Sammy's Birthday

We celebrated Sammy's 6th birthday a few days early since Joel is gone this week for business. Sammy knew exactly what he wanted for his birthday dinner and dessert. He requested homemade pizza for dinner. His dessert was chocolate chip cookie bars with melted peanut butter chips on top (made by Thomas and Spring). They added ice cream and chocolate and caramel syrup on top to make cookie sundaes. Sammy was so happy and excited all day long. He loved his bay blades from Grandma & Grandpa Powell and he and Thomas went right to work putting them together and then battling each other. He was also very excited to get the guitar from the family. He thinks he is the greatest guitarist ever! My favorite thing about the guitar is the volume control! He has been really good (knock on wood) at keeping the volume to an acceptable level! We love our Sammy and his pure joy of life. He keeps me grounded by reminding me of the important things in life and to always look for the fun that can be found!

Gideon's 1st Birthday

Gideon turned 1 last week and we celebrated with cupcakes.  He wasn't so sure of what to do at first which is strange because it was not the first cupcake or sweet thing he has had.  We laughed that we wrapped his gift in pink wrapping paper.  I guess it shows that by #6 you realize the wrapping paper for a 1st birthday really doesn't matter much and that is all we had at home.  He loves his barn and animals from Grandma & Grandpa Powell.  In fact, all the kids love it and it hasn't been left alone much at all for the last few days. 

Gideon also got his first haircut last week.  Joel just trimmed up the back that always seemed to be sticking out everywhere.  We find so much joy discovering the fascinating things in life with him, such as:

*Pulling wipes out and throwing them all over the rooms.

*Giving open mouth kisses that sometimes end with a bite (not so wonderful)!

*Pulling everything out of every cupboard in the kitchen in record time.

*Going up the stairs in about 5 seconds and creating messes in whatever room that had an open door.

*Smiling and giggling at the smallest things.

*Not wanting to be fed by anyone...he just wants to feed himself.

*Loving bananas, meat of any kind, pasta, and cookies.

*Grabbing Scout's toys and crawling away with them.  He then laughs as Scout whines and runs after him trying to get the toys back.

*Loving to be in the basement with his siblings...he is no longer happy to just hang out with Mom upstairs.

We love this little guy and are daily amazed by him and all he is learning.  It doesn't quite seem possible that he is already this old.  Time just moves all too quickly.

More Halloween

Saturday was the day our town designated for trick or treating.  Joel took the older 5 kids to get pumpkins while I stayed home with a sleeping Gideon.  Thomas, Spring, and Sammy carved their pumpkins.  Mary and Joshie decorated their pumpkins with the "Mr. Potato Head" things.  I love this way of doing pumpkins for little ones.  Joshie's had 2 faces...one for each side.  That evening Thomas and Spring decided it would be more fun to stay home and hand out they candy than go trick-or-treating so they set up on the porch with blankets and hot chocolate and had a great time giving out candy.  Joel took Sammy, Mary, and Joshie around and Gideon was already in bed! 

Halloween Happenings

Halloween seems to be a week long event in Ohio.  I don't know if that is a good thing for a mom, like me, that really just handles Halloween for the sake of our children.  I really wouldn't be the least bit disappointed if Halloween never happened!  However, I put this aside and do find the fun in watching our children's excitement and fun.  Our week started with the "Spooky Monster Halloween Magic Show."  This took place at our library on Monday evening.  Sammy heard about this and decided this would be the "perfect Family Home Evening" activity.  It was a cute show and Spring was asked, by the Magician, to be use his camera to capture events of the evening as the "paparazzi."  She was elated!  Last night was the Ward Trunk-or-Treat which transformed into a trick or treat through the hallway due to the bad weather.  I couldn't believe how much candy the kids came home with in just one trip around the building.  Today Mary, Joshie, Gideon, and I went trick-or-treating throughout the library and then heard some Halloween stories.  They enjoyed being able to show off their costumes to their storytime friends.  Tomorrow are the Halloween parties at the schools and then Saturday is our town's designated night for Trick-or-Treating.  We are hoping the kids may have had their full of trick-or-treating and we can entice them with some family fun at home Saturday evening so we aren't up too late before church Sunday morning.  I am glad we have been able to participate as a family this week, however, as Joel will be gone all next week for business.

Working Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend.  One of those weekends that go by so quickly you wonder where the days went but you also marvel at all you were able to accomplish.  Joel and I began the weekend with our monthly trip to the temple.  We have always loved our time and the opportunity we have to attend the temple and remember the covenants we have made.  I also love being able to enjoy the peaceful calm the temple brings.  We have time to ponder, pray, learn, and be reminded of where we are going in life and of any course corrections we need to make right now in order to be worthy to return to live with our Father in Heaven.  We love the almost 3 hour drive in each direction as it is uninterrupted time to talk and share with each other.  We can catch up on life, our children, our family, our concerns, our successes...whatever it may be.  I also love that we usually fill our drive home with conversation centered on how we can better bring the Spirit of the Lord into our lives, our children's lives, and our home. 

