This Week at Our House #30

1. I arrived in the airport Wednesday night just after 11pm. The next day John and I went grocery shopping and the van broke down. We had someone give us a jump. The van started but kept beeping and the electrical stuff kept blinking in and out. Then the gas light went on. We had to stop to get gas, but we did not turn off the van. Still while John was pumping the gas, the van died again. We had someone else jump start us again and it did not work. John tried to push the van away from the pumps and a few guys came to help him. They weren't able to get very far. I suggested trying to jump start it again. A guy with a big jeep did it and the van started. We were able to make it home before the van died again. John took the battery to be tested and it is good. So it looks like we have to get a new alternator. Blec. Life can be so tough sometimes.
2. I loved the beach and spending the first half of the week with my fam. I got to visit with Rhoby, she was like my second mom. I hadn't seen her since my wedding so I just loved that. I loved coming home to my husband and cuddling all of my boys. I am blessed with great family.
3. My parents took Ruth and Kate out school shopping and out to dinner. They got Ruth a very fashionable wardrobe to start Bountiful High in. I am glad Ruth got to be spoiled. On Friday, Ruth and Kate had girl's camp. Because it was ward camp this year and there are only 5 young women in our ward and only the leaders could attend the first day, the leaders decided to make girl's camp a day camp this year. They went tubing on Friday and hiking on Saturday. Despite no sleep over, no testimony meeting, and no songs around the campfire, they had a great time.
4. Kate had a great last few days at my family's. Because we slept next to the TV, Ruth and Kate did a Dr. Who marathon each night while I chatted with John. Kate had fun with girl's camp. She starts school tomorrow. She is nervous about her locker and combination most of all. Did I tell you that Kate is not yet 14 and she tested into honors pre-calculus and honors 9th grade English? Did I tell you Kate didn't read very well until the 3rd grade? Did I tell you that I am proud of Kate? 
5. Johnny kept the house cleaned up some while I was gone. He also did a bunch of laundry. Johnny spent his last week of summer vacation building legos. He made some pretty awesome lego helicopters. Johnny's pretty creative and really good at building things.
6. Thursday, I found out that Adam's spot at Legacy Prep was still open. So he's going! He's registered and starting school tomorrow. I am not going to home school at all this year. I feel relieved and guilty for being relieved. Adam is excited, and even though he is attending a whole new school, 2 girl's from his 2nd grade class will be there with him.
7. Rachel was a little star at my family's and so kind and such a good friend to Sadie. Rachel has reached star status as she made up a song that got stuck in all of our heads and is still going. The title: Junk Food Vacation. The day after we left, Sadie sadly said to Monika, "Junk food vacation is over." Rachel had her last two days of school before she got off for her first break of the year. She has been a little jealous while I've been getting school uniforms and stuff ready for the 4 Legacy Prep kids. Maybe, she'll still get in this school year, but it is doubtful as there are 15 kids total on the priority list for second grade.
8. Anya was a little crazy on the plane ride home moving around and being bored. But she made it and didn't really bother any one. Thankfully our plane had free dish-tv. Cartoons helped a lot. 
9. I was so glad to hold my little Joseph again. He's been really good since I've been home. I am really happy that he will get focused daily little kid time since I am not homeschooling anyone but him (for pre-school). 
10. I sure missed my little toe head. He's hugged and hugged me since I got home. Today I asked him who he played with in nursery. He said he played with a truck. I asked if he played with the boys and he said he played with a car.
11. Arwen took her first two steps yesterday. I think she'll be walking sometime in the next month. My mom bought her red sparkley shoes and she has been sleeping with them.

This Week's Picture

Grandpa let the kids bury him.

My mom bought matching outfits for all the little girls.

Waiting in the airport to go home.

Back to School 2013 Photo Shoot

 

Thoughtful Thursday: Cast it Out

The story of Korihor in the Book of Mormon tells of a man who went from city to city teaching the people that Christ was false, God did not exist, man would not be punished for their sins because there are no sins, and that everyone prospered according to their genius.

This particular story has always helped me to discern false teachings. Korihor taught a lot of doctrines that are common in our day. As I read this story recently, I was struck not with the content of Korihor's teachings, but with the reaction of the people.

In one city, the people embraced, accepted and began living  according to the teachings of Korihor. In another city the people tied him up, brought him to their leader and ultimately cast him out of their city. In another city, the people immediately brought him to the chief judge of the city. That judge sent him to the chief judge of the nation.

The scriptures make it clear that the people who cast Korihor out were the people who made the right choice concerning Korihor and his teachings. In our day, casting someone out because they are teaching false doctrine would be considered hateful, bigoted, and intolerant. Embracing and trying out the new idea, accepting and welcoming the person would be considered enlightened, loving, and tolerant.

