A first birthday among other firsts this week

Oh my goodness. I remember thinking last year when I was just about ready to deliver Alex and we were in the middle of framing the house, "Please let me survive all this craziness." And ya know, I did. Where did this last year go? It definitely was not a year I would ever want to repeat but it was full of wonderful people and experiences.

Especially this one.

None of us could ever imagine our lives without him. He is a bundle of pure happiness and love.

The day started off with presents and his first chocolate milk. Later we introduced him to the zoo where his experience reminded me a lot of Erik's at the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden when Erik was little. Alex DID NOT like the dinosaurs throughout the zoo, especially the one that spat water at him.

He didn't really care for the giraffe either that practically came eyeball to eyeball with him. It was a fun first experience and I loved watching my "other" kids get so excited about experiencing Alex's "firsts" with him.

Afterwards we treated him to his first kids meal. He shocked me by eating it all. Not a drop on the floor.

Happy Birthday Big Al. Can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Today Ash ran her first race. She wasn't quite sure where the finish was and kept booking it down the road. I was laughing with one parent about his son who kept going until I looked up and Ash was right along side him. Someone finally led them back.

Nate won his first "big" prize. In fact it was the granddaddy prize of all . . . an annual family membership to the Family Fitness Center (a $372 value). I don't think the idea was to give it away to a nonresident but we are going to try our hardest to make use of it this year.

Obedience

Thirty seconds before the start of my Relief Society lesson I broke into a cold sweat as I realized I had left all my notes on my computer at home. I forgot to print them off. AHHHHH!

I guess the lesson went as well as I could have hoped for and maybe it was the lesson I was supposed to give since it went in a totally different direction than I was going to go with it.

So I'll share some quotes on obedience that I never got to use since there are some good ones.

As God has designed our happiness and the happiness of all His creatures, He never has, He never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed.
-–Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 256

Often we hear: Nobody can tell me what clothes to wear, what I shall eat or drink. No one can outline my Sabbaths, appropriate my earnings, nor in any way limit my personal freedoms! I do as I please! I give no blind obedience! . . . When men obey commands of a creator, it is not blind obedience. How different is the cowering of a subject to his totalitarian monarch and the dignified, willing obedience one gives to his God. The dictator is ambitious, selfish, and has ulterior motives. God's every command is righteous, every directive purposeful, and all for the good of the governed. The first may be blind obedience, but the latter is certainly faith obedience
--Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, October 1954

There are three degrees of glory in our obedience: telestial is obedience out of obligation; but begrudgingly; terrestial is obedience out of duty, but willingly; celestial is obedience out of love of God and man. You delight in obeying all truth that you know because you love God, the father of all truth.

--D. Kelly Ogden, 8 Mighty Changes God Wants for You Before You Get to Heaven

Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith.

--Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966

When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

--Ezra Taft Benson, quoted by Donald Stahele in Ensign, May 1998

“If there are any of us who lack faith in this work it is because we have not kept the commandments of God. If there are any who do not know that this is the work of our Father, it is because they have not done their duty. I know as I know that I live that this is the Lord’s work and that knowledge comes as a result of keeping his commandments” --George Albert Smith, Conference Report, October 1915

Mysterious family connections

Last night we attended a ward barbecue and I wore my Ferron Peach Days fun run shirt. My neighbor, Cindy Astill, asked about Ferron and I told her I was from Ferron. She was visibly shocked because apparently her brother, Steve Beagley, lives there and I knew who they were. Small town meet small town.

Later as we were eating, Tyler asked me if one of the ladies there was an Ellis (his side of the family and quite large) and I didn't have a clue. Well, she, Carina Astill, was wondering the same thing about him and came over to ask. Carina is Tyler's second cousin and is married to Cindy Astill's son. She lived with her in-laws for a short time before moving to Stansbury.

Today before the Sunday school lesson began, a lady approached me and introduced herself as Cindy's sister and a local Ferronite and told me how she loves my mom. I never caught her name before the lesson started and will have to unravel this mystery.

Before sacrament meeting started, the kids were telling me about how Sister Astill's nieces were in Primary and they were from Ferron and one was friends with my sister Natalie.

So at dinner we were talking about the strange coincidences from the previous evening and today and Nate says, "So, in a roundup kind of way we are related to people in Ferron."

Yep. You're right. Grandma and Grandpa live there.

And so do the Beagleys who are related to our neighbors the Astills who are related to the Ellises who are related to the Learys, specifically Tyler.

I know what you meant Nate. It is a very small world in deed. I love that I grew up in a small town and have come back to live in a small town.

