Ward Unity

It's fun to finally be able to look over the congregation and know many people.  It takes awhile to get to know names, faces, families, etc., but the more we do the better it feels.  Sister Emery is the Primary President. She is a grandma who just loves children. I want to be more like her.  Brother Brown, our Young Men's President volunteers for everything, is friendly to everyone, and pulls far more than his own weight. I'm encouraged by his example as well. The Bishopric works so hard in behalf of the ward.  My visiting teacher, Sister Barbara Butterfield, is a dear, grandma friend. She is so sweet, non-judgmental, and diligent. There are many people who I don't even know who come up and encourage us by telling us how great our family or children are. I appreciate their compliments and encouragement.  Yes,  there are some members who are critical of everyone and rather toxic.  Maybe their hormones are out of whack.  Poor things.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us to live in a place where we are loved and where we can love. I'm glad we are needed here and we need the people around us.  I pay we can help create and solidify ward unity.  Then it is like a wonderful, loving family.

Gorgeous September Day

I'm expecting our ninth, sweet baby!  We are all so excited!!!  The kids can only talk baby.  How many babies?  When will he/she be born?  What will we name it?  How big is he/she?  I'm so glad they are thrilled.  They are disappointed that it will take nine whole months before they can hold he/she.  Heavenly Father has blessed us so much!  Children are such a joy!!!

This morning Hyrum and I ran 5 miles together.  It was beautiful!  I'm so blessed to have kids to run with.  Hyrum is such a good, smart, and amazing boy!  He kept with me the whole time.  Many mornings he gets himself up very early and accomplishes tons before we even wake up.  He has determination and discipline.  He pushes himself to do amazing things!  He is very smart!  He is very mechanically minded and detail oriented.  He finds out how things work.  He designs Lego creations like nobody's business and has done since he was four.  He is very forgiving.  I sometimes get frustrated by normal little boy messes and mistakes, but he quickly forgives me.  He still enjoys cuddling.  I'm so grateful for my sweet, dear Hyrum!  He is truly a precious son of God who has been saved to be to pass amazing things in his life.

Dentist

Even though going to the dentist isn't one of my favorite activities I am grateful our family can have healthy teeth. My little Tank (4) brought a rock with his name on it to give to the people that work at the dentist office. He said, "They are so nice and don't even yell at me. And they always give me stuff." He is such a thoughtful, sweet, mature, and funny guy!  He is always saying the cutest things.  I wish I had time to write them all down.  I will enjoy watching the reruns up in heaven.  I thank Heavenly Father that I can squeeze this amazing little guy!

Baby? Babies?

Right now it looks like I might be pregnant!  We are so excited! We will find out for sure in the morning. Tank (4) had been praying for "twins, or three twins, or how many babies You want to give us." He is so precious! So who knows maybe we will have quadruplets. That would be absolutely amazing! So would having one, sweet, dear baby! Children truly are "an heritage of the Lord!" We are so blessed! Our children bring us so much joy!

Running Inspiration

Jaremy is amazing!  He has been consistently meeting his running schedule and improving his time and distance.  I need to follow his excellent example.  Instead I feel tired, busy, etc. and don't go.  It's enough of that!  Wanting to go is not a prerequisite of exercise.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father has given me a spouse that inspires us by example!

Homeschool Humming Along

We are really making headway in the kids schooling. We enjoy learning together. Right now we are focused on the basics. Our days are busy, but simple and pleasurable.  The other day we read on the porch during a thunder storm. The kids climb up into trees with a good book and disappear.  We eat popcorn and shake while watching documentaries. We discuss current events and politics -- a lot.  The big kids take turns playing with the little ones while I help the other children with their math lessons. The dog insists on being in the middle of it all.  After studying all afternoon we ramble through the gardens harvesting dinner along the way.  The goal is to be beautiful, have the house tidied, be finished with school work, and have dinner on the table when Jaremy comes home.  It plays out like that about once  or twice a week.  However, most of the time my hair is a mess, dinner is more in the planning stage, and books and supplies are strung across the dining room and living room.  He is very patient and understanding.  Someday I will be able to have it all together every night. Still I absolutely love these days. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has given us this amazing life and family.  Our garden is doing great and saving us tons of money. Our neighbors are wonderful. Our health is great. We have the gospel, plenty to eat, giggling children, books and sunsets to soak in, fluffy body pillows, yellow walls,  apples on our tree, a washer and dryer, a kind dog, trails to explore, soap, massages, four seasons, disposable diapers, darlings in diapers, pigtails, Lego maniacs, scriptures, children who love the scriptures, forest gardens, deer by the front porch, thunder storms, grandparents who call, dear friends and family, cuddle time, brooms, long eyelashes, lavender, midnight irrigation, naps, prophets, Christ's atonement, promotions from the Spirit, the internet, silly songs, the Piano Guys, glasses, star charts, and on and on.  The Lord gives us everything. This life is truly amazing! I hope I can spread the love and happiness and sheer joy I feel everyday!