I am so happy that today is Sunday and we've had a chance to recover from a busy week with a quiet day, and a chance to meet new neighbors that moved in across the street in June.  We made baskets of cookies for them, and also took some blueberry muffins to Helma.  This is something I have wanted to do for two months now, but have just been so busy with school stuff, Addiction Recovery, Dad, Shannon, and Sendai I kept putting it off.  I think I read something today that said, "if you are too busy to give service, then you are too busy".  

I loved all of the 4th of July photos!  We had the nicest day - Dad and I worked in the back yard, pulled weeds, mowed, cleaned off the patio and table so we could eat out there - and then it rained 😢.  We still had a great time with Josh, Angella and family.  Dad grilled hamburgers, and we had potato salad and peach cobbler (thanks for the idea, Kate).  

Sayre got to go swimming and I think the smile says it all!

Wish you could see Hollie in this picture.  To celebrate the holiday she dyed her eyebrows blue.  Love you so much Hollie!😁

Ben saying he would not smile for me

Samantha working at Jellystone Park.  When I was little, my favorite cartoon was Yogi Bear and he lived in Jellystone Park.  I love Sammi's bear ears and patriotic hat! 

Kate said Sayre insisted they stay up for fireworks and it looks like he was loving every minute of it

Someone who didn't love it was Sendai.  This year she has been pretty sensitive to the loud thunder we have had during the heavy rain storms to the point of getting in the bathtub one afternoon.  She has never done this before so we weren't too surprised when she started pacing around the house on Tuesday after the fireworks started.  She eventually ended up sleeping in our closet that night.

Other fun summer activities  - Eilis got to go to Salt Lake City with her friend Izzie. They went to a Pierce The Veil concert, and in spite of losing her glasses in the Great Salt Lake - she said it was super fun.

Blythe was a YCL at Girls camp this summer ~

Their theme was Discover the Hero, which I love.  Kim said that Blythe suggested that next year their theme should revolve around Taylor Swift - somehow I don't think that is going to happen ~ 

Kate and Jonathan got new neighbors - an older couple, who happen to love Sayre.  They gave him this water gun that looks like it is almost as big as he is.  The video below is one of Sayer and the new neighbor in a shootout 😊

Adam said while they were staying at Jellystone, Jake would load up his bike with food for Samantha and be her Uber delivery person.  Sweet Jake - always ready to help others! 💚

And what are the adults doing while all of these kids are having fun?

We're having fun too!

And then there was Kim and Blythe comparing leg color 

Sorry Kim . . .

Some last thoughts from Our Savior From Self-Doubt for this week - 

One of the greatest desires as parents is that our children have a positive image of themselves.  Our heavenly parents want the same for us.  I remember this statement attached to a picture of the Savior that a youth leader gave to me years ago: "The greatest gift I could give to you is for you to see yourself the way that I see you."  Too often we look in the mirror and focus o flaws and imperfections.  We may see someone who is weak, fearful, or untalented, someone with too many wrinkles and too much weight to lose.  "My hair looks terrible!" "I'm not very smart."  "I have no discipline; I just can't stop eating those doughnuts." Or worse, "I'm not lovable.  I'm a terrible person, so God has no interest in me."  The more we focus on weaknesses, the more weaknesses we see.  We wouldn't dare criticize our friends to make them feel better.  Nor would we motivate our children with a list of twenty things that we don't like about them.  Yet we do it to ourselves too often.  Elder Uchtdorf said, "Some people can't get along with themselves.  The criticize and belittle themselves all day long.  May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better.  Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you - as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.

 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEK!  

I love the 4th of July, maybe because it means that summer is really here. It has always been a favorite time and always helps me remember how blessed we are to live in this country.  Despite it's flaws, we are free to go to the church of our choice, we are free to vote for the leaders of our country, and we live in a land of prosperity with many comforts.  This year we have decided to break with tradition and will not be attending the Monument 4th of July parade, but I have such fond memories of the times that we did, I wanted to share ~

And then there was Blythe trying to sell butterfly wings ...  😂

What great fun and such wonderful memories!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANGELLA AND CHRIS!

They share June 26th as their birthdate so we were happy to celebrate them this past week.  I can't imagine our family without them 💚

At Santa's Workshop

The Zoo

Holly's Baptism

Thank you Angella, for always offering to lend a hand!  You are always so supportive, honest, and thinking of others.  AND, you have taught your children to be the same.

We love you and are so thankful for your example.

In London

Thank you Chris, for making us laugh, for being such a wonderful father, and humble follower of the Savior.  We appreciate all that you do for our family, and as Kim says, "you're a keeper!"

