It's December!

We are back from Switzerland, where we stayed in a 200 year old farmhouse on the mountain and the barn was full of goats and sheep. It was awesome, in a Heidi kind of way. The children loved it. I loved that they got to experience something new. We went walking or hiking in the mountains every day. What a beautiful world we live in.

Abe was baptised.

When everyone wakes up for breakfast at 3am it's gonna be a cheese plate and bread from the bakery down the hill.

The cat was a favorite.

Family selfie.

The holidays are fast approaching. The tree went up this afternoon and Scout exclaims "It's

Mas-mas!" every time she enters the room.

I'd write more, but I could sum up our week by saying: jet lag and colds don't mix. 

Merry Christmas!

Holidays seem to put a rush on things: seasonal activities, traditions (new and old, and some I wonder why we ever keep), Christmas cards to write and gifts to wrap. Being abroad means it is a transitional time. Most families move in the summer, but each child has a friend moving this Christmas. Add in final playdates and teaching the children how to say goodbye have filled the remaining time. 

I am so thankful school is out for three weeks. I love having the children about. I have spent some time looking at homes near the school in case we leave the bungalow. I've viewed so. so. many. None I am thrilled about. But the commute isn't great for Dan or the children anymore, and with Maeser going to school next year it seems like a bad idea to put him on a bus for so long... unless I could somehow get him to nap everyday on the way home from school. It seems the time with the children is so precious and I've had such strong promptings lately to be mindful of my time with them. 

I am thankful for the Spirit. I'll admit, I'm the first to chase the Spirit away with anger or impatience, but the moments when it is present are precious. This week I have felt the Spirit confirm my work in the home, as a mother. This week I have felt relief as I have asked for help or inspiration. This week I have received direct promptings concerning my calling or one of the children. I know, that by the Spirit, and only the Spirit, I can be taught the more important truths of the Gospel and not be laden down by the mundane or absorbent nature of life. It's like adding a pinch of salt to the pot, just a sprinkling of the Spirit brings flavour and joy to any task.

This week also had some highs and lows. I spent some time in tears on Friday. I am so thankful for Jeremiah's decision to call. (Let's put the elephant in the middle of the room, shall we.) I know families are essential to this experience on Earth. I know that our family unit: Mom, Dad, Ann, Christy, Jeremiah, Spencer- have a divine calling to strengthen and lift each other. Moroni talks about this in Chapter 6 vs 4. It is often referenced to fellowshipping, but is very applicable to families. "...and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ..." Focus on that one purpose- "To keep them in the right way." We can't complete this task unto salvation on our own. All of us will be dependant on each other at some time. I only wish I could have been a strength sooner.

I am excited that so many in the family will be together this week. I sent some favorite Christmas books to mom and really. good. chocolate. They had better enjoy them together (literally) and think of me. 

Merry Christmas.

Photos:

We eat our hotdogs angrily.

Jingle bells. Fairly certain Mary's teacher was cursing me every time Mary walked by. The bells were so annoying!

Making cookies with the missionaries. Had I known they were such bad sous chefs I would never have invited them to help. We've had egg shells in almost. every. cookie.

Trying to encourage Abe to be a little more prompt...

December 11, 2016

Today Abe's friend was baptised. He is from a less active family and has been taking the missionary discussions with Abe once a week since September. It has been really great for both boys, both sets of parents, and we have loved having the missionaries over. Woo Jin asked Abe to give the talk on Baptism today. Abe did a great job. He wrote the talk himself and when we began practicing it he gave a scripture reference and then paused. "And..?" "I'm waiting for you to go read the scripture."  We helped him insert portions of Alma 4:4-5, 13, which he found himself to use as references. I was so proud of him! He actually knew what chapter in Alma on his own. Victory!

I am still struggling a bit with Gospel Doctrine. I need to find a way to teach with a variety of engaging activities while covering the lesson material. Sometimes I have a great class, lots of participation and comments from class members that surprise me and I really learn something. And other times, like today, when I think the class is lasting forever or someone has fallen asleep or I didn't have an activity or object lesson planned. Who knew adults where so hard to keep engaged!

We are taking the teacher council class. I love it. It is only offered once a month during 3rd hour, it is the new church program that will replace "Come follow me." as a teacher training manual. We had an area authority attend class today and he gave examples from the training/meetings he has with apostles. He said he always has a reading assignment before attending a meeting with Elder Bednar, and he is always given an assignment which is supposed to be completed before the discussion, in addition he always leaves each meeting with an assignment or an invitation to apply what was discussed.

