Letter - August life

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Last Sunday night I didn’t write because we were playing games as a family and I wanted to participate instead of spending the evening at the computer. 

I’ve spent a lot of time learning about my cub scout calling, learning about what I will need to do in the rechartering process, doing online training, fixing the tracking program we use because some of our boys got deleted, getting adult leaders, including myself, and several boys who were split into the new ward registered into our ward’s troop.  I’m starting to learn to like Cub Scouts.  I still don’t really like it, but I’ve decided to stop whining about it and do my best.

I delivered and mailed off surprises to those who responded to my letter on Aug. 7^th where I said, “I sure hope things have been going well for you and your families.  If you write me back and let me know how you’re doing I just might send you a surprise!”  Thank you Jennifer Lee, Jewel, Jayze and Lindsey for writing me!!  I hope you each enjoyed your surprise. 

Chad went with Bryant on his scout camp out on Aug. 19^th.  They had a good time, except Chad’s back went out again as they were loading up.  He originally hurt his back digging up some pearl scale that has infested our grass in the back yard and unloading all the infested dirt at the dump.  We sure hope we have been able to get rid of all the pearl scale.  We’ve heard it is leprosy for grass and that we might as well just move because it is so hard to get rid of.  Chad’s back is feeling mostly better now and he was able to play volleyball and basketball again this week. 

Spencer, Karalee, Marlee, Tilly and I went out for dinner while Chad and Bryant were camping.

Last Saturday night, Aug. 20^th, we had a ward adult game night at the church.  It was really fun.  It was a good way to get to know members of our new ward and break the ice.  There were some really fun group games and lots of funny moments.

Friday, Aug. 26^th, we held a party for Brenda’s 60^th birthday that is coming up next month.  Heather planned it and we just held it at our house and helped with drinks and an appetizer.  There were several people who came, our home wasn’t quite big enough for that many people, but it was still a nice time.  It was fun to celebrate Brenda’s wonderful, service filled life.   

Yesterday Chad started a big project of refinishing our kitchen table.  Both of us noticed as we were cleaning up the house for Brenda’s party how worn it has gotten.  He also trimmed our trees too.  He’s had lots of Saturday projects lately.  We still need to get the holes in our yard filled from where he removed all the pearl scale.  I also would like to have him replace all the wood in our side RV gate and other little gate that leads into the back yard so he’ll have stuff to keep him busy for a while.  Last night Chad and I went to dinner with Rich and Camille Kempton, a couple from our ward.  They are a fun couple and it was nice to visit with them and get to know them better.

Today I got to sub Tilly’s primary class.  It was so fun. 

My quote today is from a comment Sis. Jackson in our ward made in relief society last week.  “Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.”  I think this is very wise and would help prevent many misunderstandings. 

Love,

Mindy

P.S.  If you write me back and let me know how you are doing I would love it.  I might send a surprise!

P.S.S.  Here are several other pics from Aug. 14-28th.  Enjoy.

Tilly's blanket cape.

I love Chad's ability to work from home from time to time.  It is literally a cushy job when he's working at home.

Another day ... another life saved!  I'm glad I'm able to donate blood.

Tilly got ahold of my phone.  I love her cute selfies.

Chad took Marlee to a d-backs game.  He got free work tickets with all you can eat hot dogs, popcorn, soda, etc.

Bryant's first time to go to the temple.

Spencer still has his lawn mowing business.

The girls and I watched Beauty and the Beast.  She got scared of the Beast and ran into the closet to hid, but had to peek at the movie too.

Karalee and Marlee weren't scared.

Spencer invited his friend Carson over to play ping pong.

Karalee got to go to her friend Natalie Sedig's birthday party and make a necklace.

Tilly's cute bee costume and bird she made while learning about the letter B at preschool.

Tilly asked me to take a picture of her little town.

Letter - Bryant's birthday and Ordination, Modern Day Gadianton Robbers, Create things Spiritually before physically

August 14, 2016

Bryant is now a deacon!  He was ordained by Chad after our block of meetings got over.  As Chad put his hands on Bryant’s head and started the ordination I got emotional.  Bryant has been such a comfort to me his whole life.  He helped me heal after losing Joseph.  I’ve learned that the babies who are born after losing a baby are called rainbow babies.  He is my rainbow baby.  I felt like Joseph was present at his ordination today.  Bryant’s been talking about Joseph this week so he’s been close in our hearts.  Bryant has a special spirit and will do great things.  I’ve felt very accountable for how I mother him. 

