Happy New Year!

This evening we are just chilling at home.  Jaremy and the kids modified the kids' bunk beds.  We played a family history game and watched "Brave."  The little kids carved soap bars.  Now Jaremy and Benjamin are watching YouTube on their phones.  Jessica is cleaning. Tank is writing. Adelynn is cuddling with Jaremy. Moroni and Natalie are practicing soccer tricks in the living room.  Hyrum is modifying his soap carving.  Ella is cleaning up the soap shavings.  Jeebz is in his crib sleeping.  We have people mentioning they are ready for bed.  They already have their moonbeams done and we have already had scriptures and prayers.  So they are set for bed.  Others are determined to stay up and bring in the new year.  I so love having my family here!  I love this stage of life!!!  I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed me with this beautiful, dream life!!!  My family rocks!!!!

Robber in Happy Valley

Just so my kids have a funny story about when Jaremy and I were first married....

We were in our first little apartment in Logan, Utah.  We had a little VW Jetta.  Jaremy had just added a custom sound system to it.  We never locked our car because it was Logan.  We kept our CDs out there and everything.

Late one night I thought I heard something right outside our bedroom window where our car was parked.  I woke up Jaremy and told him I thought someone had gotten into our car.  He said I was being absurd.  He knew I had an active imagination.  Cache Valley was Happy Valley and there weren't any robbers.

I was sure I heard something so I looked out the window and saw a man walking away from our car with something under his arm.  I quickly got dressed.  Jaremy thought I was crazy and rolled over to go back to sleep.

I ran out of the house.  I followed the man a bit and watched him walk about a block away.  Then he went into a house's front yard and bent down by a bush next to the house.  Next he stood up and walked into the night.

I quickly searched our Jetta for anything missing.  The only thing missing was part of our sound system.  So I headed down the street to the bush next to the house.  It was very dark, so I just felt under the bush with my hand.  Sure enough I found the part he had taken.

I brought it back to Jaremy.  He asked what I thought I was doing.  What would I have done if the thief had confronted me?  Well, I hadn't thought that far.  It was adventure I was after not safety.  When your eighteen you don't always act with forethought.  Heck, I'm almost twenty years older now and I sometimes I still don't.

Anyway, just I fun story.

Snowy Birthday!

Happy 41st Birthday, Dearest Jaremy!

This year your mom gave you a card that said:

For My Son, My Gift

From the first time I held you,

I know you would be

something special.

And you are--not just to me

but to everyone who knows you.

You're kind & funny

and generous and caring...

and I'm so proud of you.

You're a great son,

a tremendous blessing,

and a wonderful gift

to the world.

Happy Birthday

With

So Much Love!

Love, Mom

You are certainly a gift to all of us!  Heavenly Father has blessed us with an amazing husband, father, provider, protector, leader, friend, entertainer, and example.  You are my everything!  I love you so very much!!!

Christmas Around the Neighborhood

We have had so many people drop off little treats and gifts to our family.  It's fun to exchange greetings this time of year.  Jaremy and the kids went caroling with the ward a couple weeks ago.  It's about the season we start the adventure of secret knocks.  We want to go to the nursing home and visit the residents there.  On Christmas morning we want to make a bunch of cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and deliver them to our neighbors.  We also want to give foot massages to some of our elderly friends.  And play lots of games with each other, our friends, our extended family.  We don't want anyone to be lonely this time of year.  Our home is the antithesis of loneliness.  The recreation center is going to provide an excellent place to get our wiggles out.  I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with a wonderful family and community.

New Testament

As a family we have moved our scripture study to the mornings.  We have always read The Book of Mormon daily as a family, but usually right before bed.  The switch to mornings has allowed it to be more meaningful, less like an afterthought.  Also we have added reading the New Testament as well.  What a beautiful spirit this has invited into our home!  I feel closer to the Savior and have better comprehended His mission and atonement.  Heavenly Father has blessed us with our Redeemer and the scriptures that help us know Him.  What a wonderful, magnificent gift!

During scripture time in the morning our little ones seem more reverent.  Maybe they are just still too groggy to get into trouble.  Everyone sits around on the sofas, chairs, and fireplace with their scriptures on their phones, tablets, and/or leather-bound copies.  We usually take turns reading The Book of Mormon, but sometimes just one of us reads.  We have read it about a dozen times as a family since we've been married.  Jaremy usually reads the New Testament to us.  Then we kneel in family prayer.  These traditions have blessed our family beyond measure!  I believe they have saved our family and given each of us the strength we need to resist temptation.

