QUOTE

Quote“I fear that many of us rush about from day to day taking for granted the holy scriptures. We scramble to honor appointments with physicians, lawyers, and businessmen. Yet we think nothing of postponing interviews with Deity—postponing scripture study. Little wonder we develop anemic souls and lose our direction in living. How much better it would be if we planned and held sacred fifteen or twenty minutes a day for reading the scriptures. Such interviews with Deity would help us recognize his voice and enable us to receive guidance in all of our affairs. We must look to God through the scriptures” (Carlos E. Asay, in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, p. 79; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, pp. 53–54)

I have struggled off and on with this! I have made it thing that before I get on any social media that I must read the Book of Mormon.  Those times that I had to drive the kids to seminary I took the time to also read and to study! Our time in NY was really a time that I was able to focus fully on the scriptures! Mr. Incredible was gone or home each night but it was always so late that he came home, showered and was exhausted from the trials of the day and needed to wake early in the morning.  I didn't think it was so much difficult. I just felt like it was the stage in our lives where this is what we all needed to do. The children had to adjust to his different schedule the most! I know they longed and yearned to have his time like they were used to but they too grew and adjusted!

I know that taking this time to reflect with God and to listen to what his plans are for myself and my family helped so much. I felt slow to anger, and slow to let little grievances of others or trials that a day may bring they were less likely to stir feelings of disappointment, anger or resentment! Life is so good and I am so blessed that I have an amazing family and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is in my life! I know that it is true. It may be difficult at times but those are the times that we truly need to turn to the scriptures and to the words of latter day prophets. They will bring comfort and disperse all darkness.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

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I love my Family

This was the day before Halloween. I wrote a Halloween post below.
I was preparing dinner and awaiting for my family to arrive home from soccer practice and a football game. An amazing feeling of warmth and love washed over my body at precisely 8:30pm and I was consumed with so much love and gratitude that it brought me to weep. I could not explain where these feelings had come from nor have I ever experienced a complete consumption of such emotion before. It gave me some trepidation. I began to worry and be fearful. I was peacefully happy but questioned such a strong sense of emotion. From once basking in complete bliss of being a happy homemaker I then realized my entire family was away from me. Perhaps they were in danger or an accident. I began to panic slightly. But, instead of calling, I pushed those thoughts aside. I am the type who pushes off or avoids unhappy news. I figure if woe is going to happen then it's going to work its way finding me. I won't seek it.

I found joy in preparing dinner for them. Something that I do every night but there was a feeling of pride and up liftment. I can't explain these feelings. Our freezer and fridge was looking a bit sparse. I had done grocery shopping two weeks ago and we were left with some chicken and a TON OF PRODUCE. What am I going to cook? I opened the fridge and went to dumping everything that I thought would go together and made a really good meal. The funny thing is some of my best meals come when we are trying to just strictly cook from our pantry or fridge. MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU GOT!
SEARS REPAIRMAN?
I found joy in going to the dryer and seeing clothes waiting to be folded and joy in the wave of Downy fresh that so warmly greeted me as I opened the dryer door. It made me smile. It made me draw in a deep long breath. I was grateful for electricity and grateful that my dryer worked because I remember when it didn't.

I felt joy when I opened the washer and saw yet another load begging to be put in the dryer.
I felt joy with each item of clothes that I folded. Granted I love to do laundry anyway.

I was propelled to get everything perfect. To have dinner done. The house ready for their presence. I wanted things ready for them so that they too could share in my joy in being back at home.

I have been ever so grateful to Mr. Incredible for taking over soccer practice. Warrior will drop Dash off to practice and stay with him and I can drop Sweetheart off to practice and Mr. Incredible will go. I can return back home and I take this extra time to prepare dinner, clean, blog or do whatever it is I please.
They feel like stolen moments in time. Time when normally, I would be on the field but was at home fluffing my nest. I like doing for my family.

