Moroni's Birthday

I'm so blessed to have Moroni as a son!  He is so much fun!  He is so dedicated to the truth and to right.  He is active as all get out, and brilliant at the same time.  He works hard on improvement and goals and to help the family.  Where Moroni is, there is adventure and laughter!  

Moroni is diligent in staying close to his Heavenly Father by praying, studying the scriptures, and serving others.  He is a dear friend to each member of our family.  He is amazing, yet he quickly forces his pride into submission whenever he receives counsel or teaching.  He is a strong, humble young man.  Funny, yet serious about important things. He is so talented!  He has a very tender spot for the poor, the sick, the suffering.  He once used all his money (about $200) to buy things for poor people when he was about 10. 

Our whole family is so blessed to have him in our eternal family.  The whole world will be blessed by his generosity, courage, humor, activity, and righteousness.  He truly is a valiant servant that the Lord needs.

Temple with Emily

My sweet sister, Emily, invited me to go to the temple with her.  It was so nice to get away and enjoy a session with her.  She just recently went through the temple for the first time.  She is so good to visit all of us siblings.  She helps us stay united.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with a dear sister in Emily!  Of course, I love all four of my sisters and my three brothers.  I'm so grateful we grew up in a large family and shared a wonderful childhood together!

Sunshine

Yesterday the kids and I walked about 3 miles delivering cinnamon rolls to the people we visit and home teach and in active members of my Primary class. I don't know if it will do anything, but I pray the people we are reaching out to will feel our love. I also hope our efforts will be acceptable to the Lord. It was a gorgeous walk because of the warm, bright sunshine! I told Benjamin as we were enjoying the walk that hastening the work just didn't seem like work right then. The Lord is so good to us. A beautiful walk with my precious children is such a treat!

Ropes

A few weeks ago I was praying we would be blessed with money to fix our van so Jaremy could pull the scout trailer to a camp out. We didn't get the money; however, it turned out he didn't need to pull the trailer and he got there and back just fine.  So the Lord did bless us!

It's kinda like when Nephi's brothers tired him up. He prayed he could burst the ropes, but instead they just loosened. Not as dramatic as requested, but he was free just the same.

I'm grateful Heavenly Father answers prayers. I pray I can learn what He is trying to teach me by how He answers them.

Jaremy's Job

GoalZero has been such a blessing in Jaremy's career.  He is learning so much and developing his leadership capacities.  He is a great asset to them!  The vice president who hired him keeps saying, "He's the best darn engineer in the state!"  They are a new company and can't yet afford to pay him what he is worth, but he is building his leadership and business resume.  However, it's been tight financially, because it is hard to eat a resume and stock options.  He has been given many products and projects to oversee from start to finish.  He has stepped into an intense leadership position.   This is one of the main opportunities that attracted Jaremy to Goal Zero.   However, right now the stress is high, the workload overwhelming at work, at church, and at home.  But he is developing the ability to handle it all.  Heavenly Father is really blessing him.  The learning curve is steep right now for a bit, but soon Jaremy will master his new role and really conquer.  Goal Zero will make hundreds of millions thanks to Jaremy.  I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has put details in place to allow Jaremy such opportunities.  I need to remember the Lord has always taken care of us and that He will continue to do so if we keep His commandments.

Ketchup Blood

Some days are very difficult pregnancy wise. Sometimes my blood feels like ketchup and I feel yuck. My sweet children step up and take care of things and tickle my back to help me rest. Yesterday was hard! When you don't feel good and lack energy it is difficult to be positive. Normal stresses can become overwhelming. But Heavenly Father blesses me and helps me keep an eternal perspective. I just have to do the best I can with my physical body.

