Celebration of Life

Last week while I was at my parents house I learned of the passing of a good friend of our family. Ralph Keller.  Ralph and his wife Betty served a mission in Oakland Calif., where my dad and my sister and I were their only baptisms.  Betty passed away about 6 years ago, and as it turns out Ralph started in with dementia last year, so this was good timing.  The children today at the services spoke of the great reunion Ralph and Betty must be having.  

The service was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man.  In the closing remarks from the sake president, there was wonderful testimony borne of the Savior, and his atoning sacrifice.  Then, the closing hymn, 86 - How Great Thou Art, truly touched my heart.

(Two of my favorite verses of song)

Second verse:

When thru the woods and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze...

Third verse: 

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, 

He bled and died to take away my sin...

How tender and acurately, the words of this song express the feelings and thoughts of my soul.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,

How great thou art! How great thou art!

I am grateful for my testimony of the saving grace of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  I am grateful to know that we will all live with him again, soon.

Before the funeral service, I drove up to the temple to feel of its goodness.  We were not able to get onto the grounds because the temple was closed, but... I was wearing my trusty sandals 

and took a little hike to snag this picture

After the service I took my handsome dates to taco bell

 
 

Good day!

Another day in the sun.

Today we went out to Blackridge reservoir (near the point of the mountain,) with the Ehats.  We sat in the sun, played in the water, created our own water slides at the park, and buried kids in the sand.

The most eventful part of this day happened to be when I couldn't find my Joseph.  I asked Max where he was and he replied with, "one of the kids said he was swimming across the reservoir."  I looked out across the water and could not believe what I was seeing.  Joseph knows how to swim, but has never gone that far without stopping before. I was about to baywatch it into the water, and then realized that he was probably going to make it.  I stood nervously watching as he got to the other side.  He got out with the other boys (12 and 13) and ran back on a trail that curved around the border of the water.  My heart stopped, and then broke.  I was so nervous to know he might not make it, and then so overwhelmed with emotion when he did.  My baby is growing up right before my eyes and there's nothing I can do about it.  I guess I might as well try to enjoy it.

Good day and random thoughts

It's so nice to finally have couches, and I don't mind the little people sitting on the couches either.  I love when they sit and read together, it's so... peaceful.

After reading the children went outside to play with some neighborhood friends.  Isabel came inside and proceeded to ask me a question.

Iz: (standing next to her friend who is handling some coins.)Do you trust me?

Me: (very suspicious, and slightly hesitant) I do... mostly.

Iz: Oh good, can Kate and I ride down to the corner to buy some crepes?

I thought I was going to be asked to pitch in money for something crazy but it ended up being an innocent trip down to the corner.  I'm glad I went along because Isabel is a crazy driver!

This evening was the cub scout pack meeting.  We had awards for the boys, and then a swim party.  Families were invited so I got to snag some sweet photos of the kids in their element.  

Love these cute, crazy, kiddos!

Good times! Good day!

Random thought this day while walking: I was explaining to Juli my experience with learning to wake-board. I told her I had tried about 10-15 times without success, and then finally one of the girls yelling out suggestions said, "twist your hips while your getting up."  I said o.k.. I really was trying my hardest and appreciated any extra bit of advice.  The boat started to go, I held on tight, and started to twist my hips.  And what do you think happened then?  Right, I got up on the board, and stayed up. I couldn't believe that all I was missing was one simple instruction. 

My first ah-ha: Why didn't my friend tell me sooner.  If she would've told me the first time, my life would've been so much easier.  I related this to sharing the gospel.  Why do we wait to share?  Are we afraid the message won't be received well?  Are we nervous to step on toes?  If we are not sharing out of fear, let's get over that fear and embrace our faith in a generous Father who will help us if we are willing.

My second ah-ha: Sometimes we have to try things over and over again, with a continued desire to learn and do something right.  I could've given up on the wake-board, but I was determined and I continued to listen to the random advice that my friends were shouting out to me.  In life we need only listen for that still small voice that will tell us exactly what we need to hear.  I needed to hear my friend explain the simple procedure of twisting my hips.  In life, and more particularly in trials we need to keep going.  We need to take every bit of advice that comes our way, and wait for that exact bit that will help us get up on the board, and stay up.

Anyway, that was my random thought this morning.  I love how the Lord teaches me through my randomness :) 

Family Night 7/27/15

Last night we went outside to enjoy the evening.  

A few friends were also out and so we scored this sweet dog pile

One of the best things about tonight was the cool crisp air.  It was so nice to be able to sit and watch the children play without dying of heat exhaustion.  We must've stayed out until about 10:30.  

It was a good night!

New Couches

Since we moved back in June, we haven't had any couches upstairs.  My mom called me last week and explained that my uncle was selling his couches.  I was excited to finally have something to sit on.  We grabbed them while we were down south this weekend (my uncle lives in St. George.)  We love the couches!

Sad thought of the day: "Since when did my little boy take up the whole couch?"

I was looking at him laying peacefully on the couch, and remembered the day that he barely took up one cushion. How did this happen???

I love my new couches, and I love the young man that takes up the whole of it. 

Pioneer day weekend

Pioneer day is a Holiday in Utah.  

Reece had the day off so after eating at Kneaders, with Queenie and Gramps, we headed to New Harmony.  

Upon arriving down south, I found the kids at the park with my parents and my sister and their cousins.  The kids enjoyed a parade in the morning, and then enjoyed all the festivities at the park.  When there was no more fun to be had, we took the kids for ice scream at Dairy Queen, and then headed to my parents house.  

