Mikayla and Guy Go Away

Today, Mikayla and Guy left for an eight day trip to Hawaii.  They have left me in charge of the three "big" kids.  The twins have gone to stay with Guy's parents, but Brick, Cora, and Kal will be under my care for the next eight days.  Kent, Brandt, and Blythe are all super good to help, and my mom will be actively involved, too, but it's going to be a thing.  We are going to sleep at their house, so that the nighttime routine remains the same, but they'll be at our house for most of the week otherwise.  The dog is with us, too.  I'm cautiously optimist that we'll be fine, but I could be completely deluded in thinking it will all go smoothly.  We'll see what the week brings.

Growth

It's been a year since we measured the children.  We keep track on a wall by the loo, periodically marking off their height.  Last time we measured was September 16, 2018.  We have known that the children were growing, we can almost see them sprouting upward as we watch, but because we hadn't measured, we didn't know exactly how much they had grown.  Turns out, Brandt has grown five inches, and Blythe four.  FIVE INCHES!! FOUR INCHES!! It's absolutely amazing.  We couldn't believe it.  Well, we could, but it's still amazing.  Neither of them are finished yet, so here's to further growth.

Foods Assignment

Brandt has a foods class this semester.  He is really liking it.  He regularly tells me how to properly hold a knife, how to measure liquids versus dry ingredients, and what tasty things we should be making.  Each term he must make something he's never made before, using a recipe he is unfamiliar with.  Today he made dinner.  He made french dip sandwiches in the crock pot, and then assembled them for us when they were done.  He did a fine job following the recipe, and the sandwiches were delicious.  I'm glad he is enjoying his class so much.

Finished product

The Lord Speaks to Me

I have been trying more diligently to hear the Lord's voice speaking to me.  He speaks to me, but I don't always listen or create an atmosphere where I can hear with my ears and understand with my heart.  When I allow myself to be quiet, give myself time to study, and set aside the secular to-dos, the Lord is there, ready and willing to communicate with me.  He's always there, but I'm not always available.

This morning, during my scripture study, He spoke to me.  His message?  Repent.  I'm in the early chapter in Alma, and in chapter five, Alma is preaching to those in Zarahemla.  Alma reminds those in Zarahemla of his father and his belief in Abinadi's words, the conversion of a group who listened to Alma's words and their baptism in the waters of Mormon.  He says, "A mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.  And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved." (v13)

Alma then asks the people lots of questions about their actions, choices, attitudes, and treatment of others.  They are spiritually probing questions that should prompt spiritual reflection and change.  That's what repentance is really; spiritual reflection and change.  I taught Relief Society last Sunday, and I taught from President Nelson's talk in the priesthood session of April's General Conference, and from President Oak's talk in the same conference, but Sunday morning.  President Nelson, like Alma, wants us to be more like Christ.  He said,

When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!

I want to be more like Jesus Christ.  I've had very harsh feelings of late, lots of anger and frustration and hurt that I know are not feelings conducive to receiving inspiration and direction from the spirit.  I have tried to be forgiving and have charity in my heart of all men, but I've fallen well short of the mark.  In chapter five, Alma tells the people to repent multiple times.

  32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!

 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

 49 And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.

 50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.

 51 And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven.

 62 I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.

Repentance is a wonderful blessing, and I am going to accept the Lord's invitation and admonition to repent.  Repentance needs to be a daily part of my life, and I am going to be better at this.  President Nelson said, "Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God. Our repentance—our purity—will empower us to."  I want the purity and power that comes from repentance, because I want to be empowered with the Spirit of the Lord.  I want to be an instrument in God's hands, a faithful servant upon whom the Lord can rely to do his work with faithfulness and diligence.  I want to be free of pride and fear and anger so I can be filled with compassion, faith, and charity.  I want those who interact with me every day to see the Savior reflected in my countenance and know that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I want to be good and be able to stand before God with clean hands and a pure heart.  As President Nelson invited, I'm going to do better and be better.

Fun Run (a last)

Today was another last for our family.  Today Blythe participated in her last "Not So" Fun Run.  I can't believe how fast all of these lasts are coming as the kids grow.  Blythe is never thrilled to be participating in the Fun Run.  She likes running about as much as I do.  But she did it anyway, running with Mrs. Duncan, her favorite teacher ever.  I'm certainly glad that Blythe is healthy and active.  Brick participated, too, and actually was faster than Blythe.  I didn't stay to see where Blythe placed, but she doesn't care about that, and neither do I.

Blythe is pretty much the tallest kid in this picture, towards the back, near the middle.  

She's not running.

Look at Brick's cute face!

He's smiling, he's happy to be out, he's waving to cheerfully.

The kid next to him, however, was giving me stank face.

I didn't want stank face ruining the picture, so I colored over him.

Is that super mean?

Nearing the finish

I didn't stay for the end, so there's no finish line picture.

The Hang-Around

Mikayla and her kids came over to hang out today.  While going from her house to my house isn't that big of a difference, it is a change, and change is good.  Chaos, on the other hand, is less good.  I had to take a couple of pictures of how the mess the children make spreads and grows and seems to multiply. 

In the midst of all the messy activity, I realized it had been a bit since I had seen Kal.  I called to him and looked all over, then came upon the window open and the screen gone.  Kal had escaped through the window!  He'd pushed the screen out and climbed out, then was wandering around the cul-de-sac unattended and unsupervised.  Little sneak!  Fortunately he was fine, but we're clearly going to have to be a bit more vigilant if I'm leaving the window ajar at all.

