Learning from our Elders

I've had two experiences this weekend where our family was able to learn from our Elders.

Nick and I had the unique opportunity this past Sunday to speak in a small branch for Retired Seniors.  There were only about 20 people there total, but the spirit was amazing!  We brought the boys with us because we were asked to, and they were so good.  Nick and I spoke a few weeks ago in out own ward about our pioneer heritage and we were asked to give those same talks at the Branch. 

My talk was all about my Grandma who recently passed away.  I was always really close to her, but after her death I have read her life story that she transcribed to a friend of her a few years ago before Alzheimer's took her memory.  There are so many things that I never knew!  My Grandparents on my dad's side grew up in East Germany through the Depression, World War II, and the Russian Occupation afterward.  It AMAZES me the things that they had to face, but also helps me to understand why they have such strong testimonies of the gospel. 

So, I talked a lot about how special it has been for me to get to know another side of my Grandma after her death through her records. The transcription is word for word and in some parts she directly speaks to her children and grandchildren.  I love those parts, I can hear her voice saying those words to me as I read.  I love her so much and I miss her.  At the branch,  I couldn't help but look into all of those members faces and think they all must have amazing stories to tell.  I really hope that they get written down for posterity, there is so much to learn!

Nick gave a great talk about his lineage, Zina Huntington Jacobs Young.  It's always an interesting story, but afterward we heard from the President's wife that one of the Sisters that day comes from a polygamist marriage and is now in her 80's coming back to church.  I wonder what she thought about the talk?

Saturday, Nick and I went into a grocery store leaving our kids with Papa to wait in the car.  When we came out about 10 feet away from the front door we saw Simon with his trousers to his ankles relieving himself against the side of the store.  We quickly ran over, horrified, to find that all the boys had done the same thing.  The reason?  They all had to go and that just seemed like the logical thing to do.  My boys pretty much were delighted by the whole thing, but we bee-lined it right out of that parking lot.  Luckily, the store we were at was an Associated Food Store, so I guess that's what they get for firing Nick back in May?  Well, it makes me feel better to think that anyway.   


Speaking of Polygamy, have I mentioned how nice it is to have two of us women cooking together in the kitchen?  I think it is one of my favorite parts of living here with Nick's parents.  We even enlisted Nick's help on Sunday so we could have the following menu:

Grilled New york Strip Steaks (Nick grilled them perfectly!)
Greek Orzo Salad
Homebaked rolls (Rhodes bake and serve, can't really beat them)
Grilled Zuchinni
Not Yo'  Mama's Banana Pudding,  (Paula Deen Recipe, hence the name)

If that made you hungry, head on over to my food blog and see the recipes for the Orzo Salad and the Pudding.  They are easy to make and so yummy.  Here is a picture depicting how Gabe and Ian felt about dessert.  Great picture there, going in the family records!

Listen

So there I was, shopping at Costco, when I saw Ellen Switzer who is the author of a blog I follow. A very cool, clever, and creative blog.   Has that ever happened to you?  Well, for me it was kind of like seeing a celebrity.  As a reader, you feel like you get to know this person, this blog author through their writing.  Especially when they can write well as Ellen does.    The blog author in turn,  knows nothing about you as a reader other than what you have contributed via comments or by following their blog.  You could remain anonymous if you wish, many people do. 

Back to the story, I saw Ellen at Costco.  Walked right past her!  The thought occurred to me to "hi" and tell her that I love her blog and think she's the bee's knees but I thought it would be silly and she would think I was a weirdo.  I  talked myself out of that one, and didn't say anything.  I immediately regretted it, so much in fact that I actually jogged to the rest of my groceries while keeping my eye on which way she was headed.  (Yes, I kind of did stalk Ellen.  Ellen if you are reading this, I am sorry.  I am a weirdo after all.)  I headed to the same check stand she was in just in time to go over and say Hi.  She was sooo nice!  Her face lit up when I told her I read her blog and then she explained that she has just been too tired from her new job to create anything new to post about.  I told her I understood and that I quit teaching when I had kids because I just didn't have enough to give of myself.   I said that one day I would love to have her make all of my clothes and I really meant it! (Ellen is a genius, do yourself a favor and look at all her blog archives and then follow her blog.  She is just so talented and I love her philosophy on clothing your actual body rather than what you you wish your body was or what the world thinks your body should be!)