I think members probably take assignments more seriously when given by an apostle rather than their Sunday school teacher.

The global Convention is wrapping up tomorrow. Relieved that it went so well, and that it is over for another year. I think now that it is finished Dan's stamina will end and the colds/flu will finally catch up with him. Everyone else has had a bit of the bug... good to have it over with before the holidays. The holidays! Christmas is two weeks away!

We celebrated Mary's belated birthday this evening. She has really had a birthday week, with a bit of celebration throughout, but the cake was this evening. It was fun to have so much family around. She felt very special. I can't believe she is 10. On her birthday I woke up and actually cried. So thankful for her and so sad that she is growing up so fast. She actually wants to be a TEENAGER! only 3 more years!

She is starting to grow up. She is very sensitive to the needs of others, is always willing to help and watches out for those around her. But she is also more sensitive to change. The Bishop is moving. His wife has been Mary's primary teacher this year. The teachers would have changed anyway in two weeks, but today was her last day in our ward and Mary was in tears. I wanted to hold her and cheer her up, but it was actually very sweet that she had such a strong bond with her Primary teacher. We need to get better with goodbyes. We have them often, but that doesn't make them easier.

Oct 16, 2016

It has been uneventful. Uneventful weeks are a blessing.

Abe turns 8 in two days. TWO DAYS!

Scout crawls about the house, always a "poppy" (puppy) or a horse.

The school nurse called to have Mary picked up from school on the one day of the year I actually pay to have my hair done. Not a big deal, but I called Dan and asked him to pick her up. When he arrived she was reading, feverless and fine. (This is what I looked like when the nurse called. I figured I'd better wait until the hair dresser was finished.)

I saw an Opera, understood none of it. It was the Flying Dutchman, Wagner was impressive and I enjoyed it.

Our donuts at Halloween turned out delicious. We watched Ghostbusters and played boardgames. Our children will hate us when they figure out what trick-or-treating really is.

Loved this moment Scout and Maeser had.

And Dan is back in town.

I prepared an awful lesson in Sunday school today. I will forever regret ever falling asleep in class (at school or church). Better luck next week!

And 4 hours later...

Mary is learning to sew.

November 13, 2016

Zoo on Friday morning, we got there early enough to see animals being brought out of their cages. I wish I'd grabbed a photo of the Orangoutangs coming out, the keepers held their hands and walked them down the road to their pens. We just sat and watched, it was really amazing.

And then we went to the reptile house where a viper continually tried to strike Maeser through the glass. It was scary, but we stayed anyway to be sure Maeser became really afraid of snakes... he think's he's invincible, which is probably true, but just to be safe I'd prefer he had a healthy fear of snakes and knows what to do when he sees one. (FYI Pythons and vipers are plentiful here.)

Our morning walks are less than a mile but take up to 45 minutes. There is a lot to see and talk about... I waited for Maeser to finish looking for monkeys in the trees, he took forever. Scout began pushing him down the sidewalk "Hurry up Mango." (I love that her nickname for Maeser is Mango.)

Scout is really into pretend play. I am constanty feeding her pony oats, tucking in dolls, playing doll house, dressing up... I should have invested in dressups for myself when Dan went to the US. Any good pretend play gift suggestions for her birthday or Christmas?

Abe turned 8. Bittersweet. We had homemade donuts and a real cake on Saturday. Abe's BB8 Birthday Cake was a hit (made by a talented friend, not myself). It was delicious and a complete victory, neither Abe or Mary could finish their piece, I was so happy scraping their plates out into the trash. This sugar challenge is paying off!

Moses and his bananas. He also loves cherry tomatoes, blueberries, pumpkin and red peppers.

October 23rd, 2016

It's the last week of October! Scary, but not because of Halloween. Yeesh, the kids (mostly Maeser) are so excited.
 "Mom, is tomorrow Halloween?"
 "The next day?"
 "Another week?!!"

There is a desperate need for pumpkins here. We have resorted to painting clementines with sharpies.

We're continuing the tradition of homemade donuts instead of trick-or-treating, that we started last year. Maybe we'll perfect the art of making them. We have already perfected the art of eating them.

Dan's Dad popped in for dinner tonight. It really is the highlight of the week for the children. I can't wait until they are here more permanently.

The Sabbath is a delight. 

