June - Steve

Hello one and all,

                Vacation is over for us and I must say I wish life could be a lifelong vacation. It was great to spend time in the mountains. Diane and I just love to go camping and sleep in a tent. How fortunate I am to have a wife who does not mind roughing it a little bit. This was the best vacation I think we have had together so far. Could it be there was no kids around? Partly,  but this trip to Yellowstone was by far the best. Not only was the wildlife abundant but for the first time we actually got to see something that killed something else several different times. I guess what I found really cool was that there is always something trying to eat something else and how violently neat it was to see. Can’t wait to go back, can’t wait to throw up a tent again and camp some more. I wish it was next year already.

                I have a wife, in case you didn’t know, and I like to think that I know her pretty well. I know what makes her mad, and I know what can make her sad. I know what makes her happy and I know what satisfies her. I know all of these things but it has taken me 26 years to have it dawn on me to realize that the things that bring her joy are just small things and simple things that are easily overlooked especially by me and possibly others. For example the things that make her happy and bring joy to her life is as simple as a new spring day with sunshine, we don’t have very many sunshiny days in this part of the east. As simple as a new spring flower and the smell of a lilac bush in full bloom. Eating bacon outdoors. I know the color green makes her happy. I know working in the garden brings her joy and even after we have harvested it all and canned that 100^th jar of tomato juice she will hold that jar in her hand and say with a smile, “isn’t that pretty”. I know that a butterfly brings her much joy, I have often heard her say that “my father in Heaven loves me today because he sent me a butterfly to watch”. Even in the fall time of the year she take great joy in the changing of the trees with the fall colors. My kids like to tease her during this time of year by saying, “hey mom look at that tree, Father in Heaven is showing you that he loves you today”, by which she will reply, “yes he surly is”. I know that when we are camping one of the things that truly brings her joy and a great deal of satisfaction is, and this will sound weird, is a small garbage can. Why?, because during the middle of the night when she has use the bathroom she doesn’t have to walk to the bathroom she just goes in the garbage can. I often wonder how many places would have tossed their garbage cans had the known what they were used for. I guess the point that I am trying to make is that my wife has learned to enjoy life and the beauty that it has and not just endure life. She does not need all the things that world can offer her nor does she desire those things. Would it be nice to have some? Yes, but her true happiness I have come to realize are the things that come from God. She has her most joy in temple attendance and would be there every day if she could. People pray for temple to be in their area in which they live all the time but I don’t, because if there ever is one built I would never see her. Of course I am not serious about that last statement. I know that this might not mean anything to some, but to everyone there are the small and simple things that come from God that will bring them joy. To each is his own and all I am saying is to take the time and notice them and see the miracles that are in the world that will bring a smile to your face and help you feel good. I hope to be able to one day be as she is and find the happiness and joy that come from just being alive and recognizing daily the small but wondrous things of God that he has created for our enjoyment.

               Christopher was sustained to become an Elder on the 13^th of June and will be ordained to that office on the 27^th. I have another Mel. Priesthood holder in my home and this brings me much happiness. He is in the process of filling out the forms to serve his mission by the end of August. We will keep you informed as to where and when. He needs his wisdom teeth pulled and that will get done in the next couple of weeks. He told us the other day that he has changed his mind about what temple he wants to go to. Instead of the DC temple he now has decided to go to the Salt lake temple. Of course all family members who can attend with us is welcome to come. I will let you know about times and date when we know what’s going on. He also just wrecked my van though it was no fault of his. A lady did not yield the right of way and smashed into the driver’s side of the van. Isn’t it funny how when something is almost paid for that that is when trouble hits. Anyway the kid is ok but I am down to one vehicle that seats only 2 people. I like the saying “life comes at you fast” it is so true.

                I would like to wish to all, even those absent, a happy Fathers Day. I am truly grateful for the father that I have. What a wonderful example you are dad and what a wonderful person you are. I am so grateful for the time we have and wish that there was more of it. I have learned how to beat you at golf by not listening to you as you give lessons to help improve my game. I know that you have a different motive than helping. You want to confuse so you can defeat us. Allen is a witness to this statement and a victim of this strategy. But we have you figured out. Thank you for your gospel knowledge and wisdom it has been an inspiration to me and I only hope that I can achieve this same wisdom that you have. You are the best and  I  love you dearly. And I thank you that you never hit me with board. I must have been a good kid. Love to all of you. Steve

June - Sandra

Dear family,

 

