Happy Birthday James

James got a fishing pole for his birthday.  For his birthday, he wanted to cook with his dutch ovens. 

We had a lot of fun with friends.  I have an awesome husband.  Not only does he cook, but he cleans too!

 

One year in court

Right after our wedding, James and I submitted a request with the courts to have the custody agreement changed.  Even though he had moved, the children's mother was not willing to let them come to our home in Alexandria.  It was not prohibited by the custody agreement, but she simply wouldn't allow it.  We had a court date in February where the judge set up a temporary agreement to transition the children into more time with us.  It's been more money than I imagined, and a lot of stress and uncertainty.  But, we finally got close to a normal custody agreement.   We will have the children every other weekend (Sat - Sun), and two weeks over the  summer, and alternating holidays.  It will be so nice that the children will finally have a chance to meet some of their Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. 

 

We spent a fair bit of August getting ready and personalizing the rooms.  The brown room is now yellow and has two twin beds instead of the queen.  There are bunkbeds downstairs for the boys.  They fit snuggly in the space, so it was a little challenging to build and fit it in.  But, it's been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that visits are finally back to a more normal situation.  The 10 - 12 hours in the car every other weekend was definitely taking it's toll.

 

 

 

Just Another Day at the Park

I didn't get any good pictures of the water rocket in action, but we had a lot of fun setting it off.  The kids took turns pumping it up, and the rockets shot to an impressive height.  (Over 100 ft???)  It was fun to get together with a few other families from the ward, and have them meet our kids.  Our hope is that all goes well in court the end of the month, and they will start spending the night with us, and attend church here every other weekend.  This activity gave them a chance to meet some people in advance.

 

 

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Last year we had some petunias in pots in the backyard.  This year we had several flowers spring up in the patio.  I wasn't sure that I wanted them growing in the patio, but I'm glad that James knew what the plants looked like and let them grow.  Life might not always bring you the perfect situation that you have always dreamed of, but it's important to not be so caught up in the ideal that you miss the beauty around you. 

 I was recently at a get-together with several babies.  It was hard, as it has been often over the years.  All indications are that I am recovering well physically from my miscarriage, but I'll be 40 shortly, and I just don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for me regarding a baby of my own.   I know I want to rejoice in the blessings of others and enjoy being around people of all ages, and bloom where I am planted, regardless of the situation.

 

 

Pioneer Trek 2013

James and I were called to help with Youth Conference this summer.  We ended up being on the food committee for the Pioneer Trek. We had a lot of fun planning.  James was happy to cook for so many in his dutch ovens.   We met some amazing, dedicated people.  The trek itself was pretty hot.  It was hard when so many of us were exhausted, but we had a lot of people chip in, and we made it through.  We sure didn't smell very good by the end of the trek, but it was worth it to hear the testimonies of those youth and the lessons they had learned.  We even got a lot of compliments on the food.

Cleaning the temple doors

James and I were busy getting ready for Trek, but felt it important to go help clean the temple.  I had the simple task of cleaning some of the interior doors.  At first glance, they looked pretty clean.  As I got closer, I could see that there were indeed a few scuffs or other marks.  It was interesting to note that there was more dirt on the lower areas of the door.  The door itself had the design of spires, and narrowed to points at the top of the door.  With a rag and some simple cleaner, the doors were fairly easy to clean.  There were a few spots that were a little more difficult to clean, and took some time or some scrubbing.

It's amazing how inspiring the temple can be.  Even simple or mundane things can lead our thoughts to the plan of salvation and the atonement of Christ.  I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It is truly through the atonement of that we can be restored and become clean again.  Some of the challenges in life are fairly simple to recognize and overcome.  As we repent , forgive, and serve each other, we will be healed.  Other challenges are more complex.  We may need extra help.  We may need counseling or need to talk to our Bishop.  It may take months, years, or longer to heal. There are many situations that will not be able to fix to our satisfaction.  We can find the love of God and a measure of peace in any situation.   As we come unto God, he will show us our weaknesses.  As we recognize ways we can improve, we can become more like our Father in Heaven.   And as we are perfected, we will see God.

4th of July Celebrations

We spent some time over the 4th of July with some friends at the campground at Pohick Bay.   They have a water park with some water slides.  Joy was right at the height limit, and got to go down a few times before there was a switch in lifeguards.  Her first words at the bottom were "That was so fun, can I go again!"

Antietam National Battlefield

We made a stop on the way home... to avoid some of the DC rush hour traffic.  It was a great trip, we saw historical sites, lighthouses,  and family!

Upper Michigan

After a few days seeing lighthouses we continued to the upper peninsula to visit family.  My mother grew up in Ishpeming, Michigan, and spent summers on Lake Michigamme.  My Aunt Julie was impressed that I was the first of my generation to bring my spouse to the "U.P."  (Upper Peninsula).  It was nice to see my grandparents gravesite, and hear family stories from my Aunts and Uncles, as well as my Mom's Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  We of course ate pasties and hiked to Old Baldy.  We even stopped at the Da Yoopers Tourist Trap so that James had an even better idea of what being a "Yooper" is all about.

 

Lighthouses on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron

Lake Michigan

Lake Huron