Brothers

There’s been some teething, some tears, lots of cheese and a lot of love. We even tried a green onion for the teething – he chewed a little, then gave up and gagged a little…..gross. The green onion smell, constant puddle of drool and the formula stink – ewwww.

it’s okay - he's adorable!

And these brothers love each other! 

Lucas asked today if Ammon missed him while he was at preschool – I’m sure he did. He prays every night for his brother to be big so he can play cars and sports with him. Even offers to say a prayer on Ammon’s behalf. I love my little boys!

Barbara’s birthday bash!

Barbara is the sweetest little Angel on this earth. Dare I say more than my own……I do and my kids love and adore this sweet little girl. She’s one of Lucas’ friends and her little brother is Abbey’s friend Drew. Andrew (the dad) is in the Stake with Jeff and I was Stacy’s visiting teacher for almost 2 years. We love this family. I can’t say enough good things about them.

So Barbara turned the big 5, and we were invited to her Uncle’s farm to play. Lucas had a baseball game and then Lea had one. She opted to play her game than be around the animals. My ears and patience are forever grateful.

We made it just in time for cupcakes and pony rides. AWESOME!

Barbara, Stacy and Stacy’s sister – rockin’ out to Barbara’s favorite song: 'Baby' by Justin Beiber. So stinkin’ cute! And impressive ukulele playing and beautiful voices.

Lea’s friend Carson was there and riding the pony on his own. His mom asked him to take Abbey for a ride because she wanted another turn and he wanted to keep riding. He said sure and off they went. I was a little nervous, but Jackie Lee was fine – that made me feel better. I thought for sure Abbey was going to lean too far to one side and pull them both off. Carson is a sweet boy - he was in the primary class I taught last year.

Ammon was a champ and spent most of the time in his carseat just chillin’. Poor Abbey got totally sunburnt…….bad parenting moment that lasted a couple more days.

Happy 5th Birthday Barbara!!

Flag on the play

While getting ready for naps today:

Lucas called Abbey to come back down the hallway. She came running full speed.

I came up just in time to see Abbey looking up at me, flat on her back in front of the laundry doors.

Lucas standing there with a pillow in his arms - grinning from ear to ear.

She wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry.

I wasn't sure if I should laugh or be mad. She started laughing and off they ran. I walked away.

 

Guess we're starting the football training a little early this year.

Sunday afternoon

Jeff was “sleeping” on the floor while the kids jumped over him, climbed on him and put magic spells on him.

At one point, Lea was pacing the floor, tapping her wand and trying to come up with a spell to wake him up.

They wanted to put something by his head to wake him up: peanut butter?, pickles?, ketchup?, cookies?

no. no. no. no. came their response from the other each time someone had an idea.

Then Lucas – master of all solutions:

“I know what Dad doesn’t like”

What?

“Arguing!”

Yeah, let’s fake argue: insert arm flailing at each other and yelling.

Hil.ar.i.ous!

And what do you know, it worked – he woke up for a few minutes.

welcome home

Out of the dreariness,

Into its cheeriness,

Come we in weariness,

Home.

(photo by Shanan Durda)

Surprisingly enough there are no pictures of the Mesa Temple in the rain which it was raining this morning. The quote above is how I felt as I walked through the front door of the Temple at 6am.

I did initiatories, then an endowment session. I was filled with the spirit as I performed initiatories – I usually forget the names as soon I’m finished, but the last name was someone special. I’ve never met her before nor had I ever seen her name or knew how to say it. I pronounced it how I thought it should be and the sweet Temple worker (she’s there every Saturday I’ve been – love her!) said, “We’ll go with how you said it – you’re the inspired one.”

Oh. I am? I am. Yes, yes I am. I’m doing this for her – on her behalf. Neeltje, Kater born in the 1800’s in Netherlands. I could feel her there and I soaked in every word of the ceremony. A young mother who struggled to find joy in her posterity. A young mother just like me. Centuries apart having the same challenges. Now rejoicing at the chance to be an eternal family. I hope someday to find her in heaven.

 

I hurried and changed to make it to the 7 o’clock endowment session only to have to wait. I thought 30 minutes was going to feel like an eternity as I sat there with one other sister in the waiting room. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and listened to the pre-lude music, then picked up the Bible and just opened it to whatever page it opened to. It was Matthew as the Savior preached about not judging others when we ourselves have faults, calming the raging sea, the foolish man/wise man and before I knew it, 30 minutes was up. Now I probably slept through most of the session, but I think I dozed during different parts than before…..sad, but it’s so peaceful and quiet. Noone jumping on me, yelling for me or wanting my attention. I hope it all soaks in by osmosis, we’ll see.

Again I was filled with the spirit and very emotional as I walked into the Celestial room – that quick twinge of panic started as I realized I didn’t know a single person in there, noone was waiting for me. I quickly pushed the thought aside and walked in confidently and was welcomed home. I belonged there. I longed to be there. Oh how I missed my home. Sure I didn’t know anyone, but they were visitors too. Visiting our Heavenly parents, my Savior and my family on the other side. And Neeltje, Kater – I can’t wait for her to be there too. I wanted to go back and get her name to finish the work for her.

 As I headed back to the dressing room to leave the Temple, I walked past a new bride and her husband. I wondered if she knew what her future held for her. I remembered that day, surrounded by loved ones, waiting to be sealed to my eternal companion and now I was at the Temple by myself with my husband and 4 kids at home. Not exactly what I was envisioning the day I got married. In the last 10 years, we’ve been through a lot. We’ve had first hand experience and some side-line experience. Friends & family suffer loss of a child, not have their own children, adoption, death of parents, missions, weddings – civil and Temple, loss of employment, moving, new callings in Church. What was she going to endure, would she find joy? I wanted to impart some piece of wisdom to her, but all I could do was smile as I walked by remembering my special day and grateful I didn’t know what was to come. Grateful what has come and grateful for the experiences and blessings to come in the next 10 years. I love to see the Temple, I love going inside. I feel my Heavenly Father and my Savior as they open their arms and tell me:

Welcome home.

BYE! BYE!

Bye mom and dad! Loved having you visit – next time stay longer and come at the same time. We love you!