Happy Nine Months Old To Jonathan

Baby Jonathan turns nine months old today! I am amazed at how wonderful this little guy is. We are so blessed to have such a smart and cute grandson! He really does bring joy to our family and everyone just loves him so much. When the kids hit none months I always reflect back at the last 18 months really. It takes nine months for them to grow and be born and then the growing and learning that takes place the following nine months just blows me away! They have to learn so much and yet they just do it - mostly with a smile and effort that I wish I could bottle up. When he was learning to crawl or stand if he falls he just tries again - just gets right back to it until he can do it! We have lots to learn from these little ones. I think that is why this is one of my most favorite ages between about 8 months to 16 months.

During the "heat wave" he has spent a lot of time over at our house so Adrian can swim in the pool. They both loved the pool and got a special treat last night when Grandpa jumped in, with his clothes on I might add, and played with all the kids. It had been so hot officially I think they said it was 106 degrees but it was hotter in some places. I just have to say it is not natural for it to get that hot here where the sun doesn't shine for nine months out of the year:) Oh it shines, but when you are used to rain and sun mixed just straight sun is way to much. I am not complaining mind you but it does make you be sort of lazy - no energy to do much but sit and watch the kids play in the pool and eat Popsicles! I guess that is not such a bad way to spend a summer day in July. Especially when it ends with David giving us quite a show with his pool tricks!

Also, just a quick Happy Anniversay to Toshia and Andrew. Three years! Boy has the time gone by fast - I wish you many, many more years of happiness:) Love you!

Plumbing 101

Recently the sinks in my bathroom have been very slow draining. This has happened in the past and usually I just buy drano and be done with it. With a house full of girls the sinks are always clogged. Seth has been working for a plumbing company for a couple of years now and I remembered that he had said how bad drano is for your pipes and that usually it was not that hard of a fix and using chemicals did not always take care of the whole problem. So late Saturday night I called him and asked him how to take apart the sink so I could get the drain stopper out. He was so cute - he explained step by step what I should see and what to do when I got under the sink. I emptied the cupboard and began my operation. It was just as he had described and I found the "p" trap (which by the way should be called "u" trap it looks nothing like a "p") unscrewed the nut thingys, unscrewed the nut thingy that holds the stopper and can I say I have never been so disgusted as when I pulled out the grossest thing I have ever seen. It was the size of a small rat (hair and other junk) - YUK! Once I was over the shock of what I had found and disposed of it immediately I put the whole thing back together - all the thingys screwed back in place. I tested it to make sure nothing leaked and lo and behold I had just completed my first official plumbing job! And all in about 15 minutes! I was so excited about what I had just done that I did David's sink as well. (I won't even describe what I pulled out from his sink - YUK!) When he came upstairs he was so surprised - usually these tasks are his responsibility and I never mess with it. Thanks to Seth's help and the fact that plumbing runs in my genes (my dad was a plumber when I was a little girl) I have clean flowing pipes again!

Ten Day Spiritual Trek

Yesterday I finished my 10 day spiritual trek. Ending on the celebration of pioneer day was really special for me. Last year I had gone on a trek with the youth and that was awesome in so many ways. I learned a lot about myself and loved watching the youth grow in ways that only can happen on a trek. I also enjoyed spending the time with David and learning a lot about him as well. I have thought a lot this week how I wish I had been in the better physical condition that I am this year. It would not have been so hard - but on the other hand that is what motivated me more to finally lose the last of my "baby" weight and get into a better more consistent exercise plan. This trek was very different for me. A journey that I did not expect to take me the way it did. I have to say to study the scriptures by topic is not a way I usually do. I was lead to many scriptures I don't think I would have gone to on my own. I found I have many things to work on in my life to even measure up to the sacrifice and devotion of the early pioneers. I also realized that I have the ability to finish what ever I set my mind to do. I know my sacrifices that I have to make at this time are just as hard as they were for the pioneers. The thing I learned the most was it is all attitude. My attitude to do the things that will bring me closer to Christ is what will make what sacrifices I have to make all the easier. The pioneers had for the most part a willing attitude or willing heart. One that made them feel as if what they were doing wasn't much of a sacrifice at all but just what you do to be closer to Christ. I feel that the last 10 days my heart has been willing to put aside some of the things of the world and have the ability to approach each day with a smile and cheerful attitude. Giving up TV and music was not that hard. The hard part was not getting irritated at the little things. Not so much at my friends - but my children. It is so easy to just let them get under my skin and I really wanted this to make me a better person so I had to work on this the hardest. I think I did pretty good. Only a few minor set backs but thank goodness the children are easily forgiving of my faults! I want to keep this willing heart and continue with some of the things I had committed to do for the last 10 days. I like how it made things feel here in my home and how I thought about all the people in my life. I love everyone who has blessed me and been my friend. I love my children and especially my sweet husband who sacrifices so much for all of us. What a blessing this life can be if are hearts are in the right place - no matter what comes my way it is still a wonderful blessing!