Conversations with Maeser this week:
"Mom, can you stand on a cloud?"
"Mom, you have to save me a banana. There's only 15 bananas left."
Life is tough when you are four, and you can't understand why mom won't let you eat 4, no 6, no maybe 8 bananas. But not that bad, I found Maeser on the roof of the car this week with Scout bossing him around. Check it out.

Scout is really becoming her own little person. She talks so well, new words every day. The video is her singing her favorite song. It is adorable.

And Dan brought back a Frozen princess dress, bad idea. She hasn't changed clothes in a week.

October and general conference

Conference weekend already! That means it is fall already! We can't wait to get conference next weekend.

All Maeser can talk about is snow. He almost tears up when he talks about it. Who knew that he loved it so much. Any time we call my parents he asks if there is snow in Utah. So when it finally snows in Hungary, send him a photo.

I hurt my foot in April, it is half better, not knowing how bad I injured it before I ran too early and am paying for it now. 😬 shorter and slower jogs for a bit.

Sunday evening game night.

We went to our first High School play ever. So great to do something like this with the kids.

And I took a floral arrangement class for my Visiting Teaching this month. It was awesome.

October 16

We had conference. I always leave conference feeling empowered and thankful for our priesthood leadership. This year there were so many talks given on hope, joy and the power of the atonement, and repentance. I was thankful for a few minutes to think about how I use (or don't use, or SHOULD use) the atonement daily. One my my favorite quotes was from Dale G. Renlund's talk:

When we understand how our sins can affect our eternal happiness, we not only become truly penitent but we also strive to become better. When faced with temptation, we are more likely to ask ourselves, in the words of William Shakespeare:

What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?

A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.

Who buys a minute’s mirth to wail a week,

Or sells eternity to get a toy?17 

But the best part about his talk was in his closing: 

I pray that the redeeming blessings of His Atonement may be yours now—and again and again and again throughout your lives,28 as they have been in mine.

And Elder Nelson's talk on JOY. And Sister Reeves talk from women's conference. And ... I guess I could go on and on.

I have thought so much about that last line though. And it happened to be the last line in all of conference as he was the last speaker. I am so thankful that the Atonement isn't like a ticket at a carnival. Once used on a ride we can't go again... but that no matter how many times, and it should be daily, we find ourselves falling short that we can try again, and again, and again. Even an Apostle needs the atonement.

Maeser has been wearing this Ninja costume for days.

Beyond conference, Dan flew to Chile. His first time in South America. Within the family, there was someone on almost every continent (no one in Africa) on Monday. That's something else I've thought about frequently. We have the capacity to do so much good. I am so thankful for family and the friendships and strength we have as a whole. With Dallin and Sarah in Europe, Hannah in Santiago, Dan/Dan/Rocky/Derrick all over Asia and North America... and Sarah/Julie/Abby/Amy raising 17 children, and not to discount Mom (who reaches 100's)- we have such a huge opportunity to teach of Christ. And that's just Dan's family. Christy and Leif and Mom and Dad in Utah, Ann and Jeff in the mid-west, Caitlin and Spencer on the east coast with Jeremiah in the Deep South... such an influence.

I voted. I hear our ballots won't be counted. But I voted anyway.

Mary has found an interest in the kitchen. With school out this week she has prepared at least 8 different meals. She got so carried away this afternoon that she made two whole loaves of bread into cheese sandwiches!

It seems that everything else was ordinary. But of familiar things this has been ringing in my ears:

"It seems to be human nature: as we become more familiar with something, even something miraculous and awe-inspirit, we lose our sense of awe and treat it as commonplace...Life changing truths are before our eyes and at our fingertips, but sometimes we sleepwalk on the path of discipleship. Too often we let ourselves be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow members instead of following the example of our Master. We tread a path covered with diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles…If you have never felt such wonder and joy, I invite you to seek, study, and ponder the simple yet profound truths of the restored gospel.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A belated hello.

Late entry. Bad for me because I usually count it as a journal entry. Alas, I still don't have much time to write (kids are out of school for 10 days and Dan is out of town) but I'll include a link with some awesome photos. A friend took some family photos two weeks ago. And she was very generous in her writing, our house looks peaceful, what she didn't document were the tears, pillow fight turned ugly, and Moses crying to sleep. (All in the few minutes she was here.) That's the reality, but it is still beautiful. So enjoy the link, I'll write more soon. I promise.

http://www.januaryandmay.com/