Last Day of July

...French toast, chores, Price, swimming (I got a parking spot in the front and parallel-parked perfectly 😄), fountains (and soon sun bathing), and Disney XD, library, Daniel Tiger (for Jill's potty reward)... Last free swim night tonight! We'll finish it off with a bang with ice cream cones!!

Ward Council Thought

I gave the thought in ward council today. It came from two things I had written down from last Sunday to go home and study.

1. Writer of hymn # 227, There is Sunshine in My Soul.
2. Symonds Ryder

Both were interesting stories and I realized that they were complete opposites on how someone could react. First Eliza Hewitt the writer of the hymn was injured ( purposely by someone) and was in a body cast for 6 months. When she got her body cast off she was very happy and optimistic and wrote this hymn.  She could have been very bitter and angry and mean, but she forgave and let the experience strengthen her. The second story is about a man who joined the church after seeing a miracle done and then when he received a mission call was a offended his name was spelled wrong and said if the mission call was inspired than the prophet should be inspired on how to spell his name correctly. He left the church became apostate, and was rumored to join one of the Kirtland mobs the night of the John Johnson Farm incident (with the twin that died after a tar and feather of Joseph Smith). Ryder's farm was next door.

So these are two instances that came up in church last week and I'd written them down to study them more. I realized how important it is on how we react to events, especially when we don't have control over it. We are all human and make mistakes. When I was first called as a beehive leader I noticed one of our new beehives had her name spelled different in two different places. I finally asked the mom which was correct and neither were and the mom also told me we had her birthday wrong. 😳Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 talks about cheerfully doing all that we can and standing still and watching the hand of the Lord. And I quoted a part from the ward newsletter this month which is written by the Bishopric: "the level of faith and trust we have in the Savior's Atonement will ultimately guide how we respond to our challenges as we increase our faith and trust in the Savior, we will fill greater joy and happiness, even amidst difficult challenges." Before I shared this thought we sang hymn #227 and I gave the opening prayer. 😊

Emma's Primary Talk

Emma's primary talk today:

Note: It was written in the car yesterday and I found pictures night to match! She wanted her talk to be about Adam and Eve.

She got up and read it all herself. It was nice to watch from the back with Ross.

Beach Day

Ross and I don't love the beach, but our kids do... so we go for them. We planned to go to Bodega Bay for the day and we bought a canopy, brought chairs and lunch, sand toys and floaties. The kids had a blast. When we first got there it was kind of cold and they wanted to go home but after 4 hours they didn't want to leave. ☺️

I compiled a video of the first reactions to the freezing water. Eventually they all got in. Jane floated out there the most.

On the way there we saw this random field with an outhouse with no door and a toilet. It was next to the busy highway and made us laugh.

Temple Time

After some yummy street tacos we headed to the temple. We let Allen and Abby babysit. We did initiatories at the temple I did 9 names... and one of them was Laura Whitford. When I researched her last year I found 90 more names! 😮 The kids did fine, but they weren't asleep when I got home. 😜

Tacos & Temple 4 Tuckers Tonight

This first Wheel bonus-round puzzle I did today was this...

I easily solved. Made laugh as I thought all all the swim lessons we've had and how we're going to the beach day day tomorrow. Definitely some sun exposure. ☺️

A few weeks ago after trek I solved this one:

I liked the pattern and the idea of something cold (ice maker) after days in the heat with full pioneer garb.☺️

I've been enjoying playing Wheel on my phone in between mom and house duties. I've also been listening to Toad the Wet  Sprocket in preparation for a concert next week.

I've worked on potty training Jill. This afternoon since it's hot we'll hang out inside work on puzzles to Friday Flicks, go to the roller rink at 3, and then it's date night.

This morning while we were getting ready Ross, confirming tonight's plan, said "tacos, Temple, tonight... Look what you done to me!!" Yep, thinking in alliteration spices up life. ☺️

Books All Lined Up

When I was the mother of young toddlers I would place books out so the kids would easily see them, stop to look at them, and read them. Part of that came from teaching school and putting things out to create a learning moment and experience. If it's in sight, it's in mind. And sometimes I will still put books out even though the kids are older. I notice the covers will still catch their attention and they will stop and read.

It was really cute a few days ago when we came home from the library and Emma put all the books out like I used to. And today Jane was straightening the floor and put the books in a line. The kids are really learning from me! ☺️

Halfway Thru Swim Lessons

Today was the first swim lesson. We're halfway through the session. Since it's the end of the week the girls got to play games. Abby's class went down the slide several times. Jane and Emma dove for rings and Jill road on the "magic carpet". They are loving swimming!! This was the 6th time swimming this week. And then we're going to the beach on Saturday. ☺️

Allen & Friends @ the Courthouse

I tucked this kid in bed last night and he started smiling. He's excited to go to work with his dad tomorrow and take three friends along.

Note: When I tucked him in I was reminded of a time when I tucked him in at 18 months for a nap. He had his blanket up around his head and was smiling just like that, but this time he was 12. ☺️

This morning Ross and Allen left at 7 a.m., picked up Sahil, Greg and Matt, and headed to the courthouse.

Take Your Youth to Work Day: tour of the courthouse, pancake breakfast, two court sessions (one man was sentenced to jail), meeting the U.S. Marshalls, lunch, games, seeing a play, discussion... Full, fun day! Ross is joining them a little in between work. And he's taking a few pictures for me too.