Small Things

a walk along the Centennial Trail with Devon yesterday

General Conference was wonderful. I felt so renewed and inspired after listening to the sessions, and resolved to do better with a few things in my life. 

I finished reading the Book of Mormon a couple of months ago, and have had a hard time getting back into regular scripture study. I tried reading the Doctrine & Covenants daily, but that just didn't give me the same spiritual boost that the Book of Mormon does. So in the last week I have tried to read my Book of Mormon before I get out of bed in the morning. The last two mornings I opened up to a random page and it ended up being the same page both mornings. I know that's not a coincidence.

The chapter was Alma 37. As I read the verses below this morning, I had a powerful moment of clarity.

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

I'm not sure if I can describe what I felt, or what I knew in that moment, but it was like a burst of light that illuminated my mind. I instantly knew that sometimes, I am the slothful one, and forget to exercise my faith and diligence. So, then I am the one not progressing in my journey. I'm not traveling a direct course back to Heavenly Father when I forget to exercise my faith and diligence. From another book in the Book of Mormon, I know that the path is straight and narrow. Am I staying on it? It's oh so easy to get off, but not so easy to get back on. It takes work, diligence, and faith.

After pondering this experience all day, I felt the need to write this down. I know there are many small things in my days that I may not notice, or attribute to its proper source. Feeling close to Heavenly Father all the time IS possible.

Yesterday Devon and I had some errands to run: storytime at the library, registering the boys for basketball. On the way home, Devon saw a playground and wanted to stop and play. We ended up going to a different park, close to the trail that crosses the river. I asked if he wanted to go across the bridge and he shouted, "yeah!" He held my hand the whole time, which is unusual. He is typically running ahead. The weather was perfect for a fall day. It was sunny and warm.  Dry, not soggy, leaves were crunching under our feet. It was a perfect moment with Devon.

In that moment, and since, I've come to realize even more that it's in the small things that bring great joy. Being distracted by technology, projects, etc., robs that joy. Feeling joy helps me feel closer to the Spirit, and I need the Spirit more than ever in this world. We all do. Feeling close to Heavenly Father all the time IS possible. Doing those small things, like reading the scriptures, can bring about "marvelous works". I have heard several different times in the last month about sticking with daily spiritual habits, and if we do, we will be strengthened. What marvelous works will happen in my life if I have faith and work hard? 


**I just logged into my blog after years, probably, of not looking at it. This was a draft that I had written in 2015. I don't want to delete it, but don't necessarily want to post it, but here goes anyway. I'm practicing vulnerability. 

Devon's breakfast

This morning, Devon sat down at the kitchen counter and asked for chocolate milk. I made him some in a sippy cup and handed it to him. (I've created a monster.) Then, he notices the container of Frosted Mini-Wheats and asks for some breakfast. So I grab him a bowl, a spoon, and pour some in, without any milk. 

He hadn't started drinking his milk, or eating his cereal, and I'm trying to figure out what's going on. 

He didn't want milk in his cereal. 

He starts trying to pull the lid off his chocolate milk and pointing to his breakfast. Ah! I figure out that he wants his cereal with his chocolate milk. (Now, Tyler has created the monster.) 

I thought he would want to pour his milk into the bowl, and eat his cereal that way. Nope. He starts putting his cereal into his sippy cup. Somehow he fit all the cereal into his milk, puts the lid on, and starts chugging away. 

As soon as the milk is gone, he wants the lid off, again, and dumps the cereal into his bowl. He wants milk in his cereal, now that it is thoroughly soggy and gross. I pour a bit of milk in and he eats the entire bowlful, with just enough time for us to leave for the bus. 

Some mornings, that kid is exhausting, but it's fun to see his personality coming out. He is definitely a two year old that wants everything done in just a certain way.

March

Devon learned how to climb this little cherry tree. So proud of himself. This kid has no fear.

The first weekend in March, Tyler took the three big boy skiing. I was hoping to go with them, but my ankle was still not strong enough. The weather was nice - spring skiing nice, and then the resort shut down the next week because of not enough snow. 

They had a good time - but came home earlier than Tyler wanted to because Kaden got hurt. He went over a small jump, with too much speed and landed flat on his skis on a patch of ice. Coincidentally, it was the same spot where Tyler did that exact same thing a few weeks prior when he went with the young men. His feet were sore for a couple of days. It took about two weeks for Kaden's heel to feel normal and for him to be able to walk and run normally.

A few days later, Mom and Dad Martinsen came up for a visit and some work. Dad agreed to install a new furnace/heat pump for us. Thank you!! Next time you come, we'll just play. :) 

We did get a little bit of playing in. We walked around the property and saw a garter snake.

