September and October 2021

 September and October have been very full months!  Here is what we have been up to.  

In September we went to Las Vegas for Labor Day to see the BYU v Arizona State game.  The shopping and sites were fun, but we realized that one should not be near the hotels after dark! 

We were pretty impressed by Allegiant Stadium and the amount of BYU fans that filled it!  It was  a great game and Sterling got a few camera opps with Cosmo.

Another September highlight is that we celebrated Christian's 9th birthday.  Christian wanted to make all his party invitations.  I love it when he gets artistic!  He has some good friends.   I love his silliness when he is having fun.

Another noteworthy event is that Eve was finally able to get her braces off.  We had hoped for her to be finished in July, but wanted to make sure everything was just right, so it took a bit longer.  Here are some photos of Eve and Christian at their orthodontist appointments. They were Braces Buddies.

Eve is beautiful (she always has been.) :)

Now I'll tell about our daily activities.

Christian continues to enjoy soccer, gymnastics, and Activity Days for boys.  He is really enjoyed playing soccer with many of his friends from school this season!  This is when he played against his good friend Jack.

He also started basketball, with Jackson on his team.  Since the league was short on coaches Matt and Brian (Jack's dad) agreed to coach - at the suggestion from their wives :)  Also, the league was looking for referees and Sterling had extra time so we signed him up to ref.  He has been learning and earning at the same time.  It's pretty fun for me to watch all of them.  

Sheri's September schedule was packed!  She made the school soccer team and was also doing rec soccer along with her dance classes.  I couldn't be more proud of how hard she worked.  She was challenged and gained a lot of fun experience on her school team and was a leader to her rec team with her knowledge, skill, and determination.  She was able to persevere, even through her knee injury.  She had school soccer everyday after school (including games) and rec soccer, 2 days of practice and a game on Saturdays. 

Here is Sheri after she played Landon (who plays for her rival school).  He has been good friends with the kids since we have moved here.

This is Sheri's rec team.

 Her October slowed down slightly with the end of her school soccer season, just in time for Nutcracker rehearsals to start.  She will be 'Irish Creme" and is dancing to the Tarantella music.  She and Eve will be rats in the fight scene.  She also gets to be in the Waltz of the Flowers and other dances.  

Sheri serves as her class president at church which means extra meetings along with all the other youth activities.  Needless to say, she just needs some down time once in a while. :)  Thank goodness for Sundays!

Sterling is staying busy with game club after school (T), gymnastics (T evening), assistant coaching at his gym (W), and refereeing (Th evenings).  He loves to be social and enjoys all the game/movie nights with ward friends.  He also joined HOSA (future health providers club) and is gaining experience as their service coordinator.  He also has had the chance to be Pitman's mascot (a lion) at a few football games. (F nights)  I have really been enjoying his sense of humor and fun attitude lately!

Here he was the mascot at the "Pink Out" football game for (breast cancer awareness).

This was taken at a school event.  He won the hula hoop competition.

Eve is enjoying her senior year.  She has been busy with Save club, FFA (Future Farmers of America)- part of her horticulture class, marching band, and is the class president at church (extra meetings and planning activities.) 

This is one of the projects Eve worked on in her horticulture class.

 

Here are some photos from her band season.

This picture was taken before the Turlock band review.

Here she is on the bus on the way to review in another city.

Friday nights were full of fun energy at the football games.

The half time show.

Senior Night Football game

 In addition to this, Nutcracker rehearsals have been picking up.  She is Dew Drop (the featured dancer in the Waltz of the Flowers).  She will be in the snow scene, and is a rat in the fight scene and winter showcase.  Eve has also been teaching a little girls ballet class at Ms. Holly's studio.

  She has also been working on her college application and filling out financial aid forms.

  We were thrilled that her school DID have a Homecoming dance this year.  We are grateful that she is having a mostly normal experience (post COVID) for her senior year in high school. 

 We had a very busy Homecoming weekend.  It started with the Friday homecoming game. Then we had a very early youth session for baptisms at the temple Saturday morning (6 AM, 4AM meet at the church to drive to Oakland). Then we got breakfast before the band kids traveled directly to a band review in Pleasanton and I took Sheri directly to her soccer game.  Then Sheri had dance rehearsal and by the time Eve got home it was time to get ready for pictures, dinner with Matt, and the dance.  Thankfully, all went smoothly!