My life is so far from perfect. I have ups and downs. I am not a perfect mother, wife, friend, member or woman. I know my flaws all too well. But, my life is good, My life is wonderful and I am so happy to be me and to have the family I have and the struggles that I have. I am happy for the thorns that come my way because they are mine and they are what make us GREAT! It's weathering the storms.
Others may have a nicer home, a newer car, be skinnier, have better skin, more money, grown children, young children but I'm okay with whatever Heavenly Father decides and the choices and consequences that I make brings me to.
I choose not to want. I choose contentment. I choose simplicity and I choose security. Choose ye this day what it is that brings true happiness to your soul and seek after it.

The strength of a Warrior

Warrior has been playing a few positions on the field. He is strong and he is determined. He has the desire of 13 warriors and then some! He amazes me. He never complains. He just gets it done. I think he dropped 3 gallons of sweat on the field.

He is a leader both on the field and off the field. Have you noticed how people award mediocrity? Everybody is lumped into one big group. It has become politically incorrect to award Johnny for making straight A's and an give an entire class punishment by having no recess because Bobby couldn't follow the class rules. I just have to say "GRRRrrr or HONK" like the geese do.

This post is leading to a rant can you feel it?? We have been quite active in our sporting community. I suppose having 4 children contributes to this. Many non members and school teachers commend us on such a fine young gent Warrior is. They never mention anything about his hair. To every practice and to every game our entire family is out there supporting one another. All six of us will be there cheering unless we have two playing at the same time. Where half will go with one and the other half to the other game.
I tire of church members who make comments to my son and to me about his hair. Do I say to you, "My it looks like you have gained 20 lbs?" Do I say, oh my gosh that receding hair line is even bigger? Do I ask you Do you smoke or drink caffeine? because your teeth say otherwise. NO NO NO and NO!!! I just want to go ghetto on them, and the thought crosses my mind.

Don't you just love the unsolicited opinions of others? NOT! There is nothing else to pick at Warrior for. Isn't it funny how it is human nature to pick at oneself or other's flaws until they become open sores? Who will be there when this pecking and ribbing leaves a gaping wound in my son's soul? Will those same who cast their stones be there to heal?? NO! they won't. It will be myself and Mr. Incredible to heal those scrapes and if the scrapes go deeper and become wounds the gospel principles that have been taught in our home will be enough. But will it? We are never truly guaranteed. WE are blessed that Warrior's personality is not one to take offense. He is quick to forgive and to forget. I sure wish I was blessed with that gift.
Weeks ago one of our sacrament talks was on judging and being judgemental. It was a very good talk. I continue to learn lessons of forgiveness, peace and mercy through Warrior and Sweetheart. He rarely lets things or comments bother him but when they do, they cut me to the deepest depths of my soul and I just come out FUMING!! He is much wiser than his years! He is charismatic, great with children and I have never heard him talk about anyone.


Warrior responds back to others whom he knows is being cutting with humor. I love that!! I love that he is quick enough on his feet when attacked to come back with LOVE! Instead of the bite and sting of venom.

Tears of Wisdom

Hooray, Thursday was my last day of working for the week. It went great. Mr. Incredible held down the fort. (We always have each others back) We make such a good team. Children were fed and the house orderly. I had just finished working almost 40 hours in 3 days and in less than 5 hours sleep, I awoke to finish another 6 hour day. That's a lot of hours in a short time span.

I walked into each of my children's bedrooms and admired their beautiful sleeping bodies and oh how my heart ached. I had missed them so much. The last time I saw each of them awake was Monday Night, at family prayer. I was gone before they awoke each day and home after they went to bed. I would leave at 7am and get home at 11pm. The first time we saw each other again was Thursday afternoon. Only to gear up for 2 soccer practices and a JV football game.

No one complained through the week and everyone always sounded happy when I would call. I have been implementing the FlyLady. I did it years ago. I started blogging and needed to implement her schedule once again. I even have my children FLYING! This is a note I left for them. If you can make it a game they get it done.


