Stay home vacation

We had big plans to go to Lake Powell.  It use to be a family tradition but things have not worked out the last few years.  We were really trying to make it work this year but financial challenges made it impossible.  We had the time scheduled, work off and so we went to plan B which meant staying home with food and lodging and still having a great time.  

We began with attending soccer games, lasagna dinner and tie dying t-shirts.  It was a lot more fun than I thought it could be.  I do recommend doing it at night in your pajamas in the garage.  Less stress and mess.

 These are our shirts.

 This little guy was THE most popular member.  We can't get enough of him.  He get a little sister in January.  We are very excited about her arrival.

 We got to spend a day at the res.  The weather was perfect, the fix on the boat worked, the bugs were minimal and the company superb.

 That night were had been invited to our home teachers for dinner.  It was delicious and a chance to eat out as a family.  I doubt they realized what a treat it was for us to eat out on our vacation.  

Off to the park to play.

That's one talented Dad.

Saturday included some housekeeping, wood cutting for the men and then a first annual kickball game.  We invited a couple of families to join us.  This is when we wore our intimidating themed shirts.  We adjusted the rules so that everyone got to kick each time they were up, cheered each other, forgot to keep score and enjoyed cookies afterward.

The VanO's

One great family together again.  We missed the Porters!

 (At this point a collage would be nice but I haven't learned how to yet so enjoy the pictures.)

Our egg shaped ball added another dimension to the game.

Technic shining through

We had a great weekend and feel so grateful for family, family time, good food, and many smiles. 

Twinkle turns old

Well she is not old enough to rent a car yet but she is old enough for a few other things that she is simply not interested in.  We celebrated Twinkle's birthday with family time, Cincinnati chili and cheesecake with strawberry or raspberry jam.

When we decided we were not going shopping for gifts the little ones got creative.  Ike made a castle with a drawbridge.  He didn't glue it together so that they could try different ways of setting it up.  Sunshine made her a cardboard boat, Doodle colored some pictures, Peter found her lost cell phone and wrapped it, Dane froze cookie dough for those busy days when you need a treat.

She was very gracious and a lot of fun.

Twinkle brought joy when she came into this world and our family.  She has continued to have a great attitude, a desire to smile, look for the bright side, be the best she can be at whatever she is doing. She is supportive, helpful, hardworking, strong in her testimony and desire to share the gospel that brings her so much joy.  If you want to learn more about her wonderful summer activities visit her blog, she has been updating.  I feel especially grateful to have her living at home again.  There is a lot more excitement, energy and enthusiasm with her here as well as peace.  I love you, Em!

More creative play as the box gets recycled one more time to make our sweet dog into a turtle.

smile

After a long day of family life we had family prayers and I was walking Doodle upstairs to bed

Doodle: "Are you happy?"
Mom:  "Yes."
Doodle: "Are you smiling?"
Mom: "Oops, I guess I forgot."

Then we both remember to smile as I tuck her in.  I don't know why we sometimes forget to tell our face that we are happy but I am grateful for the reminder to smile.  So go smile at someone and share the fun.

creating

Today has been hard.  An unexpected blow has made me feel lost, helpless, frustrated, and violated.  I feel grateful that I went to sorrow and not anger.  If we don't experience sorrow we won't learn to appreciate joy. I am also incredibly grateful for the power of prayer--the power in prayer.  After a time I was reminded of the creation.  I feel I am at the beginning of a big lesson.  Something is being created of me.  I am being required to stretch.  I'm being required to trust.  I am being required to purposely cast out doubt and fear then seek and exercise faith.

It may be strange but I am turning to the creation for direction.  I am going to start with organizing matter.  This will include the stuff that fills my home.  I will bring order to my home that it may be a house of prayer, fasting, and faith.   My current challenge has to do with what I considered mine.  I am having to let that stuff go, turn to the stuff I still have, set priorities and be a better steward.  I am having to separate the waters and decide what I need and what may bless someone else.  I am wanting to understand how to separate the light from the darkness.  I want to be able to call it what it is - the light day and the darkness night.  And when I am in the darkness as today I felt thrust into I want to take the time to let my eyes adjust so that I may see the small miracles around me still, I want to see the stars and thank my Heavenly Father.  I want to live in such a way that I might then see the glory of the moon and even the sun again.

When I am reminded of that great glory that brings light to all the world and chases away the darkness.  When I can once again celebrate the light that shines in everyone, then I believe I will be ready to receive the good seeds that may be planted in my heart, in my life and I can watch those seeds grow.  Then I can nurture and protect the good seeds that they may sprout and become trees, flowers, and more good things that can grow.

My thoughts move to then being able to care for living things (creatures. . . beings. . .  loved ones).  Once everything else is created, once I have become more of what I need to be I can better share, sustain, nurture others.  I can teach my family of the blessings that come from a loving Heavenly Father who blesses us through the Savior's atoning sacrifice with power to learn from our experiences and become new and better.  .

