Back to the Beach

We're getting ready for our annual pilgrimage back to Leo Carillo State Park in sunny California.

This morning I remembered a story from last Christmas that I forgot to write down.  While packing last year for the beach, Logan, who was preparing to be a scout, decided that he needed to pack a safety kit.  He rounded up a flashlight, multi-tool, pocket knife, band-aids, a whistle, a compass and a yellow reflective safety vest that he'd purchased in a school store earlier that year. He felt very prepared, and kept it with him on the trip, just in case.

On our way home, we happened upon a bad accident.  Two cars had crashed on I-15 and we were one of the first cars to arrive.  My first thought was of the drivers, and how to help direct traffic around the black car that was blocking two lanes of traffic.  It was dark outside, and the situation was quite dangerous.  No emergency vehicles had arrived.

Logan jumped into action, and could not be restrained in the car!  He was so energized and ready to help.  It took a great deal of persuading to keep him in the car while Topher assessed the situation and checked on the drivers.  Finally, after traffic was stopped, we let him out to help.

Looking forward to another happy, and hopefully safe, trip to The Beach. :)

A few favorites from Christmases past below...

Gratitudes

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm up early this morning with Logan and Stockton talking about the Thanksgiving holiday.  We have been discussing the refugee crisis that is going on in the Middle East, and what we can do to help.  We have been talking about our blessings.

Here are some of the things Logan is grateful for this Thanksgiving:

• Pokemon
• Family
• Our Church
• The Plan of Salvation
• A home
• The earth
• Food and clean water
• TV and screen time
• A good life and everything else
• The chance to go to school
• Holidays

Here are some of the things Stockton is grateful for this Thanksgiving:

• Orange purple and blue sunset last night
• Pajammies
• Going on a trip to St. George
• I"m not happy about my pre-school friends laughing at me and I am thinking about how they can be quiet
• Mrs. Lori, who has a few good books that we don't have
• Zander and Raegan and Talmage, Harper and Davis
• Cat in the Hat
• Noah's Ark

Humpback Whales and Cotton Candy

Recent Quotes from Stockton...

"Barnacles are mysterious creatures. They grow on humpback whales for hundreds and hundreds of weeks."

"Mom, do you know why I love eating cotton candy? Because it tastes like eating a cloud."

"Mommy, you are going to have to pay me one dollar since you made me run fast and my shoes ripped.... How about 10 dollars?"

After dragging his toys, pillows and blankets to the middle of the kitchen floor while I was trying to cook dinner, I asked him what he was doing. My tone implied that he needed to get that mess cleaned up. He replied, "It is my pet zoo."

He asks me to turn on some Chinese music for him to dance to. He did a "beautiful," then "awesome," (when the music sped up) dance, which turned into a Kung Fu show.

"I am going commando crazy. I don't wear any underwear, because I am rich."

"Mom, can you take me to the dollar store?"  I ask what he wants to spend his money on, "A dishrag.  I need to clean some things." Maybe he does take after me a bit after all.

Cambridge

One of the highlights of our trip to new England was visiting the campus of Harvard. We happened upon the most incredible tour guide, a Harvard history graduate from the class of 1978. He walked us through the campus and told us so many interesting facts and stories.

John Harvard, the university's first president.

We thought it fitting that this lovely building was covered in Ivy. This lovely plant is not the reason Harvard is considered Ivy League. The name actually came from the Roman numeral four. I V. There were four original founders of Ivy League schools, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia.

Harvard has the third largest library in the world. They hold the treasures such as the Gutenberg Bible, and a collection of books bound in a human skin. The collection below ground under where I am standing houses 50 miles of shelving. There is a phone system in the underground library that students can use to call for help if they get lost, which apparently happens regularly. 

Here is Topher sending over the bridge where the Charles River flows. Men on campus are expected to jump off the bridge into this river before graduating. All of the graduates should be able to swim, thanks to an endowment provided by a woman whose son and husband were lost in the titanic. Her son was a great lover of books, and his died trying to fetch one of his books from the sinking ship. She gave millions of dollars to the university after his death, along with his collection of books, and because he died drowning, she insisted that all Harvard graduates be able to swim. Until the 1970s, every Harvard graduate had to swim 50 yards before being granted their diplomas.

Here I am with our wonderful tour guide, Dan. Harvard offers a full ride scholarship to the top 10 members of the graduating class in the neighboring high schools in Cambridge. Dan was the recipient of one of the scholarships, along with Matt Damon. Both of them were number 10 in their class. We also learned that Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones were roommates at Harvard. 

We learned about the freshman dining hall is modeled after the dining hall in England where JK rolling got her inspiration for the dining hall at Hogwarts. She was one of the most famous commencement speakers at Harvard in the last hundred years.

This building is referred to Hogwarts at Harvard.

