May 28, 2017

Julie has 10 weeks left until the baby is due. She better not have that baby before we get back from summer break!  I'm kinda afraid the baby will come early and we won't be very much help abandoning them in a new country to have a baby. 

We're off in less than 24 hours. Just enough time to scrounge up some bags and clothes and send the kids off for their last day of school. And the movers are coming too! We can't get to Utah soon enough.

Really. I can't wait.

I just read a letter from a friend, he said that hard weeks don't have to be bad weeks. Bingo! Rings true. It has been a very hard week, and this coming week will probably match the last, but they are far from bad weeks. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to have family here and to see family for such a long time this summer. It will totally be worth it. And the hassle of moving is just a hassle, maybe a little inconvenient and a lot of work, but the reward come August will pay off. And then, these are just 1st world problems, meaning- not really problems. 

I've had a thought ringing through my brain all morning- Saying "Yes" to something is an automatic "No" to another. There are so many things I want to do. Places I want to be. People I want to get to know better. But by pursuing those things I am choosing not to pursue or commit to something else. It is very applicable to Bonita and Stewart's choice to serve. And Hannah and Dallin's. I hope I also learn to make the better choice. Always.

A few photos from this week. I tried to think of funny things the kids said, but my brain is fried. I'm sure there will be something hilarious in the next week.

We spent a few days at the beach, it was great to get away.

Sunday naps. Cred goes to Dan for getting both babies down after they woke mid nap.

My dearest.

Growing boys. And cousin time.

Scout!

Mae Mae.

Grimace? Growl?

Beach naps. I kinda wish I'd have taken one too.

Feeling thankful.

It was a busy week. And a week of reflection. I constantly had to remind myself to be humble and not to forget how blessed I have been to have my life experiences. I have been amazingly bless to be given my family, not just my children, but Daniel and his family as well. I was given the opportunity to learn the Gospel in my childhood in a safe environment and by "goodly parents". I could attend school, not only as a child but college as well. I never went hungry or naked.

I am thankful for the growth and exposure I have had during the last 8 years. I have learned more about God's children, their real struggles in life and the inequalities among people than I ever imagined. Not only are education and opportunities distributed unequally, but also basic needs like food, freedom, respect, abuse and suppression (religious, verbal, sexual, trafficking...) which add contrast to the small glimpse I had of equal rights growing up. 

I have grown increasingly intolerant of ignorance (in myself and others) and hope we educate ourselves and find a way to do good. It doesn't have to be a great thing, but it should be kind, maybe a little more patient to those around us. I love silence like I never did before. I enjoy the quiet moments that passed unnoticed because I was too busy to be still. 

In Alma 26:37 it reads "...we see that God is mindful of every people..." our children, our friends, the people we pass on the street (the unexpecting friends you make on an elevator) and us. He is mindful of you. In the verse before this one: Alma 26:36 Ammon says,"this is my life..." the work of the Lord was his work and his salvation. Oh, to be a part of this work, constantly, in every moment. What a wonderful place to be. 

Hunger and thirst after that work. I find opportunities to repent often, a lack of patience, mostly. Something that should have been left unsaid. A friend I should have texted or called. But then I find I have a strong desire to do better and I know this is a blessing.

 The boys after going to the Night Safari.

Junkie's Corner. Antiques, junk, treasure hunting.

 Ann has been in Singapore for a week and is going home tomorrow. It has been an exciting week of firsts. Lots of new food: prata, butter chicken, naan, noodles, bingsu... and more importantly new things like visiting mosques, hindu temples, wandering the streets of a big city, calling cabs or venturing out on her own. She has been brave and I think the world got a little bit smaller this week. I think she had a great time.

Welcome home.

When Dan got home this week Maeser said, "Dad! I have so many things I want to tell you!" I feel the same way. We talked about you over dinner with Julie and the kids. Caelyn especially can't wait to see you. She has grown up so much and she is helpful and patient with the smaller kids.

A mosque and a church across the street from each other.

Hercules' Temple. Temple of Hercules?

Dan has a new way of exploring cities. He runs! When did he become a long distance runner? He throws out 10 mile runs all over this world. Love it.

