Old/New goal continued

So day 3 hasn't been a rousing success, but I'm a work in progress. Tomorrow will be better.

I had a nice visit with the naturopath today. I told him that I feel like this detox thing is going to take forever. He told me that the bulk of it happens relatively quickly, but the end of it drags out. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it gave me hope that some day soon my bp will return to normal because I won't be detoxing as actively as I am right now. Whatever I'm detoxing now is making my left hip hurt bad enough that I can't find a comfortable position to sleep. Ugh.

He also told me that my body is stronger. I can't tell if I'm progressing or not, so it's always nice to hear good things like that. It's still hard to be patient when it's taking so much longer than I hoped it would.

He also told me that I've progressed enough that another layer has been uncovered. Good or bad news I can't tell at the moment. Hopefully, that's good in the long run. Apparently, our scar tissue isn't as supple and pliable as regular tissue and sometimes it runs interference in the nerve impulses that run through our bodies. So we did some work on my scars today. He had me touch my gall bladder scar and tell him about the circumstances, my emotions at the time, when it happened, etc, as he waved a lazer beam over me. It was weird, but I'm sure he knows what he is doing. Then we did it with my C-section/appendix scar.

It's really interesting to learn about my body this way. I'm really thinking that for now this is the best course for me. I'm glad I found someone good.

Old/New goal

Out of all my goals this year, one I focused on a lot was my weightloss and health goal. I've seen some progress, and some regression. It has been disheartening to see some pounds come back, but I figure it's part of the journey. Part of that is because of the detoxing I started in July, and part of it is just plain because I lost the pounds in the wrong way in the first place.

I have always felt that I shouldn't eliminate any food, but rather that I need to learn how to eat all foods in the proper portion size, to have a well-balanced diet. While visiting the naturopath I've learned that eating low fat for so long may have contributed to my current health (or lack thereof) and I have happily increased the fat I eat. Early in this journey the naturopath asked me to track my food and had very few suggestions to make my eating better. I was doing quite well on my own and once I started really looking at what I was eating I started losing weight because I started eating better portions.

However, the last six months have really been hard for me as I worked towards this goal. The slow track got very boring. HCG came along and promised quick weightloss. I thought I could cut 5-6 months off my overall journey. I didn't realize until later there were several aspects of that program that wouldn't work for me, and in all reality hcg cost me a good 6 months in my progress. 1. It was so restrictive that I ended the diet even more tired of self-denial and gave up not eating certain foods completely and in some cases a little too early. 2. It totally messed with my head and my thinking. I have always worked on having healthy thinking when it comes to food...but after hcg I was entertaining serious thoughts of bulimia and other diet mentality thinking. 3. While some people can readjust in the three weeks of maintenance, I took months and months. I don't know if I am totally stabilized yet. 4. My body kicked into heavy metal detox which made it even harder to readjust after the diet.

So, I'm back to doing what I know deep inside myself is the right thing for me to do. To strive for a well-balanced, healthy diet that eliminates nothing. I recently found some inspiration in this. One of the sisters in our ward started doing something very similar last March. All she has done was to limit her sugar and refined foods to two days in a year's time (her birthday and Christmas) and exercise 6 times a week. In nine months she has lost 80 pounds and is looking great.

My goal this year is to limit my sugar intake (the obvious sugar) to one day per week. I'll try to limit it to reasonable portions on that day, but I'm not going to sweat it if I over do it once or twice. The second part of this goal is to eat as gluten-free as possible. That, by itself takes care of alot of refined things. The third part is to do some kind of exercise 5-6 days a week. I'll have to figure out how I want to report my progress, but I'm excited.

I'm also a little scared. I'm stepping out on faith. What if my body is still so stressed with detoxing that I still don't lose weight? What I'm hoping for is that I'll be back down to 163 by my birthday in June, but I've decided that at least I'll be eating for health and some day the weight loss should catch up.

So I'm off on a new year already. December 26 was my first day. I haven't done perfectly, but I have done a ton better. So I'm happy with my progress so far. I'm even seeing a very slight sign that things are turning around after the first two days.

I got it!

I got the job! Sometimes I wondered if they were trying to find ways to not give it to me, but ultimately, the district left it up to my kitchen manager and she wanted me. My new hours start on January 3.

