Sharing Flowers

We love to share flowers. Before ours were ready I received this nice bouquet from the lovely florist in town. We enjoyed these through the crazy busy days of May. 

These flowers have been growing and settling for over 5 years. I got them from a beloved friend after she left her home. I transplanted this plant and waited patiently year after year. Last year at this stage the girls cut all the buds off with scissors. This year I showed them the plant and told them "Don't touch it!". They obeyed and we all waited and watched as it finally slowly opened those tight buds to wow us with beautiful blooms. Most good things in life take a lot of patience. 

Afton made me this pretty bookmark for mother's day. I love it. 

Our lovely inspirational neighbor/gardener Rhia has been bringing us bouquets periodically. She makes big showy displays, I don't have as many flowers or time to do such large arrangements. Hers are captivating from every angle.

Sometimes we just share this kind of flowers. The kids did the annual sprinkler pipe set-up of devils corner. Nowadays we have several corners of pipe but that was the first hence the name. I knew they would appreciate some extra appreciation. In todays age of healthy living and eating we don't do a lot of extra sweets but these are always a crowd favorite. Even though Im relatively out of practice these were soft and perfect! The kids had made a new friend in the neighborhood and wanted to share some with him for his helping them set up another section of handline. He responded with a sweet note asking for more. 

Our closes neighbor grandparents are away visiting family. These flowers bloom every June while they are gone. Not wanting such vibrant and bold flowers to go to waste we cut them and shared them with some sweet friends who always share with us. 

The week before we noticed the rose bushes were full of lovely blossoms. So we harvested those to share. The more moderate June has allowed the flowers to do their best instead of being cooked in a hot oven of summer. 

It was delightful to make some bouqets with such beauty. 

The kids load up with Addie and take the flowers to people that are special to them. I have a few instructions but they mostly decide where these go. It is a favorite activity of summer. This year I planted flowers all over. They are growing. 

I hope we planted enough food stuff too. Where I have an early garden at my house and a summer canning garden in our big spot, it's hard to gauge how much will be coming. I'm happy with all the plants progress though. The peas were a major hit. Andrea and Merle ate the majority sharing sometimes with the rest of us. 

We planted these when Anna was here for Spring break in early April. We are sad they are so short lived. 

And I have learned that one seed packet of Kale goes a long long ways. It is an abundant producer. Thankfully kale freezes nicely and I will be able to continue to choke down fresh homegrown green smoothies for months to come. 

Gardening has been an important diversion this year from all the hustle and bustle. Often I feel I accomplish nothing other than sitting most the day. Watering plants pulling some weeds and enjoying harvesting affirms to my soul I'm not just a lump on a log enduring this year but producing things of worth. Life has thrown some interesting curves this year my plans have been disrupted or changed and I have not been accepting those changes well. Coupled with new worries, the happiness of my kids enjoying peas or sharing beautiful gifts gives me courage that we can keep going. Next plan is a strawberry bed or two complete with weed barrier to hopefully help manage the abundance of weeds in every other growing location. The raspberries I planted are looking great we are hopeful we will get a few handfuls a piece of raspberries this year too. Life is abundant and in spite of my bad attitude we are very very blessed. 

 

State Track Weekend

Addie qualified for the state track meet again this year. Some of the girls in this picture medaled and broke records, others were along as moral support. Addie participated on the famed U of O track. This year was disappointing. Addie did not do as well as hoped, she did not come home with a medal like she did the last two years. The times were also crazy fast. Addie did run her season best times slightly behind her personal best ever. As this track season has wrapped up in our state there have been some truly awesome (not an exaggeration) times that have been recorded. High school kids beating olympians records type times. As this has unfolded meet after final meet Addie has been relieved and left wondering how does an athlete make such a jump? She is a well rounded person participating in many events and truly caring about others. Fastest times against others may not be her destiny, but improving and enjoying the experience are lessons we are working to believe.  

After a long two days and a very late night silly pictures were in order.

This is a meet like no other, and I mean no other state.

 One morning at breakfast Addie and a teammate were talking to one of the officials who was explaining how other states operate. There is one official its at a large high school kids do their thing and move on. Here it is televised on that huge blue screen there are probably ten officials for each event, the stadium is huge and about a quarter to half full at any given point in the day. It is just a top tier experience. 

After the race she still looks strong although disheartened at the sprinting finishes of the compeition. She ran the race in 5-9th place then in the last 300 meters or less is passed by several. I'm happy she was able to be there and to manage the many components of racing. 

