Creative Play During Basketball Games

The kids spend so much time at Isaiah‘s basketball games. They somehow always find something creative to do together. Today in the corner at the gym they found some soccer goalies. I think that they are pretending like they are caged animals. 

Morning walk kids to school.

There is no sent that has ever been created by man that can compare with what I smell here in the forest.  What is it? I know I definitely smell Pine trees and wood, but what else? Can you smell moisture? Can you smell the color green? Though  there are no flowers, there is something slightly sweet.  Glade has tried to manufacture it, can it, and market it for masking odors from the bathroom. Candle companies come up with their own version to sell. Even men’s cologne and laundry detergent‘s try to mimic the smell here. None even come close. I can’t describe it to you. You must come here to experience it for yourselves. 

Adjustments with food

OK, so maybe not everything is perfect here. It is quite difficult to find ingredients that I am used to cooking with. Mostly, it is difficult to find Mexican food ingredients. I can’t find cumin or dried black beans. I finally found corn tortillas at one grocery store. But they were only six of them in the package for four dollars.  I am used to Mexican food being an inexpensive, tasty and nutritious way to eat. It has now become a quite expensive and exotic way to eat.   So, today I found an Indian 


 dried bean that I am going to use as my substitute for black beans. It’s sort of looks like a very small black bean. 

Confessions

In our scripture study this morning we were reading about how in the Second Coming the wicked will howl in remembrance of their unrighteousness. It was the writings of Isaiah —2 Nephi 23:6.   I was explaining how sometimes it’s embarrassing if you’re doing something naughty and your parents come in and find out. But, imagine what it would be like if you saw God and you were not doing something right. And I explained that it is so embarrassing and so much shame you cry really hard, hard enough to howl. William thought for a moment and then said he was really embarrassed about the bad things he had done. I asked him what he was remembering. And he confessed to throwing hotdogs and pretzels off of our 19th story apartment. So, I guess this isn’t the prefect home for our family, but it is good. It is so, so good.   

Confessions

In our scripture study this morning we were reading about how the second coming The wicked will Howell and remembrance of their unrighteousness. It was the writings of Isaiah. I was explaining how how sometimes it’s embarrassing if you’re doing something naughty and your parents come in the fuck out. But, imagine what it would be like if you saw God and you were not doing something right. And I explained that it is so embarrassing and so much shame you want to Howell. Williams thought for a moment and then said he was really embarrassed about the bad things he had done. I asked him what he was remembering. And he confessed to throwing hotdogs and pretzels off of our 19th story apartment. So, I guess this isn’t the prefect home for our family, but it is good. It is so, so good.   

However, for next home, I’m going to look for a place I can buy corn tortillas and black beans, and be able to make the kids beds

Serious Questions in Seminary

Well, so far I have absolutely loved being Isaiah's seminary teacher in the morning.  The first day of seminary we were talking about the Plan of Salvation.  We spent a lot of time on the pre-mortal life.  We looked at his scrapbook and remembered his baby blessing and the impressions that grandparents and parents had about who he was before he came to to this Earth and who he would be on this Earth.   We read parts of my patriarchal blessing about the promises about the children that I would raise. It was special.  I wouldn't have traded it for the world

This morning’s  lesson was about scripture study. I shared the experience  that Jared teaches about this lesson. Jared recalled an experience from his mission when Elder Carmack came to Puerto Rico to visit. In a conference he asked the missionaries who the best scriptorian was. Much to his chagrin, all of Jared‘s friends nominated him. So Elder Carmack gave him 10 minutes to study Acts chapter 3 verse 19 through 21. Jared said he never studied the Scriptures like that in all of his life. He looked up every footnote and considered every single word. When the 10 minutes were up, Elder Carmack asked Jared to share what he had learned. Jared spoke for about 20 minutes. When she was done other Carmack praised him for his good and thorough study, but continued to teach got even more out of those scriptures for another 20 minutes more. Jared said he had never had a better lesson on how to study the Scriptures than that one. Other Carmack then shared how he had the same experience as a young missionary when Bruce are McKonkie was the visiting general authority. This lesson has had quite an impact on Jared’s students over the years and one even painted a painting as a tribute to the lesson that Jared gave when he then studied the Scriptures with the students and show them how to Mark and get every bit of juice out of them like you were juicing the most delicious orange. 
After sharing this experience of Jared’s and trying to replicate in some small way, I got out my own orange and peeled it for Isaiah and told him that really getting into the Scriptures was like peeling an orange. Then I interrupted myself by asking him to help me find something I was searching for that I lost that morning. He told me there was no way he could help me know how to search for something if I couldn’t even tell him what it was. I thanked him for answering the question the right way and told him that we were command to search the Scriptures but we need to understand what we were searching for. And that is principles. Understanding symbolism, reading footnotes, cross-referencing, looking for repetition, understanding the historical context, understanding the deeper meanings of words—These are all tools that are similar to peeling an orange. The fruit on the inside is the principle and that is what you were truly searching for. so, we do that hard work I’m studying the Scriptures just like we peel and orange, but the purpose of it is to get to the principal so that we can apply that principal to our own lives. We then juiced our own tangible orange and scriptural oranges.  After our lesson it was a whole wheat pancakes, freshly squeezed juuce, and then a rush out the door to get to the gym before  7 AM to get his shooting it. It’s a great life of really simple joys. 