I love this photo bombing of Lauren and Brother Hamilton!

 Sheri played against Ava's team.

Getting ready for rehearsal.

Here are photos before the kids went to dinner.

Unfortunately some of Eve and Sterling's friends (Diego, Grant, Keegan, and Ava M.) got in a car crash after homecoming (not their fault).  Thankfully, no one was badly injured.  The worst injury was a broken collar bone.  However it was quite a shock to find our about the next morning.  It was a memorable weekend for sure!

As for me, I get to hold down the fort at home- meal prepping, scheduling appointments, cleaning, planning, bill paying, laundry etc.  I drive the kids all around town in the evenings.  I am also staying very busy with my calling - Sundays are usually filled with meetings, firesides, and family church.  Weekdays are filled with planning for Wednesday activities, weekend activities, and youth drama. :) 

Here are pictures of the youth putting together homeless kits, a youth activity that Eve and I planned.

This is a picture of the Pumpkin Party that Sheri's Class was in charge of.  I made the butternut squash soup for the dinner.

We also had a YW campout at the Stamper's Ranch.  We are so blessed to have wonderful YW leaders and a supportive bishopric!

Along with supporting the kids and fulfilling my calling I continue to enjoy reading, exercising, getting together with friends, etc.  Here I am with my walking/ Young Women's friends at lunch. (Krissy, Johanna, and Michelle)

I also played and spoke at Roberta's funeral. I was sad to see her pass, but I am grateful that she is no longer enduring life's challenges.

Matt has been busier with nut harvest and has been involved with installing new equipment at work.  He is also overseeing the work garden and brings me fresh eggs and produce regularly.  He has been enjoying watching the BYU football games and of course working in the yard.  He is a great support to me and helps whenever I need him, especially when I can't be in two places at once!

As for family activities...

We had a ward BBQ at the Stampers Ranch.

This is my good friend, Louisa Weatherbee at the BBQ.  We help each other with carpools and love to talk when we get the kids together for play dates.

We all enjoyed the season for Halloween and loved having "Little Black Kitty around the pumpkin".

The kids learned some Halloween songs on the piano and we enjoyed some fall treats.

The older kids dressed up for school the Friday before.  Eve was Hello Kitty.  Sterling was a Teletubby.

We attended the ward Trunk or Treat and helped with the booths.  Eve's church class did a "yucky touch" guessing station and Sheri's class did a cupcake walk.  Sterling's class did a fishing booth.  

The kids went trick or treating with friends. (Eve stayed home to work on her application.)  Matt passed out candy while Louisa and I took the younger boys around.  The kids kept their costumes simple this year which was fine by me. :)  Sterling was a Teletubby, Sheri was a cat, Christian was a Pokémon hunter.

The great Candy exchange. :)

So as you can see, we have been busy busy in September and October!  We are grateful that we have so many opportunities to learn, grow, play, dance, serve, and enjoy the richness of life!  We are grateful for friends, a strong ward, a beautiful place to raise our family, and our health.  Most of all, we are grateful for each other and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which helps us to stay centered, prioritize, and strengthen our relationships.  We are happy for all the fun memories we can create together!

Visit to Nauvoo and Godfrey 2021

On Sept 27th I went to Nauvoo to see my nephew, Joseph as a young performing missionary.  In preparation for this trip I made 3 or 4 meals for the family to have while I was gone.  In addition, I made preparations for the kids' transportation to school, lessons, activities and so forth.  I also did laundry early so that everyone would be set while I was gone.  It was still difficult for me to leave my family.  I hate being far from them and always pray for our safety!

I flew to Omaha, NE where Jennifer, Annie, her kids, and Lara picked me up.  We then went on to Nauvoo (about 5 hours).  It was so good to have personal study time on the plane and to catch up with everyone in the car.

During our trip we ate breakfast at the hotel and most of our meals at a local café called the Red Front.