Interview

My interview is Thursday afternoon. I'm getting nervous. I have the most seniority of the applicants. That should help a little.

Wish me luck!

I'm pretty nervous about what I've done. I submitted an application for a new job. Actually, it's still with Boise School District Food Service and it's still at my school. The only difference really is that I would be working 5 hours a day instead of 2...AND I would do everything the assistant manager used to do. The only catch is they took the title away so I'll still be an assistant 1...but doing the job of an assistant manager. I just found out today that a fellow who works at North Junior High is also applying. I knew it wouldn't be as easy to get this position as it was to get the 2 hour job 3.5 years ago. THEN, I told them I wanted the job, Jo called to tell the lady at the district office and she told Jo I had the job. I didn't even have to interview. Of course, I had been subbing for four years at that point. Now I'm in my fourth year at this school, eighth year with the district. I guess we'll see if I have enough seniority to help at all.

24th!

My cousin did a series of posts about her husband during their anniversary month and I thought it was a neat idea. So I’m stealing that idea from her.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

So much for copying a good idea. Life has been too crazy. A series of posts became one post.

I didn’t date much in high school, or in college, for that matter. My first date was while we were visiting Payson, Utah. We were living in Lewiston, Utah at the time. I was almost a junior. I was visiting with one of my Payson friends and kind of haphazardly suggested that we grab her brother and her boyfriend and go to a movie together. So, we did. We went to the drive-in and saw “Young Frankenstein.”

The other three dates in high school were also girl’s choice affairs. Two were dances and one was a Young Women’s activity. For that one we had it on April Fool’s day and we colored the food weird colors. We each asked a boy to come to the dinner with us. I asked the boy in the other ward to go with me to this activity. (Yes, boys were limited at that time in Lewiston…they were either dating someone seriously, or my cousins. Very few were available.) He was one of the popular boys in the school and I was surprised when he said he would go with me. The leaders tied our hands together so we were one big chain of people and we had to eat that way. My date was left handed, but valiantly ate with his right hand so he could get along with all the right-handed people.

I was in college before boys started asking me out, and that was rare. I had a low self-esteem, but I had a mask of confidence. To look at me you’d never know I felt poorly about myself. I also didn’t have much training where boys were concerned. I didn’t have an older sister to teach me the ropes, and my oldest brother was 10 years old when I started college. Not a lot of education to aid in the dating scene. Some of my guy friends (Garfield and Bruce and a few others) helped with that. They taught me that boys were afraid of rejection, that if I smiled at boys the battle was won, and that I had a lot going for me.

Here are a few of the boys I dated in college:

-Ben—one date

-The one who told me on our first date that he came to BYU because he knew he would find a wife. I told him it was going to be quite a while before I got married. On our second date he told another boy in the ward that it would be a while before he got married. That was our last date.

-Joel—We went on three dates and he had decided that I was the girl for him. I had to write him a “Dear John” letter during the summer.

-Raymond—who didn’t like the fact that I’d never been outside the United States

-Paul—who believed in keeping his woman bare-foot and pregnant. I let him know I was not the girl for that.

-And then there was Tom! I can count the number of boys I dated on both hands so this is the entire list.

Part 2: Tom is very persistent and optimistic.

Tom and I met in January 1984. It was my third year at BYU and about 1 year after he had returned from his mission. The first time I met him was at a ward dance. He was trying to get my roommate to go skiing with him, and she wasn't taking him up on it. For some reason his persistence didn't impress me then. Tom and his roommate were made home teachers to two of my roommates while the other roommate and I had another set. That's when Tom started winning me over. I was impressed with how much he cared about my roommates and what a good home teacher he was. Soon he was coming over twice a month to home teach and 28 times to goof off.

Tom's persistence and optimism have really paid off through the years. No matter how hard things got he always was looking ahead and seeing the silver lining in the clouds.

Part 3: Tom is fun and impulsive.

One of our best dates was the night we went dancing on campus. We didn’t know anyone at these dances, but there were always a number of ward dances going on. After we danced for a while we ran through the sprinklers. Then Tom showed me how the statue of Brigham Young could do the funky chicken. The statue has been moved now so I don’t know if it will work, but back then you could run across the cuad and the vertical lines of the Administration building passing behind Brigham created an optical illusion that made it seem like he was dancing. Another good date was the night we bought items from the bulk section of Smith’s. Just 3-4 pieces of each kind of candy. The cart was filled with plastic bags and a little candy. We went on a few dates, but mostly just enjoyed doing things together as friends.