Desire to Do More

I always have nagging thoughts that I need to do more. I never feel satisfied. We have nine beautiful children, but I feel I should be able to adopt many more and help more dear children. I should be able to somehow earn all the money 21 children would require. I should be able to run a farm and be self-sufficient, homeschool the kids until they earn scholarships and enter college at age 14, be 115 pounds of lean, strong flesh, go to the temple once a week, do tons of family history work, bring the missionaries a new investigator every month, and put together newborn humanitarian kits by the hundreds each year. All wonderful goals and desires! Yet as of yet I haven't been blessed with the means, time, or circumstances to do all these things. So I feel guilty constantly! Somehow I need to understand what the Lord wants me to feel. I know He wants us to strive and be diligent, but surely He wants us to feel at peace with the good we have been able to do. Yes, my best will get better, but I need to feel content with doing the best I can with what I am and with what I've got today. I need to remember life isn't all about dramatic moves, changes, callings, prospering, and accomplishments. Just small improvements, increases, assignments week eventually lead to eternal life. I always hoped I could serve in amazing places, do good with mountains of wealth, and basically save the world. But Heavenly Father needs me to be humble and realize I'm not all that. He needs me to serve in what I consider to be boring Herriman, with just enough resources to get by. I need to be content, grateful, and satisfied. Not guilty, dissatisfied, anxious, or bored. Once again I must remember I feel extremely antsy and discontented every year at this season (cabin fever, I suppose). I pray Heavenly Father will help me sort out my feelings, do better, and be satisfied to serve humbly the best I can.

Anxiously Engaged on Sunday

With lots of different ages, energy levels, attention spans, etc. Sundays can be difficult.  I feel it is quite often a quieter version of Saturday.  I really want it to be deeply spiritual.  A chance to recharge physically, yes.  But also a time of service, serious scripture study, prayer, family history, uniting family and ward, missionary work, etc.  I am trying to figure out how to coordinate all this.

Family history can be a challenge.  The teenagers can plow ahead, but how do I involve the little ones.  Lots of preparation and planning, that's how!  I'm going to have stories and family history games ready for them.  While the big kids work on the computer I will tell stories and play games with the little kids.

We are going to have home teaching appointments made before Sunday.  While Jaremy and Benjamin go home teaching the rest of us are going to visit the elderly in the ward.  We can also invite other families or individuals over for dessert in the evenings.  Hopefully, the Spirit will be in our home and they will feel it.

We can spend time calling or writing family and friends.  We can prepare lessons and take extra time to study the scriptures.  Again, what to do with little ones while we study, ponder, and pray. Maybe we can take turns taking them outside for a quiet walk.  Or we could have art supplies out for letters they can send to grandparents and missionaries.  Or we could read the Children's Friend to them.

On the Sunday drives we enjoy, we can make sure we listen to a couple Conference talks and have the hymns playing softly while we enjoy the beauty of the drive and one another's company.

Of course, this is harder, much harder than it sounds.  Things have to be organized during the week.  The house and each of us has to stay tidy throughout the Sabbath.  Desserts and appointments have to be made in advance.  Not only this, but I have to get the rest of the family on board.  They don't always like my brilliant ideas.  They don't always want to do spiritual things after three hours of church.  But maybe if I have the food, house, and activities all ready in advance they won't fight against it as much.

I pray Heavenly Father will bless me in my efforts to keep His day better.  I know He has given me some wonderful ideas.  I just need to work hard, plan well, and make it happen.  I think I'm going to keep plenty of simple dessert makings and paper products on hand to share with company and /or the people we visit.  We can't really afford all this, but hopefully Heavenly Father will help us.  A Sunday with brownies, cake, or cookies has to be awesome, right!?

Early Morning

We all went to bed early on Sunday evening and now Jaremy and I are up and at 'em. Today we will stack some firewood and move some posts, clan and cook like must be done everyday, and then take the kids on an outing. We will probably walk around the lake, play at the park, and explore the city of Sandy. I'm so grateful I can spend lots of time with my family. I hope they know I love them. It seems when I'm pregnant I can be on edge and not be as sweet or patient as I should and want to be. So today I will try very hard to be gentle, loving, and kind. I will smoother them in love. I know Heavenly Father can help me with this. I have felt His help many times.

