No pictures today but just a few thoughts. With all the negative news that fills the financial and political air waves it seems easy to get down.
When Jake and I were talking the other day he made a comment and it calmed me and gave me focus and some sense of peace and control.
He stated that "We should start thinking about what we want to accomplish in our lives and not what we don't have, yet."
I love it when he has simple insights that make me shift my thinking enough to change my day, and even my week. There is plenty for me to do, without worrying about what I can't.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
"I Want to Be a Daddy"
Thursday afternoon I was driving through the elementary school Pick up line. When you pull up in front of Jabrens school there are 6 large cones on the curb each with a 5th grader to open the door and let your child in, then they shut the door behind them. Its a beautiful day so my windows are down.
So as I'm driving past the first four cones, heading for Jabren a couple of 5th grader boys yell into my van. . . "Hey, your son says he wants to be a daddy when he grows up!" Their voices sound as if they think this is really unusual, and even kind of cool, or awesome. I'm not for sure. Then I stop at Jabrens cone and there are not just one but like 3 big kids guiding my little kindergartener to the car.
One kid leans in to tell me the same thing. "You're boy said he wants to be a daddy when he grows up."
These three kids are all grinning like "Thats cool, never thought of that." Quickly I state "Well, that must be because he has a pretty awesome Daddy and he wants to be just like him!" It seemed he had captured the attention of all the kids that day with his ambitions.
Well, when did wanting to become a daddy become such a novel ideal? I loved that the kids actually seemed to think this was a cool thing. They really seemed surprised and enjoyed the remark instead of teasing him. I hope it made them think about putting that into their future goals along with saving the earth, becoming the next president, or being independantly wealthy!
Jabren didn't have much to say about it. Couldn't get him to tell me what they were talking about. Figures.
So as I'm driving past the first four cones, heading for Jabren a couple of 5th grader boys yell into my van. . . "Hey, your son says he wants to be a daddy when he grows up!" Their voices sound as if they think this is really unusual, and even kind of cool, or awesome. I'm not for sure. Then I stop at Jabrens cone and there are not just one but like 3 big kids guiding my little kindergartener to the car.
One kid leans in to tell me the same thing. "You're boy said he wants to be a daddy when he grows up."
These three kids are all grinning like "Thats cool, never thought of that." Quickly I state "Well, that must be because he has a pretty awesome Daddy and he wants to be just like him!" It seemed he had captured the attention of all the kids that day with his ambitions.
Well, when did wanting to become a daddy become such a novel ideal? I loved that the kids actually seemed to think this was a cool thing. They really seemed surprised and enjoyed the remark instead of teasing him. I hope it made them think about putting that into their future goals along with saving the earth, becoming the next president, or being independantly wealthy!
Jabren didn't have much to say about it. Couldn't get him to tell me what they were talking about. Figures.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Mom and Dad Come to Visit for Christmas!
The most exciting company we've had yet in our home here in Texas-GRANDMA and GRANDPA! Need I say more. They're always a big hit with my boys. They stayed for two weeks and I don't know where the time went. We were able to do quite a few fun things like: Christmas preparations, start some projects in the house,
Grandma made some cool home made play dough and played for literally hours with it and the boys.
Put puzzles together- a favorite memory as a kid with my dad and his family
Grandpa played the piano! I loved having payback for all the years we played in our home growing up for his "enjoyment". I enjoyed working in my house while he played away. Its awesome to hear music-real music, in my home. He is becoming quite the pianist. I think its very cool my dad (not to mention Jakes dad, too) take piano lessons! My boys naturally think thats what grandpa's do.
We went to San Antonio to the Alamo and The Riverwalk for a boat tour.
We also had dinner with Brother Beck, a member of our ward bishopric. (My mom babysat for his Mom and Dad 50+ years ago! Is that not crazy? This mans family is a large part of why my mom wanted to have a big family. (Thus I'm here) Brother Beck and I were both amazed when the bishopric came for a family visit, that we had connections in the smallest town ever- McKinnon, Wyoming.-Ever heard of it?
Also, my mom nannied a summer for her aunts two boys and one of them lives about 20 minutes from me. So we visited my cousin, Tom, and his kids Christmas night. His kids are my age and it was so fun to be with family, though I've only met them once before in my life.
