Summer Trip Part 1

Our first summer venture is underway.  Jake had to have a root canal and it was more economic to buy a plane ticket for him to go to James to get it done, than to just have it done at home, so that is what we did.  His trip to Boise was short but enjoyable (he flew out Monday 6/10 and we picked him up Wednesday 6/12). The plan was for my to pick him in in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday at 5:42 p.m. at the airport, so the kids and I left about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday June 12th.  I was very worried about Ginny and she was uncertain she was going to try to go until the 11th.  However, on the 11th, it was as if she work up better. Now I am not saying 100% better but she did not sleep all day nor ask for medicines all day and she walked around some.  She still does not have a voice and says it hurts to eat, yawn, or try to talk but she has made strides.  I wanted her as comfortable as possible on the trip, so about 2:20 a.m, I gave her liquid Tylenol PM and the boys melatonin. We were able to drive the furthest without stopping until we needed gas (almost 5 hours) and all my babies slept. Surprisingly, I was able to stay alert and we arrived to get Jake safe and sound.  The kids were GREAT.  After we got Jake, we ate dinner in Gallup NM, and then Jake drove the remaining three hours to meet Chris somewhere in Arizona. The kids and I were in the car over twenty hours but were champs.  The following day we visited and went to Bearizona.

Happy 9th Birthday Christopher

Christopher- You are the sweetest little boy that we know. With that said you have developed a sneaky mean streak towards your brother.  We are told on a regular basis how loved you are by others and how they think you are the sweetest little guy.  You help without bring asked and look out for others. You are giving to others and of yourself.  When someone is sad, you have a way of cheering them up....we are so glad you are in our family- this is where you belong! Undoubtedly, your future is limitless! 

According to you, Christopher:

You currently want to be when you grow up:  an artist

Your favorite color is: all but not black

Your favorite show is: the Flash

Your favorite game is: Ticket to Ride

Your favorite toy or activity is: playing with my friends

Your favorite girl is: Riley Jerden

You are really good at: being a pain in the butt to my brother

Your best friend is: Jonah Donald

You want to vacation to: Paris, France

Your favorite ice cream is: ALL

Your wish is to be: the Flash

Your hero is: my mom

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: play games with them, like Pokemon

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas and Easter

Your favorite person in the whole world is: my mom

Your favorite song is: Chicken Nugget Dreamland

Your favorite restaurant is: Freddy's

Your favorite foods are: Ravioli, Lunchables, Spaghetti, Mama Noodles

If you had $1000 you would buy: "I would give it to St. Jude"

Baseball and more Baseball

We love watching our boys play ball and each year they improve.  Both boys played first base this year and did very well. 

Tonsils out and Anastasia

Girls camp was this last week (Wednesday thru Friday). Jake was able to attend with the girls and I.  We loved having him here. As a leader my heart was touched and filled with joy watching new friendships form and service happen. I believe hearts were touched lives changed. 

Arriving home, however, that evening I began to feel that there was little purpose for my life. I found myself a little overwhelmed with laundry, finances, and the role in my family as a wife and mother. Later that evening, I ride over to visit with Charity and Becky a minute. Laughing with them brightened my mood but yet driving back home, feelings unwanted of being unappreciated and minimal love entered my mind. It is no secret I wonder how I scored Jake. He his my anchor and calming device. My children are incredible. Watching our girls this week , seeing their interactions, and hearing their testimonies inspires me. Aubree bears a strong witness of the gospel and both exemplify it. Those unwanted feelings diminished as I spoke with Jake. He keeps me going! 

Sitting in sacrament meeting I felt a tender mercy or tiny miracle from above when I opened to read and this was on my screen: “In Times of Discouragement, Remember the Widow of Nain- Especially when we feel forgotten or overlooked, we must remember: Jesus came to the widow's aid precisely in her time of need, and He will come to us as well.”

What a beautiful reminder that I am loved. The Lord knew I needed that and knows me. 

It seems as if our summer has begun but we have not experienced any down time yet and our days are still a whirlwind.  Wednesday, June 5th, Ginny had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She is still very sore but managed to drag herself to see the musical Anastasia.  Naturally, I was concerned about her comfort level but was not a battle I chose to have with the child and despite her pain, we had an enjoyable evening with the girls.  Jake and I are busy writing curriculum for the district but it will provide summer travel money.  We have made a more cautious effort to have family prayer twice a day this summer and we hope to establish this more routinely.  It is so hard during the school year with schedules and Ginny working because there are days she is gone before we get home and the boys in bed when she gets home, so often it is not our entire family together so we are striving to improve that.