On Saturday morning we arose, bright and early, after getting home around 1:30 in the morning.  Our family was able to help in a Ward Service project at the City Center.  We pulled weeds, mulched, and did other basic landscaping.  The kids had a blast.  We had beautiful weather and wonderful company as we worked to beautify this part of our community.  The kids loved being able to wear the "Mormon Helping Hands" t-shirts and they worked so hard.  They were tired after but full of smiles.  I love opportunities to get out and serve together as a family.

We came home and decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather.  We cleared our yard of leaves, mowed the lawn (swamp may be a more accurate description), Joel changed the brakes on the van, we cut back bushes preparing for the winter, and cleaned out and organized the garage.  Our kids were such big helpers and troopers.  We were laughing and playing as we went and were shocked at how quickly the time went by.  Spring happened to see the time and asked us if we wanted her to prepare dinner and we gratefully accepted.  She made dinner while we finished up and then we enjoyed the evening together.  I love time to work together.

On this last temple trip we realized we need to be doing more to help our children learn how to search and study the scriptures.  We read from the Book of Mormon each evening as a family but we felt we needed to raise the bar and do more.  We have decided to spend each Sunday afternoon helping Thomas and Spring (and the others as they begin to read independently) become more familiar with the "Preach my Gospel" book.  We began this on Sunday giving them each their own copy of the book.  They thought they were so cool to have their very own.  We began at the beginning with them.  A question was posed in the book, "What is the gospel?"  Thomas and Spring struggled to answer this.  They said they knew what it was but it was "kinda hard to explain."  So, we asked them where we could look for the answer.  They suggested the Bible dictionary so we did just that.  After we read that and some additional scriptures they were so excited to be able to explain that the Gospel is the good news that Christ has atoned for our sins so we can all be resurrected and if we are righteous we can return to live with Him.  We loved this time with them and look forward to each Sunday to continue to study with them.  The coolest thing of all is that each day since Sunday I have found Thomas and Spring at different times with their "Preach my Gospel" book and their scriptures studying and taking notes on different principles of the gospel.  How grateful I am for promptings of the Spirit to help us know what we need to do to prepare our children to be profitable servants of our Father in Heaven.

Mary's Growing Testimony

I just had to post this so I don't forget it.  Mary came down to me today after her nap with really puffy sleepy eyes but a grin that covered her face.  She said these most precious words to me,

"Mommy, I was scared to go to sleep today but I said a prayer to Heavenly Father.  Jesus came to be with me so I could go right to sleep and not be scared.  Heavenly Father answered my prayer even though I said it really quiet.  Now I know He hears me even when I just whisper my prayers."

How, I am humbled and taught by this sweet girl each day.  I love her and am so grateful for the strength she is to me and the simple reminder to me that Heavenly Father does love us and does answer all our prayers!

Grandma & Grandpa Biggs' Visit

We were fortunate to have Grandma & Grandpa Biggs come to visit us.  It was fun to show them around a little and have them spend time with us.  The kids all enjoyed being able to spend some special one-on-one time with them.  Games were played, cookies and treats baked, stories read, piggy back rides from Grandpa, hiking at Ledges (our favorite place to go hiking), climbing up ropes tied to trees, kites were flown, campfire and roasting marshmallows, storytime attended, and visiting Kirtland.  It was a week of memories and fun.  Thanks for coming to visit us.

Thomas on the Violin

Thomas is very excited to be in the Orchestra at school.  He is playing the violin for it.  I decided to take some video of him playing some songs he has started the last couple weeks so we have some footage of him as a beginner.  They are getting ready for the Christmas Program.

Videos from the Parade

Here are some videos from the homecoming parade last night.

Homecoming Parade

Spring was elected by her class to the Student Council.  She loves this!  Tonight she was able to march with the Student Council in the High School Homecoming Parade.  She has been anxiously awaiting this all week.  She loved being able to march with her friends, Ava and Brady.  She thought throwing candy was the coolest thing too!  Joel took all the kids to watch the parade and I stayed home with Gideon because he has been fevered and not feeling well all day.  Joel said he has never seen an entire town come out for something like this.  He says it was packed!  The Mayor was in the parade, city council people, representatives, all the elementary, intermediate, and middle schools and lots of others.  The kids came home with tons of candy.  Joshie had it down to an art.  He would run out to the street and grab the candy and then bring it back to the stroller and then run out to get more.  He didn't even notice that Joel and Bishop were sneaking some of it while he was off getting more and he still had double what all the other kids got.  It was very fun to see their excitement when they came home.  They were all really tired when they came and barely made it through dinner before wanting to go to bed.

Piano Duet

Thomas will be playing this duet in Sacrament Meeting in a couple weeks with a sister from the ward. He wanted to practice it with his piano teacher, Ms. Bakkum.  So, this is he and his amazing piano teacher today.

