Letter - Joseph's and Marlee's birthdays, Karalee's First Women's Conference

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The kids, minus Spencer are all in bed and it’s time to write my letter.

Last Sunday evening we had a nice visit at Joseph’s grave.  On the way there I decided maybe we should sing a song or something.  Usually our visit is nice, but kind of … lacking.  We really don’t know what to do while we are there other than look at his headstone and eat a treat.  So this year when we were there we sang Families can be Together Forever and then Marlee said, “no we need to sing happy birthday.”  It was perfect!  I don’t know why we’ve never done that before, but it made all the difference in our visit.  It finally felt right in my heart.  I love my little Marlee girl.  She has such a tender heart.  As I’ve thought more about it this experience, I realized that there have been many times and continue to be times in the whole experience of losing Joseph where I’m at a loss of what to do.  There is no guidebook.  Sometimes I wish there was.  It is good when we can find something that works and feels right.

The kids playing Legos together last Sunday.  They are learning to play well together!!!

As you can see Karalee was not thrilled about being in the picture.  :)

On Monday Marlee, Tilly and I went to visit Puring.  We decided to read to her since it is kind of hard to carry on a conversation with her.  She has been very lonely since her accident.  Sometimes she calls me two or three times a day.  After reading to Puring I trimmed six of our bushes out front.  I must have over done it because I started to hurt really badly the next day.  I think I get dehydrated easily and that sets my muscles off into spasms.  Monday evening Spencer got hired to mow the neighbor’s back yard.  Their yard is pretty good sized and their grass was very long.  It took him two hours just to edge and mow.  They paid him $20.

At Bryant's piano lesson on Monday he graduated from the simplified Hymn book to the normal Hymn book!

Tuesday I went over to read a few more pages to Puring after she called that morning.  I had my normal chiropractor visit and used up a missed visit for a 30 minute massage since I was hurting.  Spencer had a game that afternoon.  He dribbled the soccer ball up the whole field and scored a goal!!  That evening the laurels played bingo with their secret relief society sisters for mutual and revealed who the secret sisters were.  After mutual, Chad and I played volleyball at the church with our friends.  It was sure fun to play again after two weeks off.  I didn’t want to let my hurt muscles stop me from playing.

On Wednesday the girls had Grammy days after which I went visiting teaching.  My new partner, Megan Sedillo, is one of my former laurels.  It is her first experience visiting teaching.  I hope I can set a good example and help her learn to love it.  That night we had an enjoyable night at home!!

Rocking Tilly to sleep on Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday was Joseph’s b-day.  Thank you Jennie and Amy for the texts that day letting me know that you remembered his birthday.  It meant a lot to me.  That morning Marlee, Tilly and I planted some more plants in our little garden.  Marlee did a great job planting the onions and Tilly did a good job handing them to her one at a time.  I mopped and did laundry that day.  Glamorous I know.  That evening we had a RS birthday dinner.  It was a nice to have that celebration on Joseph’s birthday.  The program was very nice and I was very glad I went.

Friday was Marlee’s birthday.  She was so thankful for her gifts and would tell me thank you several times throughout the day.  I let her skip school that day and we met my Mom up in Mesa for lunch at Autumn Moon.  Amy and her younger kids joined us for lunch too.  Then we went shopping with my Mom at Costco.  When we got home Marlee said it was so much fun.  I agreed.  Our whole family met Amy and Mary and Sally for dinner at Chick-fil-a that evening.  Then they came over for birthday cake.  David and their boys were at Fathers and sons.

Yesterday Spencer and couple other young men in the ward got hired to move and empty some 50 lb. sand bags onto the playground at a day care nearby.  They worked for two hours and Spencer’s cut of the pay will be $25.  He’s almost done saving for his $200 scout camp fee.  Karalee had two birthday parties to attend yesterday and then she and I went to her first general women’s conference.  Afterwards we ate at Costa Vida and then went shopping for some Easter skirts.  It was a fun night with Karalee.

Marlee showing Puring her artwork in her new sketch book she got for her birthday.

The boys playing risk with their friend Davin.

Marlee playing dolls

Karalee's first General Women's Broadcast

Today has been a nice Sabbath Day.  My morning was filled with a long meeting, but this afternoon and evening have been very relaxing.  I finished reading “William J. Flake: Pioneer – Colonizer”.  I shared some of the stories I really liked on my blog.  If you’re interested you can read about it HERE.

Spencer trying to make his own Risk game.  He held a paper up to the computer and traced the game board.  I told the boys that I'd pay for a 1/3rd of the game if they each paid a 1/3.  Chad said he'd pay the 4th 1/3.  Ha ha.