The Temple

Kent and I went to the temple this morning. It's been a rough week, and I was glad to have had the eternal perspective the temple brings. Challenges come and go, but God is constant and loving and aware of us always.  We can get through this with Him by our side.

Teeths

We went to the dentist today.

Katherine: clean teeth; no cavities

Blythe: clean teeth; no cavities

Brandt: clean teeth; one small cavity fixed while we were there

WE Get the Scoop

I saw this flyer in the hallway at Rock Canyon, and wondered what it was all about.  CTE is Career and Technical Education, and the school district, in conjunction with MTech and UVU, was hosting an evening of exploration of lots of different areas of CTE.  There was information about health sciences, engineering, agriculture, family and consumer sciences.  All over Provo High, there were fun, hands-on activities that taught the kids about various career opportunities in the future.  We pitched a new invention to an investor, we ate tasty treats at the UVU culinary arts department, we saw silk screening, and checked out cars and motorcycles in the auto shop.  The activity was from 5:00-8:00, and we didn't get there until close to 7:00.  We were too late.  There was enough for us to do the whole three hours, and next year, should they do it again, we'll go for the whole time.  There were lots of places we wanted to visit and didn't have time for, and we were late enough that they ran out of ice cream.  The kids got a t-shirt, a bunch of swag, and all the tasty treats.  I took them for ice cream, too, on the way home, since we'd missed it.  It was a great activity!

Our Last Primary Program

Today Blythe sang in what was the last Primary Program for our family.  In January, she will enter Young Women, and our Primary experience will be over.  I love the spirit that comes from the children as they sing and bear testimony, and this year was no different.  Blythe did a fine job on her part, and with these lovely girls pictured below, sang a special number.  I'm sad it will be the last Primary program our children participate in, and am glad for the gospel education they have received as they have been in Primary.

This is Blythe's part: This year as we have learned about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. As we have taken a deeper approach to scripture study these familiar stories have sunk deeper into our hearts. Even the littlest of sunbeam hearts. These are our favorite stories, and our testimonies. Small as seeds they may be, but they have taken root in our hearts and are ready to grow.

 

Lizzie Jensen, Shaylee Elder, Blythe, Ellen Mason, Taylor Crisler, Elizabeth Stovall

Perhaps I should have titled this post, "Sunday Activities."  This afternoon we went to my mom's house for a birthday dinner.  Yesterday was Bryan's birthday, and tomorrow is Grandma Sue, Griffin, and Crew's birthdays.  We gathered for dinner and treats to celebrate.  It was a lovely afternoon, it was fun to be with cousins, and it was a delicious dinner.  

Soccer Ends

While I was biking this morning, Blythe was finishing up her soccer season, and maybe her last soccer season ever.  While she has played well, she hasn't felt super comfortable on her team as she didn't know anyone, and I'm not sure I'll be able to convince her to continue.  That said, I'm pleased that she has played, that she has improved, and that she's stuck with it for several years and especially through this season.  We like watching her be active and aggressive on the field.

Teammates

The only names Blythe can remember are Alyssa (in the Picachu hat), Rachel next to her in the glasses.  Rachel was Blythe's fellow defender.  Together, they formed "The Wall."

Alexis is squatting down in the goalie gloves.  Though tiny, she was a fierce goalie.

The other four, we can't remember their names.

Goldilocks 2019

Today I rode Goldilocks with Eva Fisher.  Like Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks in an all women, non-competitive ride, just for fun.  I like it because it starts in Provo, so I don't have to stay overnight anywhere, and I'm familiar with the roads and route.  Eva has been biking much, in fact hardly at all since we did Little Red in June, so we opted to do only 40 miles.  It was very chilly today, so 40 miles was plenty.  We rode out to Lincoln Beach and back, had lunch at the end, and still had time in the day to do other things.  I love biking with Eva, we talk and talk and talk, and since she has moved, it's nice to get a thorough catch-up on what each other is doing.  It never really warmed up, but the sun did come out, and it was a pleasant ride.  Here's to friendship and biking!

Soccer Observation

We went to watch small people play soccer today.  I wanted to take pictures of Mila and Vica for the family photobook, and Cora was playing, too.  Adjoining fields meant easy photo capture.  I had been to take pictures of Brick and Donovan a couple of days ago, also for the photobook.  I've decided we need to be sneaky to get Bryan's kids in the book.  It was a lovely evening, and I hung around with Kal who had a "shoot me" he was carrying around shooting people with.  He's so cute, he can't possibly be threatening. 

Mikayla has coached both Brick and Cora's teams.

Cora is saying, "Aghhh," as though soccer is the worst thing ever.

Brandt and Brick were also carrying around "shoot me"s.

Covering himself with grass

Bobby Darin Hair

Brandt came downstairs this morning and announced, "I've got Bobby Darin hair."

This is amusing on several levels.  First off, the fact that Brandt even knows who Bobby Darin is when he died in 1973, when I was only three, is funny.  Second, that Brandt knows enough about Bobby Darin to know that he wore his hair slicked back a bit puffy at the front, is also funny.  And then that he would think to comb his hair like that is even funnier. 

But he looks goooooood!