First earthquake

Craig and I felt our first earthquake. We were sitting on the couch watching TV and we felt the couch move. 

The boys felt nothing.

It was just a little 4.4 quake. Just enough to catch our attention. Closer to the epicenter some things fell off shelves, but no major damage.

I'm glad it was small. I hope to feel more like it. A gradual release of pressure. I don't want to expeirence the Big One. 

Christmas part 2

Looking at the last post, I don't have any pictures of Thea. Silly me.

We played volleyball at the park across the street. I have some pictures, or at least one, of her there.

We are still a bit amazed that we could play volleyball on Christmas. LuRose responded to Craig's text that we were just mean to share this picture, but hey - we have to recognize the pros of the place where we live.

The boys sporting their new clothes. Neon is in.

Thea brings pink into our lives.

In front of the really great net. The grass is brown because of the drought, but the day was beautiful and the sky was blue. A super fun day.

Merry Christmas

After a flurry of making Christmas popcorn and that sweet gooey Chex Mix, we delivered some neighbor gifts. Christmas music rang through the house. The boys were my somewhat reluctant helpers, but they got into it and enjoyed the results.

Craig came home early, we had chicken pot pie for dinner. Craig and I wrapped presents and then we headed to the airport to pick up Thea.

Just a few pictures from this morning.

Enjoying all the components from the gift from my brother. We are glad to live close to a park so we can get some good use from the bad mitten and volleyball.

Nice smiles.

Slippers for Christmas. Very nice for the tile floors.

I had the boys' robes laid out on the couches this morning. Craig had his robe for years already. Josh came down first and huddled under a blanket. He didn't even notice them. Kinda hard with the neon yellow trim.

Boaz came down and sat down because Josh was. Then he said, "What are those new robes?" Josh did a double take and started laughing. He saw one robe and thought that Craig had snuck down and put his robe as a place saver on the couch. Something he would never do.

I made Boaz's robe an adult size. He will grow into it in about two years. But now they are near twinners. Or tripleters, but that doesn't sound right at all.

Merry Christmas all. The Christmas spirit did show up, just in time.

Part two

So I've been thinking about the last post.

My youngest is 11. He is fully aware of the truth about Santa Claus.

I'm still in the middle of my six month adjustment time in a new move. I have met wonderful people, but I still feel a bit on the outside.

I haven't put the time and effort into Christmas this year.

I am the keeper of Christmas - all the old things with small children no longer apply. I have to come up with new things with half grown children to keep the magic flowing.

I am off to the store for hot chocolate and cinnamon bears to make our Christmas popcorn. 

I'm a little late, but I think I can still pull it off.

It's Christmas time

We have gone to three band concerts and listened to Christmas music.

We have gone to the ward party - this year adult only - with lovely decorations and music.

We had a great Christmas Relief Society Meeting.

I went to a Christmas Party at the Family Search Library.

We have gotten Christmas cards in the mail - sorry I haven't mailed out cards this year.

We have gone Christmas shopping.

We sang in the stake Christmas Program.

We sang in the Ward Christmas Program.

Today, we just got our tree up. 

We have received neighbor gifts.

But still I am struggling. There is no snow. No bundling up in coats and gloves and hats. No Christmas weather.

We have enjoyed the Sothern California weather tremendously. We are grateful to not be shoveling snow and driving on ice. 

Amid all the holiday decorations and festivities, I don't feel like it's Christmas. 

Thea is coming tonight, I am hoping she will bring some Christmas with her.

I have presents to wrap, and I should make Christmas popcorn to share.

Learning a new way of Christmas.

Confession

I can be waspish. I can be petty. I can be petulant. I can forget all that I know and sink into utter unreasonableness. The scary thing is that while I am there, I think I am right.

I am grateful that my people love me through the mental morass of my self-pity. This time I was able to pull myself out of the quagmire in a more timely fashion, with significant help. Still no fun for others while I was there.

