To finish out our Staycation, we are meeting Genius Golfer for lunch today near his work. The sun had finally come out and the temperature is even warming up too. Just as Spring Break should be. Too bad it took all week to get here.
The Girl is still in bed, and it is 10:30-ish. She is going to have a rude awakening Monday morning when she has to be at school at 7:30. But the late nights, long hours, swimming, and hard playtime this week have all been taking their toll on her. She must have allergies or something too as her head is stuffed up and sinuses sound very snot-filled.
The Boy is in his natural habitat...in front of the Xbox playing some war game, and generally rotting his mind. I keep telling myself this week is his vacation too. And he doesn't usually get to play much on the Xbox on a school day.
I feel very lucky to have had them to myself, essentially all week. Sure friends come and go, but the three of us have done things together each day. I haven't really had many complaints--unless you count The Boy's "not another store" comments on Monday, But he survived that just fine. They have cooperated with me in the projects I have had them do each day. We made some progress on our backyard and clean-up projects, so far as the weather allowed. And they do get along quick well with each other. That is very nice. In fact, at one of our "other store" stops the clerk commented on how well they got on together, and she mentioned that it was quite unusual to see siblings act like that. I know. I am very lucky that way.
I think this will be the first school break that I will be sad to see them go back to their schedules and classes and activities. Usually I look forward to having them all go back to normal. But I thoroughly enjoyed this break. Too bad all our school breaks were this enjoyable. Maybe that is because I am realizing there really aren't that many more I will have with them both at home.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Finding Meaning
This morning, very early, I attended a session of the temple. As I sat in the quiet peaceful chapel, I remembered the date today. Nineteen years ago today I was sitting in a very similar place, in Oakland, CA, awaiting my very first temple session.
It seems a long time ago, yet like it was yesterday. I guess that describes a lot of my life.
When I first attended the temple, I was probably not mature enough to comprehend all that was actually taking place. I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew it meant a great deal. I also recognized that I was about to make sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven. I don't think I understood the blessings that come from making and keeping those covenants.
Even nineteen years later I am not sure I understand it all, or even can logically comprehend--with my mortal understanding--the blessings that I have been given. A temple is God's house, dedicated to Him for the blessing of His children. We go for the first time for ourselves, to obtain the blessings for us personally. You only do that once.
Every other time we go back, we receive those same blessings fro another; one whom has already passed from mortality and cannot make the same covenants in a physical way. The promises are theirs, if they choose to accept them. They may not. But I believe that most do. Having a more eternal perspective, having passed on from this life, they may understand more than we do the significance of the covenants made in the the temples.
I hope that as I continue to attend the temple I may come to comprehend how those promises of God really have affected me and my family. It is those blessings, after all, that helped to create a family with an ability to be together forever if we live in accordance to the covenants I made. In my heart I know that is an unmatched promise. I am sure it will become more and more significant as I grow older, and with any luck, wiser.
When I look at my children and know that they are promised to always be mine, as I live obedient to God's laws, I love them even more. When I know that I am working toward an eternal marriage with Genius Golfer, it makes the efforts we make all the more meaningful. Recognizing that I am linked to my parents, grandparents and great parents, and all who have come before me as well as all who will come after me in one binding chain of family is a blessings I am only starting to come to grips with. Perhaps it will take eternity to comprehend and understand that blessing.
This morning I felt a sense of inspiration and reassurance that God was in charge of things. He knew what was happening in my life, what weighed on my heart and worried my mind. Yet, He is directing all the things around me. He knows what is best for me and what I need to experience to prove myself obedient and worthy to live with Him again someday. Just knowing I can let go of the worry and heartache I have felt gives me joy. I do not have to be responsible for more than myself. I can't control what other people do or say so I just need to curtail my own errors and infractions and make it better each day.
That is the kind of peace I was looking for today. And really, isn't that the kind of peace we each are looking for, every day? I am so blessed to know where that peace comes from and from Whom it comes. Nothing like that kind of peace is found in the world. It's only found in the Lord. And today, as always, I give thanks to Him for that.
It seems a long time ago, yet like it was yesterday. I guess that describes a lot of my life.
When I first attended the temple, I was probably not mature enough to comprehend all that was actually taking place. I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew it meant a great deal. I also recognized that I was about to make sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven. I don't think I understood the blessings that come from making and keeping those covenants.
Even nineteen years later I am not sure I understand it all, or even can logically comprehend--with my mortal understanding--the blessings that I have been given. A temple is God's house, dedicated to Him for the blessing of His children. We go for the first time for ourselves, to obtain the blessings for us personally. You only do that once.
Every other time we go back, we receive those same blessings fro another; one whom has already passed from mortality and cannot make the same covenants in a physical way. The promises are theirs, if they choose to accept them. They may not. But I believe that most do. Having a more eternal perspective, having passed on from this life, they may understand more than we do the significance of the covenants made in the the temples.