Sweetheart came home and gave me an incredibly long hug. I love my afternoon greetings with all of the kids! I have a thing with each of them. Which can be found near the last paragraph of here, here, here and here. It is a special time of day. I think it is Sweetheart's most important time.
Sweetheart had asked about my work schedule. I told her I was thinking about working the same hours again. "OH, she replied' and then her little chin quivered and her body began to shake. Her tears moved me to tears. She told me she wants me home. I told her why I was working and she said she would rather have no Christmas than have me gone. She wants me home in the afternoon. OK, settled. no more doubles. I can still achieve the same hours and be home in the morning when they awake and in the afternoon after school. My working is purely optional and not a have to.

My babies need me and more importantly they miss me! I am never missed because I am ALWAYS HOME!! It's nice to be missed. For now, I will continue to rock my babies and be a presence in the home always. For one day my babies will leave and I will have all the time I need to reach personal goals. When I chose to have children. I chose to put their needs first. What I love is that all my babies know the importance of a mother in the home. I'm thankful that we live within our means and that our children ask for very little.

When I share the ages of my children with co-workers they never seem to understand about me only choosing to work one or two days a week. They tell me your children are older. They can take care of each other. Our children are under our charge. I didn't have children so that they could babysit one another. Some families do but it's not for our family. On occasion Warrior may have to run someone to practice or YW and Beauty may have to watch the little ones for an hour or two but nothing more.

These pics were taken 2 Easter's ago. ICK!! They are the most current of me with them. I guess I need to be in front of the camera more. NOT!

thankful

Many years ago when my life seemed to be even more full and full of service for others besides my own immediate family. I felt like I could take on extraordinary things and I did. A heartfelt prayer was always offered to Heavenly Father pleading with him to please bless me with the capabilities to be able to accomplish all of the tasks throughout the day. I am a huge list maker and evoke even more pleasure from being able to check each one off, task by task. It is very self gratifying but it is also very self destructive in the event that I am not able to check everything off. When I was a young mother with 3 small children and my children were 6,3, and a newborn. I was in YW's presidency and various callings for YW for 14 years straight. My children were always tousled around on YW night, Sunday mornings and bi monthly temple trips and monthly stake dances. This was life for my children. They didn't need a house or bed or kitchen because our car seemed to be the place where they ate and slept longer than they did their own home.

Despite my church calling I also was a VT and a very good VT at that. Inspiration would come to me always. I would be driving and a thought would enter. Instantly, I would call the person, or someone I wasn't serving and just see how they were doing. Many times, I would prepare dinner that was too much for our family and call someone and say I had an extra dinner would you like it? My children always saw acts of service to another because we would bake cookies, cakes or brownies and just randomly deliver.

I was then called to be an enrichment leader in one of the largest wards and stakes. WE had a combined ward with the Spanish Unit. I loved this calling. Each month my committee would travel to the temple for a session and then prepare our activity. Our temple is about an hour and a half away. We went from 10 sisters coming out to a monthly total of 65-75 women consistently. It required so much work and I also added another child who was very very ill. I felt supported because the glory was not mine. It was not me. It was Heavenly father who softened peoples hearts, who reminded them to come, and who inspired us to prepare. I had prepared myself spiritually and my eyes and ears were open what he wished for me to do and my physical body was willing to be able to do what it was he asked. Not, only did I volunteer for the church but I was involved in many volunteer services in the community. I was room mom for 2 children at the same time, Girl scout leader, and volunteered at the pre-school 3 days a week. Life was full. I was content and happy and my house was clean. God, does provide a way to accomplish all that he has in store for us and much more, if we are willing to heed his words.
Do you notice a trend as you are reading? WAS, everything is PAST tense.
Fast forward 10 years. My children are so much older and all of them are self reliant. Things should be easier for me to provide service to others, like before. They are not. I feel frantic at times and hurried and I feel like there is not enough time to do the things I need to do. I feel rushed. I feel disconnected from everything. Family, church, and friends.
My teenagers although, they do not need their physical needs attended to. They need their spiritual needs and emotional needs attended to so much more and it is very tiring for me. I tend to withdraw from everything if I can not do things perfectly. I choose not to deal with things at all. I despise the fact that I have the characteristics of a perfectionist. It is either full throttle or nothing. I need to be with them. I need to be engaged with them and I can not attend to the needs of others at this time in my life. At times, I feel so selfish because I see others doing these wonderful acts of kindness and I long for that but fall weary and weak. I have to keep my family a float. Actually, Mr. Incredible is the one who takes up ALL of the slack. He truly is incredible. He does so much more and our goslings definitely go to him when storms arise and they think I may FREAK! because after 19 years I have not learned how not to FREAK first. Once I have my first initial melt down, then I am on board with everything.

