The house is quiet. Just the heater running. I've read my scriptures, said my prayers, studied a phrase in Chinese, and watched a YouTube video on how to drive the bus.
Jaremy is at Lowe's buying things to help the heater run better. It has been very cold. I'm so grateful he knows how to fix things around the house. He also fixes the cars. It is such a secure feeling knowing that Jaremy knows and can do so much. Jaremy has been blessed with many skills, talents, interests, and qualities. He is detail-oriented, but also sees the big picture. He figures things out very quickly and fully. He problem solves, designs, and invents like nobody's business. He's amazing!
After Jaremy gets back we are going to the recreation center to workout. Today is Saturday, so my schedule says I need to bike for 30 minutes, work my abs for 10 minutes, and my lower body for 10 minutes. I love getting a chance to release some energy. Yesterday I walked for 2 hours and 15 minutes. I had Jeebz on my back for an hour of that with Adelynn and Ella at my side. We are training to earn the hiking and backpacking merit badges this summer as a family. It will be a huge challenge and tons of fun!!! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father lets us bond as a family, set goals together, and enjoy one another's company along the journey!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Snowy Birthday!
Happy 41st Birthday, Dearest Jaremy!
This year your mom gave you a card that said:
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!!!
Monday, December 22, 2014
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.
Friday, December 19, 2014
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
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!
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