No, each day is not a spiritual feast.  But it is like Elder David A. Bednar likened it to a painting.  Each stroke on it's own can be abstract, meaningless, even ugly.  But together they culminate to make a beautiful, meaningful picture.  I have to admit most of our family scripture times include scolding for reverence or tardiness.  Slowly, as parents, we are improving and becoming more patient.  And as the years pass the kids are becoming more attentive as well.  

I'm so grateful we decided before we were married these traditions would be at the heart of our family culture.  The Lord has blessed us so much!!!  We have more peace in our home.  Yes, we still have bursts of contention, but we are gradually replacing that with love.  That blessing comes from the Lord!

Dishes

This may sound weird, but I think we are so blessed not to have a dishwasher.  The whole family gets to work together.  We get to visit, sing, and laugh together, a ton.  We have hours to be together in the kitchen everyday.  I'm so grateful for these special times where we can learn to love work, cleanliness, and order.  We also get the chance to serve each other.  It also builds discipline and character.  We don't have a cow to milk, but this is a day-in, day-out activity similar to milking a cow.  This morning we are a bit behind on the dishes.  We had a big birthday dinner and celebration and went to bed without the dishes done.  But right now the kids are singing Christmas carols and scrubbing away.  Jeebz is asleep so I'm going to join them!

Happy Birthday Tank!

Dearest Teancum,

Happy 6th Birthday!!! You are such a sweetheart!  You are very spiritually in-tune and often say things that are deep and profound.  When you do this we all look at each other in amazement.  You frequently speak the word of the Lord.  Your prayers are from the heart and reflect a great understanding of the gospel and a deep love of the Lord.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you so much.  Of course, we do too!

You are full of spunk and activity.  You are funny and already understand and use irony and word play.  You are so stinking smart!  You are learning to read very well.  You demand to read the scriptures.  You know they are so important.

You have a kind, tender heart.  You share hugs and kisses so freely.  Thank you!  They make my day!  You are so good to your little sister and brother!  They love you so!  You have patiently taught Adelynn to be kind and soft.  Now you are dear friends.  You are a good example to your siblings and to Dad and I.  We are so blessed to have you in our family!

I can't believe you are already so big!  I'm so blessed to be your mom.  You always bring a smile to my face!  I love you!!!  Keep following your Savior.  He has a wonderful life planned for you; He needs you to help and love many people.  He knows He can trust you!  You are a wonderful disciple of Christ.  Again I love you so much!

Love,

Mom

Early Morning

I got up at 4:40 this morning.  It feels marvelous to get a bit of a jump start.  I worked my core and upper body.  The kids are enjoying a gorgeous sunrise from the front window right now.  They are also enjoying bubble gum balls.  Now I'll see if I can get them to enjoy doing the dishes.  The Lord must have blessed the morning with a bit extra.

Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving we bought an old MCI bus!  It's been our dream for years!  We are now beginning that adventure.  We are converting it into an RV.  We are all so excited!  That is our Christmas present to the kids this year and maybe for the next 10 years!

Thanksgiving Day we spent at my parents.  It was really nice to visit with Kaleb and LaNell, Emily, and KyVan.  I picked Kaleb's brain on how he is making money flipping garage sale items.  He says he is making enough to pay for his truck, their clothes, and trips that they take.  Sweet!  My goal is to try it out and see if I can make enough to build out the RV and pay for trips.  That means I need to make about $2000 a month.  Okay, the reality is it could suck up $10,000 a month if we let it.  So we will just see how much we can do with what we've got.  But part of what we've got is imagination, hard work, creativity, and excitement.  So right there I'd say we are doing great!  We really enjoyed visiting and the food was wonderful!  The little kids loved playing with cousins!  And the big kids played with aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  It was fun to visit with Kaleb and LaNell who are also raising little ones and we have a lot in common.  They are great parents!

The day after Thanksgiving we went to Garland for Jaremy's family party.  The kids enjoyed the games at both parties.  I enjoy the visiting, but there wasn't very much this year.  Everyone played, ate, then left.  I play in the nursery with the little ones.  The gym is too dangerous!  I'm the only one out of Jaremy's big family that has a baby or any little ones under 7.  So it can be a bit lonely as far as adult company goes.  But that's okay.  It gives me a great chance to play with my sweet babies and wee ones.

I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with wonderful families!  And the ability to get together with them.