In the long stretch between races we went and had our own adventures. One stop this year in Salem was the Woolen Mill. This was fascinating. We stumbled into the weaving room int he top floor of the museum where women gather to rent looms and create cloth. It was fascinating and beautiful. A teacher was up there and showed us around explaining different machines and techniques in the process.

Samples of finished products. 

 

We also finally made it to the Portland temple. I had wanted to be married there while I was growing up. Greg said no way our family is all local we will get married localling. For 25 years I have been waiting to go and this weekend I found a hotel 5 minutes away so we went one evening and one morning. It was HUGE! And so peaceful. I was thankful he was willing to go. Because of the extra studying I've been doing with my gospel doctrine class there was more that I learned, also the lack of stress getting to the temple helped immensely with the experience. 

I'm so thankful that we decided to share our lives. It is a beautiful and confidence building experience to create a marriage. Greg is so good to me. 

After touring the Woolen mill we tried a BBQ place. The meal was enough to fill up Greg for several hours. It was pretty good. 

These getaway trips have been so enjoyable. This one particularly where we can come and go as we please leave us time to relax, visit, and be more calm than our usual pace of life allows. We are thankful for time to renew and rest. Life is good.  

Sundays and gardening

Some Sunday evenings are long enough to make scones. Andrea is in the stage of wanting to help with every cooking project. She is a very insistent little girl 

We love scones it is an easy way to end a sabbath day. 

These two lovely ladies although far apart in age are similar in drive and desire to do things and to help mom. How thankful I am for the uniquely talented spirits that bless my life. 

A favorite place to play this summer. I'm thankful for the gift of siblings, both my own and the relationships my own children are developing. While there is plenty of fighting and name calling too but sometimes they are friendly. Both sides are part of growing up and the challenge of summer. 

My garden continues to grow and provide delight. I was so happy to see these little broccoli. We harvested them and put them in the freezer. 

Addie is a critical part of the farm management. She is enjoying the new sprayer this year. I love that it is less hands-on. She keeps the edges of the fields looking nicer. 

A new food experiment is making sauerkraut from culled cabbage leaves. Greg is worried we are going to be very sick from it. I'm not sure we will be brave enough to taste test but I can try and see what happens. The cabbage are also starting to make heads. It is fun to watch the progression from seed to finished product.  

I think the tedium of passing time has been greatly improved by growing plants. Many of these I started in my kitchen in February and early MArch. We also have small tomatoes and the first brave little hollyhock flower bloomed this week. It takes daily watering and weeding as often as we can spare time but it is fulfilling to watch the effort become what we hoped. 

And it gives us time together. And time away from fighting at home. And the weeds are good time users. So we garden, we are growing lots of flowers which I will share next but we are blessed with sunshine, temperate weather, and seeing the power of creation and life in our hands. Work is a fundamental principle of the gospel of JEsus Christ. President Spencer W. Kimball said that "Work brings happiness, self-esteem, and prosperity. It is the means of all accomplishment, it is the opposite of idleness. Work should be the ruling principle in the lives of our church membership." 

Homecoming and Mark setting apart

Aliza had the entire sacrament meeting to speak for her homecoming. She did a great job and expounded many great truths of the gospel. She is a gifted speaker. Her many years of practice and work shows in her ability to testify and teach. 

After church we posed for a picture getting that many people to not be silly in the picture. I am so thankful for the growth, health, and strength of each of these. It is amazing to me that this is our family.  That is the heart and reason of the gospel message these missionaries share. You are a child of God, you are part of an eternal family, and you can create a family of your own to nurture you and them throughout eternity.  

Probably one of the best parts of the weekend were just being together. We had a late night date of ice cream before everyone was pushed to bed so we could be on time Sunday. 

 Mark was also sustained and then ordained to be an elder in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. I was thankful this worked out so we could have these great men and others be part of that experience. There is power in generations. 

The week before I had taught and a sister shared how I taught thing she had not studied. She also shared how she was raised to care about how we present ourselves at church. Noting that she shined shoes for the men who were attending in her family. I knew my guys shoes were worn and needed some attention. I remembered to buy the necessary products and spent time Saturday night while visiting with the same men who's feet fill these shoes shining and repairing the damage of years of use. 

I appreciate the reminders of past habits from older ward members. It is good to be more intentional and to take some time looking better. That was a surprising compliment Aliza paid of growing up knowing there was town dressing and work dress. That she worked with companions to make these adjustments to being more presentable as they went out to work as missionaries and share the gospel message. 