I'd like to blame it on hormones. Part of the natural woman.

But - I know this is part of my test; how to resist the suction of wallowing.

Scripture

I read Numbers. I found some verses early on, but it wasn't time to post yet. So I continued reading and looking for wonderful verses. There are great stories in Numbers. 

I remembered Balam and his donkey, but no particular verse stood out. 

I remembered Miriam and Aaron murmuring and Miriam getting leprosy for a bit and having to live out of the camp for a week. Certainly warning scriptures, but not one that I wanted to ponder for a week. 

I read about Joshua and Caleb getting ready to take the Host of Israel over the river and Moses having to get ready to give over leadership. The story picks back up a bit in Numbers. 

But I ended up going back to a verse near the beginning. A verse that spoke to me about how Moses communicated with God. A story that shows what is possible, a goal to strive for.

I'm sure that sometimes I speak in dark speeches, somewhat garbled and searching for the truth in the thought. I search the feelings of my heart and try and identify answers from Heaven and dismiss my own desires and selfish wants.

To talk with God mouth to mouth, even apparently - to actually have conversations with Him. To hear His voice and His words.

I don't have Moses' task. Caring for rebellious Israel in the wilderness for 40 years. After all the miracles and they still cried for Egypt when it got hard. Perhaps that was his salvation in the midst of the murmuring mess of his life. What a blessing to have little chats with God. A moment of sanity when his people are loosing their heads and their faith and sometimes their lives.

Relief Society Christmas Program

We had a special thing today. The men subbed for the women so they could all attend Relief Society. There were two speakers. The first one showed a video. It said, "The star still shines." 

Thinking about this past conference and all the references to light, this little sentence has plucked a chord in my heart. It gave me a new way to think about things that I have flirted with in the past.

The idea that we are so distracted with technology that we aren't quiet enough to hear the Spirit.

We are so fascinated with artificial light that we no longer look for the Source of Light. We no longer rely on the stars for navigation, direction, seasons or weather. We have divorced ourselves from nature and fail to hear the God of Nature calling to us. We are so obsessed with the creations of man that we fail to appreciate the works of the Creator and thus tune out the voice of Thunder and the voice of Lightning and the voice of Calamity that trumpets their testimonies of the One who hold the universe in His very hands.

In this season of lights, I want to focus on the Light of the season.

Cross Country Banquet

Cross Country season has been over for over a month. The banquet was last night. The timing still confuses me. One more thing in the busiest month of the year. Oh well.

Josh said it was semi-formal. 

He looks handsome in his red shirt. He surprised me with his tie choice, but it looks good.

He didn't want me to take his picture, but he smiled anyway.

I'm grateful he has found something he loves. I have no idea why he loves it, but he does and I'm glad. They still run after school. Getting ready for track and keeping it going for next year.

Josh's concerts

Last week, we attended Josh's concerts. He plays the bass trombone. He has played the tuba, the bass trombone and the trombone in Idaho and this new band director was thrilled when he discoved Josh's versatility. 

Josh came home one day and told me the band director told him he saved the trombone section. That was a good day for Josh.

We were at the concert on Tuesday when I heard the band director say the wind ensemble would play Wednesday. Because Josh plays the bass trombone, he is in the wind ensemble also. Just like that we went from attending one concert to two. We had a bit of rearranging to do, but we listened to him twice.

I don't know what is wrong with me. I didn't get any pictures of him dressed up. I scrambled Tuesday to find a black button down shirt for the concert that night. I had to guess at the shirt size. I got the neck right, but the sleeves are a bit long. Oh well. That helped me as I had to get him a white button down long sleeve shirt for the Stake Christmas Concert last Saturday. He likes the short sleeve shirts.

Josh's play list from Tuesday:

  

    Ukrainian Bell Carol arr by Saucedo

    Happy Holidays/White Christmas by Berliln, arr by Ricketts

    Winter Holiday by Swearingen

    We Need a Little Christmas by Herman, arr by Ricketts.

