I saw them again

I have been better about watering my plants since I last saw the baby praying mantis. I have searched for any new sightings, but have been disappointed.

Today, Craig decided to do a bit of work outside. While he was gone running an errand, running a load to the DI truck, I decided to water the plants. Later I apologized for getting distracted and making his job harder. He just smiled at me and said it was okay.

Anyway, close to the place where we spotted the first baby, I had my eyes opened.

Do you see them? There are at least 4.

Here Boaz is trying to get one to climb on him while its siblings are trying to stay out of it.

Making friends.

You have to look close. He fades into the dead plants.

Legs and body parts poking out of the foliage.

I counted about 30. Now it was hard, it's not like there is a green one, a yellow one, a purple one, etc. I tried to count in one group or area, but I might have counted a few more than once, but still I am confident there were a lot. I'm also confident that I didn't see all of them that were there. So I am going out on a limb and saying there are more than 60 babies in my back hedges.

Finding joy in simple things.

Raven in Disneyland

I have been wanting to see my neice, Raven, dance for years. It has never worked out. Timing and miles and family responsibilities have gotten in the way.

Craig saw a recent Facebook post that said that Raven was going to be at Disneyland, and hey -- that is like half an hour away from our house. 

After texting with Debbie, her mom, Craig and I decided that I could head over to Disneyland and see Raven dance yesterday.

I was a bit intimidated by the idea of driving there. I don't mind the traffic here around our "little" town, but traffic on the 5 in the morning made me a bit nervous. However, I was going against traffic, and it actually took me longer to get on the freeway than I drove on it. That was a happy thing. Also, once again, I am so thankful for the new car that can tell me how to get to places.

I met Deb at her hotel and gave her little Walker's quilt and then we braved the lines to get in.

We look a lot alike. Maybe we are sisters or something. :)

Raven danced at the stage by Small World at 10 am. I was sitting back with the group that Deb was with at the beginning.

This was the closest up picture I could get that far away. So I snuck up to the front.

Raven is amazing. She is so into the moment and so expressive. Joy just radiates from her while she is on the stage. I took a whole bunch of pictures, but only post my favorites.

Love her smile.

Centering with the zoom on is difficult. My bad. Still a cool picture.

A cool picture of her friend.

My favorite picture. Love the intensity.

Saying hi to the star.

Cutie girl with her dance company.

I was so glad to be able to go and see her. It is interesting how seeing her perform at Disneyland was easier for me than seeing her perform in SLC. A fun day to spend some time with her and her mom.

Sunny California Day

Friday Night and Saturday morning early I listened to the wind blow the branches of the tree across my bedroom window. Craig was on a business trip and I worried about things being blown away. I didn't get much sleep.

Consequently, I was not alert Saturday morning.

Saturday morning Josh had a track meet. With all the wind blowing, I thought it might be a colder day. Silly me. It got up into the 80s.

So, we rushed to get ready, find where the meet was being held, and get settled in. I remembered to bring a blanket.

I ended up sitting on the blanket, so it wasn't a total waste.

I remembered a drink. At least I stayed hydrated. 

I forgot a hat.

I forgot sunscreen. I have a red head's skin. I burn in less than 10 minutes in the sun.

My hair was way long and past time for a cut. So I pinned it back and sat in the sun from 9 am to noon.

Today I am leaving bits of skin all over the house. I am peeling especially up around my hairline that normally doesn't see the light of day because I wear bangs - longish bangs, but still bangs.

I should know better by now. Normally I am very conscious of what the sun will do to me. I have taken sunscreen to his other meets. I was in a didn't get much sleep the night before fog.

I had raccoon eyes because I wore my sun glasses. Sunday was a challenge to get enough makeup on the burn to look not ridiculous.

Today is another track meet.  This time I have a new haircut. I am not bugged by my hair falling in my eyes. I will be packing sun screen and wearing makeup - my brand has 15 SPF which helps greatly. And I will be taking my new stadium seats to sit more comfortably.  

However, Josh did spectacularly. It was a three school meet. One school had amazing distance runners.  He has been trying for weeks now to break a five minute mile. A week ago he ran 5:04. Saturday he tried a few new things. He moved up the pack on the third lap - that cut out a few seconds. His second lap was identical to the meet before. So he knows he needs to work up the pack on the second lap as well. And a runner tried to pass him in the last 100 meters. He dug in to what he didn't know he possessed and crossed the finish line ahead of that challenger - making him 4th in the race. The awesome part was he ran the mile in 5:00:97. Five minutes flat. I was elated. He is even more determined  to crack the five minute mark.

He did well in the 800 as well. He had spent his third gear in the mile and a runner passed him in the back strech leaving Josh with second place. But still he owns a new personal record from the race.