Mother's Day

The sister missionaries came over to use the internet this morning. It was so fun listening to them call their families. One sat near the kitchen and the other near the front door and they were both so excited you could her their conversations in the children's rooms down the hall! I'm sure it was the same at your house.

This is very late. And yet, I am writing very early in the morning so that I have time to play today. Ann is here and we have a lot to do. Today we are catching a ferry to Indonesian and going biking in an old stone quarry and through some mangroves. Sound fun? Doesn't beat the neighborhood food tour we took last night (Southern Indian, Korean, and Lebanese for lunch) but maybe it will surprise us.

I'll catch you up on last week fairly quick. 

Zoo. We made it to the zoo. And we spent more than 7 hours there. Probably one of the longest days of my life.

Mary was in the school Art show, which began with a puppet parade (which she made- and the puppet is bigger than her self. The parade was led by a Pied Pipper and went meandering through the school. Abe also had a piece featured in the show... see pictures below.

Mary had her final Rugby game.

A day at the park, Moses loves swings. And Maeser providing a bit of shade for Valentine as they walk. So thankful for cousins.

May 7, 2017

Mary had her first Rugby tournament last Saturday. Bless my mother who came to so many of mine. Tournaments are the worst. Mostly waiting between games... Mary loved it though, and when her games were postponed because of lightening she pulled TWO books out of her bag! 

Abe had his final soccer game and is counting down the days until summer break.

Maeser is full of self confidence and ambition. He is going to win every race, tournament or game ever played. If invited to play a board game he asks, "Who's winning?" "Ok, I'm on your team."

Scout is still enamoured with animals. We are going to the zoo in 1 hour, can't come soon enough. We went last week only to find it was closed, and it has been a nonstop conversation of the zoo's opening hours ever since. 

Moses is a climbing daredevil. He doesn't have a large vocabulary... he only says "Hi!" and "Da." But he can communicate fairly well with gibberish and grunts. So well that Scout has adopted the non-verbal communication and usually just scrunches her nose at us. It is impossible to tell if she is upset or disgusted with us half the time.

Dan is still training, daily. He told his coach he only had 10 hours a week to train so his intensity has really increased. Everything is done in intervals.

I am so glad that Derrick and Julie are here. It will be sad to leave in three weeks, but I think they'll have settled in and Julie is making friends fast. 

Just a thought from this week:

Seek after the Spirit.

Alma 18: 35 "a portion of that spirit" gave Ammon knowledge.

Alma 17:9 "... and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God..."

Alma 5:46 "... Behold I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by this Holy Spirit..."

Alma 8:10 "... Alma labored much in Spirit, wrestling with God in might prayer..."

Have a desire for the Spirit to be with you. One of the greatest blessing will be that he will guide and teach us.

Word on the Street

It's a rainy day and this post is late. One of those still and quiet mornings. I'm going to workout and make 50 apple pies (think tarts) and then have pie for lunch. Sounds like the perfect day, right?

5 weeks left of school. Derrick and Julie are finally here. 

Update on the kids, their personalities shine through:

Most frequent phrases from each of the (speaking) children:

Scout:

Will you dance with me?

Can I turn some music on?

Will you play puzzles with me?

Will you read a book to me?

I want someone to play with.

I want to listen to "Praise to the Man."

No. I don't want shorts. I want a boo-tiful dress.

I'm not a ____, I'm just Scout. (early bird, girl, ...)

No potty jokes!

Maeser:

I need you to come wwwiiiipe me!

Can we go swimming today?

Mom, what time is it? Does that mean Abe will be home soon?

What day is it?

I just said a prayer and .... (He uses it like an ATM.)

After his coach handed him his first team jersey, "Mom, we're champions!"

Abraham:

If I get my work done can I play Kerbal Space Program?

When I'm finished can I play Pokemon?

If I'm really fast can I use the iPad?

10pm. Why are you still awake? I'm reading.

Mary:

Mom, is there anything I can do to help you?

I'll do it!

Can I make breakfast?

Can I make the bread?

Can I make lunch for everyone?

I'm going to turn all this garbage into a Peace Machine that blasts lasers at terrorists. (Not really, but she can build just about anything from an egg carton and candy wrapper.)