Happiness

  I was reading a talk on the importance of a Mother and Father’s unity in Marriage and love in the security of their children. Who they are is an extension of their Mother and Father’s union so it’s  not surprising when children feel torn when their Parents divorce. The idea struck me that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and Mother and I feel secure in their love for me and their union of joy and perfect love. I don’t need to try and be perfect. I don’t need to his my weaknesses under a bushel or try to compare or envy or falsify my strengths and weaknesses. They love me for who I am. This helps me feel loved and secure and hopeful. It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that I can be made while once again and be reunited with my family and friends and especially my loving Heavenly Family- my Heavenly Father and Mother. I am known by Them and they are known by me and for this I am so grateful!

  Rosie loved her first dance class! She is so cute and was so excited to go. 

Ethan and Jonah turned 19 today! I remember those sweet little twin boys that came into this world very late one Sunday night. I was almost 35 weeks along and they had to be whisked away to the NICU because of their twin to twin transfusion (basically Jonah was stealing Ethan’s food). They don’t steal each other’s food anymore, but Jonah does call Ethan every Pday morning. I love these boys and I love where they are at in their lives. What a proud, missionary Mom I am! Happy Birthday, Ethan and Jonah!  

 ( Today my kids are all 20, 18, 18, 16, 9 and 3 just for future reference). It’s Mother’s Day morning and I woke up early- enjoying some quiet and alone time. We had a great day yesterday- celebrating early! I had a piano recital that went really well and then Elizabeth and I went to get our nails done- her treat! It was lovely and I love how my nails look! I got pink- of course!  After we got home Josh and Asher left to find the present that I requested: two pink towels and a razor. They had to go to 5 stores to find them! They were so diligent!! I haven’t seen them yet.  Declan brought me home a pinch pot in the shape of a turtle and a cute card.  It was a great pre-Mother’s Day and I look forward to today- resting and being with family. Who knows, maybe we’ll play a round of Apples to Apples- my favorite game! Happy Mother’s Day to all the women out there- Mothers in any shape or form!

  In December I started having stomach problems. I couldn't travel far from the bathroom. For a month. I went to the Dr who ran some tests. Then I went to a GI Dr who scheduled a colonoscopy. Boy was I excited! Not really. All went smoothly except finding a small polyp and that means I need to come back every three years. The colonoscopy wasn't that bad. The prep was harder. Here are my top three tips to making it through (for anyone who would like to know and my future self). 1. Add a lemonade drink packet to the mixture they give you- definitely a must! Then, drink something really tangy inbetween sips like pickle juice. This helps the concoction go down smoothly. 2. Have some good clear foods at hand. Jello, gingerale, jello made from gingerale, bone broth and sucking on gummy bears all work great.  3. Don't worry if it seems like it hasn't worked. Mine took a long time to kick in, but it finally did and all was good to go the morning of! Good luck and hope all goes ...

  Every Monday, on their Pday (preparation day), Ethan and Jonah get to FaceTime. The day starts out promptly at 6:30 am when Jonah calls Ethan. He does this every Monday. Often they call us several times that day- including at 2:30 pm when Asher gets home from school and can talk. It is so nice to talk to them! Sometimes they are walking to and from places like the grocery store or an outing. Often Jonah will show us the outside of his apartment in Queens and Ethan will show us how snowy it is in Idaho. I never realized how much snow they got! It’s so fun to talk to them and I’m so glad we get the chance to. Both are doing really well! 

Our kids started school on August 1st! Elizabeth, Ethan and Jonah attend Highland High school, a mere quarter mile from our home. They walk unless they have their instruments (Ethan plays the French horn and Jonah the Baritone) and then I drive them- which has made life easier! They are in the Marching Band and have their first field show on Friday at the Football Game which I am super excited to see! It will bring back memories from when I was in Marching Band. Asher is in 8th grade- can you believe it?!- and also plays the Baritone and Trombone in Jazz band that he recently joined and really likes. He has a close friend George in that class. Asher is in a gifted and talented program where he has the same teachers and students for two years. It’s been really fun for him and he’s been thriving! Declan started Kindergarten! He likes to observe everything before he jumps into the situation so it took he a few days to get the hang of it all, but he’s doing amazingly well! He lear...