Always ready for a party

Sorry Chris, I just couldn't help it 😁

Remember last week? Remember when I said I loved kids with blue tongues . . . .  This is what and Airhead Blue Raspberry Freeze from Taco Bell will do  😊

Holly came over Wednesday morning and spent the night with us.  She was patient while I did my Math homework, and helped with some things around the house, and with Ji-Chan working on his old bike.  We made it to the dollar store, made some banana bread, and obviously, we made it to Taco Bell.  Thanks, Holly, for always being so cheerful and willing to help me!

I'm sure by now, everyone has heard Kim and I mention, either in complaint or frustration about the Math class we are taking this term.  Well, the end is in sight - only 3 more weeks!  We are going to make it, we are going to pass this class and keep on going.  I honestly can say, that I enjoy the challenge of Math, I think it has just been difficult to have it as an online class, where you aren't able to ask questions and get immediate feedback.  Thank you Cory, for your offers to help us!  I think I see a pre-test zoom class in our future.

Lastly, I wanted to thank Adam, Paul, and Jake for helping us with the flooring in our bedroom and bathroom.  They did a great job.  We have some things left that we want to get done in the bathroom but we're getting there.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Enjoy the 4th, and time with your families.  Think of someone who you could give service to. (We have three new neighbors so they are getting cookies) Say your prayers and read your scriptures - it works!  

 It is FINALLY Summer!   Walking Sendai one afternoon this week and this is what I saw - 

I'm hoping this means we might be done with rain for a little while.  We've had so, so much rain, and I know we needed it, but, wow, I'm ready for a little sun and some time in the hammock.  (on a side note, everything is really green and beautiful here.)

                        

                                  

I'm not the only one who is grateful the skies have finally cleared -  Ben enjoyed a raspberry popsicle after Church on Sunday.

I love kids with blue tongues! 💙

And the warm weather hit Iowa where Jonathan and Sayre enjoyed playing baseball.

I love Sayre, when he hits the ball, both the bat and the hat going flying in different directions 

Eilis started her summer making Great-Grammie's strawberry jam.  I am so happy the tradition is being carried on ~

It looks to me like she could go into business

Jake had a backyard campout - I'm not sure if anyone stayed outside with him - maybe Milo? 😀

Blythe on her first day of work as a lifeguard - kids beware!

And Paul just got his learner's permit - everyone beware! 😁

Kim took her friend, Selena, to Cardiff, Wales for a Harry Styles concert this past week. What a great way to be a missionary!  A little of the backstory - Kim and Selena work together in the office at the elementary school.  Selena is diabetic, and in March she had an episode and almost went into a diabetic coma.  She is a super Harry Styles fan, so Kim and Chris arranged the travel so they could attend the concert.  

Adam, Cory, and family just got home from a week in Utah.  Cory's nephew, Andrew, was getting married so they were able to spend time with family - they saw Heather, and Ruthie, and went through the Saratoga Springs Temple. 

I love these photos that Adam sent - 

Cousins -Paul, Katie, Jake, Andrew, Sammi, and Lily

Breakfast smores with Aunt Ruthie

Saratoga Springs Temple

   

Love these smiles!

Am I the only one in the family that hasn't been to Yellowstone National Park?   Josh took this photo coming home from Montana last month.  Yellowstone has always been one of the places I would love to see.  I know there are some in the family who are not road trip fans 😊, but I think because I grew up taking lots of road trips with my Dad and grandfather, that it is something I love to do.  Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore (for a second time), and Mesa Verda are all on my list . . . maybe next year ~

And, couldn't end this day without a photo of our favorite missionary!

If anyone would like to drop him a note or card this is his address - 

California Anaheim Mission, 2500 North Bristol Street, Santa Ana California, 92706

A Last Thought ~

To Finish up tonight I wanted to add a couple of more thoughts I read in Our Savior from Self-Doubt.  Like the creation process, we don't have to reach the final stage of our perfection before we experience God's love and feel God rejoice in who we have become thus far.  We trust that the Lord would say to us what Alma said to his son Shiblon: "I say unto you, my son (or daughter), that I have had great joy in thee already, because of they faithfulness and thy diligence, and they patience".  Alma didn't find joy in his son at that moment for who he would become but for who he was already.  Likewise, God finds joy in us now.  I know God loves us too, no matter what our weaknesses and imperfections my be.  Do we have a long way to go until we become like Him?  Absolutely.  He knows that, and so do we!  But we can find joy by cherishing this day and knowing that God rejoices in our progress this day as well.  The next time we have feelings of self-doubt and consider giving up on ourselves, or the next time we consider giving up on someone we love, please remember that God will never give up on us.  And He will never give up on the people we love.