Spencer dressed Tilly up in his old football jersey tonight.

My quote for today is from a different book I finished recently.  “The secret to happiness is having something to do, something to look forward to, and someone to love” (Richard Paul Evans, Mistletoe Promise).  From my life experiences thus far, I feel this is true.

Love,

Mindy

Family History - Miracle of Seagulls, First Temple Ordinance done in the Salt Lake Temple

I have recently been reading a book about my Great-Great Grandfather William Jordan Flake.  I have had this book since the year I was born.  It was a Christmas gift from my Grandma Gerda Flake.  I am kind of ashamed I've waited this long in my life to read it.  It is a great, fun easy read.  It reminded me of the book These is my Words.  I have enjoyed it.  I learned that William J., his wife and his children sacrificed much to build up not only Snowflake but several other towns in north Eastern Arizona--Concho, Nurtrioso, Springrville and Showlow.  He was also called an apostate for a time.

There are a couple of cool stories I'd like to share from the book.

The first is of William J. being present in Salt Lake when crickets were threatening to devour their badly needed crops and how sea gulls came and ate the crickets, saving the crops.  Here is the account:

"William, now eleven years old had to take the part of a man.  He herded cows down on the Sandy, during the winter of 1849 and 1850.  He well remembered the coming of the crickets.  He, with most every one else, was out fighting them, to try and save the little crop they had.  To lose the crop meant starvation.  They fought until the people began to fall from exhaustion and the crickets came in ever increasing numbers.  They saw it was a losing battle; then the Lord interceded in their behalf.  Although it was a bright day, a shadow fell over the fields, and a noise of wings came nearer; they wondered if it was a new calamity.  They looked up and the sky was full of gulls.  For a moment they stood in wonder.  Then the birds lit right at their feet, paid no attention to the people, but began picking up the crickets.  The people stood in awe, and witnessed the salvation of the Lord.

"The gulls were so tame, that one could reach down and pick them up.  You all know the story, how when they filled their craw, they flew to the stream, drank and disgorged and went back to their work, and never quit until the fields were cleaned.  Then they flew away.  That great manifestation from the Lord has not, nor will it be forgotten.  On Temple Square in Salt Lake is the only monument ever to be built and dedicated to the memory of a bird" (William J. Flake Pioneer - Colonizer, p. 16).  More about this miracle can be found HERE.

The other think I like to share is an account about how William J. and his sons were the first people to have work done in the Salt Lake Temple when it was dedicated.

"On April 8th at 7 A. M. all of the family that were in Salt Lake went to the Temple to do some work; Prudence to be Blessed for her health, and Father and Mother to have two sons, who were not born under the Covenant, sealed to them, James Madison and William Melvin.  After President Joseph F. Smith performed the ceremony he said, 'Brother James your name will go down on the great record as the first work in this new Temple.'  Then turning to Father, he said, "Isn't it nice, Brother Flake, your name will go down on the record as the first work done in this great Temple.  That is a great credit to you, Brother Flake.'  And it was not only a credit but an honor.  Many L.D.S. people would have given much to have had that honor.  To him it came unsolicited.  His great colonization work was bearing fruit."  (William J. Flake Pioneer - Colonizer, p. 131).

Letter - Perspective, Gathered into Families, Stake Conference

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Our week has gone well.  I was glad to ease back into school only having to go three days this week.  On Monday Karalee and Marlee really wanted to set up a Lemonade Stand.  They (and I monitored since they are so young) stayed out for about an hour and made $9.50.  Other than that we relaxed and enjoyed the day off school.

Ralaxing

Tuesday was the last day of Spring Break.  That morning the boys had basketball camp.  The girls went to Grammy days and I went to the temple.  I am SO thankful to have a temple nearby where I can quickly run and do service in the temple when I have a couple hours.  As I walked up to the temple and while I was inside I really felt strongly how blessed I am and how much the Lord wants to bless all of his children.  I was able to do sealings with an emeritus general authority, Elder J. Richard Clarke.  He was a member of the presiding Bishopric and a member of the presidency of the seventy.  He is a snowbird and will be going back to Utah in a couple of weeks.  I asked him if he will work in the temple in Utah when he moves there for the summer and he said, “Yes, but I don’t work in the temple, I serve in the temple.”  The way he said that reminded me of my dad when I would ask him if I had to go riding.  He would say, “No you get to go riding.”  It’s important to have the right perspective about things. J

After the temple, Grammy days and basketball camp were over, the kids and I had a lunch date at the new Barro’s pizza that opened up across the street.  Later that afternoon Amy and her kids came to play in our back yard.  Amy’s son Jason was very talkative to me this time.  I’m glad he knows who I am now and that we’re good friends.  I love being an Aunt.  I’m sure glad my kids had so many opportunities to play with their cousins over spring break.  For mutual that night our laurels class decorated plates with sharpies.  They turned out cute.  After you decorate them you bake them in the oven for a while so they sharpie won’t wash off. 