Ten things I am loving right now...

1. My ten dollar table find - you can't see the wood but it is so pretty!

2. My jewelry class. This is the bracelet we worked on yesterday - I love the friendships, the food, and the fun finished pieces!

3. My ten day spiritual trek I am doing with the Relief Society sisters. I love that we are all doing this but each person is experiencing their own journey!

4. I love my bed. I have some antique linens on is right now that just make me smile when I walk into my room!

5. The flowers that surround my front door. I miss my baskets this year (just never got around to getting them bought) but I have enjoyed the sweet smell the flowers have as I enter my home!

6. I love my latest crafting project. I mostly love that some of my dearest friends shared with me and together we came up with this. Each one was different but the same theme - we love America!

7. Our garden. We have already enjoyed some of the pickings and tonight will eat these beans!

8. The random pictures on my camera that I know Hayden took - I think she wants to be a photographer!

9. When the kids are together and the silly faces and fun times we have!

10. I love swim lessons. I love to watch as the kids splash, float, and swim all around. We love their teacher and her patience with all the children and most of all I am loving that all the children can now swim and I don't have to worry so much when we are around water!

What are you loving right now?................

Every day matters

Today I heard a song (don't know the artist or who was singing) but the line that stayed with me all afternoon has been "you just can't hurry up the good stuff in your life". I have thought about this all afternoon. I have thought about when I was younger, much younger, I wanted to be older. I could hardly wait until this or that happened so I could have the experiences. I thought I knew what I wanted to be when I "grew up". That was constantly changing. I thought about after I started having my children I would think "I can hardly wait until they are older, or could walk, or could talk. I can hardly wait until they go to school, or play ball. I can hardly wait until they can drive or get a job." Those thoughts have always been running through my mind as the children continue to grow. A few years ago when I realized I was not going to have any more babies I realized that every moment I wanted to cherish with this last little child. I was going to capture everything and write it down, take tons of pictures. I never wanted to lose these memories. But soon, too soon, I found myself thinking the same thoughts I had with all my other kids, when will this or that happen. I have learned that you can't hurry up the good stuff in your life - you need to capture it and live it every day of your life! The past 27 years of raising children sometimes seems like a blur. I find it hard to come to the realization that I have a 27 year old; and also, that I have a 5 year old, and lots of "year"olds in between. David and I were talking and he commented that he could not remember certain things and was amazed that I could recollect certain things with such clarity. I told him that these things had been on my mind for a while and that I often remembered things as I was going back to scrapbook an event or read in my journals. These things were the "good stuff". But today I realized that all the little things, the things that happen day to day that don't get pictures taken of or written down in my journal - those things really are the "good stuff". I shouldn't hurry them up - I should savor it - laugh with it- love with it - cry with it (when necessary) - and slow it down if I can. Every day matters!

I have been prompted to start a project - don't know how it will go or how I will journal it but I want to chronicle somehow the subject "Everyday Matters". I think I want to do it for a year like my sister has done with her "Day in the life" journal. Yes, I will start that and work on it for the year. I challenge my friends to do the same and if you do let me know - we can encourage each to keep it up for the year. As I begin I know that it will be subject to change - not the theme but maybe how I record it. I have something in mind and will share from time to time on my blog.

For today though, I will not hurry up the good stuff and remember that today mattered!

My Sunday Lesson

I love when it is my time to teach in Relief Society. I love the preparation part and the study. As I was working with the given topic for this month I was having a hard time making it come together. I talked with Sis. Hoffman and we decided to go with "Finding Joy in the Word". I can do that I thought. I never imagined the wonderful journey this topic would take me. The book of Mormon is full of journeys. Physical as well as spiritual. That pattern is for another day but suffice it to say that my journey began in that book.

While reading chapter 33 in Alma as a family one morning I was completely taken back with the last verse:

"And now my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the JOY of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."