Just before leaving on my mission Tom and I played a joke on a mutual friend and went to church "engaged." I had on a cheap, fake diamond and all. During that weekend Tom also kissed me for the first time...my first kiss ever.

Part 4: Tom is supportive.

Most boys wouldn’t take me seriously when I first told them I was going on a mission. They usually did a double take when they realized I was serious. Tom and Bruce were the exception. They were excited that I was going on a mission and totally supported me. Tom wrote about every six months, and his letters were just right. He talked about scriptures that meant something for him and new insights he had about them. He was very encouraging, and wrote the kind of letters a sister missionary needs to receive. Over the years Tom has supported me in everything I do. I don’t think I could hold the calling I do without his support.

Part 5: Tom is a cut above the rest.

He’s the only man I dated more than three times.

He’s the only man I’ve ever kissed.

He’s the only man who had Heavenly Father’s stamp of approval!

Thanks, Tom, for keeping life exciting. Twenty-four years ago I thought I was in love. Now I know a little more about love and look forward to learning more about it with you in the years to come.

Eleanor Roosevelt

I need to make one of these!

Heroes

This has been a kind of melancholy day. Some people come into your life and make such a difference that you miss them after they are gone and remember them always. I've been remembering someone like that today.

Four years ago today we got a phone call from Joe Rudd who was the high priest group leader. Tom was one of the assistants. Joe said, "I have bad news. Tim Perry passed away today." Tom and I were so totally shocked that we sat in the living room for several hours, our minds so numb we could hardly think. We couldn't believe it.

Tim was our age, and was our home teacher for a short time before we moved into our house. He helped us with car repairs at least once, but I remember his visits to our home the most. Words can't even explain what a great person he was. I always picture Tim on the other side working with my brother. He was that kind of person. He is one of my heroes.

Tim Perry

Never knew...

My cousin has some really good ideas and I decided to lift a couple from her. Here's the first one.

I never thought...

I never thought I'd spend so many years in a family of boys.

I never thought I'd enjoy boys as much as I do.

I never thought I’d love a dog like I do Buffee.

I never thought I'd have to choose my husband. My patriarchal blessing told me to CHOOSE wisely...I never thought more than one would be interested.

I never thought I'd have a miscarriage. I never thought I'd have two of them.

I never thought it would take 17 years of renting before we would buy a house.

I never thought my mom would get cancer, and survive.

I never thought my siblings would struggle with drug abuse. I never thought one of my siblings would die young.

I never thought my siblings would struggle with marriages.

I never thought Heavenly Father loved me and accepted me exactly the way I was.

I never thought I'd struggle with infertility.

I never thought I'd have a c-section. It never crossed my mind that I'd be prepared for that possibility a week before it happened.

I never thought I'd leave the country for my mission even though I really wanted to.

I never thought I would counsel people on the effects of verbal and physical abuse.

I never dreamed that my three year old would learn from the experiences of others and decide to always live the word of wisdom. I never thought that same three year old would bear a testimony (by himself) about the importance of making correct choices.

I never knew my children would be so strong that they would be able to counsel me during the rough times, and have the faith to give amazing blessings.

I never knew I was a leader…until Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity while I was on my mission. He sure thought more of me than I did.

I never thought I'd be a lunch lady like my grandma!

It's amazing to see Heavenly Father's plan in my life and how well it turned out...through all the good and bad times.

Thinking of the things I never knew made me think of things I always knew.

I always knew that at least two of my sons would serve missions.

I always knew I would know my husband for a long time while we dated (nearly 3 years), would be engaged for a short time (2-1/2 months) and would be married for all eternity in the temple.

I always knew I'd serve a mission while I was young...as long as marriage wasn't on the horizon.

I always knew Heavenly Father wouldn't steer me wrong; that He would always tell me what was best for me.

I always knew He would be there for me. I just had to overcome my own feelings of worthlessness.

I always knew that I was worth more than I thought I was…stronger than I thought I was.

I always knew I'd serve as Relief Society president...I dreaded it.

I always knew my husband would be a high priest.

