"Balloon Park"

In hopes to encourage more polite behavior and for our children to remember to say "please" and "thank you" without being prompted, Geoff and I decided to institute an incentive program.  Every time we caught our children being kind or polite we would ask them to put a "polite puff" in a mason jar and if they did things that were complete opposite of polite behavior, we would have them take one out.  Once the jar was filled, we would visit "Pump It Up" (an indoor venue of huge, inflatable bounce houses).  Hylie refers to this place as the "Balloon Park".  Well, I can't even remember when we started this whole thing, but it has been MONTHS and MONTHS of trying to get our kids to just say please or thank you on their own...they still don't seem to remember to say these magic words, but somehow the 'Polite Puff Jar' was filled.  I admit, I was reluctant to take the kids because my dreams of hearing kind and thankful words automatically roll off our children's tongues still has not happened...but a bargain is a bargain.  We went and the kids had a blast...and yes, we had to remind them to say thank you at the end of the event. *sigh*

Thanksgiving 2017

This Thanksgiving we were blessed to join some friends in our ward for a wonderful feast.  Then the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I decided I wanted to make the entire meal so we could bask in leftover goodness!  We definitely enjoyed both dinners, so much so that no time was taken to snap any pictures...but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to reflect upon all the tender mercies and blessings we have in our lives.

Too often I take for granted that I never worry about where our next meal will come from, if we will be warm enough through the night, or if we are safe to live where we are.  I know that Geoff and I have worked hard in our lives and we are grateful for the education and employment opportunities we have had, but we also understand that we are not experiencing joy, love, and peace in our lives solely because of our efforts.  As we take a step back and look at our lives, I am humbled at how the Lord's hand can be seen in all things.  We most certainly do not have a hard life--we have our health, our beautiful family, and all the comforts we could ever hope for.  Yet, when we are faced with things like sickness, or a dead car battery, or an overwhelming schedule, it always amazes me at the timing of things, the thoughts that come to mind to solve a problem, or the strength and energy Geoff and I are blessed with to support one another and our children.  Truly, I don't believe in coincidences.  I know with all my heart that God is in the details of our lives.  It doesn't mean everything is easy, but what it does mean is we have the opportunity to be blessed in whatever capacity when we are striving to do His will.  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the understanding of the Plan of Salvation, and for the love of our Father in Heaven and His Son to provide all the means necessary to improve, repent, and return with Them.  How I pray to never take these blessings for granted and to teach my dear children the true source of their blessings and happiness.