Closer to Christ - Days 80 - 86

DAY 80

Scripture study: Mormon 2-4

Mark and ponder: Mormon 4:5

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 6:33

Thought of the day: "There must be purpose in our lives. We are here to accomplish something to bless society with our talents and our learning. There can fun, yes. But there must be recognition of the fact that life is serious, that the risks are great, but that we can overcome them if we discipline ourselves and seek the unfailing strength of the Lord." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 81

Scripture study: Mormon 5-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:27

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5

Thought of the day: "You are good. But it is not enough to just be good. You must be good for something. You must contrib8te good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 82

Scripture study: Mormon 8-9

Mark and ponder: Mormon 9:21, 27-28

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 17:20

Thought of the day: "The faithful will exercise faith and pray always for all who are within the reach of the Lord. The good desire good to all." -Brigham Young

DAY 83

Scripture study: Ether 1-3

Mark and ponder: Ether 3:14-16

Scripture though of the day: Ether 12:6

Thought of the day: "Are you full of faith? You can tell whether I am or not by looking at me. You can tell whether the brethren who have been speaking to you are full of faith in the gospel by the look of their countenances. You can see if there is not a word spoken." -Brigham Young

DAY 84

Scripture study: Ether 4-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 5:3-4

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 17

Thought of the day: "For their testimonies [the Three Witnesses] shall rise up to condemn the unbelieving and rebellious before the judgment seat of Christ, yea there are or will be 10,000 times 10,000 other witnesses to testify with equal surety of the truth of the Book of Mormon." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 85

Scripture study: Ether 8-10

Mark and ponder: Ether 8:18-24; 9:16-20, 26-35

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5, 12

Thought of the day: "This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the vils of the adversary today. By court edict godless conspirators can run for government office, teach in our schools, hold office in labor unions, work in our defense plants, serve in our merchant marines, etc. As a nation, we are helping to underwrite many evil revolutionaries in our country." -Ezra Taft Benson

DAY 86

Scripture study: Ether 11-12

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:6-18

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 32:27

Thought of the day: "It is faith tht is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher. This precious and marvelous gift of faith, this gift from God our Eternal Father is the strength of this work and the quiet vibrancy of its message. Faith underlies it all. Faith is the substance of it all. Whether it be going into the mission field, living the Word of Wisdom, paying one's tithing, it is all the same. It is the faith within us that is evidenced in all we do." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Refreshing Orange Ice

So easy to make and so yummy. After working outside in the hot sun, I could eat the entire bowl myself.

Refreshing Orange Ice (Taste of Home)

3 c. water, divided

1 c. sugar

1 can (12 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

2 T. lemon juice

1/2 c. half-and-half cream

In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil for 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from eat; stir in orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, and remaining water. Transfer to a freezer-proof bowl. Cover and freeze until firm. Remove from freezer. Beat until blended. Beat in cream. Cover and return to freezer. Remover from freezer 20 minutes before serving.

14 Years

Oh man, I can't believe how young we looked. We were young. Where does the time go. You never know what 14 years will bring. Lots of happiness and joy. Much pain and sadness. But most of all 5 wonderfully good children whom I wouldn't trade for anything.

Due to a Sunday anniversary we celebrated at home with our own ribeye steaks, baked potatoes, rolls, veggies. Have I mentioned that Ty cooks a fabulous steak. Oh, it was yummy. Afterwards, to work off dinner, we went for a walk in the hills above our house and watched a hot air balloon float overhead while getting eatin' alive by the gnats (I felt like a dog with fleas). I don't know that I've ever seen a hot air balloon here in the Tooele valley, and it was kind of fun to watch.

Phoenix

My brother recently moved to Phoenix and took his cute family with him.

Relationships take work when family is close and it's even harder when the distance increases. I'd been thinking a lot about how to keep our relationship strong when they are so far away and was talking to my mom about this when she mentioned maybe we should go visit them and their new baby, Dallin. I jumped at the chance. My sister Angie came and brought her 3 young kids and I brought Alex and along the way I was able to surreptitiously cross "go to Grand Canyon"

Okay, this picture makes me look fat. I'm not really that fat. I promise.

and "go to Lake Powell" off our Summer Bucket List.

Ha, ha. My kids didn't go for that. I am already planning a trip to take them because both places are awesome.

Phoenix was wonderfully hot. Can you tell who had been traveling for 10 hours and was ready to cool off a bit?

5 of my mom's 7 boy grandchildren (missing Erik and Nathan)

Reed and Brittney were excited for us to come and I'm glad we made the trip. I arrived home to find the rest of my family anxiously waiting on the front porch for our return. And for some reason, I had this funny feeling that they weren't overly anxious to see me as they were to see their brother. He was greatly missed.