Which leads me to my true purpose and intent of this post. Mr. Incredible has always supported and sustained me in my callings. There was a time when his work took precedence and I had to take care of the children, house and church duties, on my own. But, after a heartfelt talk and through many tears we worked it out. He has always been supportive in everything I do as well as the children. We have tagged teamed it from the very beginning. We have adjusted to make things work.
Mr. Incredible was working for a top four international company and was on the pursuit of climbing the career ladder. He was out of town for many meetings and his travel had picked up some. I worried the night I had enrichment because it usually consumed my entire day. I felt like others were getting the best of me and my children were left eating fast food and were not getting home until hours after their bed time. HF blessed me with children who didn't complain. I am sure He understood that I couldn't withstand that trial. Even though they never complained my heart panged for them. My heart also hurt the times that someone would say, "I have to leave, I have to get my children to bed, Sorry I was late, I had to fix my children dinner". ME TOO! but, I was setting up or I was cleaning up. But, the most difficult time that I absolutely hated was when my children would have to stay in the nursery during EN or off in some room close by while I had youth night. Mr. Incredible while out of town, would fly back into town just to watch our children. Just so they could have a meal in their home and get to bed at a good hour so their studies would not suffer and they would be alert for school the next day. He probably had to do this 4 or 5 times a year. And if he was out of town and drove. He would sacrifice and drive home early to be there for our children. This one act of service has always brought me to tears because I was able to fulfill my callings how I felt they should and not have to worry about my little ones.
He has always supported me in every way and in every calling I held.

Patriarchal Blessing

My brother Keawe (kay-ahh-vay) just received his Patriarchal Blessing when we were up there. The best part was I got to go in with him and my parents! I felt very blessed to have this opportunity. K is from Ephraim too. His blessing was very special as all blessings are. K fasted before he received his blessing. I panged for him while others rushed home from church and devoured everything in site, he could not eat for 4 hours. He stayed in his room and just concentrated on not being hungry and contemplated. You do not have to fast, it was his choice.

My son, Warrior, recieved his patriarchal blessing when he turned 14. He was ready and wanted it. My Beauty will be 14 next month and she hasn't mentioned it. I wish that I had taken a picture with my Patriarch and I wish that I had thought to take a picture of Warrior with his Patriarch. He is currently serving a couple's mission on Temple Square in SLC! They are two very fun people! I will definitely get a pick of them when they return.

