A House Built Upon Rock

Everywhere we turn in our yard there are rocks; many of them are unwanted rocks or the wrong size of rocks. Seems we are always gathering rocks or buying more rocks.  Today I spent the better part of my day moving this pile of gravel or baby rock as I like to call it.

We had ordered it before thinking about the fact that Val would not be able to move it due to a heart and shoulder issue he is having; no lifting for a while.  And of course we ordered two yards instead of one.  So he supervised and I shoveled.  It was a slow process.  I think it was harder for him to watch me then it was for me to actually do the work.  I move slow and my idea of a full wheelbarrow I’m sure was different than his but he never said otherwise.  He patiently watched and never once complained about my numerous breaks.

I’ve discovered that when I am anxiously engaged in work of this sort I tend to do a lot of reflecting.  As I shoveled what seemed to be endless loads of gravel I remembered another time I was doing the same thing.  I had borrowed my dad’s truck to get a load of gravel. We love gravel, it covers a myriad of sins in ones yard and looks good.  At the time I didn’t realize how much or how heavy a yard or more of gravel would be.  After they loaded the gravel in the truck I slowly drove it home knowing that I had definitely exceeded the weight limit the truck could handle.  Once I got home I knew I had to get that truck unloaded before my dad saw how much gravel I’d put in his truck.  Val was at work so the task was mine.  I was much younger then ……….. 35 years younger in fact and 7 or 8 months pregnant!!  But the job got done slowly back then and slowly today. 

I’m not afraid of hard work.  It reminds me that I have muscles that need more attention plus I love to see the end results.  Something else worth noting; the wheelbarrow in the picture, it has been with us more than 35 years.  I used it to unload my dad’s truck.  It is a bit rough around the edges, shiny paint gone and a few tiny holes.  But it has a solid wheel and it is still up for any job.

I love things like that!

Results of today’s work.

P Dog run and area by the swing done!

Memories

Well the month of love was way too short, there is so much more to share in the love department.  I guess that will have to be for another day.  I love how these months of "themes" have come together for me.  They keep my mind moving and clear out the cobwebs in the process.  And in the process of clearing those cobwebs many wonderful memories have been brought to the forefront.  Memories otherwise tucked away. So in March I will focus on memories.  Memories that have touched me. Memories that fascinate me. Memories of just whatever pops into my head.  So join me for a month of memories............let the madness begin.

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Historic.........really

Saturday morning we loaded the girls in the truck and headed for their home away from home. After watching some t-ball and leaving the girls to run wild and free we headed for South Lake Tahoe. We took the 80 route and cut over at Truckee which took us around the West side of the lake. It has been more years than I care to count since we have been up to the lake. Once seeing the lake a flood of memories came crashing to the forefront of my mind. Growing up camping or just going up to spend the day at Pope Beach was a regular event. Camp Richardson was the camp ground we always stayed at. Apparently now it is considered a Historic Resort. Not sure how I feel about that ………..as I describe a remembrance from my youth that now has the words “historic” in it…………moving on.

July 29, 2001

While visiting with Pandora yesterday I found  a piece of paper dated July 29, 2001, with my testimony on it.  I'm not sure where it had been, I literally just found it on the floor upstairs, peeking out from under the table.  But when you read it you will see who placed it there. 

My Testimony:
 "I know as sure as I am that nothing happens in life save it is through our Heavenly Father. I know that all we have is through Him. I know that the experiences He places in our life is for our growth and betterment. I know that situations that come up in our life are placed there by Him. I know that all our experiences are experiences that He too has experienced. I know that I am who I am because of the gospel in my life."

I believe today I needed that reminder.

Excuse Me, I Have a Question......

This has become a catch phrase in our family.  About four years ago I had the opportunity to stay with Richard and Stacy's five kids (and one friend of Mitchell's) while they went to Mexico for a week. So that was six kids, one dog, and one cat. I knew I would need re-enforcements so I asked Ashley if she would come along and be my helper inasmuch as it had been a few (just a few) years since ......... since I had lived with that much energy.  So while we were there we took the kids to the beach........this was in the days before Garmins and yes we got a bit turned around, aka lost.  So there we were at a red light wondering which way to go and Ashley rolls down the window and ever so politely says to the car next to us, "excuse me, I have a question?"  The question being which way to the beach.  The driver looked at us and shook his head in a "I don't know fashion".........the light changed and off he sped leaving us still a bit turned around.  Next time Ashley ask someone from California.........the guy was from out of state.......or at least his plates were!