The kids like to play a form of breddish (not sure how to spell that) bulldogs on the slippery slide.  It really isn't very safe and someone usually ends up crying, but I decided to let them find out for themselves on this one.

Cute Sally

Beautiful Mary

My new buddy Jason

A few of the plates we decorated at our laurel activity

Wednesday the older kids went back to school.  I mowed the lawn after I worked out that morning.  That afternoon I planned our menu for the next little while and went grocery shopping with the kids after they came home from school.  Shopping with the kids reminded me of why I usually shop while they’re at school.  It’s a lot more work to shop with kids. 

Thursday afternoon I worked on a little Personal Progress again.  If you are interested in reading my journaling about that you can read it HERE.  That afternoon Marlee had choir.  I’m looking forward to her concert.  Chad’s flag football game (which happens to be in north Mesa, 30 minutes away) that night ended up being a forfeit.  Luckily, he had gone to his game straight after a work meeting in Scottsdale so he didn’t drive all the way over there for nothing.  I gave Chad and the boys haircuts that night.

Yesterday (Friday) Spencer and Tilly had doctor appointments.  Spencer got his physical for scouts and it will count for school sports next year too since it is after March 1^st.  Spencer also had his ear follow up since his ear trouble while were on vacation.  He still can’t hear out of it well.  The doctor said it looks like he has swimmers ear because there is a lot of fluid in there, but if it really did burst it’s healed up now.  We just have to monitor it here at home to make sure he doesn’t start having trouble again.  Tilly had a well check and got her MMR vaccination.  I am really slow about getting vaccines for my kids, but still think they are important.  Yesterday afternoon I tried a new chocolate, chocolate chip cookie recipe I got from my friend Brittany Call.  It was very yummy.  Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips I used milk chocolate chips and also added a little bit of Andes mint pieces.  Chad and Spencer went on a deacon's backpacking hike/campout that afternoon.  They asked Chad to come because they needed more trucks to get all the boys to their location.  Chad was happy to go.  This time it was a much longer hike.  While they were gone the rest of the kids and I grabbed a quick dinner at Wendy’s and then went to watch the new Cinderella movie.  I really liked it.  I loved its message about kindness and courage.

Tilly sure loves to line things up.  I hope she doesn't become really obsessive about it.

Tilly's reward for helping me with the chocolate cookies.  I sure love my cute little helper.

Karalee had a school field trip to Butterfly wonderland on Friday.  Her friend's mother sent me the pictures she took of Karalee.  That was so thoughtful of her.

Karalee's whole class with their matching tie dyed shirt they made at school.  The B stands for Miss Braidi.

Karalee with her friends Reagan and Capri

Today the kids and I rode our bikes to Sonic to get a soda or snack after we got our chores done.  I let the kids order one thing off the value menu $1.50 or less. Currently Bryant and Karalee each have a friend from school over to play.  Chad and Spencer still aren’t back from the hike/campout.  I hope everything is ok.  Chad has a priesthood leadership meeting at 4:00 this afternoon and then we have our adult session of stake conference at 7:00.  He’s not going to get much rest today.

I’ll finish this week’s letter up tomorrow.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Chad and Spencer didn’t get home from their scout outing until about 3:00 pm.  They reported that it was a much longer hike, but they had a good time.  Chad said he had to carry one of the deacon’s packs for a large portion of the hike.  Both Chad and Spencer were pretty tired when they got home, but Chad went to his Priesthood leadership session of stake conference and then he took me to the adult session of stake conference and stayed awake the whole time.  I’m so grateful for a good, stalwart husband.  I was promised a stalwart Priesthood holder for my husband in my patriarchal blessing and I’m glad I lived worthy enough to receive that blessing in Chad.  I sure love him. 

Stake Conference was wonderful last night and today.  The kid’s all did really well and since they had a stake youth choir this time Chad was around to help me out.  It was much better than my last Sunday morning stake conference session experience that almost brought me to tears. 

 I love these pictures of Bryant and Karalee.  They are beginning to become good friends for which I am so grateful.  They can still argue pretty good with each other, but thankfully that is happening less than it used to.  The top picture was taken Friday night.  The bottom picture was taken this morning.  Bryant and Karalee got up earlier than everyone else and quietly started a game of stratego.