On Tuesday we drove to Nauvoo (we stayed in Keokuk) and loved seeing Joe and meeting his fellow Young Performing Missionaries (YPMs). First we got to see a short performance under a tree called "Youth of Zion."  As they sang the songs I felt the spirit of love and tenderness.  It was heavenly and I felt that God was telling me how important it is that we feel unity and love with each other.  These are gifts that come from living the gospel, stripping ourselves of pride, striving to emulate Christ and developing unity with God and our fellow men.  I feel God's pure love more easily through music.  I was grateful for the musical gifts these missionaries shared with us.

After the outdoor mini show we went to the Seventies Hall where we learned more about that building and some of the early saints.  Afterward they took family members up to another level, actually to a balcony that overlooked the main cultural area.  There the missionaries sang a few more songs that were absolutely divine.  It felt like a piece of heaven on earth.

Nauvoo was sunny and peaceful.  I loved the beauty there which I hadn't particularly noticed in previous visits. I also loved the trees and plants, especially as we move into autumn. Having lived in the mid-west and then leaving it made me nostalgic.

After that we went on a wagon ride and were able to have a general overview of Nauvoo and the Saints' experience there.  We then went to the Family Living center where we learned how the saints made candles, rope, rugs, wool thread, and about loading provisions on their wagons in preparation for their journey west.  I am amazed by the courage the saints had to leave almost everything behind and press forward with faith!

 After lunch we were able to see "The Promise".  Joseph had a main role and did a fantastic job!  I also felt that the rest of the cast was excellent!  I loved seeing the talent  and getting a sense of what life might have been like in those days.  Another remarkable occurrence is that Joseph's knee had recently, miraculously been healed as he attended the temple.  Where he needed crutches or a cane before, now he was able to dance, jump, and lift without trouble.  I am always amazed when I see God's hand in such a clear way in our lives.  Again I felt the spirit as I watched this show and was teary much of the day.

After the show we had dinner and looked in a bookstore. (I wanted to buy so many books, but knew it would be difficult finding time to read them. Oh well, I guess maybe in another season of my life I will get that opportunity.)  In the evening we watched "Sunset by the Mississippi". I loved all the high paced dancing, singing, and music!  I loved the energy, joy, and goodness of the performers.  We were also able to watch "Trail of Hope" which has little vignettes of the saints as they left Nauvoo.  Some stories were heartbreaking, while others were optimistic and faith filled.  Although I know the saints weren't perfect, I admire their devotion, strength, and reliance on God.

As always, Joseph was awesome and so much fun to watch.

On Wednesday morning we were able to go with Joseph to the temple for his first time -taking out his endowments. Jennifer, Scott, Hannah and Joseph (Cammack), Annie, and I were all able to attend along with Joseph's missionary companions.  Thankfully, Lara was able to watch Annie and Hannah's kids.  I loved being back in the Nauvoo temple and it reminded me of when I got to attend with the Ballroom Dance Company.  I loved the different rooms (Creation, Garden, and other rooms).  The temple was absolutely beautiful and I realized how difficult it must have been for the saints to give so much for it to be built and then to have to leave it behind.  We were able to see out over the river and the city of Nauvoo.  I was able to imagine the saints who lived there.  I also noted that the current saints there (us included) mirror those early saints and their faith.  I am guessing that they look on us and feel kinship with us.   I felt gratitude to be in that holy place.

After the temple we watched a show about the women of the church and the organization of the Relief Society.  I loved learning again how the Lord finds a way to use all of us to further His work in our own individual ways. I think the bonds of sisterhood that many of the sisters felt must have been amazing.

After lunch we met up with all the little kids and had a carriage ride.  The kids enjoyed the horses.  I enjoyed learning about the places we drove past, but got a bit drowsy.  Then I rested while the others took an oxen ride. 

 In the evening we watched Sunset By the Mississippi again and headed back to the hotel.  The kids enjoyed the pool almost every night. :)

On Thursday we went to see Joe in "Be Your Own Hero" a little puppet show, and "Just Plain Anna Amanda".  I loved the messages of these short shows.  Essentially, let your light shine, do what is right, follow the prophet, and strengthen others on your way.  This goes along with what I've been pondering lately - to build and strengthen others (in word, in action, in prayer etc.)  This is one primary purpose in our lives and it helps us yoke ourselves to Christ in His work.