I always knew we would be blessed with wonderful children. I really can't take too much credit for how they turned out.

I always knew I would graduate from BYU.

Adventures in the kitchen

We've been eating new foods this week because of the Bountiful Basket we got on Saturday. Here are a couple things I've made.

Collard Greens--When Johnathan found out we had collard greens he wanted to be invited over. He hasn't had them since his mission in Indiana. He liked the result. So did Tom. The rest picked at it, and James refused to even try it. I don't like my food slimy or too spicy so I thought this would be a good one to try. Don't let our experience talk you out of it. It's a good recipe if you like collard greens. Tom said, "This one can stay on the menu!" Too bad he's the only one who cared for it. Next time we have collard greens I have another three recipes I'd like to try.

Collard Greens Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs collard greens, tough stems discarded, leaves chopped

2 Tbsp medium onion, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

2 teaspoons bacon fat (I chopped the cooked bacon and threw it in. Why have it left over?)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp dark sesame oil (Dynasty or comparable)(Didn't use this because I didn't have it.)

Chili pepper flakes, a pinch

Salt, a couple pinches

Sugar, a couple pinches

METHOD

1 Use a large skillet with a tight fitting cover. Melt bacon fat and heat olive oil on medium heat. Sauté onion until transparent, a couple of mintues. Add garlic and and sauté until fragrant, about 20 seconds.

2 Mix in the greens, sesame oil, chili pepper flakes, salt, and sugar. Cover and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes.

Serve with barbecue sauce. (I put BBQ sauce in the dish and served it that way.)

Serves 4.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/collard_greens/

Brussel Sprouts--Again, James wouldn't even try this. Tom really liked it. Hannah and I thought it was ok. I won't buy brussel sprouts, but if they come in a future basket we'll use them. I used left over cornbread in this and that made it a tad sweeter than it would usually be.

Brussels Sprouts Cheesy Casserole Recipe

Cheddar cheese adds a nice cheesy taste to brussels sprouts!

2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen Brussels sprouts (mine were fresh and I steamed them for a bit.)

2 slightly beaten eggs

1 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs (2 slices)

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (More cheese is always good!)

2 tbsp. chopped onion

2 tbsp. butter, melted

Cook Brussels sprouts according to package directions; drain. Cut sprouts into fourths and set aside.

Combine eggs, half the crumbs, soup, cheese, onion, and dash pepper. Fold in sprouts.

Transfer to a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Combine remaining crumbs and butter; sprinkle atop sprouts. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings. --www.cooks.com

I served this with baked bbq chicken.

And last...not new, but I'm so excited at how it has been turning out! The key is the quinoa flour I added. The bread holds it's shape better, is moister and has a heartier taste to it.

Gluten-free bread

On top is the bread. Below is a hamburger bun. The little ball things are drops of dough that were frozen. I'll use those to make cinnamon pull aparts later.

Gluten-free flour mix

1 cup rice flour

1 cup potato starch

1 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup corn flour (not cornmeal)

1/2 cup tapioca flour

2 cups quinoa flour

6 tsp xanthan gum or guar gum

Mix all together and store in an air tight container. Use at a 1:1 ratio to replace regular flour.

Betsy's Favorite White Sandwich Bread

3 cups gluten-free flour mix

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 1/2 tsp yeast

1/4 cup oil

1 3/4 cup warm water

1 tsp vinegar

3 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place yeast on top. (Don't mix it in!) Combine water, oil and vinegar. Pour water mixture over yeast and let sit for 3-5 minutes. Mix well, then add eggs. Beat on high for 5 minutes. Turn on oven to 375. Grease pan and spoon batter into pans. Let rise for 20 minutes. Bake loaf pans for about 35 minutes. Bake English muffin rings (or hamburger buns) for 20 minutes.

How many ways...

can you spell the word "MOVIE"?

moovee

muuvy

mooovey

Here was my choice during Relief Society on Sunday...

muvie!

I also had a rough time spelling "HOBBIES."

I'm grateful for the wonderful sisters in our ward who didn't mention my poor spelling!

New foods

I just picked up my first Bountiful Basket!

We're excited to try some new foods. Tom was really excited when I started researching and found out that fuyu is a persimmon. He loves them.

We also got some collard greens and brussel sprouts.

