Not too bad of an April

Even though celebrations can be stressful, It was nice having so much family time and celebrations this month. Joseph turned 19 years old right after a spirit filled General Conference. We got him insurance so he was happy to get out a little for soda runs and help me with my job getting groceries for Spencer.  We have been so productive this month as well.

Emmy came to visit onthe 7th and we reorganized two bedrooms and closets. Emmy found enough space for her stuff she keeps here to fit in the cupboard under the stairs( or full bed) we have in the guest room. Joe like a gentleman let Emmy stay in his new room for the entire time she was visiting. (21/2 weeks)

We loved Easter and had our fill of candy, eating steak, and being outside in the backyard. We enjoyed the Sabbath at home and bearing our testimonies to each other.  The schedules each day were layed out for Celia and I and we did excercise, art, chilling and a lot of reading for class.These classic books are cornell notes for them are no joke! Emmy played the guitar for real and guitar hero and she sketched my garden on the side of the house. And if that wasn't enough we went for walks around the neighborhood and in nature. We saw the golden hour and sunsets together and celebrated two more birthdays.

 Emmy and I did DYI ballon swags and had many yummy cupcakes and cakes from various stores. We did pickup at our favorite resturants this month as well. I heart teriaki, CJF's and of course Little Caesers. For Celias birthday we even hit Boudin's since mom needed a break and we had gift cards for there. Most of the time we have been home cleaning and playing games and doing a lot of school work. Joe started Spring semeester remotely at BYUI, Emmy continued her grad program and work in research which inclueded a lot of Zoom meetings while she was here and work training videos. Emmy and I set up school videos at Spence's house for him and we zoomed a few meetings for Celia. Celia does zoom each friday for homework passes in math and socratic deisscusion weekly for humanties. We are getting in the groove of using more technology to socail distance and have been enduring fairly well. Some days I feel really down, but for the most part, it has been better days and beauty in the home and in the community.I have loved going out to get groceries and seeing people I know even if it just a wave from a far, I need that interaction with others.

I had my mom make masks for Brian\s workers and the comminutity of quiters she knows helped fill a tall order of 25 masks. I gave one to my minsteree family as her husband is high risk, and I love that my mom made cute doggie ones for the granddaughters. We use our masks and wear gloves when going out. We are really trying to help out and stay safe.

Spence doesn't go out with his people since he is high risk and he is homebound, but what a blessing that he has been happy there. It is a gift from our heavenly father that he isn't freakingout during this time of change. I told him yesterday on his birthday that he isn't going back to school and that he is graduated and is too old for school now, and he just smiled and giggled. We went and took him for a long ride in the mountains on his birthday. We went through grass valley and took hiway 20  to smartsville and down through a bunch of meadows to Linda. It was nice to stop for a pit stop off at Brian's work and then went our way.

I feel grateful to have so many family members in town and nearby, to have so many friendly and home like places to stop at and to shelter in if needed. Our home is open and spacious and if we have to be confined, it it best to be where we are comfortable. It may been for a while that we are like this, but I am trying to take it slow and enjoy all the good things in life, remembering to self care and to reach out to all those who I care about who would need or want my help at this trying time.

Good, Better, Best

It's been a few weeks being at home and it can be challenging. Celia's school has given us a bif challenge. I call it us because I am involved with every assignment in the many classes she is taking. The work load is stimulating and immense, but we make it through. I can see why my girl has been stressed with her work load this year. We have learned so much and it has been great time together. I read to her the classics and we learn about art history and I'm exposed to latin as a language. Dad helped with the logic asssignments and helped knock those out in no time flat. I am taking pictures of her activities outside and Celia is translating the actions into Latin. I'm glad Celia is so good at the computer, she is navigating quite well through zoom, google classrom and many other avenues. I'm glad my experience uploading pictures to this blog has come in handy in helping with her school work.

There has been more going on at home these past few weeks other than school work. We have Joe back and we are playing games. We had one game of Pandemic with Celia, but we've played Wingspan with Joe and a lot of Magic the Gathering. I am cooking more and having curbside takeout last week was quite the treat (I  Heart Teriakyi).  Sunday worship has been special and I've felt the sipirt very strong. Joe blessed the sacrament to Spence on our ride. I loved that Joe could do that and that Spencer responded with and smile. He folded his arms and kind of had a look of "Hey, I remember this"!

Some other changes I've noticed is that the house is getting a little more organized and straight. The yard is looking a little more put together with more time spent on it. It is hard work for me to cook and clean and teach more than before, but it is making a positive difference. I miss the reward of playing, traveling, and going out to eat. I can focus on more intrinistic rewards and hope for a time when the growth from this experience can really manifest well.

I can't help but remember the church empahsizing focusing on the things that mattered most.  Happily, I feel glad that I had productive time in the temple right up until the closure. I feel happy for the work with teaching the Sunday School class that Celia attended. I am happy about all the time I've tried to  make the family a priority and to be prepared in all things. It definitely has been hard, but I have much to be grateful for. I feel the Lord's loving influence in my life and I am comforted as I try to listen to the spirit and come closer to him.

All the reading in I've done in my Mindfulness book, and in Come Follow Me and other speeches has acceleratied my understanding and growth in this difficult time.  I miss my friendships and closeness with others, but I am so glad to have time to reflect ann teach with the wall of my own home. I am now hoping to fall in love with being home and growing my talents. We shall see how it goes.