The first night they were here was our Relief Society Christmas ornament exchange and dinner. It was awesome to have my mom see all my new friends and favorite new people. It was the perfect way to introduce my mom to my life. Everyone was so genuine and kind and down to earth. Most of the girls I've met my age really wanted to meet her, it seemed and even waited their turn to introduce themselves. It occurred to me that a lot of us women are living away from our moms and so having a mom around is like having "our" mom around. We all crave closeness to home.
Also, Jabren had Grandma and Grandpa eat lunch with him at the school cafeteria. I think my mom was blown away. She enjoyed looking at all these beautiful children chatting away at the table-some of who were speaking so fluently in their second language and being so young. Jabren is a total minority. There's maybe 1 in 7 who are white. We have all cultural backgrounds in our school and neighborhood and I enjoy that this is his normal now.
This is the first time in all my life that I've had both my parents come for a visit. Throughout the years we've hosted one or the other. Being from a large family one on one is pretty rare for any length of time and I just relished having them all to myself. All in all, it wasn't like having company at all. I felt so at home in our new home for the first time. My boys slept the best they've slept since moving here. I forgot that really they're mine. They're my mom and dad. I've waited 28 years to have them all to myself and I loved every minute of it. Jake was a trooper, too, he was content and happy being displaced and not having his wife all to himself. He was awesome! The kids loved having undivided attention and I loved having someone to chat with and do everyday dishes and laundry with at all times. Actually, I really should not take credit for any dishes-my mom, with Jake's help from time to time, did nearly all the dishes the whole time. Dad and I did very few-and enjoyed every bit of it!
Funny side note story that just comes to mind that relates to this (at least for me) When Jabren was just little I got soooo sick with strep. After a few days of doing nothing but blending in with the sofa, and barely meeting Jabrens needs, I called my Mom 4 1/2 hours away. I really was always very independent as a teenager, and up to this point had never felt desperate for my mom. Now I wanted her more than ever. Well, I was exhausted but getting better when my mom arrived with my little sister in tow. When my mom walked in I gave her a hug and just cried. Relief had arrived. I needed her. After we settled in Juleen remarked that even though she knows we're all siblings and that mom is all our mom-it had never sunk in on such a real level that mom is mom for me, just as mom is mom for her. Not until she saw me hug my mom and cry. That was the first time she realized she was my mom, too. If you get that. I do. (Sorry thats just a whole other funny post. Anyways. . .does anyone relate?)
This is by far the best picture I got on Christmas morning-Cameral issues -grrrrrhhhhhh!
Nonetheless, I love how happy Jabren looks when he opened a flashlight from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. They spoiled the boys and somehow it just seems right that there are some classic gifts that are just that-Classic. They never go off the favorites list!
So alas, some pictures from the visit-my camerea was having issues so they didn't turn out great but still. . .
Grandma made some cool home made play dough and played for literally hours with it and the boys.
Put puzzles together- a favorite memory as a kid with my dad and his family
Grandpa played the piano! I loved having payback for all the years we played in our home growing up for his "enjoyment". I enjoyed working in my house while he played away. Its awesome to hear music-real music, in my home. He is becoming quite the pianist. I think its very cool my dad (not to mention Jakes dad, too) take piano lessons! My boys naturally think thats what grandpa's do.
We went to San Antonio to the Alamo and The Riverwalk for a boat tour.
We also had dinner with Brother Beck, a member of our ward bishopric. (My mom babysat for his Mom and Dad 50+ years ago! Is that not crazy? This mans family is a large part of why my mom wanted to have a big family. (Thus I'm here) Brother Beck and I were both amazed when the bishopric came for a family visit, that we had connections in the smallest town ever- McKinnon, Wyoming.-Ever heard of it?
Also, my mom nannied a summer for her aunts two boys and one of them lives about 20 minutes from me. So we visited my cousin, Tom, and his kids Christmas night. His kids are my age and it was so fun to be with family, though I've only met them once before in my life.
The first night they were here was our Relief Society Christmas ornament exchange and dinner. It was awesome to have my mom see all my new friends and favorite new people. It was the perfect way to introduce my mom to my life. Everyone was so genuine and kind and down to earth. Most of the girls I've met my age really wanted to meet her, it seemed and even waited their turn to introduce themselves. It occurred to me that a lot of us women are living away from our moms and so having a mom around is like having "our" mom around. We all crave closeness to home.