We drove up to the tulip fields and saw the daffodils in bloom. The tulips weren't quite up yet, but these daffodils were still really pretty. Then, we went to do dinner in Mt Vernon. The kids were pretty cranky for pictures, but we got a few cute ones. :)

Clayton was being ornery and wouldn't come get in the picture. 

 Blowing bubbles with Grandma.

 Box forts are fun!

 Devon is still trying to figure out how to pedal his bike. 

He gets too distracted by everything around him.

 One of the neighbors gave us some carrots to feed Nacho, who lives down the road. 

We had gone on a walk and Nacho was pretty friendly.

 Shooting bows in the backyard.

 Saturday was a busy day. Kaden had his runners club track meet at the high school, and then Kaden, Jaren, and Clayton had swim lessons. We stopped at Costco for lunch and some shopping, then went to Cabela's so Grandpa could get some things for his new bow. There were a few local artisans inside the store with kids activities, which was an excellent diversion while Grandpa shopped. The boys all made a lure and a wooden boat. As much as I despise shopping around here on a Saturday, these kinds of things are fun for the kids.

February

For the sake of memory, I'm writing this all down, even though it was a while ago. 

February was a bit rough, all around. 

 I sprained my ankle after church one day. Thought for sure that it was broken...thankfully, it wasn't. But I left with my first ever pair of crutches, (yay??) and had to take it easy for a couple of weeks. That wasn't very fun, or easy.

 Tyler spent President's Day weekend, which also coincided with Valentine's Day, in Lake Tahoe with his roommates from college. He had fun, and enjoyed his guy weekend.

 A week later, Clayton touched the hot stove - our glass top, while helping me cook lunch. He was still getting over a stomach bug from earlier in the week. 

He had some gnarly blisters and was really good about keeping his bandaids on, even though it hurt. 

Now you can't even tell he ever burned it. 

 Yard work projects are going to be a constant around this place for a while...so many weeds and other things that we need to catch up on. It's good to put the boys to work!

The shed is gone and we've moved the firepit over to where it once stood.

 We had some pretty good rainstorms come through, and Devon loved the puddles in the wagon one morning. 

On the flip side, the weather has been beautiful the last couple of days, and we are enjoying it! My wisteria is just starting to bloom, and the fruit trees are blooming, too, so it smells lovely around here. 

basketball season

 Basketball season is coming to a close. Clayton, Jaren, and Kaden all played on separate teams this year. I knew going into it, that it was going to be a little crazy. Thankfully, there were only two days that we had to split up to get the boys to their games. Last year we had more conflicts with scheduling.

 Clayton was on a Little Dribblers team, and their mascot was the Seahawks (like every other team this year). They only had practices on Friday, and two days where they had games. After his first jamboree, he looked like this: 

 He would run full steam from one end of the court to the other, with the goal to be the first one down. Then he would run and jump to try and get the ball. So he was really sweaty. 

He's pretty aggressive and a good dribbler.

After his last jamboree, I was sitting next to a lady who was watching her great granddaughter play. We had made some small talk and she asked which team my kid was on. I told her pink. A few minutes pass with Clayton running all over, getting the ball any chance he could get, dribbling around and passing occasionally hardly ever. If any kid on his team got the ball, they wouldn't want to pass it either. So, the lady next to me says, "that little guy likes to have the ball and dribble, doesn't he?" Haha, "that's my kid!" :) 

 Jaren had practice on Tuesday and Thursday, with games on Saturdays. His coaches were awesome, and his team name was the Dragons. It was a pretty good group of boys.

 Jaren made a lot of improvements this year and he can make some incredible shots that amazed me. He would get ready to shoot and I would think, "why are you shooting that??" 

And then it would go in...

Kaden had a tough season. His coaches...I don't even know what to say. It was hard to sit there on the sidelines and not get frustrated. No discipline, or coaching really happened. It's like the coach showed up every week to just play with the boys. Granted, they learned from scrimmaging, but when that's all you do, you turn into a scrappy, pick up ball player. Kaden wasn't having very much fun, but we talked about it quite often, and there was nothing we could do, but suck it up. Finally, in the last couple of weeks, the team has come together on it's own and the boys are playing some good games. Tyler said he's coaching next year, for sure, so we don't have to deal with this again. He's trying to get me to coach Clayton's team, and he'll coach Jaren and Kaden's teams. Haha...that could be funny.

Kaden has practice and games next week, and then we are done. Jaren had his last game yesterday, and Clayton was done a couple of weeks ago. It will be nice to have our weeknights back, but I will now have to find something to fill that time. Just so they don't kill each other, and so I won't want to strangle them. They all have so much energy that they need a good outlet. Going outside makes it easier when the weather is nice, and the older three will go out in the driveway and play Bump together. That is funny to watch, but I'm glad they are playing with each other. 

Christmas Vacation was fun

Picture overload from our December/Christmas happenings. 