What I wish I would have said to Ellen if we'd had more time to talk is:  Keep working hard, you just never know when the things you are learning will change your life someday.  I know how it feels to be working at a job you don't really enjoy, or that just works you to the bone.  Keep at it though, life is not passing you by and sometimes you just have to pay the bills. (Did I mention that even though I don't teach I still work and I always have?  But, I've been lucky enough to make money doing things that give me time and energy to still be a mom to my boys)  Make sure you take time for your family and for yourself, but remember to forgive yourself if you put your dream on a the long-term goal shelf.  Just don't forget to take it down once in a while. On the other hand, stay prayerful and there will be a time when you will know it is right to focus on your dream.   When that time comes don't give up for anything!  Knock on every door and ask for help.  You would be amazed at the amount of good people  in the world who want to help deserving people such as yourself.  Plus, when it's right then it's going to work out.  That is just the gospel truth.

So, today I am glad that I listened to that thought.  I know that it wasn't my own thought because mine tend to be sort of muddled and usually revolve around food.  It is my life's goal to listen to those thoughts that come from a higher source and I am learning that is is usually if not always the first original thing that comes into my mind when I am doing what I should be doing in life.  If I stew over things, then I usually let my brain take over and convince myself of something else.  Those first quiet thoughts or feelings are golden and they make people feel good, including me!

Simple Gifts.

I've been really busy lately. 

Mostly because I am running a business, working at a part-time job, and just for kicks I am teaching music classes this summer.  Plus there's those mommy things that we do. 

Also, I have this weird problem that I over-schedule myself and my kids.  Always.  I really hate it about myself, in fact I would even say that I loathe it about myself.  It is really hard for me to "waste-time", that's what down time feels like to me.  It's really hard for me to do nothing, and I force my kids most of the time to follow in my crazy chicken-with-a-head-cut-off ways. 

Anyway, today is Friday.  I finished all of my tax stuff for work, got pay-roll finished for the business, and had no classes scheduled to teach today.  So, the boys and I decided that we would visit the Discover Gateway museum with the pass that Shelly gave us.  (Thank you Shelly!)  We set about to make all the beds, tidy the rooms, dress the bodies, and brush the teeth. (I also put on some make-up for the benefit of all those whom I encounter today, your welcome).  We ate lunch and marched outside to get into the van and go to the museum.  That's when I realized that my keys were in the van, and it was locked.

The boys were dissapointed, but I think I was more dissapointed than them.  No car?  We are stuck home with nowhere to go and nothing to do until Nick get's home at 5. Oh Dear.

I actually called Nick, in a half-hearted attempt to see if he would waste 45 minutes of his day and gas to help me out.  I can't believe I actually did that in retrospect.  Luckily in our phone conversation I came to my senses and said, "we will just find something else to do". 

So, we scootered down to the south end of our neighborhood where there is a beautiful creek that runs through the property.  We took our time in that sweltering noon heat, looking at anything that caught our fancy.  There was no need to rush because we have nowhere to be and no way to get there.  We stopped at the big cottonwood trees and tried to climb them.  We stopped behind the carports to seek cover for two little boys who need to "go".  We stepped over dead worms and snails, then stopped to analyze them and think about how gross they were.  We said hello to the mailman.  When we got to the river we just sat in the cool shade and stared at the beautiful water.  We drank from the artisan well, it was so good and so cold!  It reminded me of Tuck Everlasting,it's kind of what I imagine that well looks like, all mossy and beautiful and green.  I told my boys about that book, they thought it was cool and might be true, so we all drank (Except Simon, he doesn't like the idea of being so close to the river, good on him I say).
We took pictures in posing like pirates and spies.  Then when we were finished, we walked back home.

We came in the cool house and had some ice cream,  why not?  It was delicious.  We leisurely watched Elmo's world and then read a book for naps.  I kissed my boys and tucked them in.  We took our time.  It was beautiful!

Now I had some time for myself, I've updated my blog, and I've reflected on what a gift this day way.  I am thankful that we were locked out of our car, it helped me to slow down and we all needed that at our house.  I am so glad that my Heavenly Father knows what I need and he makes sure I get it despite my best efforts to thwart it all.  Whenever I hear this song by Mindy Gledhill, I feel horrible that I am moving life along too quickly.  I am so glad that today I got to slow down!

4th of July Weekend!