Also, Jabren had Grandma and Grandpa eat lunch with him at the school cafeteria. I think my mom was blown away. She enjoyed looking at all these beautiful children chatting away at the table-some of who were speaking so fluently in their second language and being so young. Jabren is a total minority. There's maybe 1 in 7 who are white. We have all cultural backgrounds in our school and neighborhood and I enjoy that this is his normal now.
This is the first time in all my life that I've had both my parents come for a visit. Throughout the years we've hosted one or the other. Being from a large family one on one is pretty rare for any length of time and I just relished having them all to myself. All in all, it wasn't like having company at all. I felt so at home in our new home for the first time. My boys slept the best they've slept since moving here. I forgot that really they're mine. They're my mom and dad. I've waited 28 years to have them all to myself and I loved every minute of it. Jake was a trooper, too, he was content and happy being displaced and not having his wife all to himself. He was awesome! The kids loved having undivided attention and I loved having someone to chat with and do everyday dishes and laundry with at all times. Actually, I really should not take credit for any dishes-my mom, with Jake's help from time to time, did nearly all the dishes the whole time. Dad and I did very few-and enjoyed every bit of it!
Funny side note story that just comes to mind that relates to this (at least for me) When Jabren was just little I got soooo sick with strep. After a few days of doing nothing but blending in with the sofa, and barely meeting Jabrens needs, I called my Mom 4 1/2 hours away. I really was always very independent as a teenager, and up to this point had never felt desperate for my mom. Now I wanted her more than ever. Well, I was exhausted but getting better when my mom arrived with my little sister in tow. When my mom walked in I gave her a hug and just cried. Relief had arrived. I needed her. After we settled in Juleen remarked that even though she knows we're all siblings and that mom is all our mom-it had never sunk in on such a real level that mom is mom for me, just as mom is mom for her. Not until she saw me hug my mom and cry. That was the first time she realized she was my mom, too. If you get that. I do. (Sorry thats just a whole other funny post. Anyways. . .does anyone relate?)
This is by far the best picture I got on Christmas morning-Cameral issues -grrrrrhhhhhh!
Nonetheless, I love how happy Jabren looks when he opened a flashlight from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. They spoiled the boys and somehow it just seems right that there are some classic gifts that are just that-Classic. They never go off the favorites list!
So alas, some pictures from the visit-my camerea was having issues so they didn't turn out great but still. . .
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Anna Came to Visit!
Well, I've been in Texas for 4 months and I finally got to see a friend from home. Anna was the first girl I met in my ward when we moved to Nampa. We have literally so much in common its crazy! I've never met anyone with so many similarities in our families. So when she sent me a note that she was in Houston I jumped at the opportunity to go see her! It was sooo rejuvinating to see a familiar face from my past. Thanks Anna for getting in touch with me so I could see you! My only regret is that we didn't hang out more often. She is so much fun and genuine. Anna made my last night in Nampa one to remember. We had had enrichment, then she frieked out when I told her it was my last night and gathered up a few of our friends and said we were going to do whatever I wanted-no limits. We did just that. We went to my house and just chatted-my favorite thing to do with my friends.
Some of the things we have in common:
1. We are the 7th of 9 children in our family,
2. Our moms were the same age when we were born (32) and
3. Our mothers both have their moms living with them, who are also born within a few months of each other.
4. Both our oldest siblings got married on the same day (June 12, 1992)
5. Birth order is the same except in reverse. Mine is Boy-girl-girl-boy-boy-boy-girl-boy-girl. Anna's is the same if you started at the end with a girl and ended with a boy. (Too confusing, I know)
6. We both have 3 boys and love having boys.
7. We both love people
8. can't remember anymore. . .
Enough coincidences. . .its crazy!
Some of the things we have in common:
1. We are the 7th of 9 children in our family,
2. Our moms were the same age when we were born (32) and
3. Our mothers both have their moms living with them, who are also born within a few months of each other.
4. Both our oldest siblings got married on the same day (June 12, 1992)
5. Birth order is the same except in reverse. Mine is Boy-girl-girl-boy-boy-boy-girl-boy-girl. Anna's is the same if you started at the end with a girl and ended with a boy. (Too confusing, I know)
6. We both have 3 boys and love having boys.
7. We both love people
8. can't remember anymore. . .
