To say we had a great time would be an understatement

We all needed a break from too much quarantining. I'm so glad I got to go with Joe to Utah and Idaho and that we could pick up Emmy and have some fun.  Emmy was very busy on aTuesday when we arrived in Utah so we hung out with Alex. She had Hawaiian food ready for us and we hung around Draper and Lehi. We have fun in Provo too the next Day. We hit the best taco place in town and went to Thanksgiving point. It is so beautiful there and we enjoyed the tropical feel of the butterfly conservatory with allt he wonderous butterfly and other insects! That wasn't all the fun, Emmy and I started our waterfall chasing with Bridal Veil falls in Provo Canyon. We had kneaders which is our favorite sandwich shop to go to in Utah. and then we walked by the river to the falls.

Thursday we got up early an headed to Idaho. We had to stop at the Library in Idaho falls for Emmy to go to class via zoom. It was tight, but we got her set up with a sack lunch and some space to have her class. I walked around the little town and found a cute garden with ciew of the Idaho falls temple and waterfalls. We ended up going between the two towns of If and Rexburg a lot for the next fewdays, but it was fun and full of beauty and adventure.

Joe got to see his friends and Emmy and I saw sunsets, visited Mesa and Fall creek waterfalls and loved the journey. There was no drama, the food was great, the hotels were great and especially time with these do was great. I love it when there is no drama and when things run smoothly. It makes it a true vacation. On Fourth of July we traveled back to Utah and went to Alex's house for dinner and fireworks. There was a little drama with one of their dogs getting out, but we helped search and support her and all was well in the end. I feel so gratetful for this time, all of our social distancing precautions, and for the memories made on this fabulous trip

Bloom where youre planted.

We have been having a good time, spending time together and going out and seeing our town. Joe and I went for a car ride for hot chocolate after playing Magic the Gathering and there was a massive moon, it looked like a harvest moon. We often go out and see the sunset. Celia and I went adventuring around a few times and visited the bass store. We got to see fishes and a waterfall and she got a treat. We go out in the van. Celia says she doesn't want to put miles on the black car, but I think she secretly likes the family van ( the silver bullet, I named it that , but it hasn't stuck). We have had it almost ten years and I'm proud of taking it over the 200k mark.

We've been taking Spence for rides, as he needs it, and we saw beautiful views coming down from Auburn on Mt Vernon Hwy. We truly live in a beautiful area. The other day I drove to the river and rode onto the levee near it for a while. I had stopped for a little picnic with the river in view. It wasn't very far from my house at all, but it was refreshing and so relaxing. Where the river bend ended the water was so blue and there was a gorgeous golf course/country club there on the other side.. It was a  great discovery hidden in sparsely traveled areas. 

We do have nice things nearby, I'm beginning to enjoy our birdy visitors and apricots are starting to be ripe on one of my trees, The other tree, I hacked it half way down, since most of the tree was growing wild. it does have apricots, so we will see some fruits later on that we can enjoy. Celia was bummed we took away all of the shade, but I told her it wasn't bearing fruit and made a little biblical reference, which I'm sure she thought was typical of me.

I am always likening the garden and things unto myself and seeing reference to God with it. Nature is so healing in that way. I have been home minded lately too, so I decided to make the front entry way a little more homey and inviting. I modified a wreath, put in extra flagstone from my folks project down and set a succulent plant out there. It feels like a good entrance now. There is always more to do, but its better and I'm proud of myself for being thrifty about it. We are in this stay home mode and I'm seeing the safety and beauty of it. I do need to venture out and be social for my sanity, but then I return to home sweet home.

Never have I ever

In the morning times, wee hours of the early morning, I get ideas. You can call it reflections or revelations, or light bulb moments. A few days ago I had a gratitude moment somewhere between 5 and 6 am. I woke up thinking about how never have I ever had such a well attended garden and grass in my yard. Never have I ever had so many closets so organized. Never have I ever felt so fine about worshipping at home. It seems like I may becoming into a time in my dealing with Covid 19 lifestyle changes that helps me realize the silver lining. Celia and I finished her books for humanities. I balled a little. I was touched by what they are reading and how it is such to preparation for being a good citizen.