Blogging Blues

I have been so busy lately and I have so much to blog but it has become another thing that I am falling behind on. There are so many pictures I want to load. I started blogging so I could journal. Today I will just journal. Nothing but ball games all this week and last week. Dash continues to excell. He will more than likely be chosen as one of the all star players. Each of the 12 teams in the league give 2 to 3 of their best players and they combine to make one team. Sweetheart is one heck of a soccer player. She is strong and continues to score and assist in goals. She will go to tournament and we are considering challenge team for her. I objection to challenge team is they play on Sundays. We found out it is only two Sundays. So, she can either miss those games or make the decision herself. She is 10 and she is accountable for her agency. We have taught her and shown her. I will be fine with whatever her decisions may be. Warrior has prom that is coming up this weekend. He is very pleased with how his tux looks and he is definitely into girls. It is making his mind a little mushy. Beauty will be starting kick boxing. She is looking forward to this and she has become my second shooter for sessions. She is shooting strictly on manual mode and not using automatic. I figure teach her now so she can understand the mechanics and be even more amazing than she already is. I love this style. While I am shooting individuals or smaller groups. She is entertaining and capturing pure moments with the others. She is really loving it.
Me? I have been very busy. I am taking the summer off from the airport and maybe just taking in a few sessions for photography. Mostly, I intend on being with the children and hanging out at Carowinds, the pool, the lake and the YMCA and traveling. So, basically spending money. I have taken on a lot of hours this month with the airlines but on top of that photography has been busy. This season is almost over though. I get a pay raise on the 19th of May and another $50 bonus! woohoo! My parents are spending Memorial Day weekend with us and we are looking forward to their stay. Maybe, we will take them out on the boat.

FUN FRIDAY

Many of the Gentile persuasion (that is, non-Mormons) in the Salt Lake City area have taken to calling members of the the church "Mo's."

The truth is, being called a Mo isn't all that bad. While it's not exactly a term of endearment, Mo certainly beats some of the other things we've been called.

Practice these terms and learn to be comfortable with your Moism.

MO - Mormon
NO MO - Non-Mormon
NO MO' MO - Ex-Mormon
MO NOPOLY - Utah
MO TOWN - Provo
MO TABS - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
MO PEDS - People walking across the street to Temple Square or the MTC in Provo
MO HAIR - Missionary standards haircut
PO MO - A financially challenged Mormon
MO LASSES - Mormon Babes!
MO NO TONE - Many ward choirs.
MO TEL - Bishop's interview, tithing settlement, church court, etc.
SU MO - Graduate of BYU Law School
MO GUL - Large white Utah bird frequently seen in Church history books, parking lots, and dumps
MO RALLY - Third quarter BYU drive against the U of U
MO SEY - LDS sense of time. (see also: LOCO MO TION)
LOCO MO TION - Post-game exodus from Cougar Stadium
MO NOGOMY - LDS Marriage practices
MO TIF - Two or more Mormons engaged in a heated difference of opinion
MO MENT - What LDS Church Officials intended to say, regardless of what they actually said
MO LD - Older LDS member, temple worker, etc.
MO MONEY - Plea from BYU students, missionaries, newlyweds, etc.
SLO MO - Pace of members ahead of you in a crowded hallway when you have a two-year-old who "has to go NOW!"
MO MOO - Powdered milk stored in closets, basements, under beds, etc.

FUN FRIDAY

6 Truths of Life?

1. You cannot touch all your teeth with your tongue.











2. All idiots, after reading the first truth, will try it.













3. The first truth is a lie.














4. You're smiling now because you're an idiot.










5. You soon will send this to another idiot.






6. There's still a stupid smile on your face.



Sorry about this,....I'm an idiot and I needed company,...:-)

48 hours in 4 days

This has been my home away from home this past week and I have to say, it went really well. My children did really well when I was away. The house was still standing and even cleaner than if I had stayed home. I tend to be a little lax with them and the house if nothing is on the agenda.

I worked 48 hours in 4 days. It was really a good work week for me. It is always easier being at work when you know you do not have to be there and that I volunteered to work those extra hours. They were really kind to me. They put me in some of the best work locations EVER! I was in EPOC for a double. This is where I rebook any of the passengers who may be connecting and they have missed their connecting flights due to crew delays, maintenance or weather. Easy peasy job because you do not have people screaming at you. Another day I was at one of the special service counters. This is where I help people with their tickets and answer any questions they may have. Which is usually where is the bathroom and can you tell me what gate to go to?. Another day I did actually work the gate but it was a great day. No delays and no issues. I fell short of my projected 56 hours for the week but seeing that I am only used to working 8 or 12 hours a week I will still count it as a success. I feel great. The children are great and I had dinner every night this week and I have no dirty clothes waiting for me. I did one load a day and folded early in the morning and when the children came home from school they would put them away. I had dinner waiting for us when I got home or I had it in the oven if I did a double that night.

