REPLY
No matter who we are everyone in this world goes through some type of struggle in life. I know I have. I'm 45 and I've had many struggles in all kinds of shapes, and forms. From physical, emotional, spiritual, and even temporal. Everyone's level of struggle is different, and some of us handle it in various ways. So what do I do when I come upon an issue that needs resolve, or a struggle that needs to end, I turn my heart to Heavenly Father's house. I also seek out those who are in need of service so that my mind can be taken off my own issues.
The weather has been absolutely agreeing with summer this whole week, and have been keeping our days low key lately. The past two days has consisted of somewhat doing the same routine which in all honesty is okay! Sure it's nice to be able to get away and venture to unknown territory, but sometimes cruising along highway130, and finding various parks you can venture out to can be quite the adventure. Which is why I am happy to have found Noah a t-shirt that reads "wake up. explore. repeat." Every time he wears it I am reminded that it's okay for us to repeat the same things especially during the summertime.
So far this week our days have consisted of going to the park, watching the sun set, eating hot dogs, and eating lots of ice cream. Life with these two is pretty simple, and with Lexie being gone, and Jon working all week it's been, well...different. As much as I love being with these two all day there are times when I miss having an extra person with me so that we can somewhat be equal in numbers when in comes to certain things like playing tennis. I'm sure I sound like a broken record when I say this, but time is certainly fleeting, and in one year these two are going to be the only ones left in the house to be with. So in a sense I am getting used to it, and I hate that!
Touring the Thomas Edison museum at Menlo Park this past Saturday was the most educational learning experience I've ever heard, and seen! I was in awe with all the inventions he made, and listening to how Thomas Edison came about creating his inventions by the tour guide was amazing! The fact that Thomas Edison dropped out of school when he was 10 because he didn't feel challenged enough, and basically was always getting distracted because he had all these ideas floating around in his idea made his teacher not want to teach him anymore. I know, crazy huh?
Since Lexie is in Utah for two weeks I decided to write a little post about her when it comes to her love for music. By the way she has created her own YouTube channel by accident. Meaning that by taking a multi media digital class as an elective in school this past year has helped her create, and edit videos to the point where they are meaningful and really, really good!
We decided to drive to the town of Cranbury where the kids had a gift card to redeem at Gil and Berts Ice cream shop (thank you Michelle!). The weather was just too gorgeous to stay indoors to do a Harry Potter marathon. We'll save that for a rainy day which I'm sure will come again! I shared snippets of videos on my Instagram so if you follow me you can check them out before they disappear. This day was at its best with blue skies, and bright sun shining all around!
Today is the last day of school for all the kids, and the first day of summer!! I can't believe how fast this year went by. I look back, and think to myself-how in the world is this school year done! I mean, we only moved here last summer, and feel as if the kids just started school! It's crazy, and amazing at the same time! I also think of how slow the winter months kind of were this year, but in reality they did quickly pass us by. I merely reflect on focusing on the summer months when the weather gets cold, wet, and soggy. I know they won't last, and just like that they didn't. Summer is going to be the same way. No matter how much I'd like summer to last it won't. And that's okay, because my next favorite season comes right after.
Out of all the weekends we wanted to go to New York it had to rain. It just had to rain, but we didn't let that stop us from having a good time to take Jon out for a Father's Day brunch in the city. We were lucky enough to have arrived at Bubby's before it began to pour, and were hoping that the rain would subside so we could galavant on foot all over the city, but to no avail. It was a probably a good thing that the rain came, and that we didn't spend the entire day in New York because later on that evening the kids had a talent show to attend to at our church. Luckily we found free parking less than a block away where we could run, and jump in the car right quick. Nonetheless we enjoyed the day eating good food, laughing, and talking about how dad used to do this, and that, and all the "remember when" stories about Jon.
Noah came home yesterday with a book he made at school with all the things he'd like to do over the summer, and these are a few things he wrote down. I was pretty impressed since most of them dealt with reading, and outdoor recreation. Not sure if we'll be able to accomplish everything on his summer list, but we'll certainly try. Luckily he's easy going, and that he always finds fun, and joy in all that he does.
While Jon was grilling the other day I looked out my window and saw Noah and Chelsea playing baseball with a wooden stick. It made me happy to see that even though they didn't have an actual bat to hit with that they used their creativity, and didn't mind using a piece of wood. I went outside, and Jon said that these kids would love to play baseball for fun, and that we should get them a bat. The next day I went to the dollar store, and picked up a simple, plain, plastic bat that came with a plastic ball, and the kids didn't mind. They are not picky, and certainly didn't expect me to buy a top of the line baseball bat like the ones professionals play with. They were grateful for what I bought and happy the whole time they were playing which made my heart content.
When the previous owner of the our "new" house told us last summer when we moved in that we have a cherry tree that blooms in between spring and summer I didn't believe him. I'm no tree aficionado, and can't tell which tree grows what, but being that it was the middle of July all I saw were bare trees with green leaves. I didn't think about it, and then when spring came the tree began to bloom into a blossom tree. Now that summer is here, this tree is full of cherries! I couldn't believe it when they first started to bud, and now this tree is covered with cherries!
