February Little Things

The morning skies without rain have been brilliant. I think I really see them differently as they don't happen when it's cloudy and rainy. I loved the sky so much one morning, I wanted to capture it for memory. 

At family dinner one night, Mike looked over at Abby to see both of her front teeth sticking forward rather than down. They had both been loose for awhile and sure enough they were ready to come out at the same time! We've loved having her toothless these last few weeks!

 Mike's sister introduced us to the pineapple corer while we were in Utah visiting. Ordering one has been life changing.

Rob was in town for a short 24 hours - so fun to visit with him! He and Mike have been friends since elementary school, and Rob has visited us in almost every place we've lived (including South Korea!).

 We call this "Bob Ross" style painting. We watched one of his episodes on Netflix and then the kids had a blast creating their own versions on canvas.

Lots of elementary school activities happening. The older two girls made valentines boxes, Abby made cards for the kiddos in her class. Tayler's grade had an awesome play production - each class had a min-play, complete with costumes and everything. It was darling! Tayler was a swan in "The Ugly Duckling." Of course, her play was starting at the exact time that I needed to drop Max off at his school. Mike was traveling, and no matter how I worked it, I knew I'd be a few minutes late, and probably in the very back of the cafeteria. I said a little prayer that I'd at least get to see her. As I was driving Max to school, I started to stress that I might not even get a spot in the cafeteria (we've learned these school events are well attended - which is great, but stressful if you can't get there early!). At that very moment, I received a message from a sweet friend who said "got here early, saved you a seat on the 5th row!" And while it sounds like a such a small thing, it was a reminder to me that the Lord is in the details of our lives and knows our hearts. So grateful for her, and that I was able to pop in (a few minutes late) and still able to be there for Tayler.

Every month or so, I get to go volunteer in Abby's classroom with another parent where we spend an hour or so sharing a theme through a book, and then stations of science/math/games/art. I've forgotten to take pictures, but captured this one as they were celebrating Presidents Day. It's been so fun to be there!

 A day of sun and warmth meant bubbles on the driveway!

 We've spent oodles of time at basketball games or driving to/from practices. Max actually had a small window in February where he overlapped being on three different teams - one for the feeder High School, one for the Middle School, and one for church. While it was crazy for a couple of weeks, he really stepped up and managed his time well. We're super grateful he had the experience of being part of each team. His feeder team made it into the tournament and held themselves really well (their season had only one loss). His middle school team rocked an almost undefeated season as well. And his church bball team won the stake championship! They were all so different, and all offered unique learning opportunities for Max. He's fun to watch!

We kept our heart attack tradition - everyone writes a kind heart to everyone else in the family! We've also made our monthly focus centered around the book, 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. February was teaching and practicing the principle "be proactive" and each kiddo wins the award for the week. Sundays are the short teaching moment, sometimes with role playing, sometimes in conversation, sometimes the "short" is the main part about it. Then everyone does nominations for the winner (who gets construction paper sign on their door for the week). It's felt really doable, practical and simple.

 During the first week of crazy with the new puppy, Abby took to creating her own after school snacks. I thought it was hilarious that she made a "snack" of bread with chocolate chips!

 Mike and I had the opportunity to attend the JA (Junior Achievers) annual banquet for his company. It was a black tie event and so fun to spend the evening doing something we never typically do!

We've celebrated a few 'firsts' with Max in February as well. We attended his high school orientation night (bah!). It was so awesome and I couldn't help but smile pretty much the whole time. We are so excited for him and this new chapter that'll be beginning for him! Then, he and I spent a couple hours one night pouring through the high school class options (SO MANY OPTIONS!) and while it felt a bit overwhelming, we called a few families who've been through the process and they were so helpful! Fun stuff. AND, Max was able to go to his first church dance! He wasn't jumping at the opportunity, but thankfully a group of his peers welcomed him in by picking him up and all going together. He had a blast.

And things in February that happened without photos:

*We've been painting all of the kids rooms and helping them create an intentional space. It's been a fun process.

*Mike had some whirlwind travel from the first of the year through February which took him to China, Mexico (twice), England and Amsterdam. Gratefully, he's stayed healthy, and I need to do another post of the few photos he captured (between the hotels, meeting rooms and airports!). Amsterdam is officially on our list of places to go visit together!!