So, PLEASE send me some good recipes. I've never eaten them or cooked them before.

Grateful for...

Technology!

I don't know how we lived without caller ID. I'm so glad I can look at the number on the phone and then tell Hannah, "It's for you! Answer it yourself!" I've also screened lots of political calls, and once in a while it has been handy to see who called and maybe didn't leave a message. It also helps to answer the phone knowing it's likely going to result in a food order, thus eliminating the surprise factor. lol

But the best is still the internet and computer technology that allows me to touch bases with my family in Honduras. This photo shows Mama and Papa...Francie and Jose Angel with a couple beautiful granddaughters.

Swoosh!

That was October. Where did it go? I don't know. Do you?

Since my last post my life has been filled with the typical things...Relief Society, work, Relief Society, kids, Relief Society, kids' homework...did I say Relief Society? Please understand! I'm not complaining. Although this job has been very busy and taken lots of time, I'm enjoying it. I just don't have enough hours in the day and wonder where all the time went.

One of the highlights from the last couple weeks was this excerpt from Tim's email...

don't worry about the naturopath thing it will eventualy pass and you will be okay. some things just take time and seem like they will never end, but it will and just as the song "if you could high to kolob" says "there is no end to glory; there is no end to love; there is no end to being; there is no death above." so if we focus on what we are aming for everything will be a lighter burden and we will beable to make it to our goals. then if we stick to verse 4, that will help us alot to because it is like the iron rod. if we follow the things that we have been taught then we will be able to make it with no worry. everything will be okay.

i love you mom. i hope you have a wonderful day!

bye

timothy

Great advice! Especially when I know he has personal experience with it. Tim always struggled with school, but he never gave up. He kept trying and working at it. It's great to see the growth he is making and the man he is becoming.

Looking forward...Tom and I have decided to work together on another goal. This time we are limiting our sugar intake. No sugary treats except twice a week. Wish me luck!

Work, doctors, life, fence and temple

WORK…

It's been crazy since school started again and I've been hanging on. It always takes me a while to get used to spending 2.5 hours a day working...added into my regular schedule. This year we have a new assistant manager, and it's been stressful. She is having a hard time learning her duties. The other two of us are doing our best to pick up the odds and ends, and we are getting tired. Time will tell if she will be able to do this job. Add in Relief Society, food orders and more Relief Society…I’m going full speed most days. Enough said on that.

DOCTORS…

What else is up is my blood pressure…again. Ugh! It was just borderline high at my doctor’s appointment, but she was worried about it. (The question I have, which no one can answer satisfactorily, is why when my bp was at this level for 10 years they didn't worry about it, but now they get all worried.) She gave me a new prescription (not the one that worked…that would be too easy!) The results were headaches during the night and generally not feeling well during the day, weight GAIN and an INCREASE in my blood pressure. Next I talked to the naturopath about my bp problem. He discovered I am detoxing heavy metals (aluminum and tin in particular) and said that would cause my bp to go up.

WHAT! YOU MEAN THERE'S A CAUSE FOR WHY MY BP WOULD BE GOING UP?! ONCE AGAIN...the doctor was prescribing meds to cover up a symptom while ignoring possible causes. FROM HERE ON OUT THE NATUROPATH IS IN CHARGE OF MY INSIDES AND THE DOCTOR IS IN CHARGE OF EMERGENCY ACCIDENTAL CARE ONLY!

LIFE…

James finally got his Life badge in scouts! He is excited to get working on his Eagle and wants to finish it before he turns 17.

FENCE…

Our poor fence has been sagging for a number of years and we decided it was time to fix it. We took out 11 posts…8 of which were so rotten they weren’t even supporting the weight of the fence anymore. The only thing that kept it up were two rebars, one telephone pole and one bush.

The poor, sagging fence

The three "good" posts

Cementing in the new posts...we decided we never want to do this again!

The new posts are looking good!

Taking out our frustration...

The new fence

Next summer's project...

I can't forget to mention the help we had yesterday getting the fence finished. Kirk Banister and the boys came; each had a hammer. The boys were so cute and pounded away for as long as there were nails to pound. The elders, one of John's friends, our home teacher (Ron Wright) and one other man from the ward also came to help. The fence was finished in less than two hours. Thanks everyone!

