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Category: Family Time
Thanksgiving in Pine Valley
We spent Thanksgiving with Richard’s family in Pine Valley. My memories of the weekend are accompanied by music from the piano and Christmas carols sung by all. I have never seen so many pies. I took a few candid shots to help me remember the time together. The family’s discomfort at being photographed is so obvious in a few of these pictures. All well. I love these dear people.
Little Women
Paige and I watched this movie late into the night last weekend. I always watch this movie with my girl. The first time I watched it was in a theater with my mom and two sisters in December 1994, just a few days before I got engaged. That’s a sweet memory.
It was a weekend to celebrate women. My mom spoke at the Missionary Training Center to all of the sister missionaries on Sunday morning and she invited me and my sisters to attend.
We were told that 39% of the missionaries at the MTC this weekend are sisters. That’s a lot of women. There was real power in that enormous arena. There were other sisters assembled at the “west campus” and we waved via satellite. When they all sang I cried.
They took lots of notes and told me they were excited to go to Taiwan or Scottsdale, Arizona and all over the world. My mom’s words were beautiful and reminded us that The Gospel Blesses Families. It’s quite something to be invited to speak to such a unique and historic audience. It might have been the largest gathering of sister missionaries ever. It was a special thing to see my mother speak with confidence and power to that audience.
I went home to my Young Women at church and told them that they look like the sisters at the MTC. They are nearly the same age and they have the same countenance. Do they understand that they have power through their obedience to covenants? I hope so. Do they understand that they are respected and valuable in their roles at church? I hope so. Do they know that it’s a blessing to be a woman? Oh, because it is!
We need a little…
Will Thanksgiving ever arrive? I’m impatient to see Richard again. Perhaps if we put up the Christmas tree early this year, it will seem like his homecoming will be sooner.
I bought a new tree last weekend. I placed the big box in the living room for a few days and stirred up all kinds of anticipation. We’re big Thanksgiving enthusiasts, but we are breaking all of the rules and decorating for Christmas early. There might be pilgrims and nativities, and pumpkins and stockings adorning the shelves and mantels for a week. We’ll do whatever inspires a pull of family connection and memory.
My buddy
Here is Mark in his new suit and fresh haircut. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of him. At church this week I let him skip Primary and come to class with me. In the hallway someone reminded me that it’s good for kids to face their troubles, which is a good insight… but not for us today. I have learned that sometimes a child just needs a little break and he can face his troubles better next time. Also, I can’t discount the effect that Richard’s absence is having on the little hearts in our family, and I think that extra love is needed.
Some of the best women I know
I went to lunch this week with my mom, sisters, and a sister-in-law (not pictured). They are smart, spiritual, tender, and industrious. I can guarantee that each of them is working on one or more of the following things today: Graphic design, music, sewing, quilting, refinishing, remodeling, building furniture, nurturing children, photography, rescuing someone, or party planning… They inspire me.
Family Home Evening
Mark taught our Family Home Evening lesson this week about the Armor of God. He gave each person a piece of armor and asked us to look up the scripture in Ephesians and explain how each piece of armor represented something spiritual we can do to be protected from evil. We placed the armor on a disproportionate picture of a little man. We called him Pippin.
The next morning I found our visual aid thus arrayed:
I’ve had to trust that our armor, however hastily or incompletely placed, will be enough this week because I can’t do any more than I’m doing. I have felt lifted physically and mentally even though I’ve fallen asleep every time I’ve tried to read the scriptures this week. I’ve felt like I’ve been carried. The grace of God is amazing like that. We turn to our Father in Heaven in our weakness, and that act of turning (however incomplete or imperfect) puts us in a position to receive great blessings.
Preparation
The little boys spent the weekend dressing up in layers of superhero awesomeness and throwing glow sticks in the dark.
Paige worked on a painting and performed her concerto for some judges (amazing!). She and Richard stayed up late working on math, much to Richard’s delight.
Daniel showed off his web design skills for his dad and helped clean out the gutters.
Richard worked on the leaves (a never-ending project) until he stepped on a rusty nail in the garden. Boo!
My dad took us out to dinner for my birthday. I chose Los Hermanos in downtown Provo as the restaurant, of course.
I played the violin in church with Paige as my accompanist. People loved seeing Paige up there with me. A good friend reminded me that we have a year and a half left to play together and that we need to cherish it.
I spent last night preparing mentally for the week ahead. I took Richard to the airport and then drove home without the radio and let the silence seep into my soul. I read to the boys from The Two Towers until Mark fell asleep nestled up beside me. After the bedtime routines, I made lists and menus, looked up maps and recipes, and searched for library books that are due. I made play dough for the second graders. I went to sleep listening to the Mormon Tablernacle Choir and then Alfie Boe.
It was a good weekend. I think I’m ready to face the week.
A day or two
A lot can happen in one day. In our case, one day several weeks ago, Richard’s job responsibilities changed dramatically and he was whisked away to another state for a few months. The change was sudden and the implications of this temporary assignment continue to sink in on different levels of consciousness.
He has been home this weekend. The hours are precious and there are more things we wish we could do together before he goes back. I find myself treasuring our time and even our surroundings as precious gifts.
Leaves, leaves, leaves
I’m grateful for three big kids to help clear the leaves from our three enormous cottonwood trees. Things are very hectic here, but taking some time to work in the yard is good medicine for my feelings of stress.