Last Sunday I was either given a great opportunity or was unlucky to be found by the bishopric counselor. Anyway I gave a talk in sacrament meeting. This is probably my least favorite thing to have to do. The speaker before me stood and said how excited she was to be there. I stood and said unlike Rachel I am not excited to be here. I guess it is all attitude. My point is this, my subject was humility and how we develop this necessary quality. I learned a great deal and decided because I had no personal experiences to share in my talk that I was either not humble at all or my experiences are just so spiritual and I am too humble to share them. I guess that says it all. Being humble is truly something that is developed over a life time of living gospel principles. It is never really sought after outwardly, it has no thought of reward for oneself. True humility comes when our focus and all we do takes on the thought of Thy Will Be Done. When we are truly in tune with our Father in Heaven and seek first to do his will then we can develop humility and humility is required for us to be exalted. Christ is our greatest example. He always let others know that he did only that which his Father had sent him to do. When we realize that all that we have and all that we are and recognize that we are nothing without the Savior and his atonement, then we can become humble. Although we all want our kids to grow and become indepent from us, we must realize that we must always be dependant on our Father in Heaven. Quote:from a member of the seventy ( not sure which one) “if you think you have it, you don’t.” He suggested we should try to develop humility and be sure we didn’t know when we got it, and then we would have it. But if we ever thought we had it, we wouldn’t.

As far as my family is concerned..... The summer is very busy. I am taking care of Kelsie so Amy can work. It is not as easy as I seem to remember it being. A baby has so much more energy than a grandma. She is fun to have around but boy am I tired at the end of the day. She is a copycat and we really have to be careful to not say bad things.

Mark has a girlfriend now which we are not sure about. There is a whole story behind this. He seems a little happier and he is getting up and working everyday which is big for him. We hope that the job continues. Mackenzie is just glad that school is over. Brad is staying busy with football lifting and running and working for his uncle Craig when there is work and of course playing video games. Grant is ending his flying progress because of cost and frustration at how long it was taking. He just needed some hours and lots of times when he had scheduled flying time the weather was not cooperating. His test that he took is about to run out and if he didn't have his license before then he would have to retake it and that wasn't going to work. He isn't happy about it but is dealing with it for now. I keep telling him to not quit.

I am also getting ready to go to girls camp in 2 weeks. I decided to go and help out. They are headed to Kirtland. I am in charge of the food because we have to cook our own. We are camping in tents which I am not a fan of and so will be bring an air mattress to sleep on. However the bathrooms are suppose to be very clean and nice and we have electic. I don't know why everyone thinks because I work in a cafeteria that I am the one that should do the food.

Now because it is Father's Day and Dad is probably unavailable seems he is in California I want to wish him a happy fathers day and to tell him how much I love him and appreciate him as a father. As I think back on my life as a young child there is no bad memeries even when he spanked me that one time with a board which he denies, but non the less I don't recall the pain involved only the reason why it happened and it was my fault but really dad a Board. Ok maybe not a 2x4 board but I was only 7 or 8 and to that little body it probably seemed that big. Anyway my memories are of a loving, devoted, caring father with nothing but wanting the best for his family. Your are THE GREATEST DAD!

 

Love Sandra

June - Amy!

So I have not written any sort of family newsletter yet, so I decided I would. First off Happy fathers day to all you wonderful fathers!! Hope you have had a great day.

I am (for some reason unknown to me) the sunday school teacher for the 12 and 13 year olds at chruch. Most the time I am just really frustrated with them. I can never get them to have any sort of normal discussion. I ask a question and sit there in silence and end up answering my own question. So then I tried just not asking the whole class in general but specifically asking one person the question and they still could not answer. and i felt bad like I was embarrasing them. so i don't know what to do. Today they seemed to be unusually loud and annoying. When they did answer question the would be like does it have to be gospel related? i want to smack them all sometimes. ANYWAYS!!! Our lesson today was on Striving for Perfection. I know I sometimes get discouraged thinking I will never be even close to perfect. And i've never been good at taking things one step at a time. That should be the first thing i should work on. Thank goodness for the atonement i suppose! what a perfect plan. It is by grace we are saved AFTER all we can do.

Anyways. my life is lame and boring. I am working more hours at the Drycleaners during the summer since mom is home and i don't have to pay a babysitter. My mom is pretty much amazing for all the help she gives me! I really don't like my job, but I am very greatful for it, i obvioulsy need a job, and my boss is very nice and flexible when i need days off or to leave early or come in late. so that has been a blessing. It gets extremly hot in there in the summers and i feel like we should all be stick figures working there the way we sweat all day long. its like a sweat shop in there.  Kelsie is learning and growing everyday. I happen to think she is extremely smart... but i try not to brag :) She says so many things and likes to copy what we say! she can be mean tho. she yells at people to move when they are in her way and to stop or go. She likes to play outside (even tho we don't have many outside toys for her) After a year of sleeping in the front room on an air mattress and listening to Kelsie SCREAM bloody murder before she goes to sleep, i am finally back in my room... and most nights she goes to sleep after some reading and singing. and most nights she stays alseep... she still has her nights where she wakes up at 4 in the morning and wants to sleep in my bed.. the little monster.