TEMPLE…

We traveled to Twin Falls for another family temple trip. Our friend Carol had more names ready for baptism and asked us to meet her there. We did 95 baptisms. I had heard over and over through the years that the people we did the work for would greet us on the other side and thank us for doing their work. I never believed it. I always thought they would greet other people, but that I would be overlooked like I was here.

Two things that happened recently helped me to understand how they really will be waiting for me and wanting to thank me when I get there. The first was meeting the Honduran family online again. They looked me up! They remembered me! They thanked me over and over for the efforts I had put into my mission and teaching them!

The second thing was the Spirit. As they told us that these people would be waiting to thank us on the other side, I knew it was true…even for me!

Here's a link to James' blog. He is posting some of his short stories, and they are really good...(even if I am a bit prejudiced!)

The first (and only one posted so far) had me riveted! James learned a new word...he didn't know what riveted meant...ha ha.

http://zingmonkey.blogspot.com

Que buena!

It has been so fun to catch up with the Meza family from my mission. It's so gratifying to know how they have been for the last 25 years and to see the things they have done. I was chatting with Francy tonight. She told me that she was Relief Society president for four years and now is working in the other Relief Society meetings as well as teaching the temple prep class. Her husband is an assistant in the high priests. They are preparing for a temple trip to Guatemala on October 20. She says they go every year and she loves being in the temple. I know they are excited to have connected with me as I am with them. This technology is great! I need a current photo of them. This is the best I could do from their facebook albums.

Nancy (I think), Francy and Jasmin

Francy and her son Manases when he was on his mission--coming or going, I'm not sure which

And with all this Spanish floating around on my facebook I think my English is slipping a little. I was filling out the conducting sheet for Relief Society today and wrote for the lesson "Faith en Cristo" ha ha!

Sometimes I'm slow

The other day I wrote about something I finally "got" while at the temple with Johnathan and Laney on Saturday.

Tonight I went to a Regional Auxiliary Training meeting and had the opportunity to learn at the feet (almost literally...I was on the second row back, within five feet of the speakers) of two members of the General Relief Society board. On top of that, the Relief Society presidents from our stake and one other stake were invited to attend a focus group with Sisters Staples and Doxey from the General Board.

After being spiritually fed and having several "ah ha" moments, I can honestly say...

I feel like I finally kinda know what I'm supposed to be doing!

200th post

I've seen people do fun contests and drawings for their 100th and 200th posts. I'd like to do that sometime, but at this stage in my life I'm noticing something a little strange.

At 100 posts...Johnathan came home from his mission and I was writing about it.

At 200 posts...Johnathan was getting married and I wrote about that.

Oh well, maybe things will slow down a little and I'll get to do something really fun for the 300th post. LOL

Change in perspective

I've had a little time to collect my thoughts about Saturday. One thing the sealer did with John and Laney was to have them look in the mirrors. He told them that the one direction was their ancestors and stretched on and on forever. The other direction was their posterity, which also went on forever. I've seen this done several times, including our own wedding, but I never caught the full vision of what it meant. One thing that made Saturday so powerful for me was that I finally got it.

I've been playing a game on facebook called "FrontierVille." In this game you are given tasks to do and as you complete them you are given new tasks. There are tasks for the house, barn, school, inn and so on. Each series has 5-10 (or so) tasks in it.

I've been thinking how much life is like that. Heavenly Father set up a series of tasks for us to do. There's the "growing up" series of tasks that includes: attending elementary school, getting baptized, graduating from primary. Then there's the "teenage" series: going to Young Men's or Young Womens, attending junior high and high school, dating, learning to drive, and graduating. Then there's the college, mission, and marriage series, which ends with the "get married in the temple" task. All that is followed by the parenthood series. At that point some of the new tasks are: teach your children to work, get your children to do their homework, and raise your children without killing them...to name a few. One of the tasks in this series is the "get your children to temple marriage" series.

Yesterday was a culmination of the "get your children to temple marriage" series for us as we watched Johnathan and Laney get sealed as a couple. However, the next series was opened up for us to see...It is the "help get your grandchildren to the temple" series. We think we know the entire plan and then another view is opened up and we see more of Heavenly Father's perspective. That can be mind boggling.

