Well, VP is engaged! Of course being who I am I don't have a picture of them from their weekend here. I do have one of the ring - and I think the FB pictures I have seen so far are not very flattering. I may be able to find one to add later.
Anyway, of course the response I am getting from EVERYONE is "WOW, that's fast". and Yes it is - that is undeniable. There are 2 different Wow that's fast reasons that I am hearing, both of which have been made clear to me lately from many different loved ones who have concerns for our dear daughter.
#1 is that they are both so young, and still have so much school in front of them. Well, yes, VP will be just a few months past her 19th birthday when the big day happens. But, she does have 2+ years behind her in college credits thanks to the running-start program she did in high school. He has 3 semesters left, so is just ahead of her by a semester or 2. KZ is almost 24, so he can't have that "too young" label attached to him. He is a hard worker and is a great student so will be able to present himself with good credentials upon graduation.
#2 is that they are both so young, and everything is moving so fast. Well, yes, this is true too. VP has tended to act on things by impulse in the past and sometimes followed through, and other times petered out in her enthusiasm.(where did the phrase "petered-out" come from?) But she really thought this out, struggled with it and has had some unmistakable feelings as to this being 'right' for her. Answers come at different speeds, this one came quickly. She was actually a little perturbed by the fact that she met him so early on in the semester and they moved quickly into this part of their relationship. She didn't want to be that typical BYU engaged couple. I think she wanted a little more original story to relate when asked "how did you meet?". Well, we can be reassured that they will be spending the whole summer apart as KZ is working in another state and she will be at home. They will be able to actually get to know each other via communication rather than spending time being together. I am surprisingly calm about the whole thing which is a definate blessing that I am not freaking out about it. Also, being raised with and having the conviction that physical intimacy is for after marriage, we do tend to have shorter engagements than other people.
SO, of course we all have our concerns and nothing is guaranteed. As I said earlier, I do feel calm. I feel that they aren't doing this just to be engaged or because they think life will be rosey and lovely after they are married. I am sure they have seen enough of family struggles to realize that they will have some of their own and will work on them together. They are both come from good families. They are both good students and have goals to finish their schooling and then have plans for graduate schools also. I have seen VP happy and excited about things in the past, but she seemed really glowing and genuinely happy this last weekend. That has been the biggest comfort to me. We keep being asked "so what do you think of him?". That is hard to answer when we spent a total of maybe 6 hours alone with the 2 of them and another 4 with his family here. Our best gauge was how they seemed together. We will learn more the more we get to know him and see him and her together. Our family is growing and we are excited about that!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Recognizing the Spirit
I have been contemplating this a bit lately. I have a really hard time knowing if I am being prompted by the Spirit. I know that anything good I think to do is not an evil prompting. But most of the time (really, most of the time) when I follow a thought to, lets say visit someone or call them that person isn't home or doesn't answer the phone. So, when I get a thought the next time and I am on my way doing something else, I will think it is just myself and wandering thoughts. I never get a strong thought to do something specific. It is usually just a thought of that person "I wonder how they are doing" or I just passed their house and think of them. I have - VERY rarely - responded to promptings that were unmistakably from the Spirit and those have been of benefit to that person. I guess maybe I just need to realize that I need a kick in the pants type of prompting and only to help avoid a crisis.
Anyway, another thought along these lines - I was reading last night in 2 Nephi 17. Verse 15 "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good." This is Nephi quoting Isaiah regarding the Messiah. This is how I interpreted this verse for my contemplations about the spirit lately. This is in regards to raising children. I am not trying to judge people who have their children in day-care or preschools. I have felt very blessed to have been able to be home with my children and as much as I may go stir-crazy have been very reassured that it has been important for me to be home with them. These are my thoughts to that idea.
In raising children, the more they are exposed to goodness and light the more they will recognize the absence of that light later in life. They do not need to be exposed to darkness early in their life to help them handle it as adults. This verse means that Christ would be raised with simple and good things (butter and honey being a symbol of God's blessings and outpouring of His spirit - ie: land of milk and honey, etc). If goodness is all they know as children they will be prepared to run away from evil when exposed to it out of necessity when they go out in the world. If they are exposed to it "for their good, to help them better relate to their peers" or to "not feel out of the loop" or to "give them a headstart academically and socially". Then evil will just be an accepted form of life rather than an abhorrence to keep at a distance.
So, in being a stay-at-home-mom, I should be aware of the ways I expose my children to the promptings of the Spirit. Creating for them experiences where the spirit is welcome and witnessing to them. Teaching them the Gospel and forging the armor of God that will fit them snugly and protectively when they do go out into the world. They will learn social skills, academic strategies and networking skills all in good time. These early years are necessary for them to learn things of the spirit, love and kindness.