Playing the bass trombone means he is way in the back in the middle of the band. I had a good view of his hands and slide. He told me the other trombones have really good high tones and they are all impressed at his really good low tones. He loves the basement or the foundation of the low notes.

Wednesday he borrowed Boaz's bow tie and wore a white shirt. He looked very dapper, and again I didn't get a picture. My mom licence should be revoked. I don't have the play list for the Wednesday concert. Double shame on me.

Oh wait. I don't have the play list from the Tuesday night concert. The previous list is from Wednesday. I'm going to leave this just to show how unorganized I am.

Josh still misses the Blackfoot Band program. But he is doing well here. And as he said coming home from one of the concerts, he is the savior of the trombone section.

First Concert

I have been busy looking back recently with Boaz. His last Primary Program. His last year in elementary school. His last what ever.

I need to still acknowledge his firsts.

He had his first band concert last night. 

He sat with the Beginning Band and Played:

   

    Ode to Joy by Beethoven/Bullock

     Jingle Bells arr by Higgins

     Up on the Housetop arr by Sweeney

     A Christmas Sleigh Ride by Feldstein/O'Reilly

Josh told me that Sweeney is a great arrainger for middle school music. Josh was very much the proud brother watching Boaz with his trumpet. He realized how far he has come since he started playing 4 1/2 years ago. When the band director mentioned that they were playing eighth notes Josh didn't quite know how to respond. It was good for him to remember.

A blurry picture of Boaz, third in from the edge. His horn is at a good level and he was confident in his part. Every day he practices 20 minutes after school. He tells me when he learns a new note. He has enjoyed band.

After the concert I made him stand for a picture with his bow tie.

A silly face. I wanted him to take out his trumpet. I was outvoted - everybody to one. :) 

Laughing at me and Josh. I love  his smile. I love his humor. I love the way he sees life.

Wanting me to be done and go home to watch the show they are into right now. Giving me a smile and hoping it will be enough.

I love this boy.

Scripture

I have been reading the Old Testament again. As I been about this ponderizing journey, I have determined to find a scripture in my weekly (actually daily) reading. I am in Leviticus. Leviticus worried me. I read now looking for a scripture to use for the week.

With all the lists and feasts and rules in Leviticus I was worried that I wouldn't find a verse for me to use. My reaction was to plow through the chapters in hopes of finishing and getting that much closer to Dueteronomy. I'm sure I passed up many versed that would have worked, but I did find this one.

I see it as Heavenly help as I try a new method of scripture study. And isn't that what Heaven wants from us? A chance to teach us from the scriptures?

This scripture spoke to me about the crazy time in which we live. We are severed from the current culture and traditions. We still stive to find God in every day, hour and minute. We still believe in commandments and absolutes. We still believe in accountability and responsibility. We still believe in being holy and being God's chosen people.

This is what I want. I want God to claim me as His. I want His redemption. I want His mercy. I want His salvation.

I want to be His.

Learning to sing

I have sung in church choirs for decades. I love to sing sacred music. I feel connected to Heaven as I participate in choirs.

This stake has a wonderful music program. I went to practices and felt very loud. I have often been the lone soprano and have learned how to belt out the notes over the rest of the choir. I have gained confidence in my ability to hit the notes and read music.

This choir is different. There are many sopranos. Among the many, there are excellent sopranos as well. The director is simply amazing. She is a voice teacher. She hears all sorts of things that I never knew existed.

I went to a practice and sat by the best soprano. It had been a while since I had sung anything high and was working on a new skill of singing soft. It has always been very hard to sing high notes softly for me. So, every high note I was very uncertain. She complimented me on my lower register and suggested that I sing the second soprano.

I was careful not to sit by her agian. :)

It took me weeks, but I listened to the expert instruction, and I tried again and again to sing in a light, airy, soft voice and still hit the high F.

Yesterday was the Stake Christmas Celebration. I have certainly not mastered the skill, but I sang the soft lullabys and still hit the notes.