I played stalker mom and got a picture of him chatting with one of his friends.

Every once in a while I remember the little boy that he was and am astounded by his height and maturity. Today, looking at this picture, is one of those moments. 

Hopefully today he will break 5:00.

Scripture

 I can hear melodies of our hymns as I read verses in Psalms. Totally makes sense because the Psalms are the original hymns - from the chants of the Middle Ages to the inspiration of the hymns of the revivals of the 1800s. 

When I am able to recognize the core of a loved hymn the Psalms come alive for me. 

Several hymns take this message. These verses also are relevant to our current political quandary. We must hold to our faith, especially as politically correct forces strive to push Christian faith from public consciousness. 

God is our refuge from terrorism. He is our refuge from work place violence. He is our refuge from mass shootings and riots and violent protests. He is even our refuge in natural disasters. 

The story of the Houston TX temple being surrounded by flood waters while inside the temple is dry and safe. 

This picture was posted to Facebook by the Texas Houston South Mission. President Hall:

"Despite the flooding, there's still a lighthouse standing and shining brightly. The temple is completely surrounded by water, but was left untouched inside. Our missionaries are out serving and helping in the recovery efforts. A great blessing to serve in time of need." 

He is a refuge from the storm.

Golfing in paradise

Just this last week in Church Craig did a very brave thing and got up and said, "My name is Craig Oswald, and I'm addicted to golf. It's been about a year since I last played."  It was humor in part of his testimony. He bore a sincere and touching testimony about what is important in life. 

Anyway, here we are less than a week later and where is he? On a golf course in Hawaii. 

It is a board meeting and he traveled solo this time. So he spent his free day on the links. 

This hole is right on the beach. You can see the ocean at the end of the hole. I have no idea why the rock is in the middle of the fairway. 

The last hole. I'm thinking he'll get in the water next. His two favorite things. Wish I was there to share it with him. 

Oh well it is Josh and I at home and Boaz on a scout camp out. 

We are a bit fragmented this weekend. 

Praying mantis

I bought a praying mantis egg case about two weeks ago. I have been hoping to see evidence of the babies. 

Here it is hidden in the shrub. 

Here is the close up of the egg case. 

I have been watching it to see any evidence of it having hatched. I have almost given up hope and even thought I might have bought a dud. 

The package said it would be impossible to tell the difference between before and after it hatched. 

It also said the hatching would last about half an hour and then the babies would hide themselves away. 

I have worried about the plentiful birds snatching them all up. 

And then . . . 

While I was watering the plants today I saw a baby. I called Josh and made him get my phone so we could document the blessed event. 

He is running off the leaf. Really it was the movement I saw first. 

Here he is perched on a piece of bark. Josh tried to pick him up on a stick, and then I let him man the camera and I picked him up. He decided to get a bit friendly. 

He is magnified. Those wrinkles are my knuckle wrinkles on my thumb. 

A profile on my wrist. It took a bit to get him back home in the wilds on our shrubs bordering our sidewalk back yard.

And then Josh took the time to get out of homework and play with the camera. 

A rollie pollie or a pill bug. 

A tiny inch worm. I have no idea how he spotted it. 

And then he was a bum and didn't let me take a picture of him. But you can see the size of our planting area. A small border of shrubs and some roses around our cement pad of a back yard. Oh well, it is home. And now we have some praying mantises to watch and admire. So fun.

My assignment for seminary

Josh (my son),

It is in our dark moments that we focus enough to receive the greatest light. Joseph Smith received section 121 and 122 in Liberty Jail. These two sections have been the source of help for millions of members as they face trials, including me. When I felt alone and abandoned the Savior's powerful words to Joseph Smith still sound in my soul, ". . . All these things shall give the experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

I have found similar verses as I have searched. Another of my favorites is, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" (D&C 6:22-23)

I have found that He gives us answers and then He steps back a bit and expects us to remember and act on the answers that He has given us.

I don't always have the flame of testimony burning bright and hot, but I know I can do certain things to get it burning bright again. For me those include reading the scriptures and then writing about my feelings of a specific part, or thinking about a part that seems important at the time. 

When I feel discouraged or a bit broken I remember the time when I called out to God in my darkness and I received a definite answer. I have remembered that for more than 25 years now. It is a memory that can save me and I believe it will still save me in the future. The answer that God gave me that night was real and undeniable. I know that God listens to our prayers. He knows our trials. He feels our pain. He will save us when we are lost and in pain.

I know this year has been hard for you. I have also seen extraordinary growth on your part. I am confident that God has called us to this place at this time for a purpose. I can see your abilities in school and track have grown. You now have a new calling that will cause you to stretch again. I am confident God has a work for you to do, and this time is a preparation.

