Youth Temple Trips

At least twice a month Jessica, Benjamin, and Moroni have been getting a group of friends from the ward together to go to the temple.  They have been developing great friendships and having a lot of fun!  It's been an answer to prayer.  I was praying that Jessica could find some close friends to do things with.  These temple trips have led to lots of other activities; including, night games, movie nights, walks, and just visiting.  I'm so grateful!  Heavenly Father really does answer prayers.  He knows our needs so well and loves to bless us!  Now all my teenagers have a huge group of close friends.  In fact, our van (the biggest vehicle in the ward) can't hold them all.  It is time for a bus!!!  That would require a miracle.  However, I know the Lord can bring that to pass if it is part of His plan for us.

Spiritual Feast

This week I'm going to take extra time to really study the words of the Lord.  Jaremy, Jessica, and Benjamin will be gone to camps, so I'll have a bit of extra time to ponder and study.  I feel a little thin spiritually and a bit fat physically, so I'm grateful Heavenly Father has given us a way to "delight in fatness" spiritually.  It seems I can hardly have a short prayer without interruption, let alone a scripture study session.  But I will try extra hard this week.

Simple

This morning I was stressing out about company coming for Ella's baptism and Jaremy Bug's baby blessing.  We have a tiny house when it comes to company staying.  So we thought of renting a house for the weekend and all the company to stay in.  After adding up lodging, food, activities, and new clothes for the baby and Ella we were talking $4000.  We don't have an extra penny, so I was a bit overwhelmed.  I prayed Heavenly Father would help me figure out a simpler way or send more money.  He reminded me of blankets on the grass and driving here and back in a day.  So now we just need to buy food and visit. I'm thankful Heavenly Father can help us calm down, simplify, and remember not to be concerned about what other people think about us, our house, or our family parties.

Temple Recommends

Yesterday Jaremy and I renewed our temple recommends.  I felt the Spirit as I answered the questions.  The Holy Ghost testified to me, yet again, as I answered the interview questions that I really did know of the reality of Heavenly Father, of the atonement of Jesus Christ, of the restoration of the Gospel, and of the reality of prophets in our day.  What a beautiful blessing to have a testimony of the Gospel!  I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for allowing me, little Jennie, to have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation.  I'm so grateful I know my Father in Heaven and Savior are aware of me and every aspect of my life and future.  I know He prepares the way for my family to succeed in this life and the next.

Prayers Answered

I've been praying for my children, especially my older children.  I've been asking that the Lord guide them to friends and mentors that they need.  Jessica has been blessed with close friends of late.  She has needed that ever since we moved to Herriman.  Benjamin has been blessed with good mentors at Scout Camp.  Heavenly Father knows their life mission, their future spouse, and the path their lives need to take.  I pray He will help them progress along their paths back to Him.  And He definitely blesses them with a multitude of tender mercies along the way.

Swimming Up Stream

I gained way too much weight with this last pregnancy.  I paid for it during the pregnancy and now, of course.  Progress is happening, but I have a long way to go.  Progress is hard to see.  I have to keep my hope up and keep working on it.

I'm trying to strengthen my core, build up to a 5K (then a half marathon), loose another 30 pounds, and tone and strengthen my whole body.  Right now I'm 145 pounds (I got up to 165), so it will take dedicated, consistent effort for the next few months to get to 115 pounds and 17% body fat.

I've found a couple habits that have really been helping.  1) No snacking!  2) Eat two servings of raw vegetables before every meal.  I've been making all the kids follow these rules/habits as well.  I hope it will improve everyone's health and cut down on the messes snacks make.

I'm grateful Heavenly Father has given us these amazing bodies.  I pray I can be disciplined so I can use mine to serve Him better and longer.

Funny, Adorable Children

Jaremy and I are constantly amazed by the cute, funny, and profound things our little ones say.  They understand far more than we expect.  I wish I could write these adorable things done all the time, but that isn't practical.  But I'll try a few right now.

Last night Tank (5) was tired and feeling picked on by his big brothers and sisters.  He was crying and saying, "No one understands what I'm going through.  They are so mean; they are probably going to kill me." Adelynn (2) was listening very concerned.  She said, "I will be your friend.  I say kindly to you.  Don't cry.  I'm right here.  I'm right here."  She hugged and kissed him and cuddled up to him.  So adorable!!! So sweet!!!  They spent the rest of the evening with their arms around each other.  What an amazing blessing to have such wonderful children!  They are truly a gift from the Lord.  They are close to Him and teach us so much.

Benjamin (15) unexpectedly got a job working at a Boy Scout Camp.  He stays for the whole week expect for Sunday.  He is so excited to interact with people and have lots of adventures.  I'm so grateful for such a thoughtful, respectful, amazing son.  He builds everyone around him up.  He is so selfless and helpful.  I love him so.  I don't know what Moroni (13) is going to do without him.  They are inseparable.  They don't ever fight like my younger ones do.  They never have.  They have a special, amazing bond.  You couldn't find better boys the world over! Oh, how I love and look up to them both! They are really becoming men of God.  Everyday they work even harder, thoughtfully help even more, and become closer to the Lord. I best not think of it too much or I get very emotional.

All my children are such an inspiration to me.  They teach and guide me so much!!! I love them ever so much!!!!!

P.S. Tank wants me to write about him being given a father's blessing last night to help him with his nightmares.  Jaremy also gave Benjamin a blessing before he left for his job.  I'm so grateful for a worthy, kind, wise, amazing husband, who is a dear, engaged, wonderful father and teacher as well.

Newborn Care

Jebers is crying it out right now.  It's breaking my heart!!!  It's the only way my babies seem to get to sleep.  You would think I would be hardened to it by now after nine children.  But if anything it gets harder every time.  My mother, mother-in-law, the experts, the books, and my own experience all say it is the way to train a baby to sleep at night.  But it is so hard to listen to a sweet, little baby cry.  Everything in me wants to run and comfort him.  However, my body can't keep getting up every hour and a half.  If I could just get a three or four hour chunk of sleep I would be so pumped.  Newborns are so precious!  I love my little ones dearly, but this stage along with pregnancy push me to my physical limits. Which is wonderful!  Because when I don't have any more energy and feel I can't go on I pray and Heavenly Father always blesses me with enough energy (sometimes more than I need) to go on.  He is teaching me to rely on Him.

Wonderful Hot Day

We are so blessed!  It is nice and hot today!  The kids [Hyrum (9), Ella (7), Tank (5), and Adelynn (2)] have a kiddie pool (about 4 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep) that they play in for hours.  We have a swamp cooler.  Natalie has been sewing baby blankets in front of it all day.  She is making them for humanitarian aid.  Jeebz (~6 weeks old) has been a bit warm so I wet his hair and onesie a bit to keep him comfortable.  We are about to cool off further with fruit shake. Yum!!  Heavenly Father has provided us with so many comforts and pleasures.

Days Rushing By

These are beautiful days!  We have been taking lots of pictures of our sweet, little Jaremy Bug.  I'm soaking in holding him.  He is so fragile and dear.  These are moments to cherish.  I just love being home with our children.  I know it is where Heavenly Father needs me.  The Spirit testifies of this holy, critical work.  I feel such peace throughout my days.  Are they perfect?  They would be if I was.  But we stumble along.  And while I stumble I feel I am getting closer to my children, my husband, and my Lord.  I'm so grateful for His gentle, guiding hand and the peace His Spirit affords me.