After church we had a small family gathering on our shady lawn. This is the best time of year to have gatherings as we have abundant shade the bugs are minimal and it is just pleasant to be outside visiting. We appreciate the support and love of our family members. 

And just like that after a quick 5 days she filled Anna's car with her stuff and they headed to Wyoming. 

It was bittersweet to see her go. But what was expected. We are thankful for the time together and grateful the older kids have courage and determination to chart their own courses and live their lives. They are independent and capable. They are doing good things, learning lessons of life, and growing their testimonies and experience. This brings great joy to our hearts. And there is need for them to move on so the younger kids can have space and responsibility to also grow. It's good to be together and its necessary to be apart. We are blessed.  

Aliza homecoming

We were so excited to welcome Aliza home. Millie headed up making posters. The kids had a great time this is mostly to pass time. We took the posters to the airport but were more excited to just give her a hug and see her in person. 

The kids went to the temple before the airport pick-up. I had been getting texts saying she would be later than expected. Family also came to help us welcome her home. We appreciate their support. 

She looked so good! It is always such a relief to have them home. 

Andrea and Alia joined in. Andrea not sure but Alia so excited to have her special sister Aliza home again.  Aliza was surprised that Livy had stretched out to be almost her height. 

Visiting together. We gathered her bags and headed to the cars. We enjoyed the grand buffet at golden corral where everyone ate and ate and then ate some more. There was plenty of visiting and sharing. We then headed tot he stake presidents house and she was released after sharing things learned on her mission and her testimony one last time. After a very long day of traveling and family it was time to head home.

I slept so good that night surely some of the emotions of 18 months apart were put to rest. We enjoyed our short week together going to the temple and to the dentist.

 

An update

 Life is going by in a blur. This blog has not allowed me to upload the multitude of photos I have diligently been taking as one event after another marks the month of May and now June. I believe a blog is boring without photos so I haven’t written. 

I have consulted Google and AI none of those suggestions have solved the problem. 

Mark graduated, Addie won her respective events at the district level, then competed at state. We traveled to Detroit then Hillsdale college with Mark. The younger kids went roller skating and earned many end of year awards. Aliza came home from her mission. We reunited as a family for a quick full weekend. It was grand to see my children interact in love and smiles, of course there were fights and tears among the younger but overall it is deeply settling to be together en masse. Aliza reported in her trademark style of deep information coupled with a powerful voice and clear testimony she did well. We ate tacos after church and enjoyed time in the shade. We remain thankful for these weed like trees and the coolness they provide. Mark also got the priesthood today. We were thankful that both events happened on the same day. 

We continue to be blessed by strong family support and love. Many many choices made decades ago continue to bear good fruit. We are so thankful for those that set the course and showed the way. We are thankful for the plan of God teaching the role and importance of family relationships. We are truly blessed.

More kids and plants

With the end of school is lots of final testing. Welding was no exception Reed and Mark both passed their bend test and gained a certification or two in the process. 

Mark's welds. 

We dove into spring tractor work. Food can be a distraction so these kiddos enjoyed about half an hour of eating while we disced and disced. 

Then stuff broke and we parked. We went home to make cookies for the kids coming home from school. Everyone is happier with cookies after school. So much for health concious we are surviving and trying to keep the peace these days. 

A quick trip to town for basic supplies and the kids demanded a bathroom stop. This picture was so noisy. These two were delighted by the blowing air and laughing and giggling so loudly. The bathroom was so echoey. An older lady came in accusing them of a rucous. Maybe they were but the sheer joy at blowing air was something hard to stop. 

Echinacea plants looking good. Gotta make some time to transplant them this week. These are perennial so hopefully we will enjoy them for years to come. 

Little lavendar plants. I was surprised how pungent they are even this young. Also a thing to plant this week. 

And a sweet friend sent flowers as a thank you. The girls loved posing with them. 

 There's lots of stress and hard right now working to tame the elements, complete what has to be done for school commitments and keeping everyone fed and in moderately clean clothes. Little bright spots like the flowers and plants are important to remember when it feels too much like everything is a disaster. The best part of blogging is the counting blessings and seeing not fake pictures of real goodness that happened for short moments. We are blessed even when life is heavy and takes more than I may have to give. So I remembered a few lessons bought some bags of chips will make more cookies and try to roll patiently with the days instead of being crushed by the too long to-do list. 

We are obviously surviving well. Life is good.