Shortly after arriving at my parents, my good friend Heather Waite joined us with her kids.  Heather is a friend I've had since Reece was in P.A. school in Henderson.  They still live in Henderson, and so New Harmony is a good meeting place.

We swam, and played, and ate, and then ate some more.  It was a wonderful weekend, we were sad to leave.

 S'mores never looked so good!

Each night we got to sleep out under the stars on my parents' deck.  It was a little cold, but it was amazing to gaze into the vastness of the night.

My favorite was waking up to these sweet little angel faces.

Saturday night we went to another out-doorsy, country bumpkin type of event.  It was fun.  The kids got to sew, play teatherball, ride on wagons, and roast weenies.

I am always amazed at the amount of energy my parents have.  They play with the kids, never seeming to loose energy, and always finding a way to help them feel loved.  I hope that when I am a grandma, I can follow their example of living life.

Sleeping in

Today I slept in.

I'm not sure what happened to me yesterday, but I had an amazing headache.  It was so severe that it actually blurred my vision and made me dizzy.  I could not find a cure.  A good friend stopped by to give me some peppermint oil, which smelled good, and burned good, but did not relieve the aching.  I tried to lay down but could not find comfort.  I prayed.  I realized, through the Spirit, that I had not had any sugar and should probably eat some.  Amazingly enough the sugar seemed to do the trick.  My head still ached a bit so I popped a few Advil, and headed to scouts.

Yesterday was a long day, so today I slept in.

Once we got going today (it's just me and Max because Izzy and Joe went with my parents,) we met up with the Toiaivaos.  The boys were making their own good time, and I was enjoying the cool breeze in the shade with my good friend.

Now it's raining and I am waiting for someone to make me some dinner.

It might be a long wait so I will enjoy the rain.

Creamery

July 18

We live in Orem Utah and fairly close to B.Y.U..  One of the things we enjoy about B.Y.U. is 

The Creamery.

The Creamery is a little grocery store that includes an ice cream bar and a grill with amazing burgers.  While my parents were in town this weekend we got to take a little adventure for some yummy dinner.  (We had actually just eaten, so we let the kids have ice cream for dessert.)

We had a cute little friend along, which had Izzy smiling ear to ear.

And of course my parents.

They're always good for a good laugh.

My parents came up to visit from New Harmony.  They came to listen to Max give his first talk in sacrament.  Max did an amazing job speaking on the plan of happiness.  He shared his testimony and encouraged everyone to, "keep trying," so that we could all make it back to live with our Father again some day.  Loved his sweet remarks.

I also love my parents and are always so grateful for the support they give to me and my family!

S-Load

July 17th

One of my most favorite things is carpooling to Salt Lake for dinner and friends at Cheesecake factory.  We always have way too much fun, and eat way too much.

There are too many inside jokes to list, but one of our favorite is summed up with this picture:

S-Load

Tonight we got to take a break from the commotion of our weeks, and enjoy some time together.

I love my friends, and I love my fries!

Summer Days

July 16th

I love summer days when we can lounge around and do life.  

I'm in the office nervously sitting at my dead tree, trying to figure out where to start.  My homework is calling, and there's also my new cub scout training videos.  What to do... I know, go and play with my kids.  

The poor souls. They have been limited to 45 minutes a day of electronics, so they desperately seek ways to entertain themselves.  

(I think they secretly love to read, but their mother doesn't ever let them.)

They love to play pretend games in which they tell each other exactly what to say and do.  I love to listen as they banter back and forth, but not before doing exactly what the other has suggested as their role in the game.  It's highly entertaining.

This day, I listened as Max and Joe sat waiting for their orders to be taken by this lovely waitress.

At the end of the day I realize I have not finished a single portion of homework.  I have not watched a second of my assigned cub scout training videos, and I have failed to make dinner before heading to class.  Somehow, I do not feel defeated.  I have lived another day with my amazing children, and I have enjoyed watching them grow.

Prepare

So... it's been a while.  

I was reading a talk by President Kimball yesterday that helped me remember the blessings that come from keeping a journal.  This blog was the best way to keep track of my on-goings, so I'm going to get back at it.  I'm not sure the frequency I'll have or the effort I'll put in, but I'm determined to do something.  

This will be my life, and I'm going to apologize ahead of time for any and all uncomfortableness.  (I make my own words sometimes too.) That's all. I'm gonna go ahead and start now. 

1.Max gets to give his first talk in church on Sunday.  Last week I asked him if he was ready, and he told me he had some ideas.  I asked him to write them down, so that he would be ready and he said he would do it later. Last night I asked if he had written his talk, and he said no.  I told him he wouldn't get to eat dinner unless he wrote at least a paragraph.  He huffed a little but then went into the office and got to work. I was excited to see that he had grabbed his preach my gospel book.
I love to see my children learn and grow, and I love when I learn a few things from them along the way.
2.Reading scriptures last night as a family (Reece was helping someone move so he was not with us,) Joseph asked a few questions to clarify what we were talking about and he was spot on.  I'm always afraid that boy is not listening, but so many times he proves me wrong. It feels so good when I'm wrong about some things
3.Got to lay out on the grass last night with Izzy and some good friends.  It was sooooo nice outside. We talked, we laughed, and sometimes we just lay quiet enjoying the sound of the mosquitos buzzing by. I felt at peace, and understood the quote from Joseph Smith a little better: "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it;" If heaven allows time for cloud watching, and enjoying the evening with friends, please let me stay on the path.
That is all for now.