It all makes me so happy to have the gospel in my life, and to know that Heavenly Father has a plan. I don't understand the entire plan, but I know He does. I'm glad I've learned to trust Him, and I know He is in charge.

The big day

At this moment I'm having a hard time putting my feelings to words (too little sleep, too much stress and too many feelings all at once). Besides the fact that it was such a special experience that I don't know the words to express it all. Today "a picture says a thousand words" will have to do.

Johnathan and Laney Jenson

September 4, 2010

Boise, Idaho

The part that got to me the most was watching them drive away. True to fashion, Johnathan honked all the way down the street!

Just another one of those goodbye times. (see the post before this one)

Tomorrow...

First I sent him to kindergarten. He ran in to greet his teacher and new friends without looking back. I went out for some shopping therapy.

Then I sent him into the lone and dreary world when he went on his mission. He was excited and didn't look back. I read my mission journals and reminded myself of all the blessings and growth he would be gaining.

Now, I send him off to start his own family. He's still only looking forward with excitement...

I feel anxious because I know he is starting on some of the hardest years of his life, as he creates this new family, gets through school and settles into a career...

BUT I'm looking forward to grandchildren!

2 days

What you typically think of as sibling rivalry didn't exist in our house...ever! Johnathan has always been so tender with his siblings. Johnathan was 3 years old when Timothy was born. I was able to leave the hospital on time, but Timothy had to stay for a full 10 days. Johnathan cried because we had to leave the baby at the hospital. He never reverted to earlier behavior because the baby was getting all the attention. He never treated Timothy, James or Hannah poorly. He has always been so sweet, caring and patient with them.

However, a type of sibling rivalry did finally show up at our house...

When Timothy got his Eagle, he pinned the father's pin ABOVE Johnathan's pin on Tom's lapel. James says he will put his above Tim's AND he will be younger than they were when he gets it done!

But I think Johnathan got even when he proposed to Laney the day AFTER Timothy received his mission call!

3 days

Johnathan has always had a good head on his shoulders. He has been able to discern right and wrong and make wise choices. I always felt sad that some of my siblings were examples of poor choices, but what a wonderful son I was blessed with...a boy who could look at his uncle and aunt and decide at the age of 3 that he would not smoke and drink like they did.

We talked a lot about choices in our family from the time Johnathan was tiny, and it showed in his first testimony. He was nearly 4 years old, and gave his testimony by himself with no prompting. "I'm a big guy. I know the church is true. I know that my church is true. Boys and girls need to have right choices. I want everyone to be happy in the whole world. My testimony is about Jesus. So, boys and girls, we need to get right choices. I want everyone to be happy in the whole country. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I probably should have worried about the friends Johnathan chose to hang with over the years, but I knew he was strong. He knew where he was going and how to get there. Most of his friends have been non-members. Rather than them being a poor example for him, he has been a good example for them. He accepts them where they are at and loves them no matter what they choose, but at the same time he has helped many of them overcome a wide range of problems. I guess that's where he found his talent for psychology. The van has been known as "Dr. John's mobile psychologist office" for years now!

4 days

Johnathan has always been very energetic and quick. Not only did he learn everything early, but he went about doing them with vigor. Often I have felt like Johnathan is rushing to meet the world about 100 miles per hour faster than I'm comfortable doing. Half the time I wanted to put on the brakes!

Johnathan has always been very articulate, too. He thinks fast on his feet (another thing he did not get from me). A good example of this is the talk he gave in church last Sunday. He literally remembered he was speaking when he saw his name in the ward bulletin. Those of you who were there...did you even realize that as he spoke? I only realized it when I notice he was using Tom's scriptures.

He is a deep thinker and very analytical (I think he did get that from me), but he has NO FEAR of public speaking and he has always loved to perform. His earliest role was as the son of Jens Nelson in a musical about the handcart pioneers. He has always been interested in producing films, too. While we were in Utah he produced a short film about growing up entitled "Suddenly I Turned Around." He entered that film in the school's reflection contest and it went to the state level, if I remember right. Of course, his favorite part in that was throwing the watermelon off the roof!

I'd sure like to know what happened to that little boy. I can't really have a 22 year old getting married in a few days when I haven't aged a day over 27, can I?

5 days

One thing I learned about Johnathan was that he couldn't do anything quietly!