Life Can be so Uncertain

Yesterday afternoon I had to have a very heart wrenching discussion with Spring.  I found out yesterday morning that her primary teacher, who was only 52 years old, passed away.  From the moment I heard I found myself pleading with my Father in Heaven to help me find a way to tell Spring and to be able to bring her the comfort and peace she would so desperately need.  Spring loves this teacher.  When she got home from school we talked about her day and she gave me all the fun information from the day.  A short while later I asked her to come sit with me on the couch because I wanted to talk to her.  I sat down with her and put my arm around her and, somehow, made out the words, "Spring, this is so hard to tell you but you need to know that Sister Hursell passed away yesterday."  She looked up at me with such pain in her eyes and then buried her head in my side and just sobbed.  It was that heartbreaking cry that made her whole body just tremble and tears streamed down her cheeks but there was no sound.  I just held her close and cried with her.  I think this is the hardest thing I have ever had to tell one of our children.  We sat there together for quite a while as I just held her and let her know how much we love her.  After a while I took the opportunity to bear my testimony to her of the plan of salvation.  I told her how grateful I am for the assurance that we will see her again and that she is in the Spirit World at this time.  I told her that testimony helps make things like this easier...not easy, but easier.  I told her the greatest gift she could give her teacher is to continue to live the gospel and work towards attending the temple.  That would make her teacher so very happy. 

I also told her that this would be a wonderful opportunity for her to gain and/or confirm her own testimony of the plan of salvation.  I reminded her how much her Father in Heaven loves her and wants to comfort her through the Holy Ghost.  I reminded her that she could pray and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of peace and comfort and also a confirmation of the truthfullness of the plan of salvation.  She just sat with me quietly, holding me so tightly, as I talked.  Then she started to tell me the last memory she had of her teacher and other things she remembered about her teacher.  This brought a glimpse of a smile on her face for a short second.  Then she looked at me and said, "Mom, it must be so hard for Donnie to not have his mom anymore.  He just turned 12 and has so much more to do and his mom won't be there to help him."  This brought more tears to her and we talked about how important it will be to be a special friend to Donnie and to remember how he must be feeling and find ways to express love to him. 

For family scripture study we are in Alma 28.  At this time the people of Ammon have sought safety with the Nephites as they have covenanted to not take up arms against their bretheren.  A tremendous battle between the Lamanites and Nephites takes place and tens of thousands are killed.  As we neared the end of the chapter we read verse 12:

While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.

Spring looked at me and said, "This is what we were talking about earlier.  It's OK to be sad that Sister Hursell died but it helps a little to know about the plan of salvation."  How grateful I am for the Book of Mormon and for the comfort and principles it teaches.  This was the perfect thing for us to read tonight and it just "happened" to be where we were in our reading of the Book of Mormon.  I know Heavenly Father answered my prayers from that day.  He guided me in helping Spring and he guided our scripture study as well so we could find solace in the words of holy scripture.

Last night as I went in to tuck her in bed, Spring asked if I would sit and talk with her for a while.  I sat on her bed and she cuddled into my lap.  She then said some of the most precious words I have heard her say to me.  She said, "Mom, I did what you told me to do and I prayed.  As I was praying I felt so warm inside and for a second I almost forgot why I was sad.  I know for sure I will see Sister Hursell again.  It does help a little but it still hurts so much."  I just hugged her and, with tears in my eyes, thanked her for her faith and willingness to pray and then share this experience with me.  I know she will continue to have a hard time and there will days when it is harder for her.  I hope she will rely on her testimony and turn to the Father in prayer to continue to find comfort.  Trials truly help us build our testimony if we seek for the opportunity.

An Afternoon with 3 of My Boys

We have been having the most beautiful weather.  We are getting into the 70's during the day and clear blue skies.  Lots of sunshine!  It still cools off at night so the changing leaves are spectacular especially against the vibrant blue skies!  We are taking full advantage of this weather because we know we will soon just see mounds of snow and ice.  We have spent countless hours outside the last few days.  After naps yesterday, Mary headed to spend the afternoon with Sue Ann so the boys and I had a fun afternoon before Thomas and Spring got home.  When they got home from school we all stayed outside playing until Joel got home and we had to have dinner.   Gideon absolutely loves being outside as do his brothers.  I love the time to play and enjoy with my kiddos.

Thomas & Gideon

Gideon loves Thomas.  He lights up when Thomas gets home from school because he knows Thomas will pick him up and play with him.  It is so fun to watch them together.  I am amazed at the young man Thomas is becoming.  He knows how to entertain and have fun with Gideon as well as to calm and comfort him.  This afternoon I had been in the kitchen with Thomas while he was doing his homework.  I left for a couple minutes to help one of the other kids and came back to find him still doing his homework, but this time with Gideon on his lap.  Gideon will know all about homework by the time he starts school!  Watching them together reminds me of how quickly time passes...for Thomas to be old enough to do this with his little brother.  When did he grow up?  These boys, and all our children, are such dear blessings in our lives.