I am grateful for expert musicians willing to teach enthusiastic, if not intimidated, singers new skills.

The music uplifted me and strengthened my testimony of the Savior.

Truly the best part of Christmas is the music.

Full house

Last week, we were blessed to have Thea come for Thanksgiving.

I'm not sure why I am so late in posting this. Lots going on, but still.

It was so great to have her here. The boys love when she comes. She seemed grown up and wanted to just spend time together. We thougtht she would want all the Black Friday excitement, but she wasn't as into that as we had thought.

We spent time with food, cards, frisbee and soccer. We shopped a bit, but mostly just enjoyed her company.

We didn't take many pictures, but we did get a few.

All the kids. Boaz is still straining to not be the shortest. He'll pass Thea and I up soon.

Thea got a great shot of Boaz at the neighborhood pool. She was so excited for the sun. It was still a bit chilly. We all headed to the hot tub one evening and we ran into a neighbor who laughed at us, in a nice way. The pool is empty because it's winter, but we out of staters, still enjoyed the great water.

Craig, Thea and I spent some time Monday before she left at the pool. You can see all of our toes. I  still have to be careful in the sun because I burn so much. But Thea loves it.

My eyes are closed, but this is a picture she took to take with her back to Oregon. We feel a little diminished since she left, but are so grateful to have had the time together.

Hyperbole

My boy seems to love hyperboles.

He was doing core work on grass. I picked him up and brought him home where his dad noticed grass all over his back. Craig began teasing him about the source of the grass. 

Josh responded with, " Still, I've already shed a pasture!"

Scripture

How I get through some days. I know He knows me by name.

Just because

Sometimes the best kind of flowers. The just because ones.

Mormon Battalion Museum

I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting a few months ago and I saw an email informing me that I had an ancestor that was in the Mormon Battalion. 

So when we moved to Southern CA, I wanted to make sure and go and see the Museum.

We got there and the sister missionary was telling us some info while she was standing in front of some  old style pictures. The thing is that the pictures looked like they were high def. I was distracted by the pictures, and then one of them sneezed. One of the pictures sneezed. It was like Hogwarts. The pictures started talking and then they all got up and walked away.

We were invited to go into the next room.

It was charming. I learned a lot about the Battalion.

The story about the nine year old boy that walked over 100 miles in 8 days all by himself to catch up to his dad freaked me out a bit. I looked over at Boaz and thought that boy was two years younger than Boaz. His poor mother.

At the end, there were kiosks where you could look up the members of the Battalion.

I couldn't get the image to copy to my pictures. But I found out that my ancestor ended up at Sutter's Mill. I don't know if he was involved in the discovery of gold, but he might have been there. It is fasinating to me when my people are part of historical events.

He ended up going on a mission to the Malad Valley. I have driven the Malad Pass every time we went from to Idaho to Utah. He lived in Soda Springs, ID and ended up dieing there. That was very close to where I lived up until we made this last move.

Somehow that information makes me feel closer to him.

Clinton Bronson. He is from my dad's line.

Family History is fun.

The wall

We were invited to a resort Monday. Craig had to work, but I took the boys south. We visited the Mormon Battalion Museum in San Diego. More on that later.

The kids swam and played ping pong. My friend and I wandered the shops.

We found out there was a new climbing wall. The older boys were excited about the possibility, the younger siblings were willing to follow the older ones.

We had a good pre-climb instruction. Harnesses were demonstrated. Josh was the first to try. He strapped into the automatic belay thingie. The person in charge of the wall was excellent. He was focused, gave encouragement, gave instructions, was ever watchful for the safety of his clients.

Beginning the climb. The holds were color coded. The easier holds were white and brown. Pink and blue and green were okay too.

At the overhang. Trying to find the way up. The guy said, "There is always a way up." The tendency is to rely on the arms to pull you up. The best way to climb is to depend more on the legs to push your way to the next hold. Once you stop, it is harder to get going again.

