Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Terrific Tuesday

Today I ran 5 miles at an 11 minute pace.  That's not very fast, but it was my fastest ever!  I was very excited!  My goal for the month is to be able to run 8 miles in 80 minutes.  I will continue my speed drills and sprints and see if I can improve my pace.  We are running a 1/2 marathon in November.  I want to finish in under 2 hours so I need to train at 7 miles per hour.  Yikes!  That seems fast!  For me anyway!  But hey, why not!!  Maybe I was born to run fast and I just haven't tapped into that yet!   Heavenly Father has blessed me so much with a healthy body!!!  I'm so glad my family runs too!

We've started our homeschool year!  I love it!!  It is so overwhelming!!!  But I'm excited for a challenge!!!  Yesterday I felt like there was no way I could teach all these kids, with all this chaos.  It seemed like everybody was behind.  But we can do it!!  I have no time to feel discouraged or think about failure.  I only have time to work like crazy and succeed.  There is no other option!  We will triumph!!! The kids will get a first class education this year and be found far ahead of their grade level in every way be the end of the school year in May 2013!  I'm so excited!!!!  This will take a huge effort and amazing patience, organization, and encouragement.  We can do it!!!  Heavenly Father didn't send us here to fail or be mediocre.  We are His children!!  With His help we can do anything!!  We just have to rely on Him and let the divinity within us blossom.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Treat Street

Last night our ward had a fellowship activity to help us get to know the people in our ward.  On two of the streets in our ward all the people who live on those streets would make treats and sit outside to greet and meet the rest of the ward who walk around to meet the people on those streets.  It was a great activity to help I know one another.  I'm grateful for good neighbors and friends.  They are a gift from Heavenly Father.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Playing Fort

I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has blessed our family with lots of brothers & sisters to play with. We are missing Jessica & Benjamin who are away this week. 
As I listen to the kids play I am reminded I need to speak more kindly so my children will pretend more sweetly.  I really need to speak with the tofu of angels and not the tongue of nasty old trolls.


Monday, July 23, 2012

Kids Out and About

Jessica has been gone to girls' camp and Aunt Rose's for the last two weeks.  Rose is teaching Jessica more sewing skills.  She will be there another week.  Jessica is getting to be so grown up and beautiful.  She is so disciplined, righteous, thoughtful, respectful, and kind.  We've missed her!  Jaremy and the kids keep asking when she will be back.  It's going to break my heart when they all grow up and leave.  But I'm grateful Rose gave her this wonderful opportunity to improve her sewing skills.  She is doing amazingly well!  Heavenly Father has blessed us with so many benefactors and benefactresses who have blesses and improved our lives.


This last Saturday Jessica, Benjamin, Moroni, and Ella had the opportunity to sleepover at Grandma Eva's and Grandpa Sid's.  They had fun!  Mom and Dad are so young, active, fun, and industrious.  I'm so grateful my children get to spend time with them.  


Benjamin left for Scout Camp this morning.  Heavenly Father has provided this wonderful opportunities for our children to learn and grow.  Of course, they have a blast too!  We will miss him too.  Especially, Adelynn will miss her big brother who carries her everywhere and is her dear friend.  She was sad to watch him drive off today.  Tank ran into his room and cried when he left.  This just shows what an awesome brother/friend Benjamin is.  


What a blessing to have such a dear, wonderful family!!!  I love them all and thank Heavenly Father for them many times throughout each day!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fires

A couple of weeks ago we had a forest fire in Rose Canyon, a few miles from our house.  I drove the kids up to see what all the fire engines were up to.  While we were watching the fire became very large and ripped through a neighborhood engulfing some homes in flames.  It was humbling to watch Mother Nature.  Ella reminded us all to pray for the safety of the people and animals and firemen.

It is extremely dry this year.  We have had a lot of fires in Utah.  The First Presidency sent a letter asking everyone to pray for more favorable weather conditions and for the safety of the firemen.  We followed the prophet and prayed.  As I watched rain clouds come I knew Heavenly Father had heard the prayers of the Saints.  He always has sent miracles to us when we are united and obedient and always will.  It gave me a warm feeling to know our family was able to unite with the Church and pray and receive answers together.  It makes the picture seem bigger and the scope of the Gospel and Church just a bit more comprehensible and wonderful.

Friday, July 6, 2012

A Bit of Myself

Today we are still at the Lybbert family reunion at Bear Lake. It has been really fun. It's nice to hear some of the same sayings, joys, and frustrations that I experience or use. It it's neat to be surrounded by a lot of people who value large families and the gospel. I have felt Heavenly Father's love through others. What a wonderful gift! Being with my extended family helps me sees the bigger picture. Life cycles and phases are clearly evident. Aunts and uncles who were "just yesterday"in the "lots of little ones" stage are now empty nesters. Children have grown up ever so quickly. Some of our large family have died. Some have chosen a different plan than the one that brings happiness and eternal joy. Some are missing because of that. Some live far away. Some are rich, some poor, some healthy, some fat, some Marys, some Martha. All family and all loved no matter what!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Inspiration

Being in a family is amazing! Heavenly Father has blessed me so much through my family. They inspire me to get up early & join them running, write in my journal, be more patient, be more tender, and go to my knees more often than I would without their inspiration. I'm so grateful to be living with my amazing family!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Beautiful Waterfall Hike

We are so blessed to explore the mountains in safety. Heavenly Father has given us such a gorgeous world, yet it is dangerous. I'm so grateful for his watchful care & blessing us with safety.