Patient

Whenever we go to the DI, Zeke starts begging for a new toy. Like, as soon as we get out of the car, all the way in to the store, and on and on and ON, until I eventually give in and take him over to the toy aisle. It's gotten to be a bad habit. I don't mind spending .50$ on a toy, but the whining and nagging drives me insane.

SO. I instituted the 'Be Patient' rule. As soon as we arrive in the parking lot, I tell him, "I'll let you pick out a toy IF you don't ask me about it AT ALL. You have to be patient until I am ready to go to the toy aisle. If you can't be patient, you get NO TOY."

Now, as soon as we walk through the door, he says, "Mom, if I be really patient, can I get a toy?" It's cute. And he's really good at being patient now. At least in the DI.

Last night I was petitioning God, again for the gift of Baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost as my CONSTANT companion. I've come to realize, that just because my Dad laid his hands on my head when I was 8 and said, "Receive the Holy Ghost." doesn't mean I got it. None of us do. It's an invitation that we have to make happen.

Not that I haven't definitely felt the Spirit in my life and had very specific inspiration from time to time, but ALWAYS with me? No. And the Baptism of Fire that is talked about in the Book of Mormon… never. Maybe you all have had this experience and can't believe I haven't yet. I don't know, I just became aware that this is something we should be ACTIVELY seeking for. This experience that many describe as a feeling of fire, electricity, tingling, vibration etc. Maybe you've had this experience and didn't know what it was? Like when the Lamanites were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost, and 'they knew it not'. Well. I want it. I have become more and more concerned that without the Holy Spirit's constant companionship, I will not be able to see the face of God in the flesh, and that is my greatest desire right now.

So, as I was again begging, pleading, nagging the Lord with my constant refrains, I remembered His admonition to be patient. A feeling I've had several times over the past few months. Just be patient. And then I remembered Zeke and his DI toys.

I know he wants the toy. I love him so I want to buy him the toy. But I need him to be patient until the timing is right.

God knows what I want. God loves me more than I love Zeke and wants me to have what I want. But for some reason, the timing is not now and I need to be patient until He is ready to give it to me.

A flood of understanding washed over me (I know, that's the Spirit, but I want that ALL the time!) and I felt peace. I can wait. I can work on myself and be patient for the Lord's timing. And when I start feeling whiney and complainey, I can remember my sweet little boy, who just wants that toy NOW, and how I'm not any different. It helps me to take a deep breath, and, well, just wait.

Here's a really fascinating description of the baptism of fire, in case, you know, you didn't know about it either.

http://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/the-baptism-of-fire/

Diamond Fork Canyon

A couple of the home schoolers that I've started associating with were going camping this weekend, so we decided to join them. We went up to Diamond Fork, which is just inside Spanish Fork Canyon. There is a campground and hike that takes you up to some natural hot springs. It's a popular place, I remember doing it in college once, and Chris tells me we did the hike with some friends after we were married, but I have no recollections of that. My memory sucks.

We got there early and decided to do the 1.5 mile hike before the other families arrived. It was longer, and harder than I anticipated. Zeke was pretty pooped. The hot tubs were… hot. And we were hot and sweaty from the hike, so… not so refreshing. And the river was cold. Too cold. I spent my time going back and forth trying to find a happy medium. After about 15 min. the kids wanted to leave. Except Luke. He was busy rearranging rocks to make a shoot and was bummed we were leaving so soon. By the time I got to the bottom, I was hurting. The kids said I was moving like Grandma. Great.

Here's some photos from the hike and the pools.

Luke carried Zeke most of the way up, and all the way down.

There were a few snakes up there

That night we all froze to death. It was cold. The next night though, we all doubled up with a bed buddy and slept warm and cozy. 

Our friends came up and wanted to do the hike the next day. I for one, did not care to do that again. No one but Luke and Kate wanted to go. It's so nice that Luke can drive. The rest of us hung out at camp relaxing and making the dutch oven dinner. Luke arrived back at camp bloody. Parkour follow the leader gone bad. He insisted he was fine. I insisted he get in the car. I drove him down to Springville where they confirmed that I was right and gave him 8 stitches in his right palm. He's out of commission for the next 10 days, which is just about the time we'll be heading to Cali. I'll be needing my brother to remove more stitches for me. Sheesh. Boys. 

Doesn't look so bad right? 

WRONG! It was bad. 

He'll be unable to work or chop wood (his side job) for a week, so he's pretty bummed. He's also in more pain than we thought he'd be. My Lortabs and 800mg of IBU aren't touching it. Of course he can't do any work around here either… 

All in all though, fun. Right? I hope we're making childhood memories for our kids, because honestly, camping is not really my thing. But I'm trying. For their sake.

PHS Graduation 2014 or One down, 4 to go.

Luke's graduation was really nice. They had it at Kingsbury Hall at the U, which was SUCH an improvement over the usual Capital Rotunda. One hour long on the dot. Chris gave the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Awards. Then 2 Patriot awards were given, with both speaking. 2 choir numbers and it the handing out of fake diplomas. 

Luke got a hair cut just for the occasion. He calls it his 'happy hair'. It hasn't been this short since 7th grade, and honestly, it makes him look about 3 years younger. He likes it much better. 

The walking in ceremony

Accepting his 'diploma' from the Director

Giving Dad a hug

Proud parents of a High School Graduate

Little Grandma

Big Grandma and Grandpa

Girlfriend pose. 

Sadly, he's not in this one. He hit a couple of traffic accidents on the way there and was too late.

Rachel and Luke headed to an all night party after, but he turned up at 4am. They had a good time. 

Tonight Luke and Tess both got their Patriarchal Blessings, together. It was a special day. I cried a lot. Big surprise. 

These phases of life are just ticking by so fast, and it's taking me off guard. I thought the days of diapers would never end, and here we are 4 months away from turning in Mission papers. 

 Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

-- Ferris Buehler

So true.