Past the overhang and climbing to the top. Josh was the only one to make it past the overhang. I still attibute this to scouting. All those pull-up that he had to do every year for over 4 years gave him drive to work on his arm strength.

Way up at the top. Then he got to jump off the wall and let the belay device lower him down. So I think the wall was 30 feet. As his mother, I was grateful for the belay device and the attention of the guy. (I feel super bad I didn't get his name. I did remember to compliment him on his expertise and attention.)

As I write this, I must disclose I didn't try the wall. I was wearing flipflops, and I am not really a fan of heights. Although I like the opposite activity - repelling.

Boaz tried the wall also.

The guy again watching out for my boy. Boaz has a height disadvantage still. Although that will no longer be an issue in probably two years.

Just under the overhang, searching for a way up.

Getting his legs ready to provide the push up.

He tried several times and gained good experience. He will be better prepared next time he tries. And, again, he did better than I did because I didn't try.

The wall as a metaphor for life -- there is always a way up. Keep moving. If at first you don't succeed, try again. Build muscles and confidence. Focus on the path. Pick your holds intentionally. Go with people you can trust. Trust the people you are with. Use the proper equipment. There is always tomorrow to try to go higher and faster.

The guy showed us how an experienced climber does it. He went up in under 15 seconds. He almost ran up the wall. He trusted his legs. He knew the holds. 

New bionic hip

My sweet mother-in-law has a new hip. Her old one was really giving her troubles. I am grateful to live in a time where this is possible.

Waking up after surgery with a brand new hip. She is said to be resting comfortably. I pray she will have a good night and recover well. I'm so sad to be so far away where all I can do is pray. I wish I could be there and trade off with my family and be part of the support system. I do love her.

scripture

New ponderizing scripture.

The true test. To be obedient to all the Lord hath said. Will I do it? I know I want to .

Disturbing dream

Last night I had a disturbing dream. I had checked out five books at a huge multi-floored library. One book was a huge eight inch thick tome for research. Of course in my dream, it wasn't heavy at all.

When it came time to returm the books for some reason I returned the huge book directly to the stacks without checking it in.

I  spent hours in that library, checking all the floors for that huge book. 

It was utterly futile.

Crazy, strange dream.

Scripture

New scripture:

In light of the angst that has been in the Church since the policy, that was written for the Priesthood leaders, was leaked to the press in the most out of context light possible; this is to remind me of the dangers of murmuring.

I have recently been murmuring a bit. Not about the new policy, I can understand that. We haven't been able to sell our house in Idaho. Josh has really struggled in school here. It seems we are constanly running into new fees or taxes or costs that we hadn't anticipated. It has been hard to be here financially. But things are looking up. Tender mercies abound. 

It is time to remember to be still and know He is God.

Disneyland with the cousins

Friday Craig and I took Boaz out of school and met cousins at Disneyland. This is our first trip since we have moved. Josh opted to stay and attend school. 

Craig got Josh to seminary and Boaz and I got ready. We all picked Josh up at the church and got him to school and then we were off. The traffic was lighter than Craig had anticipated. We made it earlier than we had thought we would. 

We saw all kinds of super heros at Disneyland. It was the Avenger's 5K. The runners dressed up as thier favorite super heros - or villians - and ran the race. I spotted some DC heros. I only know the difference because Josh has taught me. Because of the race the park opened at 9 instead of 8. We got there about 7. We enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate and waited for two hours for the park to open.

This is us waiting outside the gates. Boaz was not too happy he had to get up so early.

Sandy and Alan met Hailey and Steve with their cutie girls and we partied the day away.

Inside Disneyland, finally.

Uncle Alan is a Disneyland pro and showed us the wonders of the fast pass. We were able to do so much more than we thought possible because he knew the tricks. We hit the Matterhorn first because that ride doesn't have a fast pass. The girls knew what they wanted and we were happy to follow along.