Benjamin's 16th Birthday - November 8, 2014

Our dear Benjamin is already 16 years old.  I can't believe it!  He such an amazing man!  He is humble, yet confident.  He is a peacemaker, a friend maker, a backpacker, and big snacker.  He is so respectful, thoughtful, and kind.  He is such a good example of service, leadership, and faith.  He is smart, active, and tough.  He really understands people and loves them.  I look at him and see true greatness.  He is the same kind of man as Captain Moroni, Nephi, President Hinckley, and King Benjamin.  We are so blessed to have Benjamin in our family!!!  The world is blessed to have him here at this time.  Heavenly Father has a lot he needs Benjamin to accomplish; you can just see it!  I love him so much!!!

Benjamin, we love and trust you so much!!!  We, your parents, are inspired by your tremendous example and encouraged by your respect, understanding, and love.  You know we aren't perfect, yet you humbly obey and respect us.  We want to be better, much better because of you.  Thank you!!!  We love you!!!

Our dog Brook died on Benjamin's 16th birthday.  She chased a buck across a sharp fence post and sliced her hide and muscle wide open about 10 inches.  The vet said it would take multiple surgeries, thousands of dollars, and she might die anyway.  So we decided to put her down.  She was a sweet dog.  She was so good to all the kids.  We will all miss her.  We enjoyed taking her running in the mountains.  She loved that, especially if there were deer to chase and ponds to swim in.  She didn't have a mean bone in her body.   We were blessed to have such a sweet dog, even if she was a drool machine.  Heavenly Father sent just the right dog for our family.  But now things are just a bit more simple and that's good for now.  Luckily Benjamin was not that close to Brook, so it didn't totally ruin his day.  But several of the kids took it pretty hard.  They were dear friends with Brook.

Story Time

I love cuddling on the couch with my little ones to read stories.  Time seems to stop, everything feels perfect!  We seem to really bond!  I feel something similar when we hike as a family.  I'm going to go read to them right now!  I'm so glad Heavenly Father blesses us with these sweet moments!

Asian Food Store

Yesterday I took the kids on a fieldtrip to an Asian food store.  They liked the different smells, the live crabs and lobsters, and listening to Chinese.  We were trying some new Indian recipes, bread chaat and pohu.  I didn't know anything but the English names for the ingredients I was looking for.  A lot of the packaging was in Chinese and the workers at the store spoke very little English and couldn't help me.  The people at the store were reserved and most did not even look at us (my six children and I).  In the end, I found some of the things I came for but not three of them.  I looked online for more help and I think I could find them now.  The ingredients go by multiple names.  I'm going to give it a go anyway.

I've always wanted to have the adventure of living in a foreign country.  But after yesterday I wonder if you could just become lonely and isolated.  It would take a tone of emotional energy, diligent learning, and constant pushing away comfort zones to make it work.  It would take a ton of work, courage, and tenacity.  I don't know if I could add that kind of lifestyle on top of raising my current brood of nine.  I already feel overwhelmed from that.  But we would do our best and have a great time if Heavenly Father sent us to a foreign country.  However, I think that highly unlikely.

It was fun to explore and have a new experience right here at home.  And today I'm going to load the kids up, try to get them to behave in the store, and go again to find those last three ingredients.

I'm grateful Heavenly Father is in charge of my life.  I pray I can be willing and able to do all He wants me to with sunshine in my heart.

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

Jaremy ran the Snow Canyon Half Marathon.  He did great!  Now he can't walk.  Poor guy!  It's inspiration to see him set challenging, difficult goals and accomplish them.  We all went to St. George with him and stayed at a nice condo with beautiful views, a dishwasher, 2 bathrooms, and a swimming pool.  Talk about luxury!  It was fun to get away!  I'm grateful Heavenly Father sets up change in our lives:  little vacations, weather, seasons, etc.  Life is exciting and challenging!

Empowering Yoga

I've been trying to get back in shape.  Sometimes I look at my body and feel it is impossible.  But it is not!  It just takes consistent good choices and work.

I try to do yoga every Wednesday.  I can't fold myself into a pretzel, but I do the moves the best I can.  I can't believe how empowered, balanced, and clear I feel after doing yoga.  It's like energy just flows through me better.

Everyday I my posture is improving.  For the last 10 days I've been focusing on perfect posture.  I don't allow myself to sit on the couch, except for story/cuddle time and nursing.  The yoga is also helping to open me up.  I try to focus all day long on a straight back and engaged abs.  It's working!  I already feel stronger and straighter.

These physical bodies are so important in helping us feel great so we can serve others better.  Heavenly Father blesses us as we exercise discipline and try to overcome our flesh.  He helps us do this as we ask Him and try our best.  I'm so glad, because feeling tired, sluggish, lopsided, and chubby isn't fun.  Feeling energetic, agile, straight, and slim is great fun!  It's the only way to live!

