Busy, busy, busy (from September 9th)

So this last week has been lots of busy stuff. I organized a babysitting group so we can take turns watching the kids and attending an institute class with our spouse. I watched the first time, last Friday and it went well (5 kids, two were sick and didn't make it). People brought kids between 6 and 7 and came back at 9. I made mac n cheese (though they had all eaten and weren't hungry till 8:30- so I fed them then). We walked through the house at first and I told them to grab any toys they'd want to play with. Most were downstairs already. Then we gated off the kitchen and stairs and just played. It went well.

Saturday we went to an art festival (and actually bought some art prints for George's room) and a garlic festival. Then we went shopping. I bought a bookcase for George for both toys and books. A fun rug for a reading corner and a rug for our bathroom and a recliner chair for George. (I wasnt thinking recliner at first but it was I think my second cheapest option of things that would last or hold its form. For some reason I couldn't find regular bean bags for cheaper. ) we ended up buying a king size mattress so George doesn't kick us just by moving. They sold Jon's grandma Ann ' s condo and Jon's dad split up his share between his kids.

Anyways, our stake conference is coming up.  We're singing in the choir. We've been asked to cook a nice meal for the visiting general authorities. I'm also cooking for institute this Friday and I'm going to host a book show for my friend and we've decided to throw George a birthday party. (All that in September). I think we're going to do a car theme. Second choice was jungle/safari, but I think my ideas would be better for him when he's at least two. He doesn't need much so it'll mostly be an elaborate play date. (Cut pool noodles in half to make ramps to send cars down, there's cheap road tape to make a maze of roads in our place and then food: I'm thinking hot "rods " (dogs) and car"bun"etors and paint (ketchup, mustard. ..) and wheel mac n cheese. Printouts that make juice boxes look like gas pumps. Normal cake and make a road with crushed oreos or something. Favor will be a car for everyone to play with and maybe a few other things. Most of George's friends happen to be older, so there will be some stuff above his level, but I think it'll be fun. I'll send pictures.

Yesterday, i wasnt home much. Woke up, showered, went to visit teach one lady, then another. Home for 30 minutes then went to help another lady. Ran some errands, came home for about 30 minutes again and then went to relief society.

We're getting settled in our place and hanging up pictures and George is doing well.

We have a new family in the ward from Venezuela - they don't speak any English. The mom has come in with her son to primary (he's in my class). This Sunday was on loving one another and one of the stories was about a girl who moved from a different country and didn't know the language. I didn't tell it but I mentioned how we had someone in our class who didn't speak English. Helped them suggest getting to know him. He was a little shy- didn't tell us his favorite food but his favorite color is orange. I think it was a step in the right direction. :-) (I tried saying a few things in Spanish but had to look up a few things).

George likes trying to find things that are his size "seats" like baskets, under the stroller and such. He's so funny. :-)

Cleaning (from September 2nd)

I don't remember all that happened last week. Our ward had a game night and George walked all over the place. We went to an opening social for our Married Student Institute Class. I've been cleaning. George's room is almost functional and then I'm going to make a reading corner for him and decorate it and buy a thing to store toys in so we can play in there come winter when we'll want to be upstairs.

We still have not settled in yet, but I think I know where I want to hang everything and almost everything is stacked neatly in closets so I can go through things slowly but still function and enjoy our place. George doesn't seem to notice much.

George is getting really good at going down the stairs. Occasionally he'll go backwards but most of the time he likes sitting down, scooting forward and standing up on the next step down.

The other day we went to lunch at in Indian place. There's a street here that is pretty much just restaurant after restaurant. There's Cajun, Thai, Italian, (there used to be an Ethiopian place), Turkish, and several others. Yesterday we went to an Indian place and they had a buffet. George went right for this potato dish and the guy comes in and was like, "WOAH! He likes spicy?!" He then told us what most kids like- George didn't like those ones, but he did like the potatoes in the spicy one and he liked their mango juice. I have decided I really like Indian food. Jon bought some lamb at Sam's Club the other day and so I decided to try an Indian dish. I started looking up recipes but didn't think I'd have time with George. I was right. But most seem to use onions, garlic, tumeric and garam masala (which I happen to have). One used tomatoes and stuff, so I just added stuff, threw in potatoes and some chopped lamb and we'll see how it goes. (It was pretty good and George really liked it).

The Finger of God - Sept. 13, 2015

On Sunday, July 26th, a couple weeks before Katie left, I was in Sactrament Meeting. During the Sacrament I thought I would read the sacrament prayers. I opened the Doctrine and Covenants and was flipping pages.  For some reason I stopped at Section 100 and started reading. It warmed my heart to know that the Lord is there and He loves me. I'm going to insert my name. (verses 1,2,12 & 15).

Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friend, Jo Dee, your family is well; they are in mine hands, and I will do wih them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you.

Therefore, continue yur journey and let your heart rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.

Therefore, let your heart be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church. 

Today as the opening prayer was said I heard the words "Our kind and GRACIOUS Heavenly Father". I thought what does Gracious mean. If someone is gracious they are giving, of esteem. I looked in the Bible Dictionary and didn't find Gracious, but found Grace. "The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. 

It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. 

It reminded me of the talk from Brad Wilcox, "His Grace is Sufficient" that I now want to reread.

The speakers then spoke on Grace. 

I know as a parent you give your child more than they deserve. As soon as they have the slightest appreciation, desire, achievement or even a change in attitude you want to give them more. You want to give them everything you can. I'm sure this is how our Father is.

What is the Lord trying to tell me? Teach me?  Are tough times ahead? Are there things He wants to give me? I don't know.

I know that we can see the hand of the Lord in our lives, but more often we see his thumbprints. Today I feel like I saw the finger of the Lord. I'm going to try to grasp it and maybe someday I will walk hand and hand with the Lord. Until then, I know He's there.

xo Mommy

PS And He loves me!