Chad had the kids interested in his FHE lesson about strong foundations on Monday evening.

Tilly got to start preschool on Tuesday.  She was SO excited for her first day of preschool yesterday. In her excitement she was so sweet to be concerned that I would be all alone while she was gone.

Tilly: What are you going to do while I'm at school?
Me: I think I'll go to the temple. 
Tilly: Oh good then you won't be alone. 
Me: (rethinking my day) Actually, I think I'm going to have to go to Walmart to buy groceries. 
Tilly: No! You won't have any friends there!

I teared up a little bit after dropping her off as I thought about how she worried about me. She is a good little friend to me.

Friday was Bryant’s birthday.  He got an RC Batmobile for his birthday.  Tilly was looking at it and she said "Wow. This is a nice car. Batman did a good job on it."  She is so cute and says so many funny things these days.  We were so lucky to have a ½ of school on Bryant’s birthday, giving us more time to celebrate together.  He requested that I make French toast and buy apple juice for his birthday breakfast, so of course I did.  For lunch I took our family and two of Bryant’s friends from school to In and Out and then we went to Flip Side to play.  We had a nice time.  For dinner that evening per his request we had ribs, mashed potatoes, broccoli and donuts instead of cake.  After dinner he and I went to Joe's Farm Grill for more dessert to get his free birthday credit.  It was a fun, free date.  Bryant talked a lot about Joseph that evening.  He has been concerned that Joseph doesn’t get to have birthdays and get ordained to the priesthood and grow up in our family.  I told him that Joseph will have a chance to get all those things after he is resurrected and that Chad and I will have a chance to raise him.  Bryant was feeling sad that he is missing out on having another brother in this life.  I told him that if Joseph lived then he might not have been born when he was because I might have waited longer to have another baby.  To me wishing away Joseph’s death is almost like wishing away Bryant.  The Lord knew what was best for me and our family and I don’t feel cheated.  I know I will have my opportunity to raise Joseph and he will have the opportunities that come from life.  Even if we are sad sometimes that he isn’t here to be with us, I know all will be made right and he gives us extra incentive to live righteously.

I predict that in 2 years on Bryant's 14th birthday he will be taller than me.

Bryant asked for a candy poster for his birthday.  It says:  Dear Bryant, You are 12!  It seems like forever since you were a crawler.  You were sent to the Milky Way betwixt Spencer and the girls.  You get along with them like the 3 Musketeers.  When you were born you were not very Hari (Harry, ok that one was a big stretch).  We are glad you are not a Jerk.  You are fun and give us lots of snickers with your jokes.  We love you. Love Mom and Dad

Today in Sunday school we discussed the Gadianton robbers.  I realized that there are things that we buy and things that we do that are modern day Gadianton Robbers that can rob us and our children. I know that there are times that Facebook robs my children of my time, there are times that video games and tv rob our family of better things we could be doing.  Other things I thought of are: hiring people to do labor around the house can rob your children of learning to work and rob them of the opportunity of working alongside their parents, expensive hobbies can rob, the list could be endless. I hope I like the Lamanites mentioned in Heleman 6:20 can recognize the robbers in my life and rid myself of them.  “And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth.”

In Relief Society it was pointed out that the Savior said he had overcome the world before he had performed the atonement.  (John 16:33)  He created that spiritually for himself before he did it physically.  We also can create goals and things we need and want to do spiritually before we do them physically.

My quote today is from James E. Talmage.   “To the many who profess to regard the necessity of toil as a part of the curse evoked through Adam’s fall, the Sabbath should appeal as a day of temporary reprieve, a time of exemption from labor, and as affording blessed opportunity of closer approach to the Presence from which mankind has been shut out through sin. And to those who take the higher view of life, and find in work both happiness and material blessing, the periodical relief brings refreshment and gives renewed zest for the days that follow” (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p 191-192).  I love this quote for its teaching about taking a higher view of life in the way we view work and for its teachings about the Sabbath.

My little side kick while I typed this letter.

Love,

Mindy

We found out we have pearl scale in our grass.  It is an insect that kills the grass and is very hard to get rid of.

Chad digging out the second pearl scale spot with Marlee's help.