Gorgeous Fall

The fall light is gorgeous!  We've taken lots of sun baths to soak in the autumn rays.  We take little Jebers out and expose his birthday suit to the sun.  He loves it!

The sun is just coming up this morning.  No, we don't live in the country or in a particularly beautiful place, but there is still beauty all around.  And it's nice to have kind of settled in here for a bit.  We know the ward and neighbors better.  The kids have tons of friends.  Of course, you know me...adventure and change calls.  The country also beckons me constantly, but I know Heavenly Father wants us here for now.  He will guide us to where we are to be.  Maybe that will be here forever, only He knows.  If that is the case that's fine, I'll find ways to bring the country and adventure here.

I read a quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith:

"One thing...that I would like to call attention to--young people, when they marry, are not satisfied to begin with a little and humbly, but they want to receive just about as much as their parents have a t the time they, the children, get married...They want to start out with every convenience under the sun to make them comfortable.  I think this is a mistake.  I think they should begin humbly, putting their faith in the Lord, building here a little and there a little as they can, accumulating piecemeal, until they can reach a position of prosperity such as they wish to have."

Boy, that is how we have been living.  We aren't newly weds, but we are still living like newly weds.  In fact, when our children marry they will probably have a higher standard of living than we do.  They won't be sharing one bathroom with 11 people.

We have been so blessed.  Our every need is met and many, many of our wants.  But Satan wants us to compare ourselves to each other.  He wants to discourage us and make us feel like failures one way or another.  I can't allow myself to fall for this trick.  I am a daughter of God; I can do what He needs me to do.

By the time my parents were my age they had a farm, a large house, my conveniences (dishwasher, tractor, multiple bathrooms, etc.), three vehicles, money for trips, etc.  Sometimes I think I am failing because I don't have the material things my parents did at my age or even close.  But then I have to remember that's not what determines success.  I also have to remember the miserable times they went through because of all that stuff.  They had to work constantly and were under enormous pressure and stress.  Depression, contention, and anxiety were terrible companions during those years for my parents.  So I'm so grateful we live a much simpler, more peaceful life.

Still my parents did amazing things, helped many people along the way, loved their large family, and raised us unto the Lord.  So even without the material comparison I feel like I don't come close to measuring up.  My mom had served as Primary and Relief Society president and in lots of other intense callings.  She played the piano, sewed our clothes, decorated for birthdays and holidays, and did a million other things, none of which I do.  My dad had been in several bishoprics and leadership positions.  They always got there visiting and home teaching done.  They went on many trips with their siblings and neighbors and together.  They ran multiple successful, small businesses.  They homeschooled their eight children.  They built there own, huge, amazing house and put in their own gorgeous yard.  They fixed equipment, farmed, worked over time all the time, and still found time to talk with us and read to us.  All this by the time they was 37 (my age now).  Amazing!

I can compare myself and feel like a total failure!  Everyday I feel overwhelmed by my little life.  I've never worked in leadership in the church.  I don't how in the world I would fit another thing into my life.  My sweet children keep me going, so do the never ending dishes.  All the stupid little things (like finding time to shower and curl my hair with a baby) about crush me. I'm sick of feeling like a failure!!  I grow less confident every passing year.  I used to be so confident.  But I will stop comparing and just live my life the best I can.  And whether I feel like I'm failing or succeeding I will scatter sunshine!  I will speak with the tongue of angels and do my best to love others well.  I don't have time to let the enemy of my soul discourage or distract me!

This entry has been ambivalent.  Life is like that.  Good competing with evil.  I must only feed the good feelings inside and starve the bad.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father helps me sort things out and gives me peace when I truly turn to Him.

Physical Body

It seems gravity is more powerful than it used to be.  I'm a bit tired today.  It is hard to have good posture and carry the baby around, but I guess it always has been.  Rearing little ones is just physically demanding.  I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with a healthy body that can do what needs to be done.  I'm grateful I can push myself and make my body stronger.

Here are some health goals I've set for myself for the next few years.