 Clayton has some shark teeth on the bottom, and his first baby tooth fell out after Christmas. Still working on that other baby tooth.

 Kaden's candy confection from his school Christmas party. It sat at home for two weeks while we were in Idaho. :)

 Warm-ish, sunny weather on our first day in Soda Springs. It didn't last long.

These three boys had so much fun together.

Tyler and Devon.

Clayton figuring out what a landline is. He loved to listen in on the conversations.

Devon loved this horse at the Arnell cousin's house.

Beautiful Logan Temple. All the adults in Tyler's family went to do a sealing for Grandma Martinsen. It was really nice to all be in the temple together.

Kaden's first hunting experience with Tyler and Jeff.

Toboggan rides behind the four wheelers. 

From left to right, (I think), Carson, Clayton, Brynlee and Kaybree. 

Devon loved being outside in the snow!

We went to Lava Hot Springs as a family one night. Super fun and the water is so warm!

Devon waiting kind of patiently for popcorn. Yum!

We spent a few days in Salt Lake City, where we met Shaunie and Ben and their family, along with Grandma and Grandpa and Ryan. Ryan was entering the MTC on December 31, so we did all the touristy things around Temple Square before he left.  It was in the single digits and windy the whole time we were there, but we had a great time. The kids had so much fun being together again, in the "Year of the Cousins". 

On our way to Salt Lake, everyone that we were meeting there were coming from different directions. We were leaving Soda Springs, Grandma and Grandpa were leaving from Idaho Falls, and Ben and Shaunie came up from California. We pulled onto the freeway south of McCammon, and Tyler checked the rearview mirror before he merged over. Right behind us was Grandma and Grandpa! Really though, what are the odds that we would be in the same place at the same time? 

The music mixing room underground on Temple Square. Ben knows one of the guys that works there. That was pretty cool to see.

Clayton reading the "Friend" in the Church History Library.

Devon visited Mars in the Clark Planetarium.

Everyone squeezing into the elevator...14 people.

Making gingerbread houses with the Martinsen cousins. Grandma made homemade gingerbread and the kids absolutely loved making these houses.

How many kids can you find?

Christmas Eve jammies! 

Jaren and Clayton both asked for footie jammies. Devon opened his present first, then Clayton, and then Jaren. Kaden was watching all of this with a look of dread on his face. Right before he opened his, I could tell he was thinking that he was getting the same thing. But, thankfully, he got regular pajamas. He was relieved. 

Christmas morning chaos. They had fun, and it was fun watching them open their presents!

We enjoyed some vintage root beer and soda. By this time it was really cold outside. We didn't have to leave them in the snow bank for long.

Playing games with all the cousins. They are funny!

Grandpa snuggles are the best! It took Devon quite a while to warm up to Grandpa. It didn't help that Devon was sick for the first four days that we were there. He definitely wasn't his usual self.

Lights at Temple Square.

Mom and Dad left with Ryan to take him to the MTC, while the rest of us perused Temple Square a bit more. The Tabernacle had been closed to tours the day before, so we were happy to see it open.

City Creek Center

We ate at Tucano's here, and that was amazing! Everyone loved the food. Kaden kept getting more and more meat, and he was on the opposite end of the table, so I had no idea what was going on. My Dad said later that Kaden should probably eat some fiber here pretty soon. The next day on our way back to Idaho, we stopped to get lunch at Wendy's. Kaden said he didn't want a hamburger or anything with meat, since he had too much meat the day before. :)

Devon did lots of planking on this trip. He was off of his regular nap schedule, and recovering from being sick. Perfect storm for a lot of two year old tantrums.

Martinsens at the Logan temple.

Tyler got the four wheeler stuck, so of course he had Kaden pushing him out. :) 

We went on a short snowshoe jaunt in the powder. The snow was awesome, and it was beautiful!

Playing duck duck goose at the church building. All those boys have to run their energy out, and they had a lot of fun with all the different games we played.

We went skiing for a half day at Beaver Mountain. It was pretty chilly in the morning, but the sun was out, and we stayed warm chasing kids down the mountain. 

The resident turkeys of the neighborhood were almost daily visitors. They got comfortable enough that they would eat out of our hands.

Spinning cookies on Lost Lake, another annual tradition.

Grandpa needs a bigger recliner!!  :)

Shooting at the gun range for a few hours one day.

The big boys found a great sledding hill and would spend hours out there, even when it was only 5 degrees. They stayed plenty warm hiking up that hill, but I couldn't believe how long they wanted to be out there.

Our last night there, the three big boys slept in at Jeff and Ashley's. That was actually super helpful, because we could pack up almost everything, without kids ripping into packed bags. While we were packing, Devon found a chair and some books downstairs. He thought a chair that was just his size was the perfect thing.

We had a lot of fun with cousins, and, like usual, it always goes by way too quickly!