Harvard has produced eight presidents, four more than Yale. We went to this burger joint right off-campus, which was one of John F. Kennedy's favorite places to eat.

We particularly enjoyed this advertisement hanging above our table, of Ronald Regan smoking.

After our campus tour, we enjoyed visiting the Museum of Natural Historyand looking at the collections there.

Afterward, we strolled through the neighborhoods in Cambridge, and visited this home of Longfellow, where General Washington Took command of the colonial Army in 1776. 

In an act of love, at the end of our day, Topher took me to search for some darling little houses, of which there are no shortage.

Boston in the Fall

On our visit to Boston Public Gardens, a man was there making large bubbles over the duckpond. He reminded me of John. He didn't say anything, but just kept making the bubbles as the crowd gathered to watch them, mesmerized, float and bounce across the water on a crisp, sunny day.

Watching the bubbles

The autumn colors were absolutely stunning! This is the Make way for Ducklings monument in Boston Public Garden. We spent Sunday afternoon walking and picnicking here.

They have an actual redbrick trail that runs all through the city directing you to the Freedom Trail sites. Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution. This is Topher sanding on the spot where the Boston Massacare took place.

The famous old North Church, where Paul Revere hung two lanterns in the steeple before his Midnight Ride. One if by land, two if by Sea.

Just off the freedom Trail they have a very moving monument called the New England Holocaust Memorial. It has the numbers of all of the Jews that were killed during World War II by the Nazis. There is steam coming up through vents at the memorial, which symbolizes the last dying breath of those who died, along with the smoke from the gas chambers. There are beautiful quotes and heartbreaking stories from survivors engraved throughout the memorial. The one below reminds me of Grandpa Reed, who just passed away. 

Charles River.... Travel route of the British soldiers on their way to the battle at Lexington and Concord.

We did a great interactive tour of the Boston Tea Party! This is me below deck on the ship in the harbor where we participated in the reenactment. 

Topher did a great job navigating the Subway, which was the first one built in the U.S.

Yes... He ordered a casserole. His favorite.

We took a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. We hired an outstanding tour guide (Jeff) who taught us all about the Salem witch trials that took place in 1692. He grew up there, and has spent his life studying the history of the trials. It was a tragic story, and very sad to hear about the lives that were ruined on the speculation on a rumor. Many of those targeted weren't outcasts and unable to defend or protect themselves. Before all was said and done, 50% of the population of Salem on the surrounding area had become involved. Many of those doing the accusing store to gain from the imprisonment of others, because they were able to confiscate their land and property once they were sent to prison. The picture above is me standing at the cemetery where many of the accused are buried, along with their accusers. 

This is one of the stones at the Salem witch trials memorial. There is one for each of the people who were hanged for witchcraft.

Turns out, no one's New England clam chowder is as good as New England's.

Growing Up Woes

Sweet little Stockton came home from the trunk or treat Haloween activity at the church a little bit distressed about his new position in the family. He dressed up as Batman for Halloween. Logan was a transformer, and Lillian was a mouse. After coming home from the party, Stockton said, "I think next year I will be a mouse. Everyone thinks mice are the cutest."

I still think he is cute.

Sick Little Boy

Logan got sick this week. It is a rare occurrence for him. When he isn't feeling well, he rarely complains. I was laying by his bed and talking to him, and he started to cry. He asked me, "Why did heavenly father make it so our bodies can get sick?" He was so concerned about how long he might not feel well, how much school he would miss, and the thought of throwing up again. I knew that this little virus would come and go quickly, but he didn't. 

As I talked to him about how some pain, suffering, and discomfort is part of this mortal experience, I wondered if our Heavenly Parents feel this way about us when we feel so desperately concerned about her circumstances. Knowing that the things that trouble us will pass quickly, and wish that he could take our worries away? Does he, and his wisdom, allow us to exercise our faith and trust in him, all the while having an assurance that things will work out, but still longing to comfort us?

Birthday Waiting

Stockton is going through a phase where he gives very unnatural smiles on command, which I thought was important to document for posterity.  

He is excited for his fourth birthday, which is coming up in a few days. Yesterday, when we were sitting in church, he found a few small toys I threw it in the bag to entertain the kids during the meeting. He enthusiastically exclaimed, much to the delight of the ladies behind us, "Mom! Did you bring these for my birthday?! Can I keep them?! I smiled and told him yes. He was thrilled at my thoughtfulness. 

I am enamored and a little exhausted by his zeal and energy. 

Happy birthday, buddy.

Happy 6 Month Birthday

Baby Lillian has been an absolute joy. Tonight we took her to a 2 1/2 hour movie, and she didn't make one peep the whole time. She has a calm and sweet disposition. She cranes her neck so she can look into the eyes of whoever is holding her. Sometimes when she realizes it is not her mommy, she screams her head off. 💕 she has brought a calm and peaceful feeling to the house. We are so grateful she is here. We get the sense that she has been with us, waiting to come, for a long time.

