Nature Lovin'

It is seeming more like fall now. We have been fighting the flu a little, and enjoying the clouds and changing weather. For conference weekend, we went up to Tahoe with the folks. I enjoyed the messages and family time together. We enjoyed walking along near Emerald Bay and in King's Beach. We went to the Blue Agave and enjoyed a yummy mexican meal to celebrated a belated birthday for Brian. Celia had a hard time after seeing a dog that looked like it needed help or might die. Brian took her for a walk and everyone tried to comfort her. Eventually, a stop at 7 Eleven for a toy candy combo and a pink donut seemed to help the situation.\

 We had an unusual place to stay. It was very 70's style and it had a big tub in the middle of the front room. We had fun and Celia got to use the real Jacuzzi out by the pool as we BBQed with the folks. They had a game room Celia liked and we tried playing pool. We shopped and visited the Ridge and Marriott areas. Celia and I got matching cozy pajamas( I had been looking for some) and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Chart House to end off our days there. We keep teasing the grandparents that we need to go tot Mammoth, but Tahoe really is so beautiful, clean, clear and so close. Joe even drove he and Bri up there in his car. I feel happy and blessed to have this little get a way and regroup before the new demands come with school, health, and whatever else comes my way. Today I am ending my 30 day fast from sugar.( obvious sugar) and I don't have a desire to have any special treat. I guess it is good to know I can if I want to, but better to not crave it. It wasn't without difficulty, but I feel it has been a good thing and any replacement sugar items are especially for me rather than I am missing out on what others are partaking in. It has created a perspective change!

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Sunday, a time to reflect and write

I can't believe September is more than half over. Things have changed and are continuing to change, but for the most part things are good. I just finished giving a lesson to the beehives. I am pleased to be with these great girls., I love their open eyes, their comments and the way they talk with me. I love having a positive influence on them and having a relationship with them. Sharing experiences makes me happy and I am glad they are willing to listen. I love the Lord and his way of helping me out when I desire to do his will. I have felt so much gratitude this weekend. For my husband that is so loving and kind and for our rich lives together. I truly need his support with the family. I also love the time I have to be still and quiet and try to be mindful. I am glad for my health and abilities.

 I did feel overheated and upset on Saturday after walking at the auction and the sunrise mall. I'm glad that isn't a feeling I experience very often. I mostly feel loved, grateful, blessed and happy. Sure things happen that get me down, but the bounce back is so fast. I saw myself having joy as I attended church in the same car with all the family at home last week. I have so much joy when the kids are doing well and when we do the things that help others and bring meaning to our lives. Joe brought sacrament to a lady in the ward that needed it. Joe and I also went and visited his friends who had a choir performance in Rocklin. We looked at old cars all fixed up and explored the fair. He ditched me, but Brian came to my rescue and took me to Chipotle and later took Celia out for a fun time and I rested. My job as a mom is being redefined.

I'm glad I have written in my journal in my life. I feel like I know who I am and was because of it. The spirit touches, me tells me things I should know and do and I keep it in my heart. I need to write it down more often. I use the memo portion of my phone as reminders of goals I create, or feelings I have while listening to the spirit. Quiet time writing makes me happy, as well as photography, yard work, visiting while eating with others and riding in the car. Oh and Sugar free hot chocolate from Starbucks:) It can be so easy to think we have to do or be something other than we are. We can take who we are and remember others and love God.

I need to write to remember. I feel like the days and weeks so go fast and are full of good things, but sometimes I forget to see my happiness or enjoy the blessings that are there. I feel blessed to have each child of mine benefiting from the Lord's watchful care of them.

I got a borderline bad test result for my A1C this last month. I am determined to keep my sugar intake down.to prevent any health issues. I am walking more and making more of an effort to go to the gym. I have found I love walking by miners ravine. It really improve my mood and my day. I took my folks to walk there this week too. I hope I always remember to make nature a part of my daily schedule.  I am on day 14 of really watching and tracking myself. I feel healthier already knowing I am taking care of myself and watching my health and habits.

