KARATE

They have been begging to take karate for a year. They started last week. It was like Christmas to them. They were over the moon. They keep asking when they are going to get “fire power.” 😂

DUCKIES IN THE MORNING

I sent all the kids back to school. I hit a wall. During the summer I was so exhausted I couldn't find any motivation to do anything and I couldn't stop crying for three days. I had been frantically trying to buy a new home for three months. I was obsessing and I couldn't let it go. It is almost impossible to home school in 1200 square feet. I have a one bedroom, one bathroom house with a loft and it couldn't support a school. There were books mixed with dinner dishes and laundry all the time. I was sobbing in Nate's dude room searching for an answer but one wouldn't come. He finally said, "Send the kids back to school." I told him how much I loved homeschooling and I didn't want to do that. He gently said, "Send them back to school."

Now I just have my two little boys. We go to the park and do the things I use to before homeschooling and it is relaxing and it makes me happy.

GOD's MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS

Today, I was waiting outside the Sam’s Club bathroom for Ashton to finish pooping. He was in there for twenty minutes when an old gentleman came hobbling past me. Logan waved at him. He pointed to Logan and said, “God’s most precious gift.” He said he had thirty-one. His daughter lovingly corrected, “Grandkids, he has thirty-one grandkids.” 

Heavenly Father knew I needed that gentle reminder because a moment later. Ashton let me in the bathroom to wipe his bum and there was poop everywhere. He painted the bathroom brown. I just sighed, “God’s most precious gift.”

Later in the afternoon Logan used my lip stain and put it all over him. I couldn't get it off. I still can't get it off. After a bath and rub down with vasiline, he went to bed with lipstain all over him. God's most precious gift!

GRANDPA HAIR's FUNERAL

My grandfather passed away unexpectedly. He was getting old but he was still so full of life. He was working on the washer and dryer in the morning and that afternoon he just went home to be with his Creator. He lived such a glorious life. He could not have lived it more devoted or faith filled. I remember asking him if he ever regretted not going to Juilliard he said, “That was never my dream. I wanted this life.” It is interesting how our choices effect generations. I am glad he chose to marry my grandma at eighteen and have 17 children. I am glad he endowed each of his children and grandchildren with a love of music. To say he will be missed is an understatement. I hope my devotion to family and faith emulates his. I know he loves me. I am grateful for all the years I got to spend  not only being his granddaughter but his neighbor.

GRANDPA HAIR's VIEWING

SLUMBER PARTY with KATE

ASHTON's QUILT

4th of JULY

ADDISON'S BAPTIM

Leslie and Kaylee at Addison's baptism

Yesterday, I took James and Logan to Addison's baptism. The sun was hot as we arrived at the church. Both of my boys fell asleep on the drive from my house to the church. James said he was tired so he decided to close his eyes for a minute. He snapped awake the moment the brakes were applied. Logan hung out in dreamland until I popped him out of his car seat and onto my shoulder. 

(We had driven back from Utah that morning. We were there so Sierra could attend EFY, especially for youth. EFY is a BYU week-long event for youth. They have speakers and activities. I remember being raised in "happy valley" and having Elder Neil Maxwell speak to us in the morning before seminary, and although I can't remember I know there were other apostles as well. Sierra hasn't had those advantages, living in Colorado. The Church of Jesus Christ has grown so much, I don't think Apostles visit seminary students anymore. Elder Maxwell stood and shook all our hands afterward. I just wanted her to have that moment of spending time with kids her age, that believe what she believes, and listening to, not apostles, but men and women of Our Heavenly Father that love the Savior. She had a good time.)

When I walked into the stake center the first person I saw was Leslie and tears filled her eyes. She gave me a big hug. She was in a gorgeous yellow dress with small flowers on it. Her hair was perfect. Addison was running around in her white jumpsuit with hair in loose curls. She had a white headband in her hair and a big flower attached to it. She had the most beautiful smile that filled her entire face and lite up her eyes. She was full of energy and excitement for the day. Leslie commented that no other child has been so beautiful in that plain white jumpsuit, I had to concur. When I entered the chapel your family was sitting there, all but Jake. Where was Jake? I forgot to ask. Leslie's grandpa was so sweet. He is a very special man. He seemed refined by age. Stephanie gave me a big hug. She was lovely. Her hair color was darker than I last remember. Virgil didn't say much but nodded. We sat down and Kaylee (I always spell her name wrong.) was letting Logan play with her cat purse. It made him feel so special. He had the biggest grin on his face. His little toddler belly was sticking out as he toddled along the bench holding Kaylee's black cat purse. We sang the Baptism Song, I like to look at rainbows, whenever there is rain. And ponder on the beauty of the earth made clean again. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to do the best I can and live with God again. I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away.... Simon said the opening prayer. He said as good a prayer as I have ever heard prayed at that pulpit. I have to admit watching Logan was more entertaining than the speaker. He did a great job just not good enough to capture my attention. I do remember him asking the question, why are we baptized? I don't remember his answer to his own question, but I remember the answer in my mind, to follow the example of the Savior. When he asked, do we need to be perfect after baptism? I went on a sermon in my head. No, we need to follow the Savior. When we veer off course, we must repent. Boyd K. Packer said the greatest act of delegation was when Heavenly Father said, "Here is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." We are to look to him. I read that earlier in the day and the thought was so strong it blurred out the speaker's words.  I know, my focusing skills are really vigorous. I wish I could tell you what he said, but alas, you will have to ask your mother. Then your Auntie got up and talked about Addison. It was so sweet and Addison was bouncy and beaming. She talked of how Addison completed your family, and how funny she is, and how kind she is. She came and sat at the bench and wept as she held my hand and said, "She is the last one." Tears were streaming down her checks. I tried to remind her that she is the first, this is the beginning. Con will have a loving, priesthood guided home. His children will enter the waters of baptism and his children and their children. Also, Addison's children and Kaylee's children. She quietly reminded me without words of sweet Tyler. I believe that is where her heart was. 

Then we sat and quietly waited to be called in for Addison's baptism. Sabrina Atwood played Children's Hymns while we waited patiently. Simon went into the water confidently. It was a sacred moment watching this innocent, sweet, precious baby girl take her first step on the covenant path with a loving, attentive, father. After she emerged from the water, she jumped into his arms and held him. Water dripping off of both of them. The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was beautifully depicted in that singular moment. The more I learn and the more I grow in faith, it is apparent that all we do in the church is for that singular purpose, to sanctify, bless and unite families.