I remember thinking one day after Johnathan first learned to talk, "There go our quiet car rides!" And I was right. It seemed that Johnathan thought it was his job to keep everyone entertained while we were driving anywhere. He talked non-stop! Many times we'd have to tell him to stop talking so "mommy and daddy can say something, too."

I especially noticed Johnathan's loud tendencies when Timothy came along and was so quiet. I would watch them play in the yard...Timothy very quiet and methodical, Johnathan very loud and wild. I can still see him in my mind, running, sliding, swinging...and yelling at the top of his lungs!

Six Days...

Until Johnathan gets married.

I've been thinking about my baby alot lately. Johnathan did everything early.

He sat at four months.

He crawled at six months.

He pulled himself up to furniture at six and a half months.

He walked at nine months.

He pedaled a bike at twelve months.

And he's been running every since!

If you ever wondered why we are so busy around here...now you know...we've been keeping up with the kids!

Cubberley Class of 1980

That's the class Tom would have graduated from if they hadn't closed his high school between his junior and senior year. So instead Tom graduated in the Palo Alto Class of 1980.

Now, after 30 years alot of these kids have found each other on facebook and decided it was time for the first reunion of the Class of 1980 from Cubberley High, Palo Alto, California.

And that is how we ended our trip to California. We had fun meeting all Tom's friends from high school and getting to know them. For me it was a new experience to be in a large group of people, most of whom were toting a can of beer or some other alcoholic beverage.

We left the party Saturday night about an hour before it ended and while looking at the photos later, Tom commented, "I think the party got wild after we left." Since we've been home, Tom said, "When my two friends came and told me how they feel...I think they were sloshed." Because I grew up in Utah, that just wasn't something that happened in my neighborhoods or schools. I asked Tom if we were the only members at the festivities and he said, "No, there was this guy and that guy, too." Five or six of us in 150 people. Very different than what I'm used to, but I never felt out of place or weird because I wasn't doing what they were doing.

All in all, I think Tom was part of a pretty good group of kids/people. Since we've been home some of the comments we've read thanked us for coming, commented on how much they enjoyed meeting me and the kids, and, my favorite, calling me "the love of Tom's life." I just love that phrase!

A couple of Tom's friends told about a time when they decided to dig a fox hole in the backyard. They got it about 4 feet deep and ran into hard clay. So they filled it with water, thinking it would soften the clay. After four days the clay was still hard so they covered the water hole with a towel and then a truck tire and built an obstacle course. The goal was to get Tom and a couple other boys to run the obstacle course, fall into the hole filled with water, and get mad at them and chase them around the yard.

Well, all was going well until Tom fell into the hole of water...climbed out of the hole and finished the obstacle course. It definitely wasn't the reaction the two boys wanted, but it was so Tom!

Tom also took us to tour his old high school. It is a number of buildings that contain classrooms. The "halls" were only covered overhead by a roof, but other than that it was open to the weather with the class buildings on either side. The lockers were on the sides of the buildings. So virtually they were outside except for when they were in class. I'd never seen a school built like that, but in Palo Alto where the weather is so temperate year round...why have walls and air conditioning?

I'll end with one of my favorite quotes from one of Tom's classmates...

"Mid-life sure beats teen angst!"

I've always said life STARTS at 40!!!

Hands on!

I've visited several National Parks and have always enjoyed the sights from afar. However, we learned from our friends in Yosemite that the best way is to get up close and personal. I've never seen a place where you can scramble, boulder and climb to your heart's content.

We had a blast scrambling to the foot of the Lower Yosemite Falls to find there's a swimming hole where you can actually swim! Tom and the kids climbed close enough to put their feet in the water, but I sat in the mist and enjoyed nature's air conditioning.

Tom and James thought it would be fun to take pictures of us actually climbing El Capitan. So...

And James had a grand time jumping on top of the world! (On top of Sentinal Dome, that is.)

Next we discovered another swimming hole at the base of El Capitan. Tom and the kids are standing on the rock at the bottom of the picture. I was standing in the middle of the river.

And finally, we discovered a fallen sequoia tree that was hollow. Tom crawled half way through it, but the kids made it all the way.

I think I put in another 20 miles of hiking on this trip, so overall for the summer I have a total of about 35 miles hiked. I'm so excited about that! I couldn't do that just last summer. How I've missed hiking!