Enough coincidences. . .its crazy!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
First Day of School
Since we went without internet for a few months, I had moved on and never posted some memorable events. So, I'm going to play "catch up" for a while.
First off though, is Jabrens first day of kindergarten.
"I'm ready to go, Mom!"
Meeting my teacher for the first time. Mrs. Wheat-doesn't that sound just like a kindergarten teachers name?
Pick up after school. We live close enough that he doesn't get to take the bus.
First off though, is Jabrens first day of kindergarten.
"I'm ready to go, Mom!"
Meeting my teacher for the first time. Mrs. Wheat-doesn't that sound just like a kindergarten teachers name?
Pick up after school. We live close enough that he doesn't get to take the bus.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
How Our House Sold-MIRACLES
Okay, so some of my friends and family didn't know we sold our house last month. This is definitely blog worthy material, we just didn't have internet yet...then I forgot to post it.
Nonetheless, it was a major milestone for us and the details are pretty cool. (At least I think so.) Its a story of faith precedes the miracle.
Believe me: MIRACLE is a good word for it.
So we moved to Texas with all the faith in our hearts that somehow are our house would sell in this very crummy market. We know God can work miracles and we hoped he would in our case.
We left with only one walk through in 45 days on the market, my brothers co-worker. He loved it and made an offer. We countered, then he withdrew all interest period.
The offer was a blessing at the time because we were so motivated to leave our home immaculate, knowing an offer was coming in.
We left Idaho with light hearts. Then, as my brother visited with him at work he realized he was in no position to be buying a house.
The weeks turned into a month or two and we were so discouraged. Two house payments stink! We had fasted each fast Sunday along with a few family members. (Thanks David and Teresa, Mom and Dad and everyone else) One Sunday though, my faith was faltering and I was discouraged. The stress in our home was unbearable, I was beginning to see our life pile up in debt for a house we didn't live in. I was scared.
After a hard night I prayed desperately to have this removed from us and let us move forward with life. I wanted a miracle and I wanted to feel that it was a miracle, not just a huge battle to get our house gone. Then I'd know it was only the Lords doing and not anything else.
Well, literally one week later we had an offer on our home. As it turns out a woman from Florida (those who know my husband, know he's obsessed with Floriday) had been looking at a lot of homes. She walked through Friday night. Jakes parents spent the entire day painting and doing fix it jobs. They left our home better than ever. The lady came back Monday with my realtor and took measurements and we waited, . . . and waited. Friday morning the offer came in.
It was much lower than our listing price, but we decided to run with it and have the deal done. She came with cash and wanted to close in 7 DAYS!
Now, how often does that happen? No need to for loan approval, no need for an appraisal.
Little did I know in my darkest hours of doubt and desperation that the Lord could take over so quickly.
(Here's a kicker: Tawni our next door neighbor and Jakes sister in law, said she hasn't even moved in yet and we sold it a month ago. . .to me another witness that this was a miracle)
As I look back I recognize this huge miracle for what it was. Maybe we will see it as bigger than this as time goes on, especially as the economy is struggling even more so than when left.
My testimony has grown. I'm going to try to have more lasting faith. It was hard to keep our hopes up with no lookers. This woman was actually our real first official, through the MLS, walk through.
So to my friends who maybe trying to sell a house out there: BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, then pray for them, they will come!
ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE
Nonetheless, it was a major milestone for us and the details are pretty cool. (At least I think so.) Its a story of faith precedes the miracle.
Believe me: MIRACLE is a good word for it.
So we moved to Texas with all the faith in our hearts that somehow are our house would sell in this very crummy market. We know God can work miracles and we hoped he would in our case.
We left with only one walk through in 45 days on the market, my brothers co-worker. He loved it and made an offer. We countered, then he withdrew all interest period.
The offer was a blessing at the time because we were so motivated to leave our home immaculate, knowing an offer was coming in.
We left Idaho with light hearts. Then, as my brother visited with him at work he realized he was in no position to be buying a house.
The weeks turned into a month or two and we were so discouraged. Two house payments stink! We had fasted each fast Sunday along with a few family members. (Thanks David and Teresa, Mom and Dad and everyone else) One Sunday though, my faith was faltering and I was discouraged. The stress in our home was unbearable, I was beginning to see our life pile up in debt for a house we didn't live in. I was scared.