Anyways... all is okay so far. hoping to get some swimming in this summer with kelsie and if i can find someone to watch kelsie for the day for me, i would like to hit up KingsIsland for some fun roller costers. I am scheduled to start going back to school in august and hope everything goes smoothly for that.

THat is all

I send my love to you all. Hope everything is well. Be safe this summer season

hope grandma and grandpa are having a wonderful time in California!!

Amy

June - Allen

The other day I overheard Gabe tell his cousin “I wish I could do whatever I wanted to do” Elder Bednar in his conference talk tell us that we need to take every opportunity to teach our children. I couldn’t let this teaching opportunity pass J.  I had just read the June Ensign article titled “Agency Is Essential to Our Eternal Progress” part of it says. 

How we use the gift of agency in mortality affects our eternal happiness or misery.  Therefore, when we choose our course of action, we also choose the consequences of our actions. Although consequences may not be immediate, they will always follow. Choosing to follow God’s commandments leads us toward peace and eternal life. Choosing to accept Satan’s temptations leads us toward sin and heartache.

And this was the kicker the reason why I wanted to talk to Gabe. “When we choose to obey God’s commandments, our options increase, and we have more freedom”  “When we choose to disobey God’s commandments, our options decrease, and we may become captive.”

I finished by telling Gabe “When you obey your parents and trust is earned you are given more flexibility in the rules, giving you more freedom.  When you don’t obey your parents you lose trust and lose ability to do more things.  The same principle works with Heavenly Father.

As for other news, Tammi is getting ready to go to her 2^nd young women’s camp, she is excited to be going as this year the camp is being put on by the Stake and all she needs to do is show up.  I’m also excited as I get to have a full week off from work.  I use to be the owner of the business and I ran the business, but this last year and half I have found the office is running me.  I need to change that.

As for the other kids they are all doing great.  Tess is being potty trained, Tammi is hoping to have that all done by the end of summer as she will be starting pre-school .  But Tess has always taken her time in doing anything.  For example, Tess didn’t start walking until she was 18 months, and at time still thinks she needs a bottle.  I beginning to wonder if we have done something wrong with her.

All the kids are enjoying summer.  Our house has become the hang out joint.  All the kids come to our house and play, Tammi is getting tired of it with the phone ringing and door bell going off all day long.  I think the other moms in the subdivision have a rule in that kids are not allowed to go to their home (including their own), so they come to ours.  The other day when I came home from work, we had at least 10 people playing war, each of them had a toy gun including Brynn.  Just last night we had kids at the house until 10.  I asked them if they had a home and suggested that they go home.

I hope that I have supplied enough information about the family for this month.  I hope all is going well with everyone, I think of you often and pray that all will go well for you.

Clara Pregnancy Update June 2010

First the good news...I have an even slimmer chance of getting the fifths disease because I wasn't in contact with the boys when they were contagious. My OB asked when they first showed symptoms and when I was last in contact with them and has told me that I wasn't in contact with them when they were contagious and I should be just fine. Either way, it would be about 1 1/2 weeks before I showed any symptoms anyways.

Also, in about 3 1/2 weeks we'll be having our gender ultrasound done. I'm 16 weeks along today.

Now the not so good news. The last 2 appointments I have had a slightly elevated top number in my BP and the doctor has now decided to run a few more tests and take some preventative and extra observational tests to keep any eye on my BP, myself, and the baby. So starting after the gender ultrasound I'll be going in to have an ultrasound done at 25 weeks and then every 2weeks until I'm about 35ish weeks along and then I have to go to the hospital every week for another ultrasound, to have a fetal stress test done, and to have the amniotic fluid measured. These tests are all just to keep an eye on my BP and to keep an eye on baby and see how it's doing.

In worst case scenario I'll become really hypertensive, be put on bed rest, and possibly baby will be delivered early, but I am already making some extra diet changes to include lowering BP instead of just preventing G. Diabetes again. Though I really don't know what changes to make in my diet. The only thing I can really think of is cutting back on my salt in take.

We should get the results for the Diabetes screen in a few days. I don't think I have it b/c I haven't been feeling bad like I was with Zelda, but sometimes the G.D. and the high BP come hand in hand. We'll just have to see how things go.

We're at the point were we just take everything one appointment at a time.

Thats all so far. I'll keep you updated, and thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers and support you all have given me and the baby.

Other than that nothing has really changed with-in the family. K.C. is still working and loving it and the girls are still slowly learning more words. Over all Life is good.

Love you all!

Clara Marie