Ellie was my driver at Autotopia. She was a good driver. Close to the end, she was thinking about bumping her grandpa when the monorail horn blew. She thought somebody was honking at her because they knew what she was thinking about. So funny.

Boaz drove his dad. He was exploring everything he could do and was quite the crazy driver at the start.

The girls posing for their mom and I snuck a quick pic.

Wating in line. It was a beautiful day. Earlier we were all laughing at the winter coats, hats and scarfs. I guess LA people need a time to wear their cute winter clothes, so the two hours it is chilly in the morning has to do.

We were in love with this little girl's huge eyes. She was a good baby and had many arms willing to hold her. Ellie was happy to have her this time.

My sweet men.

We watched Micky's Magical Map, it's a live show and they showered down streamers at the end. Jocelyn was very excited to gather it all up.

She didn't really want to hang out with me. I'll have to wait until she gets a bit older I guess. But she did let me take her picture.

We stayed through the light parade and the fireworks. It was fun. My feet were very tired and we were happy to head home. Great memories with family. So many things to do here in California. We'll have to work down our list.

Another mile stone

Today was Boaz's last Primary Program. He memorized his part. Turns out he is a good memorizer. He got up second. We were sitting on in our ususal pew, on the opposite side of where Boaz was sitting. Craig and I strained to watch him sing all the songs. The Primary Chorister looked like she stood in the same place, but we shifted for each song to be able to see him sing.

Just after Boaz gave his lines, Craig leaned over to me and said, "Last Time." I had been saying that for two months now, but as I was sitting there watching the fidgety children, my eyes got teary. 

Boaz of course is very excited he is done. He is anxious and ready to advance to the Young Men program. He strains to catch up to Josh and I wish he would slow down just a bit. :)

I didn't know hardly any of the kids. I am still trying to learn the adults. I try and learn the youth. The primary kids have been off my radar. But there they were in their finery, singing the wonderful songs of testimony.

Our last Primary Program. Now I will watch the children of others while my boys sit beside us, grateful they aren't up there and able to appreciate the program for what it really is - adorable children singing their testimonies about Jesus.

My little friend

He comes to visit me often. He seems to like this perch.

He is so little. He looks a bit fat is this picture, but he is perfect.

Just a hint of his long beak.

So cute.

scripture

This week's scripture:

We have been in many places. The only way that we are successful is because I believe that God is with us in all the places that we go. We have met so many wonderful people in each place. We have been in amazing wards in each place. Truely He goes before us and meets us.

Cross Country

Josh had his last cross country meet yesterday. He ran the same track as his the time trial he ran to get on the team. He was excited to run it again. I met Craig so we could waatch him. We had a little map of the course, so we saw him two times during the race. 

Here Craig is holding the map and talking with Josh about how he was going to run the course. Josh hates it when I talk pictures of him. But as his mother, I feel I can and should take pictures. 

He started up on the hill, so we didn't see the start. He came down and turned on the road and I took this picture. I am suprised I got such a good shot.

I even somehow managed to not get the crowd. They were starting to streach out in the line, but were still grouped close together.

This is about half way through the race. Not too bad of an action shot here either. His pace was really good, and Craig was calculating what his time should be. He was getting pretty excited. Notice his shoes. We found out this year how important good shoes are. He had his feet maped and we bought shoes based on what support they gave instead of how cool they looked. He tends to roll his ankle in a bit, these shoes support his ankles and keep his foot more in the correct line or his bones lined up properly. He had been having pain in his hip and feet. The new shoes fixed that right away. No more bone pain.

I didn't get a picture of the finish. I was screaming too much. He came in at 18:31 for the three miles. When he started this season he ran it in 21:00, and it was the hardest he had ever ran. So he took off 2 1/2 minutes in just a few two months. I think that is amazing. It was his best time, his personal record. It's great to end on a high note that like. Now we are looking forward to Spring track season. The trick is to keep up the conditioning and be even better in the Spring.