Anyway, another thought along these lines - I was reading last night in 2 Nephi 17. Verse 15 "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good." This is Nephi quoting Isaiah regarding the Messiah. This is how I interpreted this verse for my contemplations about the spirit lately. This is in regards to raising children. I am not trying to judge people who have their children in day-care or preschools. I have felt very blessed to have been able to be home with my children and as much as I may go stir-crazy have been very reassured that it has been important for me to be home with them. These are my thoughts to that idea.
In raising children, the more they are exposed to goodness and light the more they will recognize the absence of that light later in life. They do not need to be exposed to darkness early in their life to help them handle it as adults. This verse means that Christ would be raised with simple and good things (butter and honey being a symbol of God's blessings and outpouring of His spirit - ie: land of milk and honey, etc). If goodness is all they know as children they will be prepared to run away from evil when exposed to it out of necessity when they go out in the world. If they are exposed to it "for their good, to help them better relate to their peers" or to "not feel out of the loop" or to "give them a headstart academically and socially". Then evil will just be an accepted form of life rather than an abhorrence to keep at a distance.
So, in being a stay-at-home-mom, I should be aware of the ways I expose my children to the promptings of the Spirit. Creating for them experiences where the spirit is welcome and witnessing to them. Teaching them the Gospel and forging the armor of God that will fit them snugly and protectively when they do go out into the world. They will learn social skills, academic strategies and networking skills all in good time. These early years are necessary for them to learn things of the spirit, love and kindness.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Summer thoughts
So, it's been a LONG time since I have sat down here and just written - I probably won't have much to add as I don't have a lot of time. JS is being such a GREAT dad - which comes naturally to him. I was sick yesterday and Friday he had been home all day. Both days he just took the girls (AR & NG) out to have a great time and enjoy the weather.
I have just updated my other blog with pictures and things from CM's wedding which was 2 1/2 weeks ago. Pretty much our whole summer was geared towards that one day. And all I had to do was put on a luncheon for after the temple. Only thing was we first figured there would be maybe 60 people. But it ended up that there were 80+, so I planned for 100. It was a lot of fun, but poor AR heard too many times "we'll do that after the wedding". Thankfully it has been not very great weather so there were plenty of "rainy day" excuses. I did find that planning and re-planning and double-planning were what helped me be stress free that day. That and of course wonderful people who came and helped with last minute things (cutting tomatoes and putting out cheese, etc) while I was needed for picture time.
So along with all that - we were going to move 10 days before the wedding. I thought that it would be no problem as I do most of my packing long ahead of time (meaning that we have stuff that we really can live without on a daily basis). Well, I did all that early packing only to have to open each box at least one time for some wedding thing (pictures, sewing stuff, etc). It turned out a week before our scheduled move - which was down the street 4 houses into a friends house who moved out of the country. Well a week before we were going to move our current landlord says in passing that he was coming to check out the house to see what needed to be done so he could rent it out again. (our lease stated that we could not extend it as they would be using it as a 2nd house). Well, things worked out for the best and our friends found renters immediately and we stayed here without having to move. It was an answer to our prayers at the time as the move was going to be bad timing as well as helping us to stay here for other reasons.
Lately I have been trying to really rely on the spirit and not focus so much on my worries and concerns but to hand them over to the Lord. I really don't know how this works - but my scripture reading has been those that tell us to trust in the Lord and to cast our burdens at His feet. If anyone has suggestions or examples as to how this has worked for them - I am open to help. I know it works, I just need to have more faith.
Our son CM was just recently married to MA in the Seattle Temple. They are 21 and 19 1/2. People have commented on how young they are and do they know what they are getting into. Well, I have had that on my mind a lot, too. Do any of us really know what we are getting into whether it's marriage, college, mission or any new adventure? JS and I were a little older than they, but watching their courtship I know they are on strong footing (maybe even stronger than ours was 23 years ago) for having a great start. It is also fun to compare them with my parents who are celebrating 50 years this month. There is no guarantee, but if we daily work on whatever relationships we have, they are sure to be strengthened and blessed as we do everything we can for others (be they spouse, family member or acquaintance)
Well, this is a jumble of thoughts and as I said I don't have lots of time, plus my wrist will hurt for a few days if I type for too long - I need something called "dragon" or the like that my mom has - it transposes your spoken word into written word! pretty amazing stuff.