Earlier this week at the beginning of our study of the Doctrine and Covenants Isaiah said that he had a big concern.  I braced myself, remembering that nothing was more important in the prepared lesson than answering his questions.  We had just listened to portions of a conference talk from Elder Ballard about the importance of listening to the prophet, so I assumed his question sprung from something that we were listening to.  So, I was surprised by his question.  This is how he asked it,  "YSA wards?" It was said with some disgust.  I bursted out laughing because it caught me off guard and I found his evident distaste for YSA wards comical.

I explained to him why I was laughing and said to him, "I thought you had a real concern or serious question!"

"It is a serious question! What is the Church doing? Sponsoring a dating program? I don't get it."

Okay, so some days are going to be more spiritual than others.  But, in general, I am shocked by how much additional time I am getting with Isaiah this year.  I love doing seminary with him.  Also, we are making sure to focus on him in the evening in homework club and going over the kids homework together.  In addition, he comes home for lunch in the afternoon because it is an open campus and he has an hour off.  So far, it has been a really special year of being able to really focus on the kids and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The Grouse Grind

 We had a wonderful hike this weekend. We were surprised at how steep the trail was. The trail we took was called the grouse grind. The trail is broken up into four sections and we told the kids that we could take a water break every quarter of the hike. The first section of the hike I resumed her typical role that I play on a family hike. I interact with the kids, try to distract them from what they’re doing, try to add to 10 by playing games, and try to encourage them and how amazing I think that they are.   That was short lived  on this hike.    I quickly learned that I did not have the energy to talk with a concentration to be able to help drag other people along. I had only one task that I could accomplish, I need to drag myself up that mountain   It was a busy trail with many people going up. The entire way is stairs because it is so steep. It is the equivalent of going up to hundred story building.  By the end of the hike I was so exhausted I felt like I was going to throw up. I knew, I sensed, I needed to lay down. It’s like these primal instincts take over and you know what it will take for your body to survive. I needed water and I needed to lay down somewhere. I did both of those things. I was surprised to see I was drenched in sweat.  I find it deeply satisfying to push my body that hard and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I could have never done this hike without work. Never have I participated so little with the children on a hike. Never when I push myself that is in the heart on my own, let alone with the kids    I recovered after about 30 minutes. I cannot believe how beautiful British Columbia is. I am going to absolutely love this year    I am relying so heavily upon the blessings that Dad H made to the kids before we left. I think to myself as Rachel is climbing that mountain that I am being her understand and know that she is stronger than she realizes. When I said is afraid to go to school full of Asians in a different culture, I remind myself that this will prepare him for his future life work. And when I look at while I am enjoying nature, I am filled with joy because I know that this is what will comfort him and help him to be happy and these years.

The Temple

I went to the temple 2 weeks ago.  While there, I was thinking to myself that life can surprise us and seem unfair.  Then I thought about the people I was doing the work for.  The temple was the place that for them, all that was unfair in this life was beginning to be made fair through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It isn't fair that I had  the Gospel in my life, and they didn't.  But, through the Lord and through me, they can have the blessing just as if they had been born with them!!! They get all of the ones that I have enjoyed.  Thinking of that made me think of the temple as a giant symbol saying, "Someday, all that was unfair in this life will be made right through Jesus Christ."

More Precious than Gold

So, as I was getting ready for church this morning William asked me a question that I have been thinking about all day.

William:  "Mom, why are jewels so valuable? Why do people pay so much money for them?"

My words:  "I guess because humans value what is rare."

My thoughts:  What is the most rare and valuable commodity?  Wouldn't it be a happy family life? How can that even compare to a diamond?  What could bring your more happiness than a happy family? Interestingly, this goal is in reach to even the poorest, most obscure among us.  It frequently eludes the rich and famous.   We can  have that happiness as we fill our lives with love, suppress selfishness, practice self-discipline when we feel impatient, laugh, and love God.

I am so happy to say that i have had so many happy moments since moving to Vancouver.  The kids have gotten along better than they have in years.  I was so afraid that Isaiah would find our life quite dull without any kids his age. Surprisingly, he has been so willing to go along with walks in the forest and has introduced games to play as a family.   I have loved connecting with him and being his friend.

In general, it has been nice to focus more on my kids.  I have really appreciated Mark's help with task I would like to accomplish. Pulling off a family outing or  projects like unpacking the house or getting the kids ready for school are so much easier with a partner.  I feel like my kids seem happier, healthier and better adjusted.  I am having a lot of fun in this gorgeous setting. I love focusing on helping Isaiah to be successful in school with Mark.  I think it is going to be a great year

We Did It!!! Again!