Girl's Camp 2019 (5/29-6/1)

Girls camp was this last week (Wednesday thru Friday). Jake was able to attend with the girls and I.  We loved having him here. As a leader my heart was touched and filled with joy watching new friendships form and service happen. I believe hearts were touched lives changed. 

Arriving home, however, that evening I began to feel that there was little purpose for my life. I found myself a little overwhelmed with laundry, finances, and the role in my family as a wife and mother. Later that evening, I ride over to visit with Charity and Becky a minute. Laughing with them brightened my mood but yet driving back home, feelings unwanted of being unappreciated and minimal love entered my mind. It is no secret I wonder how I scored Jake. He his my anchor and calming device. My children are incredible. Watching our girls this week , seeing their interactions, and hearing their testimonies inspires me. Aubree bears a strong witness of the gospel and both exemplify it. Those unwanted feelings diminished as I spoke with Jake. He keeps me going! 

Sitting in sacrament meeting I felt a tender mercy or tiny miracle from above when I opened to read and this was on my screen: “In Times of Discouragement, Remember the Widow of Nain- Especially when we feel forgotten or overlooked, we must remember: Jesus came to the widow's aid precisely in her time of need, and He will come to us as well.” What a beautiful reminder that I am loved. The Lord knew I needed that and knows me.

One of our traditions we established three years ago is D.E.A.R. (Drop everything and read), which gives the opportunity to for the girls to stop wherever they may be and read the scriptures. We tried to make a connection this year with DEAR and Bambi. The story of Bambi is about building friendships. His mother died so he had to surround himself with good friends. Our circles of friendships change as our lives change.  There is a story that was shared a couple of months ago at a training I attended about Elder Tom Perry.  Tom Perry moved his family to New York but to give the family the life desired, he lived outside the city and had a. little commute each day to work on the subway. He notices a man being territorial in a certain spot and decided to beat him there one morning to get his spot and see what would happen. Over the next few days it became a friendly competition.  Chatter started to see who was going to get the spot. People who never talked began to talk. Friendships were made in that unfriendly subway in New York, people began to bring in cupcakes for birthdays and ask about soccer games. One simple act created friendships. 

Be strong and courageous. Courageous must include a yes. Begin somewhere. 

Good Ole May

It seems that May comes so quickly each year and then passes so quickly too...maybe it is because the school year is drawing to a close and we are engulfed in end of the year activities. This afternoon I had another reminder that Ginny will be a senior next year, how is this possible that she has grown so much in the blink of an eye.  She received her ACT scores back this week and is the recipient of a 30...Wahoo! The temple also opened back up this week and Will was able to go for the first time and participate in the sacred work that is performed there on Wednesday (5/15) evening.  Jake accompanied he and Aubree, while I stayed home with Christopher. I believe the stomach bug hit me that day.  Will woke up Monday night through the night sick so stayed home from school Tuesday. Ginny went to seminary Tuesday but did not go to school because she felt sick and by noon Tuesday Jake was sick, so I guess Wednesday was my turn. Jake was also able to go do a session Thursday evening.  He has sat a goal to try to attend monthly, so I am going to do my best to be supportive, even if means running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get the kids where they need to be and when.  I mentioned to him that monthly almost makes it seems like it can be a burden, so I am try weekly this summer and he said then it is more like a priority. I hope I am able to make it more often and I hope we are able to go more often together. There is something about glancing over and seeing that man in the temple that is good for my soul.

Happy 18 years to my forever date

Today marks our 18-year anniversary of marital bliss. Although not every day has been blissful, it has been wonderful. I firmly believe this statement by Elder F. Burton Howard: “If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.” I know Jake and I can last forever! Jake makes me so much better and I feel so blessed that he chose me.  Learning to love and forgive one another has allowed us to create a beautiful life together. He is my everything!

On another note, the Memphis temple was re-dedicated today by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, it was by invitation only, so we did not attend.  We were not able to meet to in our building, so we attended the Lakeland ward as directed.  I am glad that we have a temple locally and hope to be able to utilize it more often. I suppose it is making more effort than mere hope.