Goodbye Water Day

Sitting outside at the end of a beautiful fall evening... and saying goodbye to irrigation day for another summer. Hope it isn't the last one. I'm so grateful to live in this idyllic beautiful little corner of the earth.

Logan and Weddings

We have two darling little girls in our carpool.  While we were driving home the other day, they were going on and on about how they got to dress up and be flower girls at one of the neighbor’s (one of my former YW) weddings.  They were so excited!  They were telling us all of their duties, which included cleaning up plates at the tables.  Logan stopped them and truthfully inquired, “Wait, are you two going to be flower girls or maids?”  He OBVIOUSLY doesn’t understand about little girls and weddings!!! J

Hopefully he sensitizes a little bit before his little sister's big day.

Stocky

Oh little Stockton. My sweet little blue-eyed boy. After our visit about his first day of preschool this week, he leaned over, gave me a big hug, and exclaimed, "Mom, you are the best mom in the whole dictionary. " That is probably true.

His loving affection is unmatched, as is his ability to find creative and mischievous solutions to problems. Like the time I got a terrible eye infection recently. A few days after my recovery I found him dipping my contact case in toiletwater and taking tiny drinks out of it. Or perhaps like this week, when I went downstairs and could smell something bad in the storage room. After searching for rotten food, a possible water leak, or a broken sewage pipe, I finally discovered that there was liquid on the tops of my storage bucket lids. Yes, you guessed it. The potty was just too far away. Our little buddy found the perfect size container to relieve his little three-year-old bladder.

He loves eating over easy eggs, and he likes the feeling of mild electrical shock. There is a little exhibit at our local aquarium where you can feel the shock of an electric eel. He loves it.

He has been able to undo locks and put keys in the ignitions since he was just a year old. He has boundless energy and wears me out every day by four. I am sure that one day there are wonderful things coming for him, if we could just channel all of his energy in the right direction.

The other day, I imagined him at age 25. He will be full of energy, and enthusiasm and lots of good ideas. I hope he always chooses happy and safe paths.

Love you, little buddy.💙

Baby Lillian at Four Months

Baby Lillian has proven a delight.  She has a calm happy disposition.  She reminds me so much of Logan when he was a baby.

I've been more than a little ornery with her older brothers, who get in 9 fights a day and make a zillion messes.  Most days, I feel like I am doing a dreadful job as a mother.  I love the whole batch of them though, and hope that I'll get the hang of three and start being a more patient mother soon.

Pics from this morning of the baby.... nearly four months now.

Cleaning Up After Mom

Today I went to visit my mom.  She needed to leave shortly after I arrived, and she decided to take my boys out for the day on her errands.  She insisted it would be more fun for her to have them along. After she pulled out, I stuck around her house for a while to straighten things up for her. Entropy gets the best of us.  My experience cleaning up her house reminded me of this video I saw recently.

Bath towels and some dirty clothes from grandkids were on the ground from the night before, evidence that rather than tidying up the bathroom after scrubbing down kids, she likely laid down and cuddled them during a movie or read them a story instead.

There were toys and sheets out that had been using to decorate their new tree hut in her backyard.  

Thank you notes were on dressers and counters from people who she had helped recently.

Cookie crumbs, popsicle drips and little fingerprints were on the dining room chairs.

Her school bag was out, a reminder of a long and devoted career as a teacher, which she chose in large part to allow her own children to have access to her.  She has worked and provided an income her whole life, all the while remembering her most important devotions.

Wrappers from little prizes and treats were on the floor, no doubt retrieved from the basket she keeps on the low shelf in the pantry for her small visitors.

Leftovers were in the fridge from a meal she had cooked for the missionaries earlier in the week.

A receipt from a second hand store was in the kitchen, where she had undoubtedly gone to spluge on the kids or perhaps on herself.  She has always chosen to be wise and frugal with her money, which has left more for her to bless others with.

Her bed wasn't made. She likely went right outside to play or to the kitchen to make breakfast for kids after waking up.

There were mementos from my own wedding in her guest room - things I had once tried to get rid of in a fit of anger that she thought might bring a smile to my face again one day, so she held on to them.

I hope one day my messes can reveal so many good things about my character and values.  I wonder why, when I have such a wonderful example of focusing on the most important things in my own mother, I still struggle sometimes and believe a clean house is more important than the people who live in it.  

When we were small, I don't remember her sitting down often.  She was always moving and working. She needed to.  There were not enough hours in the day for a young mother with a full time job, eventually widowed by her husband battling cancer.  Through the years though, she has calmed and slowed a bit.  I'm grateful for the compensatory help she offers to my own children's mother, for whom there are not enough hours in the day. I can only hope that one day I will mature into the kind of mother and grandmother she is teaching me to be.