10.2.11

This week I didn't take so many pictures but Anna did. I was a bit surprised to find all the places they had posed at and not so happy to see Reed had climbed some high places as well.

 But alls well mom doesn't know about and they got some good shots.  Reed is really coming into his own with playing. He loves to be included (one brother or sister at a time) in their play. 

He was really enjoying laying on this blanket with John beside him. Not doing much just being together. He got the blanket out and directed John to lay by him. They just giggled and laughed for quite a while.

 Conference weekend just isn't complete without some, well okay lots, of Brigham Young donuts. Grandma Saunders kindly made them for us and we REALLY enjoyed having our fill. Anna is really growing up as she was the assigned to be the donut froster. Although, I think her brothers  kind of took too much delight in demanding one more just when she had picked up her first one for another bite. But she managed to get her 4 in so I think she survived. It wasn't long ago she was being reprimanded for licking the frosting knife now she is the big kid guarding it. 

And because we rarely get pictures of Anna or HArold because they are busy or taking the pictures, these are just of them. And Mark because he begged to have his picture taken too.
 

Well a couple of things from this week. A good friend who happens to be Catholic decided we needed to have another "How to use Wheat Class" combined with 72 hour kits. She graciously invited all denominations and anxiously awaited the day to see if we would have a turn out. My mom happens to be the wheat educator and so I had a bit more interest in it being a large turn out just for the sake of her time as it takes at least 8-10 hours to prepare for, present, and then clean-up from these events. So I called people, emailed more, and hoped someone would come from the Mormon group. Some did and it was a great class.  So many ways to use wheat and the samples are always yummy. And mostly it was just cool to see/watch other women learn. Well when it was over and the host was expressing her excitement at an interdenominational education class... and the desire of so many of the Catholic ladies to do it again. I quietly said we do these every month it's called Relief Society and we learn skills or discuss things like this every month. She said she was trying to make her alter society meetings more informational and more than just getting together to socialize, I said well we've been doing this for over 100 years so it takes some time. But HELLO!!! How often are we grateful for what we have? Or do we just sigh and moan that it's too late, too early, too not our thing, too much hassle, or we are too tired/busy to do 1 more thing! That's my excuse why I dont' think to invite anyone. But oh I was on the floor humbled that I have been so blessed to have learned/ and have taught at these monthly meetings where I can socialize and be uplifted just by the kind sisterhood that is there. For shame on me. I will try to remember to invite her to the next one. But honestly it was kinda nice to go to a different building where the facilities were a little cozier and the kitchen a little more open. Just a thought.

Second, this week we learned a bit about Ellis Island. What a fascinating place. What an amazing/scary experience it must have been. What courage, determination, faith, and love these people must have had to leave everything and come to try to make a better life for their families. WOW! Can anyone tell me how people knew what their new name was? We know that so many names were changed, or Americanized in the process, how did the immigrant know their new name? did they get a card or letter or something?
And just an explanation we don't have a school hour or 3 here at our house. We occasionally when all things are okay (homework, chores, activities etc get done on time i.e. before dinner) and we are not too tired, grouchy, or busy to take time to read something fun or educational.  It is small efforts not some amazing laboratory of regimented learning. I'm so not that organized. Anyway if you know about Ellis Island please answer me that question as I have been wondering about it all week.

And third another quote from the book which I only had 1 or 2 nights to read. But love love LOVED this quote from Anne Morrow Lindberg

         There seem to be whole periods in a woman's life when she is busy with stage scenery-- or rather, she is a king of "property man." She pulls chairs up, arranges the group around the fire-- but doesn't contribute to it.  Catholics talk about "the occasion for sin."  Woman is concerned much of the time trying to make "the occasion for Joy."  Not to give joy herself, but to provide the occasion for it for others.  If she does it well, she is satisfied and it is a special kind of gift.  But if she does it badly...!

As I was contemplating how to make General COnference a special experience one where we could learn and have a peaceful 8 hours of watching our prophets and leaders teach I was so stressed out. And after I read this quote and started thinking yes, that's why I HATE Christmas the pressure of creating the JOY, the expectation of amazing and the reality of necessity and breakability and cleaning up the mess of the present for months to come.  Oh yes as a mother it is LARGE roll to fill the creation of JOY, the atmosphere in which it can occur, the scenarios in which it does. The resilience when it is a miserable failure due to irritability, lateness, no shows, sickness etc. Ugh! Yet another unwritten chapter in the how to parent handbook. How does a mother create Joy? Not happiness mind you which is fluffy like cotton candy but joy like a chocolate cake or a precious memory stored away for ever like your marriage proposal of first thing you obtained through your effort and work.

 

I'm not sure on the nuts and bolts of it. I know we have been blessed to often experience Joy and to be the receivers of others talent at creating Joyous occasions... but to know the exact secret of it I'm not sure. I can narrow it down to times when we are all together as a family and we are all harmoniously experiencing something like dying easter eggs, or serving someone, or working on the pinewood derby car. It's something to think about and to maybe just maybe give ourselves more credit for the small things like a funny joke at dinner we all laughed at or the giggles during family prayer or a water fight.  I am realizing in my subconscious that I don't recognize myself as more than just the "property man" but that as the director I can also be a part of and enjoy the moments. Not just move on to the next thing like the dishes or the bed time. 

We wish you well and hope you were able to experience at least in some part or moment joy in the beginning of the fall season and the refreshment of General conference. Best to you all.
AMANDA C. SAUNDERS