Happy Labor Day

Oh, I have been blessed with a dream life! Jessica and I started the day running the Tempe to Temple Steeplechase. We ran it with my dear, dear cousin Laura. She is fast! She pushed Jessica & I to our fastest 5 miles ever, about 50 minutes. That's not fast, but to me it its huge! I'm feeling it tonight. But it made me realize I could be pushing myself harder & not just in running! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father allowed me to have this experience. I'm grateful I could spend time with my sweet, amazing, grown-up (15) daughter and friend Jessica & my dear friend, Laura. These experiences are precious!

Jaremy ran the support crew! He brought us Gatorade and cheered us on along the way with the rest of the kids. Then he brought us breakfast at the finish line.He kept track of our time and managed Tank and baby Adelynn. Amazing! I'm so grateful for his love and support!

After the race we headed up the canyon for a hike and some time at a mountain lake. It was perfect weather! The kids are all healthy and fit! The mountains were beautiful and peaceful! I kept telling Jaremy, "It doesn't get better than this! If this was the Celestial Kingdom I would totally be okay with it!" Family time is sacred and is heaven on earth. Of course, we have our moments of, "He's touching me! She's breathing my air!" But even those moments are just part of learning to love one another better. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much!

This evening we made incredible veggie burgers together. They were fabulous! Everyone but Natalie loved them! Then we sang and practiced Chinese while we did the dishes. After we went into the courtyard, laid out a blanket on the yard, turned on the water fountain & some soft music and dream-lined. We embed with scriptures and prayers. It was lovely!

Adelynn has woken up again, so ...

Brigham City Temple Open House

Today we took the kids to the Brigham City Open House. It was beautiful of course. But it was a very spiritual experience.We tried to come prepared with the Spirit. Adelynn started singing her sweet baby "Da,da,da..."while we walked through. She was was very excited about the Temple. She kept singing then hugging me tight. I felt she recognized something familiar and special. I felt she was testifying of Christ in her sweet, precious baby way. I distinctly felt she knew and loved Him and was aware of Him. I don't know exactly what it was or how she communicated that to me but she did. She just came from His presence, so I shouldn't be surprised. The Temple reminded me how much Heavenly Father loves us and our dear families. He has prepared a way for us to be together forever! I know it is true!!!

Peaches

Heavenly Father answered my prayer for adorable produce to store.  The next day my mom called with news of peaches for almost half of normal, $24 a bushel compared to $36. We just put up 9 bushel of peaches in the freezer, in jam, & peach salsa. Yum! I'm grateful Heavenly Father answers our prayers.

Gardening

Thoughts of beautiful plants, paths, flowers, herbs, & vegetables seem to fill every dream and void. Designs, plans, dreams--all of garden.  I'm so excited to see an empty, boring lawn transformed into a lush, colorful, & delicious gardens. Will it look as I envisioned it? Probably even better!! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father lets us create as He does even if we are only barely infant creators. Still it brings us closer to Him!  Still it brings joy and satisfaction! For this I am truly grateful!

Copperton Park

We spent the evening picnicing after a family home evening lesson at the Copperton Park.  It is beautiful with huge trees.  It reminds us of Logan.  Most of the parks here are just grass and a playground.  This one was lush and mysterious with trails, meadows, and a one-of-a-kind playground.  I love spending time as a family!!!

Adelynn is starting to get on a schedule.  She is sleeping more deeply.  Sleeping well and enough is such a blessing.  It helps us function so much better.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father is helping us in this regard.

We are plugging away at school.  It seems everyday brings exceptions and interruptions to the schedule, but eventually we will get it.  And even when we aren't right where we need to be we are learning and enjoying it.  In a month or so I will have a better feel for how much we are progressing.  I guess I better take a good snapshot of where we are now, so progress doesn't just slowly trickle by without us noticing the huge yet imperceptible change.  I also forget to count the desserts of learning.  You know, listening to an audio-book (We are just finishing Uncle Tom's Cabin; a beautiful, powerful book!), watching and discussing a documentary, visiting a museum, etc.  Those are an essential part of education, but because they are so fun I sometimes don't count them as much a completed math or spelling lesson.  But surely they are just as important.

Well, good night!  

Daybreak Beach

This morning the big kids ran around Daybreak Lake. Tank, Adelynn, and I went slower and only part way. It had been a beautiful morning. I'm letting the kids hang out for a bit then we go back to start school. Heavenly Father has made my life Heaven.

Sleep Training

Sleep training a baby is so hard, emotionally. It breaks my heart to let them cry themselves to sleep. But Adelynn is 9 months and is waking me up 6-10 times a night, so something really must be done. She cried it out last night and now she is crying herself to sleep for her nap. She still got up a lot last night, but she slept deeper. Soon she will be well-trained! Both she and I will be healthier and happier because of it! And the while family and household will run more smoothly. I'm grateful Heavenly Father let's us train and buried our children. We learn so much of His love for us as we do and come to trust Him more in the process.