I have just updated my other blog with pictures and things from CM's wedding which was 2 1/2 weeks ago. Pretty much our whole summer was geared towards that one day. And all I had to do was put on a luncheon for after the temple. Only thing was we first figured there would be maybe 60 people. But it ended up that there were 80+, so I planned for 100. It was a lot of fun, but poor AR heard too many times "we'll do that after the wedding". Thankfully it has been not very great weather so there were plenty of "rainy day" excuses. I did find that planning and re-planning and double-planning were what helped me be stress free that day. That and of course wonderful people who came and helped with last minute things (cutting tomatoes and putting out cheese, etc) while I was needed for picture time.
So along with all that - we were going to move 10 days before the wedding. I thought that it would be no problem as I do most of my packing long ahead of time (meaning that we have stuff that we really can live without on a daily basis). Well, I did all that early packing only to have to open each box at least one time for some wedding thing (pictures, sewing stuff, etc). It turned out a week before our scheduled move - which was down the street 4 houses into a friends house who moved out of the country. Well a week before we were going to move our current landlord says in passing that he was coming to check out the house to see what needed to be done so he could rent it out again. (our lease stated that we could not extend it as they would be using it as a 2nd house). Well, things worked out for the best and our friends found renters immediately and we stayed here without having to move. It was an answer to our prayers at the time as the move was going to be bad timing as well as helping us to stay here for other reasons.
Lately I have been trying to really rely on the spirit and not focus so much on my worries and concerns but to hand them over to the Lord. I really don't know how this works - but my scripture reading has been those that tell us to trust in the Lord and to cast our burdens at His feet. If anyone has suggestions or examples as to how this has worked for them - I am open to help. I know it works, I just need to have more faith.
Our son CM was just recently married to MA in the Seattle Temple. They are 21 and 19 1/2. People have commented on how young they are and do they know what they are getting into. Well, I have had that on my mind a lot, too. Do any of us really know what we are getting into whether it's marriage, college, mission or any new adventure? JS and I were a little older than they, but watching their courtship I know they are on strong footing (maybe even stronger than ours was 23 years ago) for having a great start. It is also fun to compare them with my parents who are celebrating 50 years this month. There is no guarantee, but if we daily work on whatever relationships we have, they are sure to be strengthened and blessed as we do everything we can for others (be they spouse, family member or acquaintance)
Well, this is a jumble of thoughts and as I said I don't have lots of time, plus my wrist will hurt for a few days if I type for too long - I need something called "dragon" or the like that my mom has - it transposes your spoken word into written word! pretty amazing stuff.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
taking a minute
OK, so I really don't have any time. Especially since NG has begun to not be left alone. She has always played alone really really well - but lately, she has changed that to entertaining herself really really well. Meaning, she gets into things - or out of things (like all her clothing). If she can't reach it, she gets a chair - so putting things "up" doesn't solve the problem! The only hinderance at this point is doorknobs. But since she shuts doors behind her (going in or out of a room) then I am actually teaching her to open them (dumb, I know) But she'll figure it out soon enough and this way, I don't have to run upstairs to rescue her when she shuts herself into a room. That being said, at least our bathroom has a lock (bedroom, too) but I'm sure it won't be long before she figures out how to use the bobbypin to pick it. She's seen me do it enough and thanks to VP, there are multitudes of bobbypins to be had anywhere you look.
Well, I said I don't have time, and I think I've just used up what I did have. I have a lot of thoughts that I want to write about, but just don't take the little time that I do have to sit here and write.
Well, I said I don't have time, and I think I've just used up what I did have. I have a lot of thoughts that I want to write about, but just don't take the little time that I do have to sit here and write.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
just wondering?
why is it when we work so hard at giving the best to our children they throw the worst back at us? Just wondering? By the best, I mean - trying to teach them to be the best at what they do, chosing the best, being kind, cheerful and helpful? And the worst - if they mess up it's our fault - if they have an undesirable trait it's been passed to them from our gene-pool. Sorry, just had to throw that out there - my mood has passed and everything is cheery again.
