time, exercise and scripture study.

The time change made it possible for me to sleep in and to live more casually. I enjoyed snorkeling quite a bit. Everything was so relaxing. The beauty, the warm waterfall Jacuzzi, the music and the beautiful plants and scenery. It is pricey to live and visit there, but the Ohana is real and the aloha spirit warms my heart. I enjoyed my Dad's testimony at Tanya's ward. He encouraged the grand kids as he was encouraged to serve a mission, and choose to be temple worthy as he as been for 50 years. He talked about how it blessed his life. I was teary eyed and appreciated his sincerity and concern for his posterity. Joe helped in ordaining Kieran to be a priest and all my kids attended Sunday school together. The teacher was black and white with his views on life and how to navigate it. I wasn't in that class, but I do think it is important to choose good. To decide ahead of time what you would do in situations to uphold your beliefs and morals. Commandments and ordinance helps us to navigate our lives better. We know so little in this life and sticking to what is important and valuable is imperative. I fell happy for the time I have had with each of my children as they grow and move out.

Spencer transitioned wonderfully to his duplex as we were in Hawaii. We have been so fortunate for him to be able to step down from crisis and to be more independent. It has been easy in a way. More smooth then one could imagine. We are getting his swing reinforced in his garage and I hope this will be more comfortable for him swinging this summer and better to not aggravate his allergies.

The weather here has been bi polar, but it was so pleasant in Hawaii and we came back to summer weather. We have AC and beauty all around so I feel more ready for this new season.

All is well

It's Mother's Day and I feel so grateful I'm glad Celia had a party in Rancho Cordova so me and the boys could have an excuse to go out on a Friday night and celebrate Mother's Day early. Il Fornaio was yummy as usual and I am officially in love with their bread. Time is flying by so each meal and every bit of time spent with each child is precious and important. I hate to say it, but I kind of like the time Spent with Joe as he is doing Independence school. He is now moving quickly towards Graduation deadlines and I'm happy for having him home. It will be soo nice to have that done and him celebrated.
Emmy graduated from BYU and it was so fun to go and celebrate her. We do alright carpooling with the grandparents. The activities were jam packed each day, but I loved walking around campus , reminiscing around Provo and spending time with family. We got to swim, eat out and hear wonderful speeches from the convocation. its all just such a wonderful thing and I'm so proud of Emmy starting graduate school. It is shifting gears and she is willing to do so which makes me happy/
Spence is switching gears soon too. It has been fun going over to his duplex and moving things he will need in. It is kind of a graduation of sorts for him too. He is the first in Northern California to step down from a crisis care home to assisted living services. I hope he can make new friends with his caregivers and that he can enjoy some privacy in his new spot. Its a miracle he is being so supported and pretty calm out on his own. It calms my mama heart to know he will always have someone with him for support. I did like seeing the missionaries from his area happen to ride by as my dad and I were bring in a kitchen table. I feel that wasn't a coincidence and I feel the Lord id aware of him and I I feel grateful that we have both sets of grandparents in town and a house for Spence. It feels like we have spots we can visit that are safe, welcoming and gathering places. Emmy and Dawn places are those places in Utah and we will soon have one in Idaho next winter with Joe moving to school.

Spring has Sprung and its been Busy~

April has been fun filled and is going by fast. I love how Joe had a natural birthday get together. His friends just congregated and then I saw that and went and got Pizza. Joe got his Oreo ice cream cake he wanted and had a trip to Albuquerque to visit the family and Grandma Jean for her 97th Birthday.. He will have so many vacations by the end of summer. He went to Boise to visit Josh with his Friends Jake and Ethan. I'm glad they learned about driving far distances, the snow and how life works in far out areas like Idaho.~ Emmy got to come home for Easter and Celia's Birthday which was fun. We picked her up from the Oakland Airport and enjoy the ride to get her which made her cancelled flight much more bearable. For Celia's Birthday we wen to the mall and had the steak meal and made it tot he arcade. Joe and I had a lot of fun on the Jurassic park game and Celia and Joe both got first place one some racing game. I guess making the leader board at an arcade is what happens when you'r kids grow up gaming and playing board games wit h the family too. Celia really wanted to swim on her Birthday too, so we went to Grandmas. It was cold in the water, but 90 degrees outside, I even got to sunbath which was a dream come true. It is so relaxing for me to  n nature and feel the sun on my skin. I guess that is from when I grew up in L.A. Some things don't change. I'm glad Emmy comes with me to stuff and enjoys socializing too. Her and I went and got Spencer some gifts for his Birthday as he has a big one this week! So proud of him and all his growth out of the home.
 Much more is to come and I am trying to be hopeful and faithful for a another transition in life for him.