This evening Chad, the kids and I are going to go visit Joseph’s grave.  This Thursday would be his 12^th birthday.  My children know who he is and talk about him.  We love him and look forward with hope to being gathered as an eternal family with him in Heaven.  Over the last few years, I’ve thought about verses 4-6 in 3 Ne. 10 regarding gathering.  I wondered what I needed to do to let myself be gathered.  Initially I thought about making covenants and allowing myself to be gathered into the church.  However, recently I’ve come to realize that it is much more important to allow myself to be gathered into the different families that I belong to.  Families are the organization of Heaven.

Instead of one quote to end with today, I will share the quotes from our Stake Conference that really stood out to me.

• The barometer of our conversion is how we serve outside of our callings. – Pres. Neher
• “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.” – David O. McKay
• If you get close to Him [Christ], your love for your fellow men will increase and you will see your weakness a feel the need to repent – Pres. Derrick
• We are going to run aground on our inability to love other people.  We need to change.  He asked us to read Elder Oaks talk about loving others and living with differences.
• Blessings come--some come early, some come late and some come in heaven. – Bro. Spencer
• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us a gift that allows us to repent.  It won’t matter how many times we need the gift as long as it is used each time it is required. – Pres. Trendler
• If you want to move on with your life, you have to forgive.  Do it for you.  –Pres. Trendler
• The law of the fast falls under the law of sacrifice as does tithing. … Just as bad habits can harmfully penetrate generations, this law of sacrifice [fasting] penetrates many generations for good. – Pres. Derrick

Love,

Mindy

Personal Progress

March 19, 2015

I’m working on Choice and Accountability in Personal Progress again this afternoon.  When doing the required reading in value experience #1 I was reminded that The Lord wants us to work out and come up with solutions to our own problems.  When we do he will bless us and help make what we come up with work.  There can often be more than one right solution and/or answer to our problems.

Regular scripture study and prayer help me make correct decisions by helping me stay close to the Holy Spirit so I can be reminded of important matters and so I can have help thinking through possible consequences (positive and negative) of my decisions.  They also help me learn more about Jesus Christ so I can be more like him.  Prayer and scripture study also help me learn about the promises the Lord has made.  When I learn of those promises, I can do what is asked and claim those blessings for myself and my family. 

In value experience #2 I am asked to list each standard of righteous behavior in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet.  The standards are:

·         Agency and Accountability

·         Dating

·         Dress and Appearance

·         Education

·         Entertainment and Media

·         Family

·         Friends

·         Gratitude

·         Honesty and Integrity

·         Language

·         Music and Dancing

·         Physical and Emotional Health

·         Repentance

·         Sabbath Day Observance

·         Service

·         Sexual Purity

·         Tithes and Offerings

·         Work and Self-Reliance

·         Go Forward with Faith

It is important to live these standards because the First Presidency promised that if I do I “will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, [my] faith and testimony will grow stronger, and [I] will enjoy increasing happiness.”

For the next three weeks I am going to work on these three standards:

• Entertainment and Media, I will improve myself by not spending so much time on social media or watching TV or reading books so that I don’t miss out on valuable interaction with my family.
• Gratitude, I will also “be specific in thanking [Father in Heaven] for His goodness, for my family, for friends, for leaders and teachers, for the gospel, and for His Son, Jesus Christ.”
• Service, I will “seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost each day to know whom to serve and how to help meet their needs” so my “capacities will increase”.      

I am so thankful for personal progress.  I am thankful for the personal inspiration and the inspiration from my stake leaders to work on it with my young women.  It has blessed me more than I thought it would.  The Lord is so good to me. 

Love,

Mindy

Letter - Spring Break Trip

Monday, March 16, 2015

Happy 6^th birthday to my great-nephew Jack!  He, Marlee and Mary were all born in the same month within two weeks of each other.  It’s fun to have close cousins for my kids. 

Tuesday, Feb. 24^th was a super, super busy day for me.  We had our YW New Beginnings plus Spencer had an orthodontic appointment, Marlee was sick and I had to take her into the doctor and Bryant had a band concert that I had to miss.  New beginnings went well, there were a few minor things that didn’t go the way I had pictured in my mind, but overall I was still pleased with the event.  Even though it was such a busy day Chad and I still played volleyball that evening with some friends.  I was quite tired the next day and the rest of that week I spent my time recovering a bit and just keeping up with the kids’ events and such.

Bryant at his last basketball game on 2-28-15

Tuesday March 3^rd, Spencer had a choir concert.  I accompanied two of his songs.  It was fun.  Chad and I played volleyball that evening.  Wednesday the 4^th I visited Puring.  She had a bad fall and broke her femur where it hooks into her hip.  She had to have surgery and have a metal ball put in.  I worry about her ever being able to walk again.