March 2011
Today is Fast Sunday - One young man (I almost wrote little boy because I remember him as a little boy) bore his testimony. He just turned 12 and was ordained to be a deacon. He said "my mom said this morning 'It's Fast Sunday' and my first thought was 'Oh, good, I get to bear my testimony' instead of 'Oh, drat, I can't eat anything until lunch'." I haven't been on here at all lately because our son CM just came home from his 2-year mission for our church. He served in the New Hampshire Manchester mission and spent time in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Whenever I would tell people about him serving a mission - then answering the question "oh, Where did he go" - I would wonder what their thoughts were about that. One lady last month told me of her daughter who went on a 2 week mission to Venezula and how much she learned and grew to appreciate the prosperity her family had. I think that is what most people think of when they hear the word mission - humanitarian aid missions. Well, our son served for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. In fact, today in Sunday School, we had a lesson about missionary work. The Lord's church has always been a missionary or procelyting church. But what is procelyting? Well, that is just what CM has been doing for 2 years now. It is teaching people about Jesus Christ and the gospel which He taught when He lived on the earth. When a person is truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they change their life to be a follower of Jesus - and go about doing good as He did. That is one way in which the world can be changed for good. When we are true Christians, we reach out and help others, we are happy and we look for ways to improve the world around us. People everywhere are in need of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they live in a country which is a Christian country or they have never even heard of Jesus Christ. I have made a goal to make myself a better Christian everyday in some way. Mostly it is in my relationship with my family, but also in the impression I leave on other people I meet - whether it is a conversation with the baglady at the grocery store or a nod as I pass someone walking on the street. I love the commercial (I think it is for an insurance company), where someone does something nice for another person - and it is actually someone else observing the act who then turns around to do a kind act for someone who has a need. Well, my thoughts are all jumbled. I can give the excuse of it being fast sunday - In our church we have one sunday every month where we fast - or go without food for 24 hours or 2 meals. We donate the money we would have used on groceries to a fund which is used for helping people in need. Sometimes it is hard for me to concentrate when my tummy is grumbling and my body is feeling faint - but as I try to teach my children - that is when you need to pray for strength to make it until our meal. I am at that point right now - so I'd better sign off. have a great week!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Introduction
Well, I guess I should maybe introduce myself a little bit. Even if you think you know me well, you just might learn something new here..... we shall see.
I am 46 years old. I was raised by goodly parents and if you recognize that description then you have at least read the first verse in the Book Of Mormon! If you don't recognize the verse then I highly recommend the book!
I have one sister who is 2 1/2 years my senior. She matured way quicker than I and so we were probably more like 4 years apart in interests and hobbies - hers being boys (both interests and hobbies), mine being stuffed animals, riding bikes, playing games, playing cowboys & indians, searching for treasure in the school playground stumps and hunting snakes. I know it sounds like I had a much better childhood than my sister, but that is just the way it worked out - she read books and 17 magazine and I played with my good friends; JK, PS & KH. I had a dream of a childhood - we lived on the same street as the elementary school. JK lived just a few houses up the street, PS about a mile away through the school grounds and KH - I had to go through the 4H club and across a major road (it had a light and crosswalk) to get to her house. We spent most of the time at the school playground. Even when I went to KH's house, I don't think I had to clear it with my mom, just told her where I'd be and that was okay. We knew to come home when we heard my dad whistle for us.
We moved away from paradise in my 6th grade year. I had 2 miserable months at a new school then started junior high knowing pretty much no-one. But I made a couple good friends and was in the band and choir. I switched to a different High School (where my dad taught), so I didn't know too many people at the new school - except those from my ward. I met a cute boy - DT- at an activity right before my 14th birthday and we were on and off boyfriend/girlfriend for the next almost 2 years. I also met my best friend SH in marching band. We spent most of our free time together doing fun stuff with other youth from church. I never did swim in her pool - but probably because it was never cleaned out or heated so it wasn't any different than swimming in a local pond. I ended up working for her dad who was a veterinarian all through high school. I would go to seminary (everyday for 4 years!), go back home to eat breakfast, pick up my dad, go to school, go to work, pick up my dad, go home for dinner. I drove his Datsun (forerunner of the Nissan), red truck until my grandparents gave me their VW bug in my senior year. They had purchased it in Germany the year I was born.
I was blessed to know all 4 of my grandparents. My dad's parents lived in SoCal, and we would visit them almost every summer. Grandpa passed away in 1983 right before I started my freshman year at BYU. Grandma passed away about 10 years later (I'll have to check that). My mother's parents lived down the street from us when we moved in my 6th grade year (it was only a few miles before that). Grandmother passed away in 1983 the day after I got home from my first semester at college. Grandfather passed away just 7 years ago, right before his 99th birthday.
I was on the hunt at college to find a husband. I didn't really have the desire to further my education, but I ended up going there for 2 1/2 years before deciding to serve a mission for my church. I had always said there was NO way I would go on a mission, but I felt strongly that I did want to go right before my 21st birthday. I was called and went to Sweden. I loved every minute, even the times that we were called the children of the devil and the winter I slipped and fell almost 10 times a day.