October 2014

• no couch, perfect posture
• easy to sit straight for hours
• 137 pounds
• put in time and distance, walk if you must
• sun baths 3 times a week
• fast every Sunday for 24 hours
• book & chapter outline
• pictures

November 2014

• master 5Ks 3 times a week
• 135 by Nov. 4th
• 130 by Nov. 14th
• 125 pounds by Nov. 30th
• distance - 5 miles
• sun baths three times a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• improve strength and tone of arms, core, and legs
• rough draft

December 2014

• 120 pounds by Dec. 10th
• 115 pounds by Dec. 24th
• improve 5K speed and agility
• take a class once or twice a week at rec. center
• muscle tone should be visible
• body sleek and graceful
• sun baths 3x a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• distance - 8 miles
• swim once a week
• prepare amazing gift
• find voice and make consistent
• pictures

January 2015

• hold 115 pounds forever
• 17% body fat
• swim 2x a week
• distance - 11 miles (Hike 1&2)
• take 2 hard classes a week
• sun baths 3 times a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• put book together beautifully

February 2015

• work on trouble spots
• distance - 13.1 miles (Hike 3&4)
• swimming merit badge
• sun baths 3x a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• take 2 hard classes a week
• master some moves
• 2nd draft

March 2015

• still holding 115 and 17%
• sun baths 3x a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• Lake to Lake Relay
• try kickboxing
• distance - 10 miles (Hike 5)
• independent proofreaders

April 2015

• biking - 2-10milers
• distance - 10, 11, 12
• sun baths 3x a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• New York ballet workout
• perfect writing edition
• pictures

May 2015

• ½ marathon - official
• bike - 2-15 milers
• 1 hour pilates workout
• hike and trail run for fun
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• sun baths 3x a week
• perfect looking edition

June 2015

• ½ marathon
• bike - 2-25 milers
• backpacking 1&2
• sun baths 3x a week
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• ISBN, copyright, and publisher

July 2015

• backpacking 3&4
• bike - 50 miles
• ½ marathon
• raw week
• perfectly toned 115 and 17%
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• sun baths 3x a week
• book on the market
• footzoning kit perfect, except videos

August 2015

• backpacking 50-miles
• distance - 10,11,12
• ultra mama t-shirts
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• swim 2x a week
• bike 12 miles a week
• combine sprint workouts
• sun baths 3x a week
• raw week
• footzoning videos

September 2015

• ½ marathon
• sprint - official
• wean Jeebz
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• design & perfect health class
• edit and produce footzoning videos

October 2015

• ½ marathon
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• master health class presentation
• kit ready to launch
• bike - 2 15 milers

November 2015

• ½ marathon - official
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• launch kit
• present health class 2 times
• bike - 2 15 milers

December 2015

• distance 10,11, 12
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• updated ultra-mama t-shirts?
• 1 month? 115 17%
• health presentation 2x
• swim 2x a week
• hard rec. center classes 2x a week
• bike 13 miles once a week
• gift of book & kit earnings, so far

January 2016

• ½ marathon
• 2 months? 115 17%
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• health presentation 2x
• marketing move
• swim 2x a week
• hard rec. center classes 2x a week
• totally ripped

February 2016

• distance - 10,11, 12
• 3 months? 115 17%
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• swim 2x a week
• hard rec. center classes 2x a week
• abs of steel and definition
• health presentation 2x
• footzoning kit ready, but videos

March 2016

• Lake to Lake
• marketing move
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• 4 months? 115 17%
• health presentation 2x
• footzoning videos
• bike-like exercise 2x a week

April 2016

• ½ marathon - official
• marketing move
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• health presentation 2x
• 5 months? 115 17%
• bike-like exercise 2x a week
• more defined than ever

May 2016

• ½ marathon - official
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• marketing move
• 6 months? 115 17%
• health presentation 2x

June 2016

• ½ marathon - official
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• marketing move
• 7 months? 117 17%
• health presentation 2x
• bike-like exercise 2x a week
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week
• 2 5Ks and distance

July 2016

• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• 8 months? 120 17%
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week
• distance runs - 10 miles
• bike-like exercise 2x a week
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week

August 2016

• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• 9 months? 125 17%
• arms & legs of steel
• core as hard as possible
• easy, wonderful labor
• bike-like exercise 2x a week
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week
• 2 5Ks and 1 5 miler a week

September 2016

• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week
• bike-like exercise 2x a week
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week
• 2 5Ks and 1 5 miler a week
• 115 & 17% again!

October 2016

• bike - 2 10 milers
• hiking 5-10 miles 2x a week
• 2 5Ks and 1 5 miler a week
• hard core, arms, and legs
• fast 24 hours on Sundays
• raw week
• sun baths 3x a week

November - March

• get back up to ½ marathons
• do a sprint
• stay at 115 17%
• market more if possible
• reevaluate progress and make new exciting plan
• amazingly toned
• try new dances, martial arts, etc.

March - Dec.2017

• hiking, swimming, biking merit badges again