Spencer donning his mustache for their performance of "A Mustache"

Thursday March 5^th Spencer had a soccer game.  Marlee had choir around the same time so we only got to watch part of his game since I had to run and pick her up before his game was over.  His team won.  They are really good.  Spencer gets to play the whole game since he is a defender.  He got to take the ball up the field a couple of times though since he played mid-field.  That evening I met two new laurels who moved into the ward with their family.  I’m excited for them to join our class.

March 6^th was ward temple night.  We had a really good turnout.  Moving temple night to Friday nights was a good idea.  Chad and I went to get half price appetizers for our late dinner at Arribas after the session was over.  It was yummy.

March 7^th I had an appointment to donate blood before we left for California for our Spring break vacation.  We had a nice drive to California minus heavy traffic the last hour of our trip.  We got tired of the traffic really quick during the trip.  We have no desire to move there with all that traffic.  We arrived at Kayla’s house and relaxed a bit and then went out for Chinese for dinner.  It was great food and even greater company.  Sunday we went to church with the Larsons.  It is our third time to visit their ward.  They have a great, strong ward and the church members are wonderful.  One of Kayla’s friends even remembered my name and came up and said hi.  That was nice.

The drive to CA

Spencer's fish stick

The Chinese Food was a big hit!

Natalie is Tilly's best friend

Sunday night game night.  Learning how to play Risk

Still playing Risk 

Monday morning we drove into LA and went the Universal Studios.  Traffic was terrible.  It took us an hour and a half to go 45 miles.  Universal studios was SO fun.  It was better than I expected it to be.  They are building a Harry Potter world just like in Universal Orlando so I want to take the family back there when it is finished.  The park is probably best for 8 year olds and up as Marlee and Tilly were scared on almost every ride even though they weren’t roller coasters.  The only bad part of our vacation was that Spencer had a bad ear ache and it burst while we were at Universal Studios a few hours before the park closed.  I felt so badly for him.  Mothers never like to see their kids suffering, especially during a vacation.  We were able to find medical help for him close by at a CVS minute clinic.  We were in and out with our prescriptions within an hour.

Almost to Hollywood

Poor Spencer.  This was towards the end of the day when his ear drum was about to burst.

Getting medical attention for Spencer's ear.

We drove back to Kayla’s house at stayed with her for a third night.  Jeff and Kayla are such great hosts.  Our kids get along well and we have so much fun together.  We especially had fun learning how to play Risk with them.  Bryant really, really likes that game.  He is now saving up to buy it.

Tuesday morning we drove to San Diego and went to Sea World.  It was fun.  Spencer was feeling better by then after having antibiotics in his system for half a day.  He even rode a roller coaster!!  He doesn’t like heights so is usually too scared to ride.  The dolphin show has been revamped and is great.  The Shamu show was ok.  It isn’t as fun now that they don’t swim with the whales anymore.  That evening we stayed at a hotel in San Diego and then drove home on Wednesday. 

Thursday Chad had to go back to work, the kids had Grammy days, and I had a laurel’s baptism activity.  Friday we had a more relaxed day.  Brenda took the boys to Top Golf and the girls stayed home with me and we invited Jennie and Trever’s girls over to swim in our little blow up pool.  We had a fun afternoon with them. 

Too bad laundry didn't take a vacation too. 

Emma asked me to braid her hair.  I love it that Jennie's girls ask me to fix there hair when they come over.   I love to fix hair ... most of the time.

Friday evening we started our Harry Potter marathon, probably the only type of marathon I’ll ever participate in!  We watched movies 1 and 2 Friday night.  Saturday we watched movies 3, 4, 5 and half of 6 in between other activities throughout the day and night.  Tonight after FHE we finished movies 6 and 7.  It’s late so I’m not sure if we’ll finish the last movie tonight or wait until tomorrow.  Spencer just put it in so I guess we’ll watch part of it.  I love the Harry Potter seriers.  I bought all the books for Christmas a few years ago.  Spencer has read them all 3 times and Bryant has read them all twice.  It is such a good story of good and love triumphing over evil and hatred. 

My quote for today is from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  “Your mother died to save you.  If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love.  He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark.  Not a scar, no visible sign…to have been loved so deeply even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” 

Love,

Mindy

P.S.  Last night on our way to a Sanders' family birthday dinner Spencer saw a rabbit on the side of the road and pointed it out to Tilly.  She looked at it and said, "We...need to run over it."  We laughed and laughed.  Usually little girls like bunny rabbits.