Seeing the Joy

As I ponder on my experiences of the year. I am struck by the times when I have felt the most joy. I love serving others and when I'm in the temple, I feel like that service is such a good way to serve those that cannot serve themselves. It was amazing to take Emmy through the temple for her wedding and before. It was great to see Sariah chose to get her endowment and go on a mission. I've felt so much connection with my family memebers as I help and love them. I have felt love and connection with animals and nature this year. Once with the manta rays in the ocean off the Big Island, Hawaii and once with the matriach girrafe at the Safari West in Santa Rosa. I have felt the awe in nature on top of roof tops and in my home with the family around. When I feel happy for giving to the giving tree and whenever I feel the spirit, it gives me peace. Things have been busy this year and I notice the peaceful moments and feel so grateful for those restful times. I know I am blessed and have so much joy in my life. That doesn't mean myy life has been without sadness, but I can see the happiness in it as well.

Two Formals and Tahoe

I feel like the Paparazzi trying to get pictures of Celia. Her friends in Rocklin have been having fun with her and inviting her to various activities. She went to Whitney Homecoming ( in a tuxedo) and went trick or treating with 14 total kiddos around the neighborhood. Celia got a lovely pink dress from Hot Topic on their buy one get three free clearance and she has been partying it up. I also saw her in pink for the Trunk or Treat as Barbie. She had a grand time with her siblings and cousins heading up to Tahoe for Grandma's Birthday and being with the big kids walking all over South Lake Tahoe helped her feel independent and strong. Senior year is shaping up to be eventfuland full of good times. I love all the fun and development and independence going on. Spence has been having a pretty good month too as he got to be Alladin for halloween and had fun going to the grocery store again with us. He was missing Disney Plus so we reinstated it and all is well. It takes so little to keep him happy, its nice. I feel blessed with health and happiness. I'm enjooying going to pickleball on Tuesdays and helping Celia to go to all the things with her friends. I'm glad shes going to young women activities more. It's shaping up to be a great start of the year(Senior) at its year end for 2023. I'm hopeful for more trips and fuun in the New Year and for enjoying each day together with as many family members as we can have around.

Each day is important

September was crazy busy just like the rest of the year so far has been! Good and bad, stress and blessings are layered all over the place. Right after getting back from Hawaii there was the Open House for the Feather River Temple. I loved participating in escorting for that day even though Brian was volunteering on a different 7 hour shift than I was. It is such a gorgeous temple, full of beautiful art of the Savior. We had a wonderful Ward Temple Night with sealings at the Sacramento Temple and refreshements after our worship. I was peased it went so well! Celia had quite a bit of back pain this month and will start physical therapy next month. Many challenges came to Spencer this month. He had no washer and dryer, then no kitchen to speak of due to mold. His swing broke and he had a lot of pain caused by a few different potential health problems. Things have been resolved or have begun to be resolved, but wow that pressure was palpitable. I stepped down from writing for the Auburn Journal, but I am feeling less pressure and finding more happiness in serving the family. I figured out all the right decisions for Celias Senior year and she loved statring her new job as a dog whisperer. We had Murphy over night and it was so fun having him around. Other fun things we did was get Grandpa's new book in the mail. I finished almost in one sitting. I'm glad his work turned out great and that it was a fast read. Im on to the next one now. With all the things going on I forgot about self care and got a terrible jaw pain. It is better now, but I know to take care of myself as well. Emmy and Jordon came to visit for a concert week and general conference and of course Brian's birthday, phew! We played games and visited Yuba County a lot. It was so fun and many good memories were made. I especially liked The Killers concert. It was the best I've ever been to and and I am hooked! I'll be reviewing the set list and making a spotify playlist to remember all that went on there. There are always hiccup and concerns, but I am glad to have an eternal perspective and asavior to lean on. I have hope that all will be well as we navigate this pivitol time in my family's lives.