Obviously today, we cannot tie up the person teaching false doctrine. We can begin to cast false doctrine from our minds and home first by studying the scriptures and the teachings of modern day prophets. This enables us to discern the false teachings from the true. We can turn off the TV and movies when they teach false doctrine. We can be careful about what we read. We can fight legislation that legalizes or normalizes actions and ideas that we know are wrong. Clearly, the right choice in our day is the same right choice as in the day of Korihor-- Cast.It.OUT.

This Week at Our House #29

1. John submitted his book in to be published, and this is the first week we have given any serious thought to applying for jobs outside of a reasonable commute time.
2. Monday, we went to a family home evening dinner with a bunch of my good Facebook friends. They are all so lovely, I am glad to be a part of such a great group of women with great families. Late Wednesday night, I went to the airport with Ruth, Kate, Rachel, Anya, and Arwen to catch a redeye to Maine. I did not sleep more than 5 minutes on the plane. But it was alright. We had such a nice time the next day seeing my family. This is the first time my family has gotten altogether for any amount of time since before I got married. On Saturday, we drove to the Boston Temple for my older sister, Lila to take out her endowments. I got to be in the Temple with all 5 of my siblings and my parents. It was a beautiful thing. We have enjoyed being in Maine with all my family. My daughters are having a great time. The boys are boy bonding back in SLC. My family is very diverse. We have married with lots of kids (me), married with no kids, married for just a short time, married for a long time, never married, divorced, divorced with kids, been in the army... and the list of diverse life events goes on. But we were altogether in the the Temple. Despite our differences, the gospel has brought the way we live together. There are definitely politics that happen with such a diverse group, but with the gospel we have been making it all work. I think it is good that my siblings have finally come altogether.
3. Ruth has been having a lovely time in Maine. She has lots to talk about and keeps my sisters pretty entertained with her little teenage life. Ruth and Kate babysat my 3 daughters and my sister Monika's daughter, Sadie outside the temple for 3 hours. I think they did a good job.
4. Since we are sleeping in the TV room, Ruth and Kate have been on a" until after midnight Dr. Who Marathon" every single night at Grandma's. My siblings all go to bed early. Robertson's are just night owls. So we stay up watching TV after everyone else has long gone to bed. Kate's most exciting thing to do so far was to have some fresh sea food. I love that my kids love sea food. I feel like I have passed on a little of my Maine heritage with that.
5. Johnny has really stepped up to the plate since I have been gone. He's gotten the boys up and fed every morning. He's taken good care of Joseph of Josh. He's helping John. He's keeping up with the laundry. It's like, Ruth and Kate left, so Johnny grew up. I am very proud of my big boy! Before I left, I got Johnny's school schedule all together. He tested at an 8th to 9th grade level in everything and he is only 11. I can't believe he is going to be starting the 8th grade a month before he turns 12, but I know that is where he is supposed to be and where God wants him. Schooling issues with Johnny has really helped me to discern promptings and whisperings from the Holy Ghost.
6. As far as I know. Adam is doing okay. He cried for about an hour the first day I was gone. (It is hard leaving your kids. This is the first time I have done it for any length of time.) I have skyped with him and talked to him on the phone. I will be glad to see my little guy again.
7. Background: My sister Monika divorced 2 years ago after her daughter, Sadie was born. She lives with my parents and her 2 children. A couple years after the divorce, both of Monika's kids were diagnosed with autism. Her son, Tommy is severe, her daughter, Sadie, while definitely autistic is on the high end of the spectrum.  Rachel is 3 years older than Sadie. She understands about autism. She has taken Sadie under her wings. She plays with Sadie and sets up games and includes her in everything. She is kind and compassionate and even pretty gentle. Since Rachel has been here with Sadie, Sadie has changed. The first day, anyone could see the autism in Sadie. By the second day, Sadie mostly seemed like an average 4 year old. I feel like I have seen a whole new side of Rachel that I did not know existed. I am proud of who she is. Rachel can see through the autism and senses that Tommy and Sadie are little angels.
8. Anya has been a good girl for the most part, but she treats Sadie about the way she treats everyone her age. She has had little tiffs over toys and such. Anya has been desperate to play at the beach. We have seen the ocean and put our feet in some, and finally today is the day that she will get her full day at the beach.
9. Joseph has finally shown John that he is not just a cute, fun-loving kid. John has always thought that I am too hard on Joseph and that he is not at all an angel of destruction. Now John knows. But Joseph has actually grown out of the worst it, so John has only seen a fraction of what I have had to deal with the last year. Joseph taken as a whole is a very smart, fun-loving stinker!
10. Josh has had a few sad days. We are pretty sure he thinks mom and his sisters are never coming home. I cannot wait to get back and cuddle my sweet little blondie.
11. Arwen is as adorable as ever. She did great on the plane ride, although made sure I got no sleep at all. She likes my dad and Lila, but has not warmed up to my mom. Hopefully that will change before we leave in a couple more days.