I chose not to work today. I wanted to see my children's first baseball and soccer game. I swapped out my morning and I took a paid vacation day for the afternoon shift. It was good to be there for both of their games. Beauty is at the movies and Warrior is at a tri-stake dance.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I took it from Alison's blog. Since, it is Valentine's day. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and to be loved. God has blessed my life in so many ways. Five to be specific. God loves me. He loves me most!( I know you are saying, uh, uhhh) But, yep. He loves me most. I think everyone should believe that God loves them most. If we did, the world would be a better place. I have 5 very special people to prove it. (it doesn't matter if you have more people or less people, I have the best of the best)Heaven is where your heart is and mine is with them. We are perfect for each other. Each one of them hug and kiss me each morning before they leave for school or work. Each one of them are excited every day they come home just to see me. Each of them hurt when I hurt. Each time any of them leave my presence my heart breaks a bit and worry lingers until we are ALL together again. Because of these 5 spirits my heart has been torn, trampled on and broken and because of these things I know TRUE love. I know patience, tolerance, forgiveness and sacrifice. Is there no other love? If love were always simple and happy; it would not be worth dying for; it would not be worth fighting for it would not be worth living for. God loved the world that he gave His Only Begotten Son and Christ loved us that he gave his life for us. I am thankful for a loving father in heaven. I am thankful for my savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my family who loves me unconditionally, despite all my flaws and imperfections.
This thankful post was a little deep. But, it is my first one and it is the things that mean the dearest to me. BTW, God loves you most when you are going through your hardest trials, when you feel like there is no where to turn and no one to help. That is when you know he is loving you the most. There is a huge gift and blessing waiting for you, make sure you look for it along the way.

***Thankful Thursday***

I am so thankful for our health. No one in our family is sick. It is no wonder that many are sick, here in Charlotte. We had snow and freezing rain one day and 2 days later the temps are up in the 50's. My friend Mere is sick. She is really sick. She received a blessing last night. She is still ill. I made her chicken noodle soup, tonight. I am on call, in case she needs to go to the hospital. I pray she gets to feeling better. She does so much for her family. She is one of the strongest women I know. Here is a pic of my soup. The recipe will be posted to the recipe blog.

Did you Know?

