First Camp of the Season

We are way behind this year. Usually we would have gone camping several times by now, but with a new baby and moving twice in three months it has been a bit crazy. It feels great to be camping in the mountains again. Right now it is almost ten at night. The big boys are exploring in the dark. I just nursed Adelynn to sleep. Jaremy is popping popcorn over the fire with the other kids except Jessica. She is at youth conference. We miss her; it seems like a lot more is missing. She leaves a big hole in or family. Each member its so important.  Oops, the popcorn burnt! Darn! Maybe they can master the next batch. We are having fun! The kids just love it!! I'm grateful Heavenly Father has given us such a beautiful family, world, and bonding times. good night!

Nursing Buddy

Heavenly Father has blessed my life with sweet Adelynn. Right now she is helping write this. She is a sweetheart!

Wonderful Date

Jaremy & I went out for dinner and to look for a new phone. It was a simple, relaxed, loving date. I love when we are together. I'm so grateful for the peace & serenity I feel this evening. It is nice to have calm moments now and again.

Phrases Stand Out

Today I felt the Spirit instruct me to have joy in my children. Going to the temple is wonderful. I also need to listen to my husband more even if what its said isn't said they way I would like to hear it. I need to see the good in people and stand up for them. I need to control my focus and focus on the positive.

Sabbath Reverence

Today Jaremy gets home! I'm so excited! I don't like being apart because it feels like we start to have nothing to talk about. Now isn't that weird? Doesn't it seem because we are both having completely different experiences we should have more to talk about? But without time to talk we just do little headline summaries. "My day was fine. We emptied the storage unit." Whereas if we did it together we would laugh at cute things the kids said, be amazed at how strong our older children are getting, and give each other a squeeze as we passed on the stairs hauling buckets. Oh, well.

Today I am going to try really hard to create a special Sabbath day feeling in our home. I want my children to feel the Spirit as I did on Sunday when I was a child. I don't feel I've been very good at inviting the Spirit on the Sabbath. So I will do better. I'm grateful for the peace & love & encouragement the Holy Ghost brings.

Management May 2012

Sometimes it floors me that I'm entrusted with managing a family with eight children. It seems chaos rules so often. I desperately need my Heavenly Father to bless me with greater love, wisdom, organization, selflessness, and love. I wonder if we waste so much time, if there is a better way of getting things done. Keeping everyone on task, or reverent, or obedient, or kind seems impossible.  I plead with Heavenly Father to help me become better at logistics, yes, but at showing love along the way even more.

Today we needed to empty the storage unit, but we didn't get that far.  We did have a good scripture study session, cut the boys' hair, fed everyone, cuddled, and went to the temple with Jessica. It was a great day despite the storage unit.

Stress

I usually don't allow myself to stress for the last several years, but lately life has been crazy!  Hospital bills, long business trips, broken vehicles, moving to a very old house, lead paint, asbestos, debt, deadlines, gardening, etc. I'm grateful for all of it! It's just today it seems like a lot to do and worry about.But that is one of the universal challenges of life! How will I deal with it? I need to turn to the Lord more and not forget to take time for plenty of spiritual nourishment.I need to treat my family kindly and with patience. I need to focus on acting like Christ so I can be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I need to trust Heavenly Father and His plan. Work, yes! Plan, yes! Worry, no!