I love that memory and even more I love that to this day when a question needs to be asked we still say, "Excuse me, I have a question?"

Mottos to Live By.......

When the kids were little I made up a motto for each of them. For some reason today I’ve been thinking of those mottos. I am a “saver” and actually found the index cards they were written on. I know it is crazy that I still have those cards and even crazier that I was able to find them so quickly. Yellow for Amy, green for Grant, red for Kimberly and blue for Justin. I share their mottos and a picture of them from December 1983 and another picture from 1994.

Amy:
As I stand for the right,
I will be a beacon of light.
This I do proudly too,
As I live the gospel true.
Grant:
Families Forever.
Friends smiling bright.
Keeping a positive attitude
Day and Night!
Kimberly:
I may be small,
But my smile is bright!
I always stand
For truth and right!
Justin:
I may be tough,
But I am good!
I always do the
Things I should!

As I think about each one of these motto today; I believe I see your motto in each of you!!

I love you guys!

Is it really 2009?

It seems like it has been forever since my last post. But after reading part of Elder Holland’s devotional he gave at BYU on Tuesday I’ve decided not to dwell on my deficiency .

Here is an excerpt from it:

“Counseling his audience to not dwell on days now gone or yearn vainly for yesterday, Elder Holland reminded "the past is to be learned from but not lived in," drawing upon experiences as one looks ahead. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as he does about where you are, and with his help, where you are willing to go."

When the complete text becomes available I will for sure be looking it up I would love to read the whole talk. So many times I find myself looking back. He talked about Lot’s wife looking back and we know what kind of trouble that got her into. Don't want to go there.

So today I will look forward to all my tomorrows and all that they bring……no more looking back for me it is full steam ahead.

Something from the Past

So, I was looking for some pictures on my computer this afternoon and came across this email conversation I had with Kimberly. Unfortunately, this is only my response to a question or comment she surely must of had regarding food, sleep and children. It went like this:

To: 'Kimberly Easterling'
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 9:30 AM
Subject: RE: So........

it begins slowly a little hunger, a little tired then it gradually you are able to get by with very little sleep and very little food because there is no time to sleep and your children are eating all your food (except for your mushrooms of course). They are waking you at all times of the day and night but that doesn't matter anymore because your body has been deprived of sleep for so long you wouldn't know what a good nights rest means anyway until.........well I'm not sure when because by the time you can sleep through the night because your children are gone your body has leaped into the next phrase of life where it can't seem to make it through the night without getting up to use the bathroom..............so my dear the moral of the story is enjoy the food while you can get it and grab a nap anywhere you can take it...............la la

To this she responded:
that is a most excellent monologue, we should save this for future use....and I will absolutely take your advice........at least I saved you something (ie the mushrooms) and something as you know is better than nothing!
kae

So I Remember.......

From time to time I think about days gone by and although I have never written much there are a few entries that I think are worth sharing and I still remember them. This particular journal entry is dated March 25, 1979, and goes like this:

"Today was a beautiful sunny Sunday. Amy, Grant and I attended church. Val had to work at a Mobile Home Show at Cal Expo. Bishop Van Dyke conducted Fast meeting. After he bore his testimony he said that there were some children on the stand who wanted to bare their testimonies and invited any others who wanted to come up. I was in the quiet room with Grant and didn't realize Amy had gone up. I listened to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, then a child got up but I could only hear the voice of Sister Fisher (the Junior Sunday School Coordinator) and I thought 'what child went up there but isn't saying anything?' So I walked out and there stood Amy. I could hardly believe my eyes. She whispered she loved her parents and Heavenly Father. But to tell the truth its hard to remember much, my heart was so full and my eyes full of tears. She was so proud and I'm so proud of her. I only wish I could of stood up and been as brave as she was. To be as a child and have no fear; only the fear we seem to teach our children. I only hope I can encourage our children to share their testimonies openly and freely and harbor no fear."

To all my children thank you for your example and your inspiration; you are all amazing. To Amy I am still proud of you today, Happy Birthday!!