I got back, worked through a semester and then went again for one more semester. That summer, on the 4th of July, my sister and a friend set up a bbq/fireworks party with some friends and invited me and my parents. Well, the friend had a brother, and the brother and I talked a little. This brother - JS - called me the next day to ask me out on a date and that is a whole other story. But we were engaged 2 months later and married 2 months after that. I wouldn't recommend that short of an acquaintance for most people, but it has worked for us. We discussed having 6 children - I wanted all boys and I wanted them before I was 35. Since I was almost 24 when we got married, we had 11 years to make it happen. Well - that was not in Heavenly Father's plans. CM was born 1 yr. 3 mos after we got married, VP - 3 years 3 mos after that. Then nothing...... until 11 years 3 mos our little AR surprised us. We thought it was the end, but NG came 4 years 3 mos after. We are so blessed with each of our children and we have learned so much from each other. We are glad to be a family of 6. CM left on a mission 2 years ago and will return in 3 days. VP will be leaving us for BYU-I in January, so if CM sticks around until then, we will have a full-house which we are not accustomed to, but will enjoy.
I am 46 years old. I was raised by goodly parents and if you recognize that description then you have at least read the first verse in the Book Of Mormon! If you don't recognize the verse then I highly recommend the book!
I have one sister who is 2 1/2 years my senior. She matured way quicker than I and so we were probably more like 4 years apart in interests and hobbies - hers being boys (both interests and hobbies), mine being stuffed animals, riding bikes, playing games, playing cowboys & indians, searching for treasure in the school playground stumps and hunting snakes. I know it sounds like I had a much better childhood than my sister, but that is just the way it worked out - she read books and 17 magazine and I played with my good friends; JK, PS & KH. I had a dream of a childhood - we lived on the same street as the elementary school. JK lived just a few houses up the street, PS about a mile away through the school grounds and KH - I had to go through the 4H club and across a major road (it had a light and crosswalk) to get to her house. We spent most of the time at the school playground. Even when I went to KH's house, I don't think I had to clear it with my mom, just told her where I'd be and that was okay. We knew to come home when we heard my dad whistle for us.
We moved away from paradise in my 6th grade year. I had 2 miserable months at a new school then started junior high knowing pretty much no-one. But I made a couple good friends and was in the band and choir. I switched to a different High School (where my dad taught), so I didn't know too many people at the new school - except those from my ward. I met a cute boy - DT- at an activity right before my 14th birthday and we were on and off boyfriend/girlfriend for the next almost 2 years. I also met my best friend SH in marching band. We spent most of our free time together doing fun stuff with other youth from church. I never did swim in her pool - but probably because it was never cleaned out or heated so it wasn't any different than swimming in a local pond. I ended up working for her dad who was a veterinarian all through high school. I would go to seminary (everyday for 4 years!), go back home to eat breakfast, pick up my dad, go to school, go to work, pick up my dad, go home for dinner. I drove his Datsun (forerunner of the Nissan), red truck until my grandparents gave me their VW bug in my senior year. They had purchased it in Germany the year I was born.
I was blessed to know all 4 of my grandparents. My dad's parents lived in SoCal, and we would visit them almost every summer. Grandpa passed away in 1983 right before I started my freshman year at BYU. Grandma passed away about 10 years later (I'll have to check that). My mother's parents lived down the street from us when we moved in my 6th grade year (it was only a few miles before that). Grandmother passed away in 1983 the day after I got home from my first semester at college. Grandfather passed away just 7 years ago, right before his 99th birthday.
I was on the hunt at college to find a husband. I didn't really have the desire to further my education, but I ended up going there for 2 1/2 years before deciding to serve a mission for my church. I had always said there was NO way I would go on a mission, but I felt strongly that I did want to go right before my 21st birthday. I was called and went to Sweden. I loved every minute, even the times that we were called the children of the devil and the winter I slipped and fell almost 10 times a day.
I got back, worked through a semester and then went again for one more semester. That summer, on the 4th of July, my sister and a friend set up a bbq/fireworks party with some friends and invited me and my parents. Well, the friend had a brother, and the brother and I talked a little. This brother - JS - called me the next day to ask me out on a date and that is a whole other story. But we were engaged 2 months later and married 2 months after that. I wouldn't recommend that short of an acquaintance for most people, but it has worked for us. We discussed having 6 children - I wanted all boys and I wanted them before I was 35. Since I was almost 24 when we got married, we had 11 years to make it happen. Well - that was not in Heavenly Father's plans. CM was born 1 yr. 3 mos after we got married, VP - 3 years 3 mos after that. Then nothing...... until 11 years 3 mos our little AR surprised us. We thought it was the end, but NG came 4 years 3 mos after. We are so blessed with each of our children and we have learned so much from each other. We are glad to be a family of 6. CM left on a mission 2 years ago and will return in 3 days. VP will be leaving us for BYU-I in January, so if CM sticks around until then, we will have a full-house which we are not accustomed to, but will enjoy.
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