Blessings from Heaven

Yesterday Jaremy went out to fix the car and was able to do it for almost nothing. We thought it would cost a ton. So we were able to rent a chainsaw and cut down three trees. Heavenly Father blessed us with safety and happiness while we worked. We are so blessed. The Lord truly knows our needs and blesses us with a multitude of tender mercies.

The Spirit

I need to feel the Spirit today. So I will try to live worthy of it and pray for that blessing. I just need to focus on my many blessings even when I have no energy and when we are experiencing challenges. I have a wonderful husband! I have wonderful children! I know the Gospel! I can work and dream! I think I just need some sunshine and vitamins. And the Lord has blessed us with a warm day and plenty of good food and vitamins. I'm grateful I can work and walk outside today. I just have to remember this time of year everyone gets a bit crazy and gloomy because of cabin fever and lack of sunshine.

Temple Dress

My dry hands cracked and bled on my temple dress. I tried everything I could to get three stain out, but to no avail. I prayed about it because we don't have any money for anything right now. The idea of using a bit of white finger nail polish came to me. Jaremy also had an I idea just to take in the dress a bit right there. That would work well. So far it looks like the polish is going to be good enough. I'm grateful Heavenly Father helps us with our little problems. I want to be more worthy of His guidance and blessings.

Certain Children

Some children don't seem to "get it" as well as others. I'm not very patient. Instead of realizing they were disobedient, lazy, or wrong they think they are just unlucky to have a mom that disciplines and lectures them. I feel so mad lately and I need to destroy these feelings. If they choose the wrong I need to still be loving and kind. Yes, consequences must still be given, but they can be given gently, sympathetically, without angry lectures, and with love. What they choose cannot dictate my feelings. Only love. I need to focus on all the good they do, play more with them, listen more, and pray more for help and self-discipline. I Pray the Lord will forgive me and help me to "get it" myself.

Lists

I love lists. I keep tons of them on paper, on receipts, on the tablet, on the computer, on anything I can get my hands on. They keep me organized, motivated, prioritized, and sane. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has given me this tender mercy to help me met the demands of life and progress.

Sunrise

This morning the sunrise was a beautiful pink over the snow-capped mountains.  We all enjoyed looking out our big dining room window as we ate our oatmeal.  I'm so grateful Heavenly Father created such a gorgeous world.  I just love to escape into "the wild" and get close to nature.  I feel closer to Him there too.  The country is calling to me.  I always get an especially strong hankering to move this time of year.  Then before you know it spring is here and the yard and garden calm my desire to be a vagabond (a bit anyway).  I get to start seeds indoors this week.  Just to smell and feel dirt will be a treat!

The End of the World

Everyday the world seems a bit more wicked (or a lot) and a bit more on the verge of war and tyranny.  We know, of course, from the prophets and the scriptures that the end is coming.  I'm so grateful they have taught us what we need to do.  We are trying our best to keep the commandments, live righteously, and prepare for the future.  We are storing food, growing gardens, eliminating debt, and prepping.  We are trying to build the kingdom.  Our efforts seem tiny and flawed, but we are trying.  I pray the Lord will bless us and that we can help many people in the days ahead to remember their Heavenly Father and His love and plan for them.  His way is the only way to peace and happiness.  I'm so grateful He has given us the knowledge we need to return to Him.  Now just to stick to it until the end!

Insomnia

I went to bed at 9pm, but sleep wouldn't come. So I woke up and wrote down all the ideas and to-dos that were going through my mind. I walked around the house a bit, and now I'm going to study a General Conference talk. Hopefully, after I'm spiritually fed I can get to sleep. I'm grateful because tonight my legs have not been restless or achy.

Heavenly Father blessed me with His Spirit today while we were at church. I felt uplifted, encouraged, and a love for my ward family.

Temple

It seems getting to the temple is always more complicated than it should be. But I'm bound and determined to make it happen today. Today we are leaving at 1 pm. I'm so grateful for the blessings of the temple. I'm determined to get there at least twice a month until the baby comes.

Fabulous Friday

I'm so grateful for a new day! Yesterday was awesome; today is going to go great! I get to take the kids to the library, go on a walk, visit the doctor, and work like crazy! I'm so grateful for health and strength to do these things! The Lord had truly blessed me!

