So Much Joy

We sure live a life of joy around here.  There's so much in our everyday work and routine that leaves us feeling filled physically and spiritually.

Most Sunday evenings we head to the grandparents' home for a tete-a-tete.  The children play in their green and shady front lawn, and the adults chat on the leather couch.  These two are planning on serving another mission this fall/winter; they needed a picture for their missionary portal.  Grandpa was a little annoyed, but dressed for Sunday worship and marched into his front yard.  A neighbor walked by and waved with a very confused expression on his face.  Grandpa responded, "We're going to church ..... in Arizona." It was so funny, because he was wearing cargo shorts and keens from the waist down and his suit from the waist up.  We both laughed so hard.

School was especially sweet this week -- lots of puzzles (Eddie works on them in the evenings) and books.

I bake good things to eat, and I bake healthy things to eat.  These vegan breakfast cookies satisfied both requirements.

Mostly always I make dinner with the loveliest and healthiest fruit and veg.  I stopped to thank Heavenly Father for our bounty and for my privilege as the lead chef.  We smiled together -- I felt it.

This is how Maddie walked in from school.  She said that she and Eddie were wrestling, and her pants ripped in a very inopportune place.  She ran to the locker room and wore her workout clothes the rest of the day.  Funny.

Look what I found!  A dance class for me and my sweetheart that fits EXACTLY into our busy lives!!!!  Of course update will be coming.

Early-morning seminary happened all week.  What a blessing to be the teacher.

The month is ending quickly, and we hadn't been to the temple to worship.  Friday night Molly went to a friend's house, and we spent the four hours it takes to worship in the house of the Lord.

Worth it.

Every extra minute after work and Friday and Saturday he works in the yard and preps our world for the open house.  Even though his list is eternally endless, he still finds time stop and read. (He's reading the Michael Vey series.)

Young Adult Updates:

Elder Babcock writes: "Whats uppp another week has passed! And I am now in the middle of the rain forest in a place called Barcarena with another American called Elder J. Anderson (Goat!)"

The Bendy announcements are in the mail!  Just one or two left to deliver locally and one or two to mail.

Their pictures are enlarged and printed.  Those are 24x36 poster prints.  So easy to make them big because they are just so beautiful on the outside and inside.

The Armstrongs are conquering the Herculean task of backyard sprinkler installation.  Early morning Home Depot runs also means Macey's donuts runs.  Lucky ducks.

Maisie and Josh spent the week doing all sorts of fun things: changing a gasket,

backpacking with friends,

selling curbing at the home show,

and riding a mechanical bull. Maisie's Bull Riding

Our stake met with Elder Klebingat of the seventy for our semi annual stake conference.  He reminded us all that we must choose to make Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and temple worship our #1 priority.  We pondered this invitation at family dinner and decided that this would be our focus as we make our weekly goals.  I love this hermenuetic lens.  

Under Water with a Snorkel

A week with not much to show but bags under my eyes and age spots.  Feeling blessed, though. 

Cheryl and I celebrated her birthday lunch with a yummy sandwhich and shopping at Marshalls.  

Grandma's gains.  (Don't be fooled -- the lighting in our gym is favorable.)  Andy's analysis: "Low key jacked."  

FHE = meditation and being still.   Enjoyed by all.

Bobble mother and daughter (Molly still loving AI).

Summer blondes needing some sheering.

His really got blonde this summer.  I guess swim team will do that to you.

Maddie was recognized as one of the top 20 flag football players in the entire state!  She and Austin we apart of the Fiesta Bowl fundraiser and awards events.

Drippy merch drop

She wore that swag all evening while stepping back down to reality and writing college essays.

Maddie was also invited to play as that halftime entertainment for the Arizona cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys game.  We were all pretty excited to and watch her with the bonus of watching a live pro game.

Statefarm Stadium in Glendale with MUHS teammate, Karstyn.

She played so well.  One photographer got a picture of her fully laid out -- I have to add that.

Couldn't help but get teary-eyed during our National Anthem.  

Maddie is a pretty great girl.  We'll keep her.

More updates: Elder Babcock was transferred and has a new companion.  He said goodbye to all of his friends that love him, and he loves them.

Andy and Becca found a place to live!  Just over a month away until their wedding bells chime.

Elijah traveled for work this week.  Maisie went to be with Meg.  Her car stopped once again, so she was stranded.  They had quite the week of flower application, workouts and girl-meals (the kind that require minimal protein and maximum ease).

Austin spent hours everyday in the yard.  I spent hours everyday driving people around and addressing wedding invites.  God is good.  I feel Him in my life when I pause and desire to feel His love.  It's the pausing that proves impossible at times.  Five minutes of meditation prior to personal prayer is my goal.  I'll check back in.

.5 Perspective

Maddie taught her siblings the majesty of the .5 camera perspective.  I overheard them belly laughing -while using my phone -- especially Eddie -- then I found these gems.  It's my favorite sound -- the sound of my children laughing and being silly together.  (Maisie asked, "Who did that to poor Molly?"  Little did she know that Molly is really good at this game.  I just deleted 27 more of these .5 gems; she even conviced her friend to let her take some of her.)

Homeschool be like.

FHE be like.  Where's Maddie?

When I introduced the paperdoll craft, she dipped, "I'm gonna take a nap."  Then she did.  Eddie and Ryan decorated her toes while she dozed.

These two little friends started a homeschool coop session.  "The teachers teach so slowly," Ryan began.  Molly finishned, "It would take them 9 weeks to learn what we learn in one week with Mom."  That made me feel good.

Spontaneous sparing.

Homeschool be like.  She got him back when she climbed on his back and demanded, "Take me to my room, Trusty Steed."

Wednesday the good Lord blessed us with rain!  Enough to fill all the trenches and divets in our yard.

And to fill the storage room and Maddie's room.  Austin came home from work early to manage the flooded basement and damage.  We helped him, but he works so hard and so fast.

CFM be like.

You were wanting a close up of this little miss.

"Maddie's Real Estate Team" love Molly and AI.

Austin wore his custom suit today.  He's a fine looking grandpa.  I love that his beard, tie and socks match.  Mostly I love him.

Young Adult Updates:

Elijah turned 30 this week! We love him so much.  Because he obeys Jesus and works really hard, he is so successful.  His three daughters and wife adore him, just as they should -- he's everything wonderful, and so do we.

Maisie and Josh flew to Colorado and spent the week at his family's house fixing up a camper van.  Once up and running they drove 15 hours home.  They look quite content driving 25<x<60 mph.

Andy moved into a new apartment this week -- the one in which he and Becca will live.  Their wedding is just over a month away, we are very happy for them.

Elder Babcock was sick this week.  This is his food.  I wonder if the two correlate.

 His words: "If you're super thirsty are you going to eat food? If you're super hungry and you gonna drink juice?

No I'm going to eat food when I am hungry and drink when I am thirsty. This is how we need to pray! God will bless us even more when we pray for thing specifically. "Heavenly Father is pleased when we get on our knees and ask for help and then get on our feet and go to work"  I have seen so many blessings through specific prayers and hard work and I know it will bless your life's also!"

We studied the book of Job this week.  Jesus reminds Job that His perspective is way larger than the .5 we often use to manage trials and life.  How blessed I am to believe in God who allows health and sickness, pleasure and pain, hope and harm so that we can taste the sweet because we've known the bitter.  May I face my trials with His perspective, and if I can't -- due to my mortal litmitations -- may I trust in His perspective and plan for my progression.

(Read 2 Nephi chapters 2-10 and found several connections to the book of Job, including worms and resurreciton.  I also read Farenheit 451 which specifically references the book of Job.  So cool.)