I love that the neighbor brought over a balloon and flowers for Celia's 8th grade promotion. In Roseville, never have I ever had such good casual relationships with the neighbors. I talked to the neighbor across the street who has a small baby and we had a great time talking. I loved seeing that cute little innocent boy. We have had more social distanced walks with Alex and Olivia and those walks get Celia out and about and being social. That is a fun treat for me and her.

 I could list my many blessings and go on and on, but I am aware of so may suffering and it is quite sobering. At the beginning of the year, I chose a word to represent my year. Hope. I think this is important as sometimes we all feel the anxiety from this pandemic and its potential aftermaths. I hope that I can help tie my family tight together and to the gospel. I hope that I can help create ties that bind. I hope I can succor and comfort hurting friends and neighbors and buoy up those that suffer so much and turn them to Christ who gives peace to all that search him out and follow his precepts.

This morning's ahah moment was about the Book of Mormon and how a person may get closer to God through following its precepts than by any other book. And what precepts are those? They are following Christ, keeping the commandments, being aware to avoid pride and to have charity. This scripture is wrought with so many stories of change of heart, deliverance, and how to govern oneself and others. I am following Come Follow Me curriculum  this year instead of my daily page by page study of the book. I do it yearly and I miss the everyday every page approach and how it so influences my life. The dedication I have given in the past to the study of the Book of Mormon has helped me to resist temptation, remember the atonement and do all that the father asks of me. There is so much to do all the time and so many things to be aware of, but it is easier and possible to do those and be full of joy if we seek his word and listen to our father. The means he left for all of us to have to personalized answers to our daily questions is through his word, I am grateful to have the Bible and the book of Mormon to study his word and receive more personal revelation to guide my life each day. Then I can say never have I ever felt his word more in my life.

We are into May already?

I had a pretty good Mother's Day. It seemed packages I ordered weeks ago (spring shirts)came just in time. I got an arbor, I have been hoping and searching for one for so long to train up the grapevine on the side of our house. Bri put it together for me and I am pretty pleased, It helps the side of that house look inviting. We also put up the bird feeder. Bri says I like to nest and be in the garden and it is so true!

 Celia and I colored on Sunday Morning and she read to me from her book. A mama loves to hear her children read. Celia warmed up some Eggo waffles for me and a sausage breakfast sandwich.  I was happily surprised by Emmy posting a beautiful tribute to me on Facebook. I love that she is so appreciative and complimentary. She is a great woman. Spence gave me a few smirky smiles and we really enjoyed Bri driving us to Coloma and the backway through to Placerville for Spence and my Sunday ride. It was nice getting some KFC and seeing the mountains.  Spence giggled on the steep turns that were high in the canyon. He has has a wrong week, but it was such a  nice ride and i feel he is taken care of and felt surprisingly calm.

Joe surprised me by marinating and cooking T bone steaks for our little dinner outside Joseph also initiated our church meeting and led it.  He knows what I like. He and I also went for a ride to see the lights on park on park and went for an Oreo Mcflurry which was yummy. I love that I have all my children and that they are good and kind. I feel very blessed to have been a stay at home mom and to have dedicated my life to the family. It is beginning to pay off and I hope for even more joy in it in the future.

We are at home still sheltering and it is just fine. I miss going out more, but a little visit to see my folks or have a social distanced Cinco de Mayo lunch has made all the difference. I can shop online and talk to folks. I miss ministering in person, but with the excitement of temples starting to reopen, I'm hopeful that things will be back at some point. It may not, be normal, but we will be happy for our freedom and make the most of it. Meanwhile, we are taking care of the house. Bri fixed the faucet in front of the house. We are tackling any oppositions that arise and try to stay in good spirits. We are doing our home church and praying and working together. It is a great time for growth.