Amazing Kids

I have a chart for each child (a different color for each child) which list the things they must do each weekday. All their assignments for school, chores, goal progression, and other duties are on their chart. It makes it easy for the older children to keep themselves going with out much supervision. And it helps me keep track of what I need to do to help the little ones move along. At the end of the day if they get everything done for that day they get a star drawn on that days column. They must earn all five stars for the week if they want to participate in fun weekend activities.

Most of the kids really work hard and push themselves. Some are more self-motivated than others. And of course, they all go through phases. This week they have gone the extra mile! It makes everyone so excited and happy, not to mention we get a lot done!

I'm so grateful for the ideas Heavenly Father gives me as mother to help me train and teach my children. And on how to run a household. Of course, I need to learn even more so we can run along more smoothly, accomplish and learn more, serve more people, hasten the work, and do it all with more gentleness, kindness, and love.

Hope

I'm so grateful for today!  I've been given more energy, an added measure of hope, a bit more faith that Heavenly Father will help me rise to the challenges of my life.  I'm grateful for the Spirit that I've felt today.  If you feel like you are failing, like you can't do it, like Heavenly Father isn't helping those are lies from the devil.  If you feel like you are slowly but surely coming closer to Christ, like you can do it, like Heavenly Father is very aware of you and doing what is best for you then those feelings are from God.  I'm so grateful I've been taught this.  That way if I feel negative I can quickly repent and ask for greater hope, faith, and charity.

The Lord sent us here to succeed gloriously.  I can push myself!  I can live worthy of His help.  I can do everything within my power and leave the rest to the Lord.

Colds

Adelynn and I have colds. Pregnancy demands a lot from your body. When I get a bit sick on to of that it really drains me. Even though my pregnancies are challenging they are healthy and relatively easy. I'm so grateful we are being blessed with another sweet member of our family. What's a little lost sleep and discomfort compared to this wondrous, eternal blessing.

Family Home Evening

This evening we are having our neighbors come over for family home evening with us. I hope it goes well. I am so grateful for the tradition of Family Home Evening. Heavenly Father had blessed us so much through this weekly family meeting! We love it!

Preps

We have been making and dehydrating meals to put in our 72-hour kit. We've even tried bottling bread. We will try cakes, muffins, and brownies too. It has been fun to prepare for any emergency or hard time ahead. We have been adding to our year's supply of food. We have about 8 months worth. For our big family it takes a lot just to keep up with daily needs, so a are having to take baby steps to store extra. We are so close to the edge financially that Jaremy and I are stressed out. Future needs loom large! We must get to the temple once a week. We need inspiration! We also need to remember the encouragement we were given in or last regional conference. If we keep the commandments and love righteously we will get through okay and be blessed. Don't the scriptures tell us if we keep the commandments we will prosper in the land? I'm grateful for this assurance from the Lord. I just need to remember it and have more faith and live as He would have me live.

Stake Conference

We attended an amazing conference on Hastening the Work. I pray I can follow the promptings I received and help do my little part in the vineyard. I am grateful Heavenly Father gives us a part of His work and works with us as we try to hasten the work. 

Saturday Is a Special Day

Today we are laying out Sunday clothes, showering, curling girls' hair in curlers, cleaning, cooking, and trying to be all ready for Sunday. Plus we need to do the normal things like workout, take naps, and read stories.

Tomorrow is Stake Conference.  Actually, meetings start this afternoon.  I'm excited to hear the counsel from our church leaders.  Heavenly Father has blessed us so much to be taught and to feel His Spirit.

If we have a bit of leftover time I want to try bottling pumpkin bread, chili, and cake.  We could also clean the basement and bottle more pumpkin before it goes bad.

Today we had pumpkin bread and hot chocolate for breakfast.  We will have hummus sandwiches for lunch and taco salad for dinner.  Tomorrow it is oatmeal, hummus sandwiches, and stir fry.  We are so blessed.  We never go hungry!  And Heavenly Father has blessed us with variety and treats along with the staples.