Family Time – Page 39 – Letters from Home

Newport Beach

Are you in the mood to look at beach pictures?These triennial beach trips have become important markers for the progress of our family. Mark was a newborn and produced his first smile on the first beach trip we made with Richard’s family. Over the years, Paige towered over her brothers in height, until suddenly she didn’t. This is the last family vacation before she leaves home. When we go again, Daniel might be on a mission. The early beach trips with Mark kept me in the waves, holding him tightly because he loved the rush and pull of the water. This year he spent most of his beach time in the water, not needing my hand, and not caring how far the water carried him down the beach from the group. I watched him with squinty eyes from a distance, his jaunty walk and hop over the waves matching the imprint I have of him in my mind. Courage and skill have grown in all of the children. Interest in sand castle building has remained a constant, whether their legs are short or long, and whether they own a cell phone or not. I like constants like that. Some years we can find sand crabs. Timothy’s area of interest is always the wildlife. This year the treasure was sand dollars and on the final night, a tiny octopus in the tide pools. The boys are lucky to have cousins that match their ages and interests, and these cousins gathered for card games, baseball, amusement park rides, and electronics. Richard and his brothers always make me smile when they joke around together, which is almost all the time, except when they are working on a computer issue or shopping for something online. Then things get very, very serious indeed.

Walking on sand with a broken toe is a bad, bad idea, so I didn’t do a lot of that. I sat on the deck and looked out over the palm trees, stitched hair on a doll, and thought about Relief Society. On the days that I ventured to the beach, I spent the whole afternoon there to avoid having to walk back and forth over the sand. I’m normally pretty terrible at doing nothing, but sometimes it’s good to be still.

Here we go

Hello, July! We’re off on adventures, every one of us. Richard and the boys’ adventures are the outdoorsy type. Paige’s adventures are of the summer job and preparing for college type. I broke my first bone and was called to be the Relief Society President last week. I found myself saying this over and over as we faced new things, “Here we go…” (kind of like what you say before you jump off the high dive or speak before a crowd) and so far the shock and adrenaline have been great helps. So has my family. Paige and Daniel cooked while I had to rest with my foot elevated. My sister Susan came and sat with me on the day I was so nervous that I was sick to my stomach.

Independence Day is a blur to me, but according to the camera, we had tank wars with my sister’s family. Instead of focusing on the fireworks, my mind dreaded that moment when my name would be read in church the next day and that title would be added to my name and all kinds of expectations and associations over which I have no control would descend on me. It felt heavy, and made me feel a little solemn. I know that many women don’t know me at church because I have been working with the Young Women since we moved here.

Despite the initial shock and nervousness, I feel like I am coming to the calling of Relief Society President with a full lamp. I feel prepared; not fully capable, but strong in my testimony and at peace with the life I have been given, including some challenges and heartache. I know I will have lots of help from many people and God’s grace will carry me. Also, I love serving in Relief Society. I love visiting people and connecting with others on a deep level. I love teaching. So the calling, while heavy, is also a gift; Heavenly Father has said, “Here you go,” and I am glad.

Escape

2008 feels like it wasn't really 7 years ago. — 2008 feels like it wasn’t really 7 years ago.

We made our escape to the cabin on the Smith and Morehouse river for twenty-four hours to inaugurate summer. Somehow almost all I did was sleep in the warm sun coming through the windows of the porch bed, my book open but unread, my doll ready to sew, but untouched. We took a hike Monday morning up the mountain. Later I took a stroll down the tree covered lane to the family cabin and felt my memories whispering inside of me. I felt an ache for family members who are gone and a sadness that the flowers continue to bloom without them. The summers of my childhood played again in my mind as I moved among the trees and flowers at the ranch. As the breeze brushed past, so did the memories; the feelings they invoked so tangible that they tugged my heart until it hurt. Glorious stuff.

Our plans this summer allow for a lot more time in the woods, plus some time jumping in the waves. My computer is not working and I type this post with my thumbs and forefingers on my phone. I am taking it as a sign that I should take a break from the blog for a while. I go through times when I feel foolish for needing to write an insignificant blog. I’m having one of those times. Plus, the clutter in my house needs some attention. Does anyone want about 1/3 of our stuff?

I hope you know that I appreciate you stopping by. Thank you!

-A

Paige’s Graduation

Bell Canyon Reservoir

Daniel was in charge of the family home evening lesson last night and he decided to take us on a hike. We have this great trail 5 minutes from our house that leads to a reservoir and waterfall. It was so green and the hillside was covered in flowers. The boys threw about 2,000 rocks in the lake and we enjoyed the views of the valley from the trail. I loved it.

We made it!

I asked Paige to give me a copy of her AP art portfolio, so I’ll share some of it over the next few weeks. Happy Memorial Day weekend! Memorial Day always feels like a finish line to me. We made it!

Look up!

Mark turns 9 years old today. We went to the Payson Temple open house this morning. It was a walking tour without a guide, but in one of the rooms, a volunteer reminded us to “look up.” The ceilings were glorious. Everything was special. It felt like home. I thought of my great-grandparents who had a farm one mile from the temple site. When I saw a painting of a woman with a basket of apples, I thought of my grandmothers who bottled fruit in this area during the Depression and beyond. I hope that Mark remembers some details of this magnificent temple and that it was part of his birthday celebration to be there. I hope that he and the kids remember to “look up” for approval, guidance, and perspective.

Game Night

We were going for the awkward look, in case you were worried. Sparky is pouting in the corner because he isn’t allowed on the furniture downstairs.

Family home evening last night was a game night. Mark was in charge. He came out carrying a tower of games from which we could choose. Monopoly was among the choices, bless his heart. We played Quirkle with too many people, so it was a long wait between turns. To entertain the restless people, I read stories aloud from my memoir-in-progress, one story each about the children and one about the dog. We laughed and reminisced and then Timothy served the cheesecake.

My goal today

My goal today is to spend an hour sitting outside in these chairs.

The AP Calculus test is tomorrow. I wonder if bonding over calculus will ever be a sweet memory for these two. They’ve worked hard all year.

Priesthood Restoration

At church on Sunday the Young Women teacher set out an outline for a family home evening lesson on the table. It had the activities from her Sunday lesson and a great quote for the young women to share with their families. Only one girl took a copy. And I did, too. I know the value of a ready-made FHE lesson. Timothy was thankful for it when he drew a blank about what he wanted to teach our family last night.

It was a good lesson. We read scriptures about the restoration of the priesthood. Richard and I talked about the big and small blessings in our lives that have come because the priesthood was restored.

We can be together forever.
We can have power in our lives.
We are blessed by he organization of the church.
We have a prophet and apostles on the earth to guide us.

And much, much more.

The blessings of the priesthood are like a blanket that covers and surrounds us all the time.

It is a humbling thing to be taught by Timothy and to hear his testimony.

We enjoyed some strawberry shortcake and then got back to homework and activities. It’s a busy time.