I hope that as I continue to attend the temple I may come to comprehend how those promises of God really have affected me and my family. It is those blessings, after all, that helped to create a family with an ability to be together forever if we live in accordance to the covenants I made. In my heart I know that is an unmatched promise. I am sure it will become more and more significant as I grow older, and with any luck, wiser.
When I look at my children and know that they are promised to always be mine, as I live obedient to God's laws, I love them even more. When I know that I am working toward an eternal marriage with Genius Golfer, it makes the efforts we make all the more meaningful. Recognizing that I am linked to my parents, grandparents and great parents, and all who have come before me as well as all who will come after me in one binding chain of family is a blessings I am only starting to come to grips with. Perhaps it will take eternity to comprehend and understand that blessing.
This morning I felt a sense of inspiration and reassurance that God was in charge of things. He knew what was happening in my life, what weighed on my heart and worried my mind. Yet, He is directing all the things around me. He knows what is best for me and what I need to experience to prove myself obedient and worthy to live with Him again someday. Just knowing I can let go of the worry and heartache I have felt gives me joy. I do not have to be responsible for more than myself. I can't control what other people do or say so I just need to curtail my own errors and infractions and make it better each day.
That is the kind of peace I was looking for today. And really, isn't that the kind of peace we each are looking for, every day? I am so blessed to know where that peace comes from and from Whom it comes. Nothing like that kind of peace is found in the world. It's only found in the Lord. And today, as always, I give thanks to Him for that.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Stay-Cation Fun!
So the first day of Spring Break (and much of the second day--for that matter), was spent doing regular stuff. I love that! One of the "regular" things we did was prep the garden areas I want to use. Our wonderful neighbor loaned us his tiny rototiller so I had the kids help me dig up the dirt. It is so soft and fluffy. I guess that is good?! It looks rich and warm and ready for plating. If the weather will just cooperated for a longer than one day at a time.
This is why I had children...anyone else find that true?! The Boy loves power tools.
The Girl did her half of the rototilling on the retaining wall.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Big Plans
Spring Break for the kids begins today. We have a week off of school and swim practice, and really anything else that we otherwise have to be doing. Sadly, Genius Golfer's schedule doesn't accommodate a week of fun and frivolity. He is working really long hours, seven days a week lately...I just hope this project is worth all his time and effort. Since he can't play with us this week, the kids and I are planning a Staycation. Each day I'd like to do something out of the ordinary to make it seem more like a real vacation.
Today, The Boy kicked things off with another walk with his buddies to our favorite local Gas 'n Sip for their free drink day. (Each month on the 11th a local company pays for all the free drinks--one per customer--to celebrate their business' anniversary! Nice, right?)
The Girl has a planned hair appointment with a friend who is going to give her a "feather". I'm not sure what that means yet, but I trust the friend and think The Girl is capable of spending her own money. So we'll see what that ends up being. Then she has a meeting for the spring Splash into Summer swim clinic the high school team does a as a fund raiser just before the summer swim season begins.
Other than that, we have a half hour of Laser Tag scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Each kid get to bring two friends. (I got a screaming deal offer on this so I ended up paying half price for this outing.) Then they have a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf after that. So a fun filled afternoon is planned...especially since it is supposed to snow again on Wednesday.
And there are a couple of movies I like to go see with the kids at our local $3 theater here in town. Oh, and a run to Costco is on the list...but that is hardly vacation-worthy. I guess that isn't too bad for a stay-cation. We'll see how it goes. Just wish GG could be home with us for this week...even if that meant we'd be working in the yard all week.
Today, The Boy kicked things off with another walk with his buddies to our favorite local Gas 'n Sip for their free drink day. (Each month on the 11th a local company pays for all the free drinks--one per customer--to celebrate their business' anniversary! Nice, right?)
The Girl has a planned hair appointment with a friend who is going to give her a "feather". I'm not sure what that means yet, but I trust the friend and think The Girl is capable of spending her own money. So we'll see what that ends up being. Then she has a meeting for the spring Splash into Summer swim clinic the high school team does a as a fund raiser just before the summer swim season begins.
Other than that, we have a half hour of Laser Tag scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Each kid get to bring two friends. (I got a screaming deal offer on this so I ended up paying half price for this outing.) Then they have a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf after that. So a fun filled afternoon is planned...especially since it is supposed to snow again on Wednesday.
And there are a couple of movies I like to go see with the kids at our local $3 theater here in town. Oh, and a run to Costco is on the list...but that is hardly vacation-worthy. I guess that isn't too bad for a stay-cation. We'll see how it goes. Just wish GG could be home with us for this week...even if that meant we'd be working in the yard all week.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
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