This Week's Pictures

At the SLC airport reading waiting to go

My sister Lila with Sadie in the rain on my Grandparent's grave

My sister Amber is finding that she is a talented photographer. She is selling her photos!

Out to eat at the place we always ordered pizza growing up.

portraits at the Boston Temple

Babysitting at the Boston Temple

At the Fort Williams Light House, Cape Elizabeth, ME

Tommy and Grandpa

Monika and Sadie

Grandma and all of her grandaughters

Rachel and little Sadie

the little girls

I don't know why Arwen doesn't like my Mom, but she won't let her hold her.

 

This Week at Our House # 28

1. Heard nothing on the job front. John spent all week editing his book.We made it to the Parkinson family reunion for the first time in 16 years. We had a good time meeting a bunch of relatives that live closer to us than we knew.
2. Since John has been out of work, we have been incurable night owls. I hardly get to bed before 2am. This is stupid enough, I am semi-looking forward to school starting to force me into a better schedule.
3. Ruth had a relaxing week. She is looking forward to going to Maine this coming week, girls camp the day she gets back from Maine, and starting 10th grade at Bountiful High the week after. I feel like summer is on fast forward  now.
4. Kate had a quiet week too. She does not get to go to Maine. I feel bad about that, but there is nothing I can do. When people ask Kate why she doesn't get to go to Maine too, she starts singing, "Cinderella, Cinderella...". BREAKING NEWS: Kate is going to Maine too.
5. Johnny had to get his booster shots for junior high this week. At first, he seemd calm, but then he flipped out and we had to hold him down. Once he got the first shot, he said, "Oh, that didn't hurt." Then he was okay for the second. Ugh, I knew he would have a hard time. He was embarrassed as we left.
6. Adam had tons of fun at the family reunion with his third cousins. They irrigated the lawn while we were there, which means they flood it. The kids had tons of fun with that. Adam has decided to learn to play the piano. He's practiced several times a day everyday since he decided that he wanted to learn. He's pretty good too.
7. Rachel swam all day long at the family reunion. She's learned to swim pretty well and is much more confidant in the pool. I can let her swim without adults around now, even though she cannot touch the bottom. Rachel has also been learning the piano. She is doing well too. Rachel is enjoying the second grade and making some new friends.
8. Anya had her kindergarten physical this week. She may need to get glasses to see distance. 
9. Joseph enjoyed spending his birthday money on some new Hero Factory Bionicles and a Monsters Inc. 2 metal water bottle. He fills his water bottle up a few times a day and carries it around with him.
10. Josh has learned to open doors. That has been interesting. He is now the first kid up in the mornings. He often gets sippy cups and toss them at me demanding chocolate milk.
11. Arwen's still our cutest little thing. She plays happily all day long. She has learned to crawl down the stairs, so she can pretty much go anywhere she wants to. Sometimes we lose track of her because she just quietly crawls off to play with something else.

This Weeks Pictures

 

Thoughtful Thursday: Trials

Okay, so I almost never get to this until Friday, but "Thoughtful Thursday" is a better title, so I'll keep trying.

Having to depend on government programs to sustain our children's life and happiness four months now, naturally I find myself thinking about trials. When I first got married, I thought about trials a lot too. I had watched my parents go through some pretty tough times and I had heard about my in laws tough times. Financial problems, health issues, family problems, accidents, bad luck strikes everyone. No one is exempt.

When I was first married, I said to myself that I wanted to do well during trials.I did not want the way I reacted to hard times make the the hard times more difficult for my family. That, of course, is easier said than done.

This hard time has been a little tougher and longer. After about two months ago I was giving way to critical feelings of my husband and depression. For about a week, I wasn't being who I ought to be. Then some one told me that while trials come to everyone, Christ's atonement covers any and all mental suffering. We can choose to give that suffering over to the Savior or let it take us over. I knew which choice I wanted.

Immediately I began doing things that I knew would help me fight off depression. I prayed more throughout the day and I started playing hymns on the piano everyday. I have been trying to keep the house cleaner and being a little more physically active. All of these things help me avoid stress, doubt, and critical feelings.

Everyday, I tell myself that the only thing I can control in this situation is how I react to it. Knowing that there is one way to be in control of this situation, helps me a lot. I like a bit of control in my life, and contoling my thoughts and emotions is about the easiest thing there is to control.

I am happy. I have a good life. I can deal cheerfully with trials as they come.