Jessica's Birthday

Today is Jessica's 14th birthday! I can't believe it! I can still remember her sweet, newborn face and her little tongue she kept sticking out then in over and over. Her skin was softer than anything I'd ever felt. I'm so very grateful for her in our home. She is a strength and example to us all! So talented, so beautiful, so loving, so responsible, so honest, so accurate in doing what's right! I love her so much!! We all do!! Right now she is making her birthday cake creation. Hyrum says, "It looks like a big pile of pink icing!" Maybe so, but she is enjoying creating and having a bit of time off school.

Fate

I believe Heavenly Father leads us to meet, learn from, and help certain people throughout our lives. I believe if you ask Heavenly Father to help you help others He will guide you to those in need. Today after Church we saw a new family walking home to an apartment by ours. Jaremy stopped the van so we could meet them. Most everyone in the ward in is new to me. There are tons of people that move in and out. It's been a fun challenge to remember names and faces. Well, anyway back to this family. I wasn't sure if they were new or not, but we stopped because it doesnt' really matter. It turns out they are from Japan and have been the ward only a week. They have to young children and don't really know anyone yet. The husband is going back to Japan for work this week so she was glad to meet someone who lived close who also had kids. We will get together this week for a play day. She seemed really relieved to meet us. I'm glad Heavenly Father led us to bump into eachother. I like talking to perfect strangers too. It's a little scary at first, but with practice it's not awkward but lots of fun. I know some of these people we were meant to talk to. They have become dear friends. One of them was Youngshen Wan from China. We later met his wife Dung. They were such good friends with a special spirit about them. She had read the Book of Mormon, but had a hard time believing in Joseph Smith because of polygamy. We lost touch when they moved. We miss our dinners and visits with them. I pray they will except the truth and that we will be able to meet them again. Meeting them again will be a miracle seeing they are back in China, but I know that isn't a problem for Heavenly Father. If it is His will we will meet again, or we might have to wait until the next life. I am grateful for dear friends that flow through my life like a beautiful, life-giving stream. I hope I too can pass on some love and kindness.

Young Women's General Conference

Tonight Jessica and I attended General Young Women's Conference. It was wonderful to be spiritually fed. I'm so grateful for inspired leaders and the Holy Ghost.
Virtue was one of the topics. How rare in this world at this time! How precious! What an amazing gift to give one's future spouse and unborn children. The gift of purity and chastity. The gift of selflessness and closeness to God. The gift of security, peace, and true love to one's future family. I'm so grateful for chastity. It has blessed my life beyond measure. I pray I can help my dear, innocent children through a world that mocks virtue and uses every means to destroy it. I pray I can help guide them in cleanliness to the temple of our God. He has great blessings in store for those who keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world. The Lord strengthens us in His Holy House and prepares us for eternity. Eternal life with our happy families. What a blessing! One worth living for and sacraficing for. I'm so grateful for the temple and Heavenly Fathers commandments. They keep us happy and safe!
By the way, I finished a little wool vest for Tank's pioneer outfit. I can't believe I actually sewed something wearable. Yeah!

Spring is Here and Coming

Officially it's Spring. But the weather has been cold, gray, rainy, and snowy for several days now. I can't wait until we get some sunshine and warmth! But waiting will make it even more appreciated.
The kids are sick and tired of school and homework. So maybe it's a good thing the weather isn't the best for playing outside. If it was warm and inviting outside I probably would have a revolt on my hands.
We are planning a vacation during Spring Break. We are headed for the Oregon Coast! I'm so excited! The kids can't stand waiting! We are going to play on the beach, tour Japanese gardens, eat in Portland's China Town, climb to the top of lighthouses, hike, explore, and have a wonderful break from the norm. We are renting an RV trailer for our lodgings. Jaremy's been carefully studying routes and maps. I never have to worry about getting lost Jaremy memorizes the map of wherever we are going.
We just need to set some goals that will help us endure happily and productively to the end. I'm going to do a spring de-tox, finish sewing our pioneer costumes, and keep up with the basics. Oh, I'm also going to lose 3 pounds. That should keep me busy and focused!
I'm just as excited for General Conference! To prepare myself for that I want to be caught up on my callings, attend the temple twice, fast for the Spirit, and keep peace in our home. No problem! Well, with Heavenly Father's help I can be spiritually prepared to hear His word and follow His prophet in every detail!

Childhood and Motherhood are Fleeting

Sometimes our lives get so packed. Run the kids here and there, visit so and so, buy such and such, grab something to eat, do this, and do that. Sometimes life is so crowded I don't know where to start. That's when I have to really prioritize. Even though there are so many people and organizations that need me, my family must be first! Even though there are so many good and important things to do, the essential ones must be first!
There are many wonderful things that I feel pressured to do because they are very good and can help people. However, I have to ask myself several questions. Have I taken care of my scripture study, my exercising, and personal grooming? Pretty basic, huh? If not, my life is out of balance and I need to drop other things. Have I been able to serve family meals? Have I been able to keep the house reasonably tidy and functional? Have I read to my children and studied the scriptures and gospel with them? Have I helped my children get to where they need to be academically, socially, physically, spiritually, developmentally? Am I unhurried enough to really enjoy cuddling, listening, helping, and observing my children? If not, more things need to be dropped.
The questions continue. Have I attended the temple at least twice a month? Have I seen to the needs of the sisters I visit and teach this month? Have I gone on a date with my husband this week? Have I had a one-on-one evening with one of my children this week? Have we held family home evening? Have we visited the elderly and encouraged and helped others this week?
I would like to learn a great deal, write children's books, do tons of family history, serve missions, help the poor more, etc., etc. All of these things are wonderful and would move me closer to Heavenly Father. I could spend lifetimes doing these things. But during this season
of my life Heavenly Father has given me seven beautiful children to nurture. This can't be done later. The time is now and moving quickly. I cannot shirk my duties at home, even if other activities are worthy. This is a small phase of my life. I must rise to the challenge and not become distracted!
Yes, I can help others outside my family. Of, course. But I must take care of my family first and foremost. My family is my eternal calling! Then I can do a bit to share the gospel, my time and talents, and resources with others. But almost all of my efforts, time, talents, devotion, and love must be with my husband and little ones right now.
When I am old or an emptynester I will keep busy doing all the other things I can only do a bit of now. But when I am old I cannot cuddle my children, kiss their bumps, tickle them, read to them, sing with them, or study their sweet faces. When my children are grown I cannot make sure their testimonies are burning within them. When I am old I can't watch their excitement as they go on the outings of youth. Now is the time!!! I miss it all ready!! It makes it easy to eliminate things from my to-do list so I can soak in this precious time!!!!