Now, I know that Alma had been teaching the people to experiment upon the word (chpt. 32) but for some reason the last line just stayed with me. Finally, later in the morning I had to stop what I was doing and go to it again. As I started really taking it apart my journey began.

First, I learned that the word we should plant was that of the atonement (read the verse before).

Second, the way to nourish this word was with faith, patience and diligence (go to Alma 32:41).

Third, the verse says it will become a tree - well, I had learned from Elder Packer a couple of years ago that when Lehi had his vision of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8) that tree being the "love of God" -"For God so loved the world, that he sent His Son..." the tree is Jesus Christ. The fruit is the atonement. Elder Holland teaches that "the tree of life as a symbol includes the tree on which he would be slain for the sins of the world". When we pluck the fruit of that tree, it will make us happy because it is the fruit of the atonement, of the resurrection, of forgiveness of sins, of everything that is involved with Christ.

Fourth, the way our burdens may be made light is through the atonement because He not only suffered for our sins, but for pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of all people (Alma 7)

Going back to the last line of the verse in Alma 33 - the joy talked about is the atonement. Therefore, my topic could say "Finding the Atonement in Jesus Christ". True joy - everlasting joy is the atonement. How can I apply the atonement in my life so I can feel that pure joy spoken of? Well, to begin with we need to have the "word" before our eyes. If enough time will be spent with those words, faith can be exerted and sins can be dropped along the trail. In Jacob 3 he teaches us (and he is talking to the pure in heart - those living life the best they know how- a covenant keeping people) that when "the word" comes, our job is to "lay hold" on it. Scripture study is the time to leave the alleys of mortality and visit the halls of eternity!

My journey led me to many more things concerning the atonement but what I came to understand the most from this is that the atonement is as much for the benefit of my sins as it is that he has atoned for the sins of others! The Lord is the living bread and water and comes to us with that offering to accept of his atonement for others sins. Think about that the next time we take the sacrament. When we accept this we are blessed with all that is needful and we find ourselves cleansed from sinfulness as were Joseph in Egypt, Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, Abednego, Alma as Amulon persecutes his people (Mosiah 24). Have you ever wondered how Joseph had the capacity to be so forgiving to his brothers? I have. He understood how the atonement works. He lived it as did the other men I mentioned! Wow, for me this understanding brought peace and joy!

The last thing I learned as I was studying talks and words from general authorities and women's conference talks was that the temple is the connecting point between heaven and earth. It is where God's power is exposed. The atonement is not fully realized without temple ordinances. The temple completes the atonement of Jesus Christ. As I had the opportunity to go to the temple two weeks ago I really listened hard to any connection of the atonement - WOW - from beginning to end it all connects. What a blessing that night was for me as I thought of all the things I had been connecting and then to realize and see the words, to feel the words, to actually pluck of that fruit - I came away with such peace and an indescribable joy. I learned that night that the atonement is continuous. Therefore, our joy can be continuous as we continually feast upon the word!

Teaching Sunday I hope that I was able to convey all the thoughts and feelings that I had as I discovered these connecting ideas. It is hard to say but I know I felt the spirit teaching me as we wandered through the scriptures. There have been only a few times when the spirit has taught me like I have been taught this last few months. Because this had been on my mind, as I have been researching things for other topics or assignments I see the connecting of JOY, ATONEMENT,CHRIST over and over. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who has the patience to wait as we come to recognize these beautiful teachings he has for us. As my word for the year last year was "joy" and I tried to be "happy" all year, I really now know what it is to have joy in my life and I now can say I am a woman of JOY!

Marathon results are in!!!

I DID IT!!!!! I finished the race and am living to tell about it! It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done but also one of the most rewarding! I did better than I had set my goals for. And was very pleased with the results.

My time: 2:08:09

In my age division I came in 20 out of 92

My place overall 910 out of 1826

My place in the female category 420 out of 1162

My average mile was 9:47

Here Chad and I are immediately after the race. He did great! I am so proud of him - I know it was not easy but he pushed through and finished. Right at the very end I sprinted across the finish line because I wanted to beat him (His official time 2:08:10) We ran side by side the whole race. He did have to make a short pit stop but I kept running and told him to catch up - I did slow a bit so he would not have much to make up. He said that was hard because he ran really hard to get back with me.

I have to say for the first time doing this (running a half=marathon) we both learned a lot of things. Preparation was key to the whole thing. I am so happy to be able to say I prepared, I worked hard and I finished. Chad learned to prepare more and the finishing part could be a little easier. I also experienced something with him that was very special and I will cherish this little run for a very long time!