A natural benefit of allowing this process or actually welcoming it, is the ability to be a better help meet.  Together as husband and wife we become one in more ways, we become a force for good.  We become Godly men and women willing to stand for truth and righteousness, willing to submit to His will, willing to be molded so that we may become all that he would have us be.  I will trust God's ability to make all things work for our good.

2 centimeters makes a difference

Cross country meet the day before surgery

Tall one may end up a couple of centimeters shorter than he would have.  Years ago he broke his leg.  In the healing process the broken leg became 2 centimeters longer than the other.  We figured this out when he started having knee problems.  We started adding 1/2 inch lifts to his shoe and that seemed to solve it.  We imagined that would just be life.  We were encouraged to seek help and found Shriners Hospital for Children.  They area hospital that is run through donations, endowments, etc.  There are no federal funds.

I always wondered about those funny hats some men would wear.  Now I know they are heros.

It functions out of the goodness of people who love children and want to help where needed.    Our first appointment gave us hope of straightening our my crooked son.  The leg link differences can lead to knee, back problems throughout life.  He was knock kneed also and they are repairing that.

Our surgery day began with a gift of beautiful skies on our drive up.  We arrived at this beautiful hospital where they welcome you warmly and you can tell that they do everything they can to help children feel safe and welcome.

The surgery went well.  They worked on both legs.

The next day we were released.  For the children of the hospital there was a pinewood derby activity and then this car outside.  They revved the engine for us and told Tall One all the impressive facts that make this car so fast and cool.  (The Larry H. Miller group has donated it to be auctioned off at some big race place back east where the proceeds will go to more organizations helping children.)

 We made it home and were both very glad to be home again.  We brought out the most comfortable chair we could find and are trying to help this recovery go quickly.  He's back to school on Monday and should be back to Cross Country in 2 weeks.  Truly amazing but only one step in the process.

I am amazed and inspired when I see the fruits of people who see a need and meet that need.  Shriners has 22 hospitals where they welcome children from anywhere, no insurance required.  In fact they don't ask for money from the family at all.  If you have insurance then whatever insurance will pay is sufficient.  If you ever want to donate to a worthy cause that is truly and compassionately helping others, please think of Shriners hospitals.    I can't help but compare to our government health care system that demands our money through taxes, creates an entitlement mentality, does not worry about being wise or resourceful and is tied in the red tape of bureaucracy.

Labor day weekend

Just a quick recap to remember our fun.  Twinkle is now working at the candy shop.

The kids are getting very creative.  They are taking basic shapes and making something fun.  They have also made a butterfly habitat, forts with logs in the back yard and are fixing bikes which sometimes means salvaging pieces to make the best bike.

I became a great aunt as Kyle and Anna had a beautiful baby boy this weekend.

We went up the mountain to get firewood.  I have loved heating our home with wood.  It is warming to the body and the mind, it provides daily chivalry for my boys and a great family work  project every fall.

Some how my boys have inherited a love of the sky from me. I remember taking pictures of clouds, sunsets, etc.  Now they are catching some beautiful ones, especially in the mountains.

Tall man was the planner/instigator this family project for his scout merit badge.  Scouting has so many great assets, I just have a hard time keeping them a priority.  I sure appreciate scout leaders who keep us on track and gently nudging us along.

We filled two trailers and they are  planning on getting more.  We have enough for our family but Mr. O. likes to have plenty to share, just in case. . .

Ike is and always has been my flower/bouquet picker.  He brings me flowers.  He has done it since he was old enough to walk and at 9 he still likes to surprise me with a bouquet.  He also is my best garden harvester and he truly enjoys eating the things we grow.

Grateful

Our home school has officially started.  The fair is over.  We enjoyed the animals, the rodeo, the tractor show.  We skipped the rides this year and had some disappointed little ones but it was all fun.  The rabbits and chickens they entered did well.  Now those distractions are over, we have a schedule that is working well, and we are getting things done.  

Today, even with a late start, we got our basic skills and essentials list complete before lunch and the kids had time to create (projects, fun, relationships).  They were busy inside. I stepped outside to the back deck to read.  The Incredible Gifts of Women by B.B. Jones came recommended by a friend.  It has been light and enjoyable.  

I happen to be reading the chapter on gratitude and balance.  As I enjoyed a perfect afternoon with a few free minutes to read outdoors I feel very grateful for the happy voices spilling out the window.  Little ones discovering, planning, and enjoying each other content with the free time while I spent my few moments before lunch with a book.  

I feel so blessed.  I feel love for my husband who took time to call and let me know where he is in his day.  For each of my children, big or little, moving forward productively and happily.  For sunshine and blue sky.  For leftovers for lunch.  For sisters that share their struggles and successes through which shines love and peace.  I am thankful.