I can't believe we actually moved to another country.  I felt such relief to have concluded this task of unpacking.  It is a task that has been with me for a year-of tasks to be completed or looming over me.   First it was how to have our home in a furnished, yet rentable state-leaving things that we didn't mind getting used.  Then it was what to take in our car to use in Utah for a year.  When I got to Utah in was a year of constantly refiguring or moving our stuff in order to keep my family together as much as possible, and minimize the impact on those who so generously let us stay with them. That included moving our stuff around several times in Emily's home, moving to an apartment in SLC, changing apartments later in the winter,  When the decision was made to come to Canada, life got more complicated still.  How would we move from a 4,000 square foot home to a 1,200 square foot apartment? How much of our stuff would fit without making the new home feet too crowded? Would our furniture made for a large home even fit the smaller apartment?  It turns out that most of our furniture would not fit.  We sold many of our furnishings--the dining table and chairs, the desks, the tables, the couch, the treadmill, the basketball hoop, etc.  That was a huge task.  There would be some furnishings that would go to family members in Utah.  We would need to pick up a load of stuff from Utah to take to Canada as well as a load from Ohio.  It was such a complicated move.  It makes me tired just writing about it.  We found a moving company who would pick up our things in Ohio, drive to Utah to do a drop off of unwanted furniture, and a pick up of our Utah things.  Originally we planned on being able to fill our van with the Utah items.  However, we found it was less complicated to sell our van and just buy a new one in Canada.  When we arrived to Canada it was to a lovely unfurnished apartment.  We brought sleeping bags and camping sleeping pads with us on the plane and used those for a couple of weeks.  That is when we learned that our stuff wouldn't be arriving from Utah for more than a month.  Mark at that point decided to fly to Utah and drive our things out in a U-Haul.  My dad, being the kind soul that he is, jumped at the chance for a road trip with Mark last minute and joined him.  Our things came from Ohio several days later.  We were so crammed into  our apartment with our boxes, we couldn't hardly unpack.  It was different from our other moves because we came with too much stuff.  We can't fit another thing into our apartment.  We have taken lots to donate and throw away.  Our other moves started more sparsely and we accumulated as time went on. Each of our moves was hard for different reasons, but I think that this one was the most complicated.  It makes the relief that it is over all the more sweet.

List of Moves
Provo Utah-moved by renting a UHaul. 

Russel Park Davis, CA— moved across the street by caring the things in our arms and using a cart. 

Orchard Park Davis, CA— moved with my parents help and our trusty, green Toyota Tercel. 

Sacramento, CA— sold almost everything we had at a garage sale to fund the last of our interviews. Gave away the rest. Packed up what we could in our green Toyota Tercel. 

Valencia, CA— fit whatever we could in the trusty, green Toyota Tercel

Shoreline Ridge, Salt Lake City, UT— we got kicked out of this apartment after living there for less than a year. Because they decided to rent the apartments to undergraduates. Isaiah was such a helper to me at his five years of Age. I put Rachel in the baby Bjorn filled a cart full of stuff and walked it over to the medical towers. By the end of the night Isaiah said that his shoulders were really bothering him and he didn’t understand why. Poor guy.

 
Medical Plaza— I don’t remember how we did that move

Diestel Road— I remember that we bought a van right before we did the move to LaConner road home. That van did the move for us. 

Connor Road Fort Douglas Home

 Salt Lake City, UT— this was another sell everything that you own and give the rest away 

Valencia, CA— this was a short stopping point, just three months. 

Swarthmore, PA— here we were moved professionally bag company that hired us in Fort Worth, TX. 

Fort Worth, TX— here we remove 

professionally as well. 

Dublin, Ohio. This was a crazy move. We just had to estimate what we thought we would need for the next year and put that in our van. We then packed up most of our other things and put them in the basement so that our home could be rented furnished, but without our personal belongings.  

Utah— this year was full of moves. We moved Emily‘s house as she graciously opened her home to us and we tried to squeeze our selves in without making too big of an impact. This desire to try to make our two families work caused little moves around her home. At Christmas time we moved to grandma and grandpa Halverson’s basement. Meanwhile, MARK got into student housing in October I needed to switch to a different student housing in January.  

Our move to British Columbia was very complicated. We had to sell many of our furnishings in our home because we were moving to a much smaller apartment. We calculated what we would need for our new apartment and then sold and gave away everything else. There was a lot of stuff that grandma Halverson convinced us that we could save in Utah so that we could have it with me left Vancouver. She went with me to Ohio to pack up our things and sort through what we would really need to be taking. We supervised the movers loading up the truck and came home for days later exhausted. The regional plan was that our movers would drive through town, drop off some items and then pick up are you to things and bring them to Canada. It didn’t work that way. MARK needed to end up flying back to Utah, loading up on U-Haul truck with my dad and driving out to Utah stuff here. We flew out as a family and bought a new car here. We sold our van just days before we left Utah. 

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada