So we send pictures daily and teach and let this next generation have a baby experience too.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
2.23.22 Our new baby girl
So we send pictures daily and teach and let this next generation have a baby experience too.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
2.15.22 More Snuggly
The kids love to watch mormon messags and any of the myriad of church videos on Sundays on the chromebooks. We bought the bigger tv so they didn't all have to huddle around a small screen. It is heartwarming to see them all together.
Life is good we continue to wait and pass the days. We have drawn, colored, painted, sorted, organized, and cleaned. It's nice to have time to be our better selves. We are blessed.
Friday, February 11, 2022
2.11.22 Full table
A day later a neighbor showed up with 50 lbs of brown sugar. We do eat sugar so we set to work dividing it up. We had sugar all over!
In the end we made cookies and are super thankful for the generous gifts we receive.
Life is good. I'm trying to embrace the reality of the changes I know are coming. The commitment to keeping on through the stages of raising kids. I had a friend tell me yesterday I was brave to have children in this day and age. I was surprised I don't feel any more brave now than times past and my worries have not been about the state of the world, but rather about my endurance, ability to keep meeting needs, and keeping it all together. I guess all together is pretty relative though. Sometimes we expand to do great hard things, and sometimes we shrink to just manage to cover the bases each day. We have so many that love and care about us around us and praying for us. I'm truly so thankful for the many people who offer and do pray for us. I know all will be well. I know we can expand our family. I know this is gonna work out I just don't know when or exactly what the path looks like. I have visions of lots of baby holding/protecting, lots of time at home and enduring the next season as well. Some tears, lots of smiles, tender whisperings and moments of goodness. It's gonna be good. And if it's going to be good it is good right now with where we are at today.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
2.10.22 Missionary Chats
My activity kids also want to do this activity. This gave me some ideas. I have learned a lot about mission life through continued discussions with these two. It's not all deep reverence there is a lot of learning to work with others, caring, living on your own, and just general life. I'm thankful they are getting this time to learn and grow. I love how this is all couched in intense and focused spiritual study and teaching. I think there is a lot to learn about this principal. Take the time to make Christ and the gospel part of each day. Share when we can. Seek to do better with those around us.
Anna has quite an atheltic group as well. After all the years of high school valiently protecting her fragile teeth she is having a good time being a serious competitor although not super practiced with her fellow missionaries. So far her teeth are fine.
Bruce has a brand new primary teacher who really works hard to be interesting. Last week they built the city of Enoch with Blocks. Bruce wasn't much into that but had a great time building a cannon to bomb the city.
This week his peers made boats to keep their animals safe. Bruce was adamant his animals wanted to swim instead of get on the ark. They are turtles after all. I see a drowned pig at the bottom of his sink though. I really love the come follow me program we have great discussions.
I'm thankful for all the effort teachers put in every week. Merle even survived nursery for the first time all the way through. It really helps when his cousin Myla can be there too. A friend makes any situation more fun and safe. After a year in primary I have relaxed my expectations and worry level a lot. My counselors and their spouses are first line for subbing. They are so willing. We have incredible creative and talented music people. I'm thankful to get to see so many people use their talents every week including the kids. Primary is a great place to serve. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a calming strengthening influence. I'm thankful to have it as part of my everyday life. We are blessed
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
2.9.22 Everyday Snaps
Another Monday another bloody nose for Merle. This time off the bench unaided. And I was just messaging with the kids not live talking.
We are blessed and I see that everyday. Life is good.
Saturday, February 5, 2022
2.5.22 Activity Day Boats
The actual folding went pretty well all things considered.
The final challenge was raching the boats in rain gutters. This was fun and very tricky.
The kids are usually hungry so we had baby yoda green frosting to frost our valentines cookies.
While at the speaking contest Addie was home with the kids, she made a beautiful pink and a light green as the two frosting options. When she left the kitchen Bruce, Merle, and Lia all decided they too could make frosting and so we ended up with baby yoda green too much to toss, not enough food coloring to do more. Life.
After activity days was the annual groundhog supper. My kids were really looking forward to that. We were crunched on time between their activitiy and Aliza's speaking. My parents helped and we enjoyed a yummy dinner at home.
Again we are thankful for all the hands that helped us accomplish all that we committed to in a one day. There are always kids to watch, feed, and care for in the back of any activity. There is a family with chores and work, there is one person working at something new. Life is good and we are praying for the snow the groundhog said would be coming. We really really need it if we are going to farm this year. Water is crucial to western living.
Friday, February 4, 2022
2.4.22 The speaking journey
One of the best parts of the day was seeing my sons have such a great time with FFA members from other chapters. Neither had been to a competition before and it was really encouraging to watch from a distance their laughing and joking all day with new kids. I saw many people from my past that were there as judges, parental support, or teachers. It always makes me pause and say a prayer of gratitude for the profound impact those people had on my life at that time. Who truly shaped my confidence and character. I'm so thankful for many of them and the mark they left on my life. My youth was very different and yet very similar to my kids. It warms my heart that good things still happen and the hoped for learning is still happening even 30 years later.
The age old ritual of who has the strongest grip. I'm pretty sure John and Mark won this challenge though I don't know which one triumphed.
I have few pictures of the contest because I was present listening and thinking not just watching behind my phone. Aliza shared these few pictures with me, she too was pleased to see her reluctant brothers enjoying themselves so much.After the long day of competition and waiting we hurried to get ready for the next big hurdle the American Legion contest. Aliza had been given information and scheduled to do this early in January. As the days ticked by I was very worried at the lack of action I thought I saw. She kept telling me mom stop worrying it will be fine I've got this. I worried more. It's about all I could do, and pray. I prayed for her.
She did not disappoint and of course pulled through with poise and awe taking the difficult and finding answers and logic that is hers from years of study. She truly has developed her mind to an admirable level. I love hearing how she things.
These good veterans were a pleasure to be around. I'm thankful for their commitment past and present to preserving the goodness of American Values. They were likewise excited to host an event and to champion Aliza on her journey to scholarships.
We are blessed to have grandparents who support our kids. They have each given time, insight, and encouragement to our kids. We really appreciate their time, prayers, and talents.
There is great power in learning from the older generation.