The Good in Gradtitude and Praise for Relief.

I'm grateful for the little things. After many months of different adversity, we now have healthy skin, a freezer that makes ice, and kids doing better in school, and tutoring back in session. Adversity can be difficult especially when it seems to disrupt what we are used to. I am grateful for the love and gospel in my life to get me through hard times. I have had  many thoughts and new ways of thinking as I try to search for peace amongst upheaval. I know the Lord is real and loves me. I feel supported in my efforts to do all that I can in life, then take it to the Lord. It is interesting to me when we are in the thick of things, there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel and that hardship will not pass. It does, and the sun comes up and we feel grateful when the storm passes. 

My folks are coming for Thanksgiving. My mom is bringing napkins rings and napkins. I searched around and found them very expensive. My mom has extras and is willing to share. I'm grateful for her generosity.

Brian and I have had great date nights this month. Recently, We've enjoyed Long John Silvers with Emmy and Joseph with some early Christmas shopping. We have taken rides with just Bri, me, and Spencer which has been nice. We love to listen to "December" by George Winston. It is relaxing and inspiring piano music. I love the candles, bath stuff, and material to read I receive from Brian. He is so great.

Spence has doing great at school. We are so pleased with Odyssey learning center and his potty training there and his great use of exercise equipment and his IPAD to communicate. He also has great OT and speech therapies which he receives there.

Emmy has been doing great in Speech and debate. I think doing well has boosted her confidence and focus a little in school and we are seeing a much awaited upward rise in her grades.

Joseph, Celia and Emmy did a great job pulling weeds on Saturday, then Joseph and I stated and pruned, trimmed and cleaned up the yard. It was beautiful out and so fulfilling. Joseph got the latest diary of a wimpy kid book as a prize for being such a hard worker. He then read more than a hundred pages of the book. That made me happy. We want to teach our children good work ethic and the importance of reading. 

Celia got a good report from her parent teacher conference. I was sure glad Rah Rah could come over and watched her while I went and talked with Celia's teacher. It feels so god to have family be there for you and to spend time together. Celia had great behavior and earned a trophy from mom for best behavior. She is pretty pleased.  She dressed up in a beautiful pink dress with pearls and long gloves from nanny. She felt like and looked like a  princess! Celia likes to do her "job" of sticking her body out the car sunroof to wait for Joseph. We sit in the car together and talk about our day. It is a nice time.

I'm grateful for darker hair for the fall/winter to cover up my stylish, but stress induced gray patch in the front of my hair and my ten year ring that I have to wear that is "more updated" according to my sister.:) God is good, life is good, and I'm grateful for the strength and understanding I have gained through being "tried"  just a little.

Salmon Story

I was pretty impressed with the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. The American River is so beautiful and full of wildlife. Apparently building the dam near there made the spawning area for salmon non existent. Now they have the salmon run the ladders and they harvest their eggs from them and grow them. no wonder salmon is expensive in the stores and at restaurants. I couldn't believe how many there were, how strong and persistent they were, technically at the end of their lives and pregnant? I have new found respect for this migration and for these fish.

 All the kids were kind and nice. One boy showed Celia how to climb up on the big fish play structure. Another touched her knee to make sure she was okay when she stumbled just a little walking on the bent railroad ties.  Two positives to help pad again some shunning of her later at the recess at the park. Celia walked away and will earn a sticker that accumulated at the end of the month. Those will earn her a trophy for great behavior. If she feels kids are being negative towards her, she can walk away instead of punching their lights out.:) I'm happy with the little group I was in charge of and what a great field trip it was today. It was 75 degrees out and gorgeous and I value the time I am able t have with my Celia bear.

Auburn for the Day

We woke up early and went for a ride. It is Veteran's Day and the kids have the day off school. We headed to Auburn. Joseph was pretty impressed with the Supreme court office they had there. We turned off on a road that said American River overlook. We took a little hike down the canyon. It was all downhill and I was a little nervous we wouldn't get Celia back up it so we headed back. It was a great little hike filled with beautiful fall scenic views, fresh air, and fun family. I tried getting a picture of all the kids together. I brought my camera, but it was out of batteries. Since we always have Spencer's words with us, which is an I Pad, I used it to take pictures. We enjoyed around town and played at a park which was fun and we had it all to ourselves. It was a great outing and I feel grateful for the beautiful weather.

Emmy is Seventeen~

I can't believe my oldest child is growing up. I knew it would happen, but before my very eyes while time seems to have flown by on fast forward? Emmy is seventeen now. Bri was living on his own at that age, I was practically off to Dixie college. There is a lot of instruction to be given and lessons to learn at this age. I'm happy to have Emmy at home. She loves to reminisce of being younger and takes out my scrapbooks to check things out. It makes me happy.

We had a family party with some yummy chocolate cake. On her Birthday she and Joseph went to the temple with the youth to do baptisms. Brian went and worked there too and was able to baptize Emmy and Joseph for family names I had gathered. It was great.  Andrew made Emmy a princess, her Young women leader gave her her favorite things; cheezeits and chocolate, and her friends at school sang to her in speech and debate, gave Oreos and drew art for her. We went to outback steak house after the temple and had yummy steak. Emmy was spoiled with love, gifts and birthday wishes for her day. I gave her 17 star mylar balloons for her room . She was pretty happy. I wish her the best and many more great love filled birthdays!