Gee, I love July!  Begins with a Holiday and ends with a holiday.  What more could you ask for?  This year we partied all 4th of July weekend, beginning with the Cache Valley Cruisin' on Saturday (which meant we ate at Maddox on the way and Blue bird before we left.  Our travels usually revolve around food, don't yours?)   Then on Monday, of course the Parade followed with "Fun Days" and then my dad's birthday shebang! (Sorry, only one picture from that one, of Nick and me being all in love and stuff)  We finished off the day with a short and sweet firework display, it only lasted 15 minutes probably due to budget cuts but I think that any longer than that just becomes redundant.  Also, I just want to add that I think that the weather this year was perfect, very uncharacteristic of Utah as we actually got a rainstorm in the afternoon on the 4th of July. 

Ian was hot, Gabe discovered Michael Jackson moves, and Simon...who knows.

Love this shot because of the guy by the wheel.  And my kids are awesome.

Bumblebee! 

Parade day, hip  hip hooray! 

Ian striking a pose in his crown.

Simon showing off his new Tat.

Gabe becoming lady liberty.

Could be the best picture I have of Simon smiling. 

Proof that Nick lives, he is usually taking the picture!

The Mormon Battalion

Recently, our family traveled to California for a week long vacation.  It was great and we did a lot of fun touristy things including Disneyland.  I think that the event that we enjoyed most was when we traveled to Historic San Diego and toured the Mormon Battalion Museum.  Seriously.  The museum itself was fantastic and interactive.  Some of the highlights include when Gabe and Ian got to dress up as Mormon Battalion soldiers, complete with rifles and bayonets and panning for gold.  There was a lot of cool stuff, but most of all the story of the Battalion was compelling! 

To summarize, President Brigham Young petitioned to the US govt. for aid to help the saints head west.  Basically their prayers, and their petition to the gvmt.  was answered for a call for 500 soldiers to assist in the was with Mexico.  Men volunteered to leave their families and travel as a Battalion out west to fight, but they were promised by Brigham Young that they would never see action and that their families would be taken care of.  They didn't fight once, and their families were cared for.  Plus, they each recieved 48 dollars to purchase uniforms, which they all gave to their families and the other saints so that they could travel out west.  Basically, the Battalion financed the first group of pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley.    You can read more about this incredible piece of American and LDS history HERE and see pictures of the museum HERE. 

This trip meant a lot to me, because the Jacobs line can be traced back to Henry Jacobs who was a Battalion soldier and also the first husband of Zina Huntington Jacobs Young.  There is not a lot known about Henry, but Zina was sealed to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, while she was married to Henry and with his knowledge.  In fact, he was in the room when she and Brigham Young were sealed.  I think it is safe to say that Henry was a pretty unique and faithful individual as was Zina.   I used to think this story was weird, but I have gained a new testimony of the sacrifices that these early saints made.  I admire their faith and courage and I am proud to claim this as part of my heritage. 

Bottom line, if you get a chance to travel to San Diego then please visit this museum in old town San Diego.  It is great!

Read more about Zina HERE.

Gabriel, we love you!

There are so many reasons why I love Gabe, he is just an all around great kid.  Here are a few fun facts about my now seven year old Gabe!
1. Gabe has a great sense of humor, he delights in making other people smile and laugh!
2. Gabe is an awesome reader, he is reading on a fourth grade level and best of all he really loves it.
3. Gabe is a good brother and friend, he is always thinking of his brothers who are his best friends.  He will often save half of his treats from school and bring them home (usually crushed in his bag) to share with his brothers.  It's very sweet.
4. Gabe writes some pretty interesting stories, they usually involve aliens. 
5. Gabe loves reading the Book of Mormon.  He is always asking questions and making parallels from previous chapters we've read.
6. Gabe is a really great singer!  He has nearly perfect pitch and can memorize a song after hearing it a few times.
7. Gabe is a great at the piano, he pretends he is not but when he thinks I am not listening, he really shows his skill.
8. Gabe is very protective of his family and watches out for his brothers all of the time.
9. Gabe is a great artist and enjoys illustrating his stories.
10. Gabe is such a great son, he bring so much joy in to my life and I am so happy that I get to be his mom.
Happy 7th Birthday my Gabe!

Here's a video that I think is just awesome, starring Gabe:

Kid History - Episode 1

This video took the edge off of a really crazy day. Thanks for sharing Nick!
Episode 2 and 3 are also hilarious...

So, here is the link if you want to see the full screen version.  Sorry about that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80entLldZOg