Then we drove to Carthage Jail for a tour.  I was reminded of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's devotion to God, their reliance on the Book of Mormon, and their courage to face death for the church.  It made me more determined to keep my faith strong and trust that God has a plan for us individually.

I also remembered how special the bonds of brotherhood were between Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  It reminded me of how lucky I am to have sisters (and brothers) to strengthen me and how I want my kids to strengthen each other.

After lunch we went back to Nauvoo and were able to see "Go Ye Into All the World".  This told about many of the early saints' missions.  Amazingly they left their families to serve the Lord in England, even when they struggled with sickness, poverty, and persecution. I can see how determined they were to help the cause move forward despite opposition.  I admire their strength and courage, including that of  their wives and families left behind!  Afterward we toured Brigham Young's home, the Wain right Shop (wagon making), and the Blacksmith Shop.  I loved the imagery of placing metal in the fire to shape it into useful items such as horseshoes and wagon pieces.  It was a reminder to me that we will sometimes go through adversity (fire), but that it can temper and allow God to mold us into useful instruments in His hands.  We also visited the Tin smith shop, the bakery, and the Seventies hall.  Then Hannah and the rest of the Cammacks left to drive home, allowing them to break their travel into 2 days.  Then we enjoyed dinner at an Italian restaurant in Keokuk.  Poor Mary got sick on the way home from something she ate earlier in the day and had to miss the rest of the evening shows.  The rest of us were able to watch Sunset on the Mississippi, Trail of Hope, and the evening devotional again.  We loved watching Joseph perform and didn't want to say goodbye that evening. 

 I am so glad Joe has had this opportunity to share his gifts and talents, to teach about the gospel, and share the stories of Nauvoo.  I am sure that he will always look back on those memories and cherish his time in that special place.  I sure love Joe!

When we got back to hotel, we got ready for bed and my friend, Kristen arrived from Godfrey, Illinois.  We have been close friends ever since I lived there years ago.  She stayed in the hotel with us and when Jen, Annie, Lara, and Scott left the next morning Kristen and I enjoyed catching up and spent the morning in Nauvoo.  We loved seeing the temple again as well as touring the Temple City homes. 

 One belonged to the architect of the temple, another to a wealthy businessman and the last to a farmer who died after living a consecrated life.

  I also enjoyed seeing the West Grove where meetings were held in old Nauvoo.  We also got to see the Lyon Drug Store which I loved, especially the herb garden outside. We walked around while guessing which herbs were which.

  Then we drove 3 hours to Godfrey and Kristen showed me her horses.  For dinner we met Stan and Julie Eddington, and Matt and Courtney Owen at a Mexican restaurant.  It was fun to catch up! Then we went to my old church building and we played volleyball and card games.  Kristen and I stayed in a hotel so she didn't have to worry about playing hostess. :)  We enjoyed talking and in the morning Matt, Courtney and Andrew joined us for breakfast. Kristen and Matt then drove me by my old neighborhood and then to the St Louis Airport.  The trip brought back many happy  memories!  I am grateful for my time there in Illinois.  It was hard to say goodbye to everyone.  I sure miss my family and friends when I live far away.  I look forward to the day when we can all be together in heaven or travel in an instant to see each other!  

I relished the time on the plane to read and listen to gospel messages.  When I arrived back in California Matt met me at the airport and then we were able to drive around and enjoy dinner together, an impromptu date night.  I felt even more grateful for his support, friendship, and love when I returned.  I appreciate his sacrifices to pick up many of my responsibilities while I was gone and to make sure things were in order when I came home.  The kids were happy to see me and missed me also.  It is true, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." And I would add, more appreciative.  I know that I am richly blessed to have the gospel, my family (both that I grew up with and that I have created), my friends, safety, health, nature and seasons, and an abundance of luxuries and comforts that the early saints never had.  I am grateful for temples and living prophets to guide us today especially on this General Conference weekend.  I realize that with all I am blessed with I need to always be grateful and help others along their way.  I hope I can have courage like the early saints and stay optimistic even through difficult times.