Ice Skating

Today we took Sarah ice skating for the first time. She was so cute with her little skates. I was surprised by how quickly she was able to get her balance. The other kids are all getting really good on skates as well. I really enjoy the time with them. It is fun to see them learning a new skill.

Skating

Today we went ice skating...twice. On the second trip, Ben announced that he didn't have his shoes as we pulled up to the Rec Plex. I dropped the older kids off at the door and told them to meet us back in the van after skating. Ben was so disappointed. I think he thought he could go in bare feet. He decided to search for some shoes. "Mom," he asked. "Can we say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help me find some shoes?" We prayed. Within a minute we found his old sneakers. He was so excited! Heavenly Father had answered his prayer...and he knew it. He literally danced all the way up the hill to the Rec Plex. I was so grateful for his sweet example of faith. We enjoyed skating and swimming together. It was a nice evening.

Tornado

Last Sunday there was a major tornado that tore through Joplin, killing over 120 people and damaging about 8000 buildings. We were expremely fortunate tha we were not in the area at the time. Even still, we have felt so much pain for those who are suffering. Yesterday, the kids and I set up a booth at Sam's passing out free cookies and collecting donaations. We collected $1283.15. It felt good to have this experience. I can truly see character building in our kids as they forget themselves and serve others. Rebecca, Keith, and David asked if we could help the people at the Rec Plex put all of the skates away. At Sam's the boys would help people who were struggling with their carts. I really enjoyed watching them. It has been a long but wonderful day!

Great Day!

Today was such a great day. The kids helped get the house clean in the morning, then we went ice skating at the Rec-Plex. Jason is determined to meet his goal of completing 6th grade math before July. If he is able to do it, he wants to start a business. Today he ran a lemonade stand from the front of my parents' neighborhood with Rebecca. They made $13. One lady even gave them an indian head penny from 1863! He was ecstatic! For his next business venture, he wants to sell shaved ice. I enjoy watching him grow in confidence and enthusiasm. In the evening, I went to the temple with my parents. I love the temple! It is a place where I feel loved. I feel a sense of my own self-worth. I feel close to my Heavenly Father. Feeling His love for me so fully helps me to come back to the daily challenges of life with faith and confidence. It was truly a wonderful day!

Following the Spirit

Today has been such a wonderful day. It has been slow-paced, peaceful, and enjoyable. I have really enjoyed talking with LaMonte, playing with the kids, going to church, and spending time with my parents and Eric and Debbie. LaMonte and I have been trying to keep ourselves going in a positive direction. The people purchasing our home have not yet sold theirs. This uncertainty has us second-guessing, considering our options, planning, and praying. This process has left me with some questions. The most important thing to me is Heavenly Father's will. Ideas come into my mind often as I pray. How do I know when these ideas are inspired? I have most often "felt" that Joplin is the best place for us to go. Yet, St. Louis was our original destination and seems to make more sense. Which do we choose? I know that I must maintain faith in my Heavenly Father. He loves me. He loves my family. He wants us to serve Him. I know he will help and guide us wherever we are.

Swimming and Skating

Today we went swimming at the Rec-Plex. It felt good to be together, to be getting some exercize, and to be away from the tv and computers. As we left, we saw signs for an ice skating show in the evening. Rebecca really wanted to go. I felt tired and wary of taking the whole crew to an ice skating show. Yet, I also want my kids to know that I value their ideas and interests. So...we went. It was a great experience! Everyone enjoyed watching the skaters. The whole way home, we talked about ideas we could use for our own family ice skating act in next year's show. Keith suggested a Star Wars theme. I thought we could all perform the Cotton-Eyed Joe. Jason suggested wearing a helmet and lots of pads and hanging onto the edge while going around. I so much enjoyed the time together. We have been worrying alot about when our house will sell, where will we buy our next home, etc. Tonight, however, I was reminded that I have everything I need right now. I can enjoy my family each day regardless of how the details work out with our home. I feel very blessed.

A Full Daythe

Today my mom took David and Ben to Grant's Farm. I loaded up the little ones in the baby buggy and the oldest kids and I biked to the Lewis and Clark museum in St. Charles. It was a beautiful day. It felt good to be outside. After awhile I looked back and Sarah had fallen asleep with her head on Jacob's shoulder. It was pretty cute. We had a picnic before going in the museum. On our way back home, we ran into the missionaries. They sang us a duet of "Nearer My God to Thee." I hope it was inspiring to my kids...it was to me. In the evening, we had haystacks. Eric, Debbie, my grandma and her brother, Murland, came over. It was a nice day.

Uncle Murland

This afternoon Grandma's brother, Murland, flew into town. We made raviolli for dinner. I enjoyed getting to see him again. He has done alot of family history work. He told us about one of our ancestors who was burned in the Salem witch trials for claiming that her 2 year old child who had died came back to visit her in a dream. He also talked about an ancester who was scalped by Indians...and lived. The kids and I had a lot of fun playing catch and SPUD in the backyard. Keith finished his 6th grade ALEKS today. He was so excited! (ALEKS is an online math program). Jason is staying with Amy's family in Ava this week. He is having a really good time there. I am so grateful for the loving support of family. Tomorrow Keith will go to Nauvoo with my mom and grandma.

Kayaking

This evening we took a picnic to the lake and went kayaking. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. Last weekend was so nice. We went on a bike ride/run on Saturday to Grandma's Cookies. Then, the girls went to see the play Cinderella. In the evening, we had a fire and cookout at Eric's. Mothers' Day was yesterday. It was so nice! I am grateful for my family.

Jason

This afternoon we went to Creve Coer Lake to get some exercize. They have a set of about 200 stairs going up the side of a hill. A storm was blowing in when we arrived. I was praying we'd be able to get our workout in. The kids and I both needed the exercize. The wind was pretty strong. After getting started, Jason told me he was really uncomfortable. He had just had a dream about being caught in a tornado and the conditions felt just the same to him. He really wanted us to leave. I felt torn. I wanted to be supportive of his feelings and concerns, but I also felt the need to have us get the exercize we needed. Ben had gone on ahead, so I suggested we get Ben then turn around. When we caught up to Ben, the wind started slowing down. Even though it made him nervous, Jason agreed to stay. He got his exercize then watched Sarah and Jacob so I could exercize. He seemed so much older to me-overcoming his fears and handling so well a baby and a little girl who really wanted to stay with her mom. I truly felt my prayers answered. While we were there, the kids also found some sticks to carve and we found some sassafrass leaves to chew on.

Busy Day

So, it's after 2 AM. I've been going full speed all day. I want so badly to do good, to serve, and to love. Why, then, do I feel so drained, so tired, and so painfully aware of all the things I am not getting done, or not doing well? Don't get me wrong, it has been a good day. I have enjoyed the time I've spent with my family. We decided to put 72-hour kits together and make a few extra for some of the widows in the ward. Jason was worried about the expense. I told him not to worry. In conference, they promised that you can't give a crust to the Lord without getting a loaf in return. We stopped at a thrift store and found several gently used suitcases on rollers for a great deal. We also found some nice ties for Jason for 25 cents each, and shoes for Sarah and David. The total cost was $40. I pointed out to Jason that I easily would have spent $40 or more just to buy shoes for Sarah and David and ties for Jason. What a great opportunity for the kids to see the promises of the prophets immediately fulfilled as we were trying to serve those in need. We really enjoyed the time together gathering supplies at the Dollar Store. OK, so looking back, now, I realize that it really was a successful day...hopefully with a memory my kids will always cherish.