Just Thinking

Life here is busy, but good.  We've been dancing, scouting, learning to read, working on our tax season survival skills, enjoying a wonderful spring.

Like everyone else, we have our hard times too.  This song came on this morning and touched me in a sweet, tender mercy moment.



Immediately after, this quote from Elder Holland came to mind as well.

"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. 

So it has been with the best people who ever lived." 

For whoever needs it, keep trying.  Keep working.  The blessings will come.

While Jeff has been visiting the fish mongers and enjoying beautiful views like this:

This has been our view at home

4 out of 5 Maynes have had some icky stomach bug this week.

oh and this

But most of you already know that since it's been your view too.

One day I will laugh at the less than wonderful week we've had. We've survived.  Looking forward to Jeff coming home and hope he brings a little bit of sunshine with him.

On the bright side, some good friends have shown a lot of love.  Thank you.

Midnight in Austenland

Or, rather, an afternoon at the Kings English Bookshop.  A very lovely afternoon spent with my good friend, Heidi:

Listening to a hilarious (albeit freezing) Shannon Hale

tell about her new book, Midnight in Austenland, share stories about the making of Austenland the movie, answering questions, introducing the players in her murder mystery game and generally having a good time.

Thankfully, we were there early and got good tickets for the signing line.

And after signing we had delicious raspberry lime infused water.  Too bad the cookies were already gone.  Sigh.  On to solving the murder mystery and chatting it up in a back corner.

What? What was that?  I won?  I won!!

Meet Ricky Whittle, aka Captain George East of Austenland fame.  Mine for all of 2012 and beyond. ;)

It was so much fun and totally worth the time.  Thanks Heidi for a fantastic memory!!

What's a winter with no snow?

Heaven.

Unless you got a new sled for Christmas.  Then it's the pits.  Luckily for my little troops we had some decent snow a little while back and on a Saturday too!  Jeff got them all bundled up first thing in the morning and took the 3 older ones sledding.  I stayed home with the baby and lamented the end of 50+ degree January days.

Grandpa

My Grandpa passed away this last Tuesday.  My mom volunteered herself along with me to help put pictures together to display at the funeral.  It was such a treat as I've never seen any of these pictures before.  Or even any of my grandparents from their early years.  I thought I'd share just a few of my favorites.

Grandma and Grandpa, Driggs, Idaho.  I think about 1945(?).   Not quite married.

Grandpa served in the military for 2 years.  First in Camp Roberts, CA and later in both Germany and Torino, Italy.  Just as he was called to the front lines, the war ended.

 Grandpa home on furlough:

My Grandpa came from a teeny, tiny town in Idaho.  Love his cowboy hat.

The home computer is down. We had a wonderful Christmas though. The kids got the big things they wanted. McKay was so excited about everything he got, even if it was "boring" stuff like clothes and a thermos.(aren't we cool parents?) Sophie was a little disappointed she didn't get a Rapunzel doll. In my defense (and Santa's) she didn't really make it well known how much she wanted one. But she did get a lot of other things she wanted and a few happy surprises as well. Lyndsi seemed really happy with her haul as well, especially the shaved ice stand she received for her dolls. Kids plus Christmas equals the best.

We've spent the week playing and cleaning up the mess. It's been great. Everyone is back to a regular schedule soon which is sounding just as nice.

Overcome

Last Sunday our Sunday School lesson was from Revelations. I noticed the teacher constantly referring our need to overcome. It was one of those lessons that feels specifically for you-or rather me in this case. I love it when someone says something in a way that changes my perspective.

Because of that lesson I've been working on "overcoming" this week. Overcoming clutter. My Christmas to-do list. Sin and mistakes. A sore knee. My dislike of making my kids cold lunch. It's been good. Overcoming I'm finding requires change, though. Never an easy thing. Not only do you have to remember that you are trying to be different and better but you have to actually do something about it. Constantly. Even when you don't want too. Even when it seems impossible. But you do it because you have reached a level of commitment with yourself where there is no going back.