Summer with Cousins

Hannah wanted to show Papa Haws the blue tic tacs she discovered because he had never seen any. My parents always gave the kids tic tacs at church when we'd sit by them. We miss them being in our ward and we were thankful for the time we had together in the same ward.

She tried hard to save some for him, but she ate them all.

Jon Mark was so sick that he decided to bring a chair into the shower with him. He felt like the shower calmed the nausea.

Joshua loves football and wore his helmet to watch tv the other day.

Lindsay helped me hang all the ceiling fans in the house and the boys liked to help.

Jon Mark sent me a picture of his bicep to add to my missing him while he was at work. I sent him a picture of me just waking up to make him miss my face. LOL.

I'm not sure why we took this picture. I guess just to document my dad looking silly in a woman's hat.

Jon Mark took Mercedes and three of her cousins on a birthday date. Elena, Lilly, Mercedes, Meili and Jon Mark.

I'm also not sure what this picture is either of my father in law, Mark McAvoy.

Hannah likes dressing up.

Joshua and his friend, Troy on their fast offering route.

Jon Mark's birthday ;)

Hannah took some pictures of me.

First day in our new house.

Mercedes opening Jessica's gift.

Star Wars marathon and princess Leia hair.

We went to Uptown Jungle and Gravity a few times this summer.

  Vanessa's new little one, number 6, Baby Jane. Mercedes was over the moon with affection for her. She is adorable! Welcome to the family, Baby Jane!

Biking and Pondering

Today I set out for a bike ride a bit later than usual for this time of year. By the time I had finally gotten everything situated with my kids, it was 9:30 am. Temperatures were 100* F and I knew immediately that I should have gone earlier in the morning. But, I didn't want to stop, so I continued on.

I regretted not wearing sunscreen, and I regretted not having sunglasses or a hat of any kind. I had plenty of gatorade and although I didn't have my phone with me I knew I would be fine.

I rode for about 4 miles before I decided that it was too hot and I ought to head back home to make a total of 8 miles. As I started back, I was hit with a pretty hard head wind and the breeze was anything but cool. It was hot! Aside from that, I was now facing the sun and felt pretty miserable. Uphill, hard head wind, and the sun did not make for an enjoyable bike ride.

I came upon a few scattered trees on the trail and for a few seconds I was shaded. It was really nice, so I found myself saying "thank you, Heavenly Father for the trees and shade". It was reactionary. I didn't think about it, I just said it because I was indeed grateful. Then, I began to say that I was grateful for my body, and that my body was strong enough to climb the hills with the head wind. The very next thought that popped into my mind was a question. I heard myself asking, "But, are you thankful for what your body can do under the opposition of the heat and wind?" I answered "yes" immediately. I was thankful for what my body could do when it was placed under immense resistence and opposition. That's how I become stronger and even more capable. The resistence, the opposition, it actually does break down the muscle fibers. The muscles then rebuild and are rebuilt even stronger. So, yes, I am thankful for the opposition because of the opportunity it provides for growth.

What came to my mind next was another question. I asked myself, or rather I was impressed to ask myself, "What about your spirit that is housed in your strong, capable body? Are you thankful for what your spirit can do when it is placed under opposition?" My response was another immediate and sure "yes!" I answered the question with a scriture, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Opposition, resistence, trials they're all necessary, for that is how we come to know Christ. So, yes, I am thankful for what my spirit can do when it's being tried. And those experiences can be beautiful. They are opportunities for growth. They bring me closer to my Savior.

The scripture repeated itself over and over again in my mind until I made my way home. I was thankful for the sweet teaching moment.