Joe is swimming for school, planning golf with the priests, going out for birthday parties and hanging with friends on top of work and school. He is tired, but he is growing. We have time with him to help him grow and I'm so glad for that. I may have let him lay by me instead of go to seminary the other day. Babies don't keep and he will be turning 18 soon. Time does go by and they grow up, I'm glad we have a good relationship. I realize Celia may even grow up someday, I will use wisely this time and enjoy her around. Bri got a new family game for Celia to play and we are on day two of playing it. Aquarium is perfect for her and she beats me at it. We are still the same, but yet changing routines and working out our progression through life. I'm pleased for the good things in life and being able to see and write a glimpse of it on Sundays.

A different time.~

It is surreal to me that our buddy has moved out. I think we have kept ourselves busy trying to come up with new things to do. The dynamic in our family has shifted. It has been a blessing to have Emmy in town. We went to the Oakland temple the first Saturday to fill the void of driving our buddy around everywhere all the time. We have visited him a few times, but it seems to upset and confuse him a little bit.  His best helper Chris says Spencer seems to like the freedom. He doesn't have to many demands and has a lot of help when it is on his terms.

We have played card games together and gone out to eat, shopping and everything we weren't able to do before. When  Joe and Celia needed to go to the dentist, I had a conflict at that time. I needed to go to a meeting for Spence. I was torn and concerned. It was so nice to see someone from the meeting at the dentist. Se let me know she had me covered and didn't need me to come. Joe and Celia hugged me and said they were happy I was able to spend more time with them now. Joe said another sweet thing. I told him I was missing Spence and he said I'm sure he is missing you too, I know I would. 

The Lord has been in the details of my life lately. I went to the temple and felt of his love and awareness of me. I was even blessed to feel the peace of seeing an apostle. I am amazed by the great commitment to exactly keep the commandments the apostles must have. It makes me want to do better and become more Christlike. At the Oakland temple, we learned of families and we were asked if we thought the family was important. I kinda laughed to myself,. That missionary representative has no idea how much I care about family and always have. It is in my very being to love and cherish the family. I was so pleased to see Emmy is doing some volunteer work over at UVU that helps strengthen families in the area. I thought the videos she was training with were corny, but what wonderful precepts they taught. Mindfulness, positive parenting, and respect for one another. I will miss Emmy, but I am so excited for her senior year and all the growing up she will do. I sure loved the BYU time of my life. Learning, growing, meeting Brian and doing exactly what I was supposed to do for that time in my life and relying heavily on the Lord.

August , Not too Shabby

I feel so blessed, calm and happy. My Birthday was so special with Emmy coming to visit and spending time with my folks. Celia, Joseph and Emmy went with me to Santa Cruz. Lately, I have had one on one time with each of our children and  It has been a blessing.

  After many months and preparation for a long while, Spencer is moving onto the rest of his life. He is transitioning to life as a young man. I feel the Lord is delivering us. I hope that this new transition will help our loving relationship with Spencer to grow even more. We will always be there for him. He is etched in our hearts. He has taught me so much and serving him has refined me in ways I could not of experienced otherwise. He has the best smile and will bring joy to all who care for him. He seems to want a change, I do believe that. Who knew he would fly away or launch to more independence in the community and have the opportunity to be with adults like him more. He can have diet changes that can benefit his life and so many experienced professionals to work through challenges. We have been blessed and help all along the way in his life and he will continue to be supported in his life, but not only from us and not only at home.

Last night, Joseph and I were able to see President Oaks at a youth devotional at the Mormon center. So much truth came from that man and those he felt inspired to as to speak on the spot. I love that there were so many friends an familiar faces of those brothers and sisters in the gospel. I feel as though I am being watched over and blessed and that the Lord watches over him in my life. Gates that have been shut and roads that have been denied access to me are now being opened. It isn't scary, it is fantastic. I feel so much peace and joy mixed with sadness at times. The Lord is good and I am so grateful to be an integral part of Joseph and Celia's life. They have started school and Joseph has started seminary. I am hopeful for the things they will learn and accomplish this year. I love the unity of our family and I hope that never changes.