*Mike and I enjoyed some lunch dates between his traveling schedule while the kiddos are at school. Different seasons of life bring opportunities for us to find those times to intentionally connect.
*We coordinated a family service activity with a few other families and went to an assisted living center. Whoever wanted to played music, and we visited the residents in the memory care facility. Definitely something we want to keep doing on a regular basis!

Sunday Thoughts: President Nelson's Invitation to Read the Book of Mormon

When Alexis and I drove home after listening to an awesome Women's Conference in October, one of the first things we talk about was the four invitations President Nelson gave to the sisters.

"Mom, when President Nelson invited sisters to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year, do you think he just meant grown ups?"

I saw the question in her mind - the spark of light had been ignited. And I knew she was capable. So we made a decision in the car that night. We'd both do it. Start to finish by the end of the year.

And today, on December 30th, we both finished.

I'd like to write a few things I learned personally from this journey since October:

1. Having been asked to not only read the Book of Mormon but to mark each mention of Christ, I was reminded time and time again of His words, His light and His truth. Beautiful.

2. Ministering is inspired. For me, this was the first time the word MINISTER has jumped out of the pages to me. I loved reading the stories and learning from the examples of true ministering. All centered in LOVE and centered in Christ. Most often, ministering happened 1:1. Loved pondering not only those who ministered one another, but the angels who ministered was a tender reminder to me that the Lord's Holy work is unchanging and these things are happening all around us today. I found a greater awareness of seeing people in all settings ministering to one another in small ways in every day life. Seeing this was so inspiring and I strive to continually deepen this awareness and seek opportunities to minster in small and simple ways.

3. I felt greater feelings of peace, joy and love in my every day life. Circumstances haven't changed, but I absolutely feel, trust and know that the Lord knows and will continue to direct us and give us strength in ALL THINGS.

4. I have a greater appreciation and gratitude for Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. At the same time I read the Book of Mormon, I also read the book Saints. What a reminder of the constant turmoil they were in as they encountered so much resistance and what faith and courage they had to keep moving forward. I am so grateful for their sacrifice. I am so grateful for the sacrifice and resilience of the pioneers, some of whom are my ancestors. Their stories help me remember that to be deeply rooted in something takes effort, resilience and the courage to keep moving forward. I strive to honor them.

5. I've noticed a deeper love and connection to nature these last couple of months. And while I've always felt that connection, it has definitely deepened in conjunction with this invitation. I believe that God can speak to us through His creation, and nature seems to share so much wisdom in being still, looking upward, trusting, working, continually changing and growing with intention. There have been many moments that have opened my mind and heart to receive specific inspiration.

6. Another word that really spoke to me was SERVE. There are so many inspired words in the Book of Mormon centered on service. I can't think of a better way to magnify oneself, to get outside of one's own worries, or to feel more abundant joy than through serving others. Each time we have moved, our greatest connection - to ourselves, as a family, and in our neighborhood and church congregation has happened as we've stepped outside of ourselves and stepped into service. Reading SERVE in the Book of Mormon was yet another reminder that service is love in action. In any way. I need those continual reminders to step outside of "me" and into others.

7. REMEMBER was another word that really jumped out to me. With constant noise and distraction, I feel remembering who we are, where we came from and who we are meant to become is essential and gives peace, hope and light.

8. I was reminded (again and again) that I don't need to have all the answers. I don't need to know the "how." I don't need to have everything planned and mapped out and that's totally okay. What I do need (and I need this in things big and small) is to trust the Lord, and trust that He knows, He's already figured out the "how" and it's my job to just keep acting on the good thoughts, showing my love to him through keeping his covenants, and using his grace each and every day. Because things will work out.

I asked Alexis to share some of her thoughts with what she learned from the Book of Mormon and here's what she said:

I liked that you really can read the Book of Mormon as many times as you like. I like having the invitation. This gave me a challenge to really read it every day, and spend time on something that is important to me. I learned that it doesn't matter what age you are, you can just pick it up and read it. I felt the spirit every time I read it and I had better days. I noticed that I was happier each day. I noticed some really good scriptures in there that I want to memorize! I really liked waking up early in the mornings to read it. I liked that time that it wasn't noisy because I could read and think about what I was reading. I think my mom is an amazing example of how she reads every morning because it made me want to read the book of mormon too. She's always so happy and I wanted to be happy like her. Now that I've finished, I feel SO GOOD that I did it. In the beginning, it was SO HARD because I thought it was so much, but then, after awhile, I realized I made it half way and that I could keep going. I loved the idea when President Nelson said to mark any mention of Christ. In the beginning I forgot about it, but then my mom told me how she had been marking it, and I remembered I wanted to do it too. There was so much in there about Christ. I love reading about him and every time I read about him I feel warm and happy. I know God answers my prayers.