I have found myself longing, pining and almost begging to go back in time 10 to 12 years ago! Somebody slap me, those times were some of the hardest times, financially. We were in college just recently moved back to Texas. I had no friends and really did not care to be in TEXAS, either. Things were so hard for us, we had WArrior who was just under a year old and we were going back to college. We had just left the security of living rent free in one of my parents apartments, Mr. Incredible was driving a truck for my parents and I was working part time for Campbell Plastics, which made side molding and parts for Ford cars. My mom would take care of Warrior. I worked the graveyard shift and LOVED it! Anyway, Mr. Incredible and I decided that having a daddy gone all the time was not something we wanted for our family. Mr. Incredible had felt it best to go back to Texas to get his education. Hind sight is 20/20 because probably many issues would have been better had we stayed in NY continued to work and gone back to college there. So, we had just come off of a big Christmas and a trip to Hawaii. Which was all paid through cash but we had no cash saved for our 5k moving cost, from NY to Texas. Also, we had not expected the astronomical hit that we would be expected to pay in taxes as an independent contractor, along with paying OUT of STATE tuition for college and books. :can you say Stupid!: We went from making 65k to making 12k a year! and having MORE bills than we had EVER had before. We were faced with rent, first and last payments, we never paid rent. Car insurance went up, tuition, books, We both went to jobs that paid both of us lelss together than what one of us were making previously. We survived. Through the pure grace of God, we survived. OK, This has gotten way off track!
I have an addiction to recipes and cooking. Martha Stewart was my idol. I have every book she has ever put out and I lived by her faithfully. In Texas, I baked, cooked etc. NO money but presentation was everything and I loved making exquisite foods and dishes. I had 2 best friends while I was there, their husbands were in secure well paying careers. WE got together every weekend while our husbands golfed and we cooked and entertained and through extravagant parties. One friend would throw parties for partners and clients for people in her husbands firm. I got to feed my frenzy and love on their pocketbook! Mr. Incredible finally graduated and we were hired or offered a job a full year prior to graduating! Everything pended on that final piece of paper. WOOHOO, he graduated and we were hired by one of the top accounting firms. At the time, it was the Big 6, Price Waterhouse had given us a job and offered the first light at the end of the tunnel. We lived in Texas a year after and an opportunity to transfer to the NYC, Manhattan offer was available, with a pay increase. This move brought us closer to my side of the family. We moved to a beautiful town called Somerville, NJ. I took many opportunities to go to fine restraunts and expand more on cooking and entertaining. There it offered opportunities to go to restraunts and talk to chefs and have them teach and prepare a dinner and you could critique etc. I loved to make mouth watering dishes. I had 2 children and they were so easy to manage at this stage of life. I love cooking. But, I don't like to cook everyday dinners, the mundane or the ordinary. I wanted and like to cook the impressive and the extraordinary. That is my love! Do you know that I have never made a casserole but maybe 3 times in my entire life. I am not fond of eating leftovers, I would rather ditch them. HOWEVER!!!!I have lived in NC for almost 10 years and I my youngest is 7 yrs old. Having child number 4 really did me in, and having health issues after also. I have not made a fancy meal or dessert within that time. It all seems but a memory. I miss having the time and the desire to truly cook and get out of the pre made, frozen junk. I feel the urge of the old me beginning to surface. I think it is about time to open Martha's kitchen again. LOL

Glimpses of Heaven

Today was such a great Sunday. Everyone was in the kitchen helping and preparing for dinner. It usually does not happen this way. Usually, Mr. Incredible is the one solely in the kitchen and the children are not as reverent as I would like them to be on a Sunday. But, everyone was in the kitchen helping and pitching in together. Some were clearing the table and some were helping to prepare dinner and others were picking up the living room. It was just such a wondeful feeling of love and happiness and contentment that permeated the air. I loved it!!! We started singing the OHANA song:: We are family, Family. When we get together we are family! so, it was a fun catchy tune, for those who haven't a clue of what this song is or the feelings that it evokes, think of the Barney Song: Clean up Clean up everybody everywhere, clean up clean up everybody do their share. Happy, fun evokes people wanting to do something. Then the songs moved to church songs. WE must have sang 5 or 6 church songs until dinner was ready! The spirit was so strong that my heart was pricked and I knew that all of the chaos from earlier in the morning is worth it! for any young mom's. I was there! I remember fighting with 2 year olds to put their dress on or their church clothes on, and then sitting or not sitting in sacrament meeting and wondering WHAT IS THE REASON why I come to church, I am not getting anything out of it, if I wanted to sit out on a couch for 2 hours I would have JUST STAYED HOME! But, we did it for them. (I might of done it, because I knew I wouldn't have to suffer with 3 kids by myself and nursery just might be a good break for me, because at least I had the hour of relief society to myself (until of course, there was that DIRTY DIAPER)! (can't you bring them to their dad, was the thought screaming through my head) I AM HERE TO SAY!!! All my children can get themselves dressed and fed and sit sort of quietly in sacrament but the true most blessed blessings are spoken and shown in the home! I can't describe the feelings. I can't describe the beautiful sounds of my children and us singing with them, and singing principles and gospel truths and knowing that they believe and trust in everything that we had taught them thus far! YES, it is and was all worth it! We had sung "Put your shoulder to the wheel", Sweetheart, had asked if we could sing a different song. One she knew. LOL, and then she went to the closet and got our the Hymn book and sang along. My family likes to be with each other. They love one another. I long to be with them when we are apart, I try to create memories for them that they will remember or laugh about. I search for opportunities that we can do things together with each other. I wept today when I realize that I only have one more year of Warrior being home with us. He is then off to college and then on a mission. I worry did I do enough? Did I do my part as his mother and his teacher, will he be prepared for the world, will he be a good husband a good father? My mind hurdled with these questions and then the spirit whispers and calms my troubled soul with peace. Yes. I still have a long way to go. Family home evenings and scripture study and family prayers need to be the constant in our home. We are good with family prayers but I have slacked with the others. We are not consistent. In order to partake of the promise, these things need to be a steady constant in our home.

