THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!: September 2020

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Thanksgiving Point and Parenting Styles

A few weeks ago we went to Thanksgiving Point for the day.
I had never been there, so I had no idea what to expect.
The museums were a little on the young side for Ashlynn,
but we still had a fun time.

The outdoor gardens were my favorite. I loved the Light of The World gardens/statues.

Ashlynn loved taking pictures in the outdoor gardens.

She HATED the fact that we were walking through them.

She thought renting one of the golf carts would have made it much more enjoyable.

We ALL loved the butterflies and made

our way around that garden a few times.

Milking a cow may have been

one of the highlights of Ashlynn's day.

Feeding the fish was crazy. They were about to eat

each other trying to get to the fish food.

It was a fabulous day!

I took a parenting style test for a class I was recently in.

JD and I typically disagree on how we should handle an issue with our children.

I say yes, he says no! The bottom test is my score.

I found it interesting that we don't often perform the way we believe.

Our actions follow our spouse's style of parenting more often than they follow

what we think we should do. I wonder if that is to keep the peace we simply go along, but we are not always pleasant about doing so. This would explain why my autocratic in-action number is the same as my husband's, and his permissive is close to the same as mine in action.

It would be an interesting study.

Friday, September 11, 2020

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION!

Britton started a new job right before school started and man, has it made him a HAPPY kid! Britton loves being around people. I think if he would have known how much he would enjoy working and getting a paycheck he would have gotten a job sooner. I am glad he didn't because I believe this job he has is the perfect fit for him. I love that Britton ordered Trump 2020 masks for school. He is passionate about the principles he believes in. He recently had his wisdom teeth removed and so him and I spent the day watching TV together. He has a bunch of college classes this semester and I admire the hard work he puts into the things he does. I can count on Britton to make me smile or laugh daily. He is quick on his toes, and has a real talent for making hilarious in- the-moment commentaries.

We dropped Dax off at Utah state a few weekends ago, so we

are back to having only two children in the home. Daxon was beyond

excited to get to school and begin the college life.

Daxon loves Logan !

College life suits him well.

Daxon and I enjoy listening to many of the same podcasts. I loved having someone who

"spoke my language" to discuss them with while he was home.

I admire the focus to detail and determination to be successful that Daxon lives his life with.

Ashlynn was BEYOND excited for school to start.

The most difficult part of being home during Corona for her

was missing the consistent social life.

This girl thrives on being social. Her world is more content

and satisfied now that things are getting back to a new normal.

Riley and Madeline moved into their new place.

It is adorable. Both are working and are full-time students.

I admire how hard they both work to keep everything done so well.

Jake is working full time and recently started

the electrician apprentice program at Bridgerland. He is an excellent father

and it is crazy how much him and Luke look alike. When they were over the other

day, I kept staring at Luke and thinking he is seriously a mini-Jake.

Alyssa loves motherhood. I love watching the two of them raise adorable little Luke.

They are both first-class parents!

I finished my summer classes a week early and will be

starting the new semester on Monday.

I have LOVED having a week off to rest my brain. It was a good thing I finished early because due to the storm school was out three days this week. It gave me time to hang out and chill with the family.

I am ready to get back at it! JD is who we all go to when we need to know how to fix or do something. I love that his children call him and he knows how to explain to them how to repair or achieve the issue at hand. He knows the answers to "MOST" all of our questions and I love that I married such a brilliant man!

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

HAPPY #22 RILEY

My children frequently tease that Riley is my favorite child. All of my children are my favorite, but Riley makes the job so simple. From the day he was born, he has been a peacemaker. He has a persistent enthusiasm for life that is inspiring to be around. He has a tender heart and an unconditional love that he willingly extends to others in all facets of his life. This year for Riley's birthday, Madeline planned for them to go with friends to Bear Lake for the day. They went to visit the Minnetonka Caves and watch a show at The Pickleville Playhouse. The following day, Riley and Madeline moved out of their first apartment.

YAHOO!!!

Between then and the time Ry & Maddy moved into their new place, they needed a home for about ten days. The Pences are some of our good friends from Iowa, and they happily let them move in. When the weekend arrived, Ry & Madeline came to visit. You would think with "Riley" being my favorite child and all, the weekend would have turned out amazing! It was an interesting Sunday to say the least. A few posts ago, I discussed how having adult children puts me on unfamiliar ground. At times I forget where my boundaries are as a parent. I overstepped the lines that day and let's just say, we have no happy pictures of everyone singing to Riley or the eating of cake. The memory of everyone painfully singing Happy Birthday would be quite humorous if it were part of a reality television show.

This family is a perfect example of a work in progress!

Riley returned home from his mission 2 years ago this October. I love the knowledge he gained as a missionary. He has a firm understanding of the scriptures. His insights into gospel doctrine strengthens my testimony. He has a way of leading others to think about the principles they are reading and learning about. I love his ability to quote General Conference talks from years ago off the top of his head. Riley has a strong conscience of right and wrong and I love that I have been able to depend on him to fearlessly choose the right throughout his life.

In February, Riley and Madeline were married in the Logan Temple for time and all eternity. My mom used to listen to a song by Tracy Byrd called, "Keeper of the Stars." The beginning of it goes like this,

It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can't believe you're in my life
Heaven's smilin' down on me
As I look at you tonight
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars!

As I look at the millions of circumstances that had to work out perfectly for this match-made-in-heaven to get married (when they did before all the craziness of Corona hit), I have no doubt that the keeper of the stars had a hand in it. I am thankful that friends and loved ones were all blessed to join together and be part of them going to the temple and making covenants. I am thankful we all were able to celebrate this new begining with them.

Riley and Daxon are riding LOTOJA this weekend.

Riley has never been short on stamina. I am excited to

watch these boys take part in this ride together!

A few weeks ago, Riley went with Ryan Cook and others to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area. This is the PERFECT trip for Riley and he had a fabulous time.

At times I wondered if fishing was a phase for him and Daxon.

I think it is safe to say it is not a phase.

I love the smile Riley gets on his face whenever he holds Luke.

A better way to state that last sentence would be, "I LOVE RILEY'S SMILE." I feel blessed by the choices you make each day and the way you conduct your life. I remember right after you returned home from your mission I was stressed as I was running out the door for work. I returned home to find the entire house spotless. Ashlynn was sad that morning and so you shined her room and arranged her stuffed animals all cute for her. I love the thoughtfulness you live your life with. When Riley returned from his mission and I asked about the attributes of Christ, he shared a story with me about the companion that required patience. In this story there was no complaint about the companion, simply the attributes that were gained in learning to live with him. Riley has always been a leader this way.