My heart is so full of peace and joy over this whole experience. I know she's going to look back and always remember that she finished something that felt hard. She wrote the part above about me being an example for her, but the real truth is, she's the example for me.

Feeding South Florida

Yesterday, Max, Alexis, Tayler and I were able to participate in a food-sorting shift for Feeding South Florida.

The car-ride out was full of voices like "when will we get there?" and "how long will this take?" and I wasn't really sure how it'd all pan out.

But the moment we stepped in the building, we were blown away with the small part we were going to play in a very large orchestra of goodness.

The three hours flew by. We loved doing it side by side 100 other folks, and so grateful for the large group of folks from our church that came together. Having the opportunity to lead these service opportunities, while I must say often feels overwhelming and difficult being so new to the area, has actually been a huge, fulfilling gift. Theres' something so magical about uniting together with the purpose of helping one another and helping others that completely connects us in deeper, more meaningful ways.

The car ride home was filled with a new sound - perspective.

To think a little more about how we can continually contribute. To think a little more about the needs of those right around us. To think a little more about what we can let go of in order to give. The principle of service is something we are continually striving to teach, learn and grow from. This experience definitely added a drop in that bucket.

Disney World Part 2 - Epcot

We were so grateful to spend a few days together at Disney World. We were able to drive up, spend the day at Epcot, the next day at Magic Kingdom, the last day at Animal Kingdom and then drive home. It was three long days, but totally doable with the chapter the kiddos are in.

We "announced" this trip with our dry erase wall calendar. At the beginning of the month, we wrote Disney World on the days we'd be there, and just waited to see who would notice it first. It was up one whole day before Alexis caught it. She was walking, glancing at the calendar and then paused. And really slowly walked closer. And just stared at it. Then she ran and got Max, and they were standing at the calendar trying to figure out what it really meant. I was watching this all happen from the kitchen, and it just made me smile! It was a fun way to spring on a short term surprise, but still have some time for the kiddos to be excited and plan for it together.

Our road trip was under four hours - so we kept the "car" stuff to a minimum - books, a movie, some felt boards, snacks and the classic legos box. It was enough to keep everyone engaged just long enough. A big jump from the years of traveling with toddlers!

Our first day was Epcot, and we spent most of the day in the back exploring all of the countries! The kiddos were initially hesitant - wondering where the "rides" were, but after our first stop in Canada, we set some family goals and they were all in. First, to collect a stamp from each country. Second, to collect three facts from each country. While we didn't realize it initially, the folks who sat at the tables giving out the stamps were from that specific country, and it became an awesome opportunity for the kiddos to chat with the crew members, ask them questions and learn little details about their favorites from their home country. The crew members lit up when we could say right where their country was (Max actually won a prize in Morocco for being the first kid to know where it was), or when we attempted to speak in Spanish while in Mexico. It was a fun adventure! Our favorite ride of the day was the test track - Abby loved the speed, and they all had fun designing a car. The girls loved Norway (and so did I!). It was a fun boat ride, and meeting Elsa and Anna was a bit magical for them. They were so excited, they were all speechless with Elsa, but warmed up enough to chat a bit more with Anna. We had potato pancakes with fresh applesauce in Germany. And great tacos in Mexico. The drum performance in Japan was beautiful. And went back to America so we could catch the show - love those figures and how they share such a great glimpse of American history in a short amount of time. And going on Spaceship Earth together was just fun. We loved the relaxed pace, finding the tables where the person had the stamp in each country, and exploring the areas.

 Loved these first shots of the day. And yes, Abigail kept the trend of "not holding still for the camera." Love it.

 In this photo, I was trying to "include" Abby in the photo. Fitting for the country, we "let it go."

 Love how she's just holding her hand!

 Another one - she's fast!