Melodee's Birthday Conflict

Melodee's birthday is in October, really close to Thanksgiving. This year, it fell on the day before the wedding. There was really no choice for us, as it was the only day available for us to do the decorating for the reception. Melodee was a little sad because she felt like her birthday was being swallowed up by the wedding... I guess it kind of was. 

On the morning of her birthday, we got up early, had a special birthday breakfast and then presented her with her gifts. That was about it. After that, we began getting the last items needed together to go decorate the church in Lethbridge.

At noon, we stopped decorating and went and picked up a Costco birthday cake for Melodee. We brought it back and everyone sang happy birthday and we enjoy birthday cake together. That was pretty well, all there was to her birthday celebration and I think she felt a little bit slighted.

Knowing this, I secretly planned to celebrate her birthday, the traditional way, one month later. We decorated the dining room and made the table very festive. She had no idea why we were having a party... in fact some of the others were left guessing too!

It worked out well, because in the rush of things on the morning of her birthday, I had forgotten to give her some of the gifts that I had! So celebrating a month later, I simply wrapped them up and presented them to her at her 'birthday' party the following month.

What a fun time we had surprising Melodee. Some feel that it's not fair that she had two birthday cakes, and got more presents etc. But it was a wonderful opportunity to express to Melodee through action, how much we love her and don't ever want her to feel overlooked. Melodee's energy seems boundless at times, and she blessed our family dynamic richly. We wouldn't be the same without her. I LOVE birthdays!!!

October 2014

October was a great month! Of course the beginning of the month was very focused on Alisha's wedding! One of the things that Myles did in helping prepare for the wedding, was to build a little wooden wheelbarrow. He did it all on his own! What a talented young man he is!!! After the wedding, that wheelbarrow became a part of my garden decor, but I think of Myles EVERY time I look at it!

Also, in October, Naomi moved out. She has a wonderful place to live, but we will truly miss her! Seeing my children grow up and leave the nest is a happy sad time for me. I hate to have them leave, but at the same time, I know that I can't hold them back! In order for them to be happy, they have to spread their wings and learn how to fly. Naomi will do great!

One of the honors bestowed upon me in preparing for Alisha and Brandon's wedding was in decorating the wedding cake. With a fall theme, they chose to have a pumpkin bride and groom adorn the top of their cake. I got to make that cake top. It looked so good a-top their cake. I love this picture of it, with the bottom layer which has the temple on it in the background. It is a reminder that temple covenants are an important part of a good marriage. I know that the temple has been a strength and a blessing in my own marriage and I am so deeply thankful for the strength I have felt as a result of my commitments to my Father in Heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for my eternal companion and all the blessings he has brought into my life!

Once the wedding preparations were over, we spent a little time in our yard. We had a window that needed a place to go, so we installed it in the shed. It is wonderful! It lets in enough light that now, when you step into the shed on a windy day, if the wind blows the door shut, you are not left groping blindly in the dark. Light is such a blessing! Chad did a great job of doing this window.

I did a lot of reading in the month of October. I discovered a book by Brent L Top that was FILLED with things that I wanted to be able to remember. Chad was doing a stucco job for some friends and needed my help - part time. With an arm that was still healing, he didn't want me doing much, but it really helped him to have have me refill his supply of cement as he troweled it on. That was within my abilities, and so I spent a couple of days helping him there. While we were there, I was able to go inside the cabin, and study. What a wonderful experience in that peaceful setting, within view of Chin Lake. I am so grateful for that quiet time I had as I assisted my husband. It was such a joy to read, study, ponder and learn with few distractions around me. I am so grateful that Chad gave me the opportunity to assist him.

As the month drew to a close, Halloween became an anticipated event. In preparation, we carved the pumpkins left over from the wedding, each of the kids being able to design their own ghoulish face.... They went all out too!

With my kids getting older, we don't have as many that go out trick or treating around the neighborhood. Everyone enjoyed spending Halloween in town at Woodruff's, the previous year so much, that we made arrangements to do it again. We had two children who went out, Breanna dressed in black, and Charity dressed in a witches costume. Melodee and Myles and Beth handed out candy to the kids that came to their door while we watched a movie and had supper together with Woodruffs. It was a wonderful evening! I am so grateful for the Woodruff family! They are such a blessing in our lives.

It was a great month, with lots of beautiful days to enjoy. I especially love the family days - birthdays, Thanksgiving, the wedding, and Halloween. This is a full month for our family which has blessed and enriched our lives. Life if filled with opportunities to make memories, and October stands out in my mind as one filled with a bounteous supply of good memories. What a joy it is to raise a family!

September 2014

September is a month that is often very full of new activities, canning, baking and more. It also sports the last 'summer' like days of the year. Next to January, September is the month that celebrates new things, new goals, new grades, new clothes, binders and supplies.

We canned corn and baked cookies. I love to work in the kitchen. It gives me a sense of contributing in a big way to the welfare and well-being of my family. I find that the kitchen is the most visited area in the house - other than the bathroom!!! ☺ It is a place for nourishment and laughter. It is also a place where our family has spent many happy hours together in anticipation of meals, parties and more!

I had one last play day with a few of my children before I broke my arm.  Here you see them enjoying the hills, playground equipment and scenery as we prepared for Stake Conference. It was such a beautiful, sunny afternoon - just perfect for being outdoors!

Myles and his dad made use of the diggers, creating piles of rocks next to holes in the gravel. Really! You are never too grown up to enjoy a playground. It is so important for us, especially as adults, to remember to play and enjoy life!

Charity and Breanna explored the surrounding area. I enjoyed going with them. I LOVE the greenery of the park and area. It was such a glorious day!

Breaking my arm was an interesting experience. I can say that now that I am writing about it happening almost a year ago to the day... I have experienced miracles in my healing process! It is amazing... the body... it is such a wonderful and precious gift!!!

Every fall, the kids love gathering and playing in the leaves! The fall of 2014 was no different. Breanna here is enjoying the fall sunshine and crisp leaves in her afternoon play.

September was full of little things that make up a big part of our lives and our memories. What a special time of year this is.

Youth Activities

I remember my days in the youth program with fondness. I had great leaders and they always believed in me and in my abilities which inspired me to try new things. I can remember participating in activities that would have normally been a challenge for me to do because I was required to go outside my comfort zone. I am so thankful for that time in my life! It caused me to grow in so many ways. With seven daughters, I am grateful that they get to experience similar things. So much of these activities seem ordinary, but with such extraordinary youth and leaders, such things are elevated. What a blessing the youth program is!

So one of the activities that they had was a girly night where they did nails and hair. I have a couple of girls that don't wear nail polish at all, but they had a lot of fun at this activity. They had a lot of fun doing each other's hair! Gotta love those creative hairdo's!!!

They also enjoyed a cake decorating activity. The girls were put into groups of two and then together they worked on a cake.

What a great time youth is! I LOVE having teenagers! I remember, back when they were all little, people would tell me that if I thought it was hard with so many little ones, just wait until they are teenagers!!! They always said it so ominously that it sounded like it would be a horrible experience, but it hasn't been - not one bit! Oh, we have our struggles like any normal family, and I am very busy still, but I am loving it so much! I am so grateful for each of my sweet children. They are each a great source of joy to me.