After a hard night I prayed desperately to have this removed from us and let us move forward with life. I wanted a miracle and I wanted to feel that it was a miracle, not just a huge battle to get our house gone. Then I'd know it was only the Lords doing and not anything else.
Well, literally one week later we had an offer on our home. As it turns out a woman from Florida (those who know my husband, know he's obsessed with Floriday) had been looking at a lot of homes. She walked through Friday night. Jakes parents spent the entire day painting and doing fix it jobs. They left our home better than ever. The lady came back Monday with my realtor and took measurements and we waited, . . . and waited. Friday morning the offer came in.
It was much lower than our listing price, but we decided to run with it and have the deal done. She came with cash and wanted to close in 7 DAYS!
Now, how often does that happen? No need to for loan approval, no need for an appraisal.
Little did I know in my darkest hours of doubt and desperation that the Lord could take over so quickly.
(Here's a kicker: Tawni our next door neighbor and Jakes sister in law, said she hasn't even moved in yet and we sold it a month ago. . .to me another witness that this was a miracle)
As I look back I recognize this huge miracle for what it was. Maybe we will see it as bigger than this as time goes on, especially as the economy is struggling even more so than when left.
My testimony has grown. I'm going to try to have more lasting faith. It was hard to keep our hopes up with no lookers. This woman was actually our real first official, through the MLS, walk through.
So to my friends who maybe trying to sell a house out there: BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, then pray for them, they will come!
ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NEW CHANGES: Pictures of Our Journey
These first few are in Galveston, Texas. The destruction that came three days before us: Hurricane Ike.
There was so much waste to be removed it was so sad to see a homes belongings-everything sitting at the curb.
Grandpa and Uncle Gary were there for a visit just after we arrived and so we took them to Stewart Beach and we enjoyed the sun.
Me and my sister, Peggy.
This is how we survived the airport with two, two year olds. These things were awesome. We strapped the car seat to these things I found at Baby's R US and it had wheels and a handle to pull the boys through the airport without a stroller just their carseats. These were awesome! Highly recommended for traveling with a toddler. Its just like pulling your luggage.
Just thought I'd post pictures from when we first left Idaho and arrived here.
There was so much waste to be removed it was so sad to see a homes belongings-everything sitting at the curb.
Grandpa and Uncle Gary were there for a visit just after we arrived and so we took them to Stewart Beach and we enjoyed the sun.
Me and my sister, Peggy.
This is how we survived the airport with two, two year olds. These things were awesome. We strapped the car seat to these things I found at Baby's R US and it had wheels and a handle to pull the boys through the airport without a stroller just their carseats. These were awesome! Highly recommended for traveling with a toddler. Its just like pulling your luggage.
Just thought I'd post pictures from when we first left Idaho and arrived here.
Monday, December 15, 2008
GRATITUDE
In my thoughts today:
Gratitude
Unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, peace of today, and creates a vision of tomorrow.
Author: Melody Beattie
Gratitude
Unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, peace of today, and creates a vision of tomorrow.
Author: Melody Beattie
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saying Goodbye to Our Home
After a long break from the blogging world I'm excited to be back. I'm going to start where I left off and try to get to the present. Nothing beats livin' in the past (Just Joking)
However, so much has happened and changed in our world. Here's a start.
Our First Home
Our backyard-The hardest goodbye.
Jake worked so many hours and poured his heart into it. We absolutely loved our yard.
One our family labors-the garden. We planted roses, and a plentiful garden. Just this year we had green onions, red and green peppers, 11 cantaloupe, 20 peaches, wine grapes and green grapes and 400+ pounds of beautiful tomatoes! We are truly sad to leave this.
A beautiful September night before leaving. Just one of so many beautiful sunsets we regularly enjoyed.
Moving Day.
However, so much has happened and changed in our world. Here's a start.
Our First Home
Our backyard-The hardest goodbye.
Jake worked so many hours and poured his heart into it. We absolutely loved our yard.
One our family labors-the garden. We planted roses, and a plentiful garden. Just this year we had green onions, red and green peppers, 11 cantaloupe, 20 peaches, wine grapes and green grapes and 400+ pounds of beautiful tomatoes! We are truly sad to leave this.
A beautiful September night before leaving. Just one of so many beautiful sunsets we regularly enjoyed.
Moving Day.
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