A Fine Young Man

He stands just shy of 6ft and 235lbs of muscle.Warrior, He was voted all conference his junior year with 102 tackles as a defensive lineman, 2nd only to his middle linebacker. He is a warrior on the field and is my stripling warrior!

Life is going by all too quickly and I feel myself longing for yester year. Oh my goodness, I just cant be happy. When I was a young mother of four, I found myself wishing and daydreaming for the day that the children would be independent and self sufficient and then when the day finally arrived. When my youngest started school. I found myself going CRAZY and trapped between four pristine very clean walls of absolute silence!! After two weeks of that I couldn't take it anymore and in an email from Gretchen I found my current time filler. I work for USAirways. Now, I find myself wishing for those days of 4 children under foot and only having to cart Warrior around. He is going to be a SENIOR next year! A senior. My heart aches already! It seems to be that magic number when they turn 12 that their lives just move at lightning speed. He is 16. When he turned 16, not but 2 wks later was he asked by a church member to take her to prom. Talk about a huge first date. LOL! He has always been a really good boy. I have always been proud of him and still am. I'm sure you couldnt tell? He wakes every morning on his own for seminary. Waking at 5:30 in the morning going to seminary and not arriving home until around 6pm because of football practice. He keeps all honor classes and carries a high GPA. YOu know the proud mommy I am, that if I knew his GPA it would be written. ::sad but true:: Anyway, what Junior takes Calculus?? I know I had to take algebra two years in a row! ::hangs head in shame:: His goal is to go to BYU and he would love to play college football. He plays defensive end but has been playing on the line and even middle linebacker. He stands a true 6feet and weighs about 220 pounds. Despite his teams poor record, Warrior is in the newspaper weekly being second on his team to most tackles. The position that he plays he shouldnt be second in tackles. His coach told the team that if everyone played as hard as he did we would be a winning team. He took the lunch box in his last game. The lunch box is a box that the Coach gives to the player that he feels worked the hardest and played his best. Spencer's goal is to keep the lunch box. His hours are long but he said that he feels strengthened by seminary. He is not perfect and he has inherited his fathers quality of being a great aggravator to his siblings. I know it is his way of showing his love and affection for them. ::keeps head buried deeply in sand::
Warrior still hugs and kisses me if I drop him off at school. He loves on me at church and always. I have the great pleasure of being his Sunday School teacher and Mr. Incredible gets to be his quorum advisor along with the other young men in our ward. The kids at church joke that they get the Solomon Special every Sunday.

My most favorite thing about Warrior is when he walks into the house every day, He will SCREAM:: Mama, Mama, where are you?? and he will search me out until he finds me. He then asks?? Did you miss me? and if I dont answer him or choose to ignore him, he will keep asking and keep poking me until I answer and then he asks Do you love me?? I always reply,"yes, Warrior, I missed you, and I love you"
and then he gives me this huge hug that just whispers to my soul that we did something right. I love that little stinker! I would have never guessed that that little 3lb 10oz boy would grow into such a "fine young man"! My only complaint is Warrior will not cut his hair. He says it is his heritage. Actually, he is afraid to have it cut because the last time he was suppose to have it trimmed and it was buzzed completely off. After the season, it WILL BE TRIMMED!