Dancing

How splendid is the human body! I love to stretch and move with yoga and dance! I love to jump, run, climb, hike, walk, skip, and dance. How blessed I am! My body is full of life and health! I visited with my Grandma Keller (88) today. She is restricted in movement and motion. Oh, how I wish she too could sway to music, spread her arms out, and do dog pose. I feel sometimes like I am flying! I want to move everyday of my life as much as I can. I want to help others and bring comfort to their aches and pains. I think movement helps with pain and sadness. I'm so grateful to have a body created after the image of my most loving Heavenly Father.
Japan has experienced an awful earthquake and tsunami. Sending our little donation seems like nothing. I pray for the people of Japan, especially the children.

Missionary Work

I've been praying for missionary experiences for a long time. I felt I should go see Amanda Leishman and invite her to go to church with us. I was so nervous. I don't know her very well. She was my visiting teaching partner for a bit, but then became to busy. She had told me she doesn't attend Relief Society and doesn't want to. But I kept thinking about her everyday. Of course, because I was so nervous I never found the time. Finally, I realized I was being like Jonah. I was hiding from the Lord. I was hiding in the thick of thin things. So I repented and made myself go to Amanda's house. I told her I was so nervous, but I kept thinking about her. I told her I'd never asked anyone to go to church before. I was so nervous I started to cry (which I never do). Of course, that made me feel like an idiot, but I asked her to go with me to Church. She said she would. I also learned during that brief visit that they are moving, so I went over to help today.
Today Amanda shared her amazing life story and conversion with me. She has had a hard life. She has overcome so much! Her story is inspirational. I hope she knows Heavenly Father loves her so much. He is aware of her trials and will help her if she turns to Him. I can see how much He has guided her so far. Tomorrow I'm going to fast for her and put her name on the prayer role at the temple. I hope she knows we welcome her with open arms and are here to help her overcome any challenges she has. I hope we can become good friends.
Yesterday we went on a gorgeous walk. Actually, it was a jog. The kids and I jogged to River Heights and back. It was beautiful and felt so good. We were all surprised to find we had been gone an hour and twenty minutes. It just flew by! We enjoyed it so much we want to go again today with Jaremy. His knee is injured so he'll have to ride his bike. I hope he enjoys it as much as we did.
It's no secret I love the country. I've been amazed how much I love living in town too. The kids have friends close and enjoy getting together with them. We are close to everything. Walking around town is an adventure and there are so many places to explore. We are just a few minutes away from the river, mountains, canyon, and many parks. I love living in Logan too. Heavenly Father has surrounded us with beauty, comfort, friends, family, and every good thing. I'm so grateful!!!

A Great Day

Today we had a story time at the nursing home. Natalie (8), Hyrum (6), Ella (4), and Tank (2) accompanied me. My how the elderly love seeing the little ones. The kids are so quick to smile, talk, and hug the residents of the nursing homes and their Great Grandma Butler. They loved sharing their books with all of their "grandparents."
After the kids came home from school we went to the store and bought Benjamin a fishing license, pole, and bait. We took neighborhood friends and all our kids to First Dam. The oldest boys fished while the rest of us fed the ducks and geese.
I've been reading President Monson's biography and listening to Parley P. Pratt's autobiography. Both are inspirational! They inspire me to lengthen my stride, reach out to others, and stand up to be counted.
This evening the kids had their friends over to make banana splits. It's been a great day!!
Jaremy's in Pittsburg on business for ICON. We will go pick him up tomorrow at the airport. I miss him! The kids are out of school tomorrow, so we can hang out a bit in Salt Lake. Looks like tomorrow's shaping up to be another terrific day!

Fast Sunday

I'm so blessed! I've never had to go hungry in my life. Of course, I am hungry on Fast Sunday, but I choose that. I feel so bad for those who are hungry, sick, lonely, and impoverished. I wish I could do more to help them.
The other day we watched a movie about a leper colony. Moroni was so touched by the movie, he withdrew all his money and bought things for the poor. He also gave more money to the church to help poor people. He has a big heart! All my children have big hearts!!! I love them so much. I'm grateful they are tender and caring.
We have begun our training at the American West Heritage Center. Yesterday we shopped for pioneer clothing. It's going to take a ton of work in the next month to finish all the dresses, slips, bonnets, vests, shirts, pants, bloomers, caps, and aprons we need for our pioneer outfits. We are really excited! It's good we have tons of challenging work before spring arrives, because I have spring fever like nuts! Oh, well! It's coming!
Heavenly Father blesses my family with so much!!! I'm so grateful! I will praise His name forever!!!