I love how you can find humor and laughter in life. This skill will help you all your days. You have an ability to draw people to you. You have an innate ability to understand deeply. I am astounded by your gospel knowledge and insights. I am so honored to be your mom.

I love you and I am so proud of you.


Wendy Oswald (your mom)

Scripture

I'm in Psalms.

The longest book of the Old Testament.

The middle book of the Old Testament.

I've heard it said that Psalms constantly testifies of the Savior.

Some of the Psalms sing to me.

Most of them don't.

I am trying not to rush through them.

I have been looking for a verse to write about. I know I am not on schedule of one verse a week.

Today I found a sweet little verse that caught my attention.

I confess sometimes I put my trust in worldly things instead of where I should.

Sometimes I forget where joy lies. Sometimes I think service is a burdon. Sometimes I look forward to the future and only see disaster.

During Women's Conference I was reminded, rather strongly, that I should serve joyfully. Such service is a gift to Jesus and should always be considered in that light. I should be happy and feel privileged to drive an older lady where ever and when ever she needed to go because I was showing my love for my Savior. I have been working on changing my perspective. However, prior to my latest lesson, I seem to have already shown my annoyance and said lady seems to be highly offended. I trusted in the gas tank rather in the Lord.

I have recently been called to serve as first counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. This will give me many chances to serve joyfully and trust in the Lord.

I pray my perspective will remain eternal and that I will not offend needy or sensitive sisters. I pray I will joyfully serve in the Kingdom. I pray I will more fully trust in the Lord.

Two down, four to go

I don't know why I wait until I'm overwhelmed with baby quilts. If I was smart I would have a few already done, ready to give away as the babies came. But I seem to work better pushed up against a dead line. Oh well. 

Here is Walker's quilt. 

The swirl quilting stitch is coming along nicely. It surprises me how much quicker it is than stitching in the ditch. It is also better coverage for a stronger quilt. 

The back ended up just one fabric, except the little red square in the corner. 

The Reds and golds are vibrant and cheerful. I like it better than I thought I would. That is always a happy thing. The fabric isn't necessarily child themed, but it turns out nicely. 

Spring break

We decided to stay home for spring break. The boys enjoyed video gaming Monday, Wednesday and Friday. But Tuesday was Craig's birthday and he took the day off and drug us to Knott's Berry Farm. Craig had been there before, but for the rest of us, it was new. 

I have always loved roller coasters and crazy rides. Josh and Boaz not as much. But we put on our happy faces and tried the wild ones. 

The Silver Bullet was our first ride. The wait wasn't too bad, but I think it was definitely worth it. We went fast, upside down and even went through a cork screw. Boaz and Craig came off it a bit green, but still had fun. 

We tried a few other rides and then tried the log ride. 

Criag and I were in the back of the log, and I took a selfie. I tried hard to keep my phone dry, but I still wanted the picture. 

After lunch and the pony express ride we tried the river rapids ride. We were guaranteed to get wet. I was worried about the phone again, but they had a central water proof container. It was a great ride. The best part was the anticipation and utter helplessness of knowing a wave was coming and hoping it would hit somebody else in the raft. We discovered that the person facing backward was the most likely to get drenched. But it didn't always turn out that way. 

Josh didn't get it too bad. But he was wearing light colored clothing, so it showed up best. 

Boaz got the wettest, but his dark clothes hid the evidence. 

I got very wet, but I was the one with the camera, so no pictures. :) However, I was wearing light colored capris, and by the time I got off the raft, my pants were almost transparent. I was glad my garments offered better coverage so I wasn't indecent. We dried quickly and I was back to normal in almost no time. 

The boys weren't too happy with my camera. 

Josh is showing his displeasure at being photographed. Too bad. 

He couldn't hold that pout for too long and I kept snapping away until I got a smile. 

Importance of timing

Thursday I picked up Boaz and headed to Corona deal Mar for Josh's track meet. Josh called me as I was searching for a parking spot. He was ready to run his mile. He ran it while I still sought a place to park. 

When we got to the track, Craig was there to tell me what I had missed. Josh ran a good race. We had thought he had improved his time, but he was one second off his time. He was so mad. 

I was there for his 800. He took 5 seconds off his previous personal record. He lead for the last 300 meters. I screamed as loud as I could so he could hear me. 

The next day he had a band concert in Walnut - up the 5 to the 57. I got caught in rush hour(s) traffic. 

Josh only played one song. I got there just after that song and got to listen to the orchestra. Our school's orchestra is excellent. 

The school "hosting" the event charged $25.00. I was not aware or prepared. I had $21.00. They didn't take credit card and I didn't have a check. They took pity on me and said if I had a relative playing it was only $10. 

Our orchestra was way better than the main event. I ended up leaving at intermission. 

But I just missed my son two time in two days. Not good. I need to be better.