Tuesday, April 26, 2016

God is in the Details

So, I had a fantastic vacation in AZ that ended a week ago. I will post all about the fun and adventures we had while there, but I want to write a blurb about how God knows us and what is important to us.

I was suppose to come home from AZ on Saturday April 16. I knew there was a weather advisory out, but my flight wasn't cancelled or really even delayed yet, and I was missing Gaupo, so we headed to Mesa to see if we could get me home. Well as we were entering Mesa my flight got cancelled. When they called me I had options for Monday or Tuesday, but I couldn't make that decision alone because I wasn't taking myself or picking myself up. So, after I conferred with my parents and Gaupo we decided to do Tuesday which is great, because by they time I called back the flight Monday was full. Sweet I got two extra days of vacation, but I also had a R.S. Activity I was in charge of on Tuesday night (the day I arrived back.) I  got back about 40 minutes before the event started. So, let me tell you how Heavenly Father knew what would happen and helped me.

The week before I left I was planning what to get and where to get it and all that stuff. I had contacted a sister in our ward about how much food we would need. I had gone to price everything out and then I couldn't do any more. I mean seriously talk about a stupor of thought and action. It was crazy, because it was flowing and then all of the sudden it wasn't. I was thinking to myself 'What the heck, why isn't this working?' Well, I decided I had done everything I could. I couldn't buy the stuff that was on sale that week even though I wanted to. Heavenly Father knows me so well he made sure we didn't have the cash available at the time or coming to cover that, so I would look for another way to do it. Anyway, Sunday the first stone fell into place they finally called me a meeting coordinator after 4 months. I was like WAHOOOO!!! But, then I couldn't get a hold of her that night and I was leaving the next day. Oh well we just kept moving forward. Tuesday I was able to get in touch with this great sister and I told her I hadn't bought a thing and we worked things out, so she could go get everything except the last things we needed at Sams Club. We would go do that Monday. So, I was feeling pretty good about this arrangement, and then my flight was cancelled.

After the flight was cancelled and setup again, I started making phone calls. I called Laralee who said she would help Driel think of people to delegate stuff too. Then I called Driel (my mtg coordinator). She took the news like a champ. I told her the meat we needed had gone on sale that week at King Soopers, it was up to her what she wanted to do about the coleslaw (she ended up cutting up everything for it. Crazy wonderful lady), etc. I just handed the whole dinner over to her. Oh man it was so nerve racking. Isn't that sad that I had such a hard time letting go and trusting someone that was perfectly capable to do it. Oh well, I passed it off and then prayed for the best.

Then because my flight was cancelled I was able to get my hair cut. Oh my was that a relief. I couldn't remember the last time was hair was cut and it was getting bad, it wouldn't hold curl for anything and when it was straight the ends looked yucky. Anyway, my mom asked me if I liked it and I said I am not sure if I love the haircut or the fact that I don't have to worry about getting the appointment and what to do with my kids during it.

Sunday and Monday were my Bonus-Vacation days. They were double bonus because I got to see my cousin Mary Anne and my cousin James. I haven't seen James in so long. I loved seeing him. I loved watching him take care of his kids and love them. It was so awesome. Totally a blessing. Then on Monday I got to see Jessica Hancock (OK so she's Pace now, but she will always be Jessica Hancock it's just how it works.) It was so fun. I haven't seen her since high school probably. It was good to see her and her kids and hear what was up with them. See bonus time and bonus people--accident I think NOT.

So, on Tuesday we came home. First off it was really nice to get some alone time with my dad. I really like talking to him and he is a champion listener. It was fun to have him all to myself. Then he went through security with us (what a great guy). He helped me take the girls for a walk and we ended up finding a play area that had a tunnel, slide, and some stepping things, plus giant windows, open space, and not a lot of people. It was AWESOME. Especially since our plane was delayed, so we got to play for awhile and the girls LOVED it. Anyway, I get picked up by Gaupo we make it home at like 5:50, I am suppose to be at the church at 6:00 to setup and look like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. One of my friends dropped off a blue dress that worked for my costume, and because I cut my hair, it still had a little curl left so I had wavy pigtails. It was perfect. Anyway, I get there and Emily (she was the one who organized and planned the whole event) had everything decorated. Driel had the food. We were missing big plates, but someone came in and asked if there was anything they could do and I said, "Yes, can you go to the store and get dinner plates." She was more than willing to so that disaster was averted. Anyway, the night went great. It wasn't perfect, but you know what the 'meat' of the activity was. The speakers really brought the spirit in and gave great insights into Visiting Teaching. The food was great and we had enough of it. It was a great evening.

Heavenly Father is in the detail. This is a list of the details for me...
1. Called me an amazing Meeting Coordinator
2. Got my hair cut
3. My hair stayed curled. I am not a pigtail person, and I really thought Dorothy should have curled pigtails, so I was really glad that they could be that way.
4. I got home in time to help a little bit. It was kind of a worry because there was pretty bad traffic on the way home.
5. Enough food
6. The Program went good.
7. The only thing we were missing was big dinner plates.
8. I got home on Tuesday and Gaupo got the night off, so he could babysit the girls. He was so excited.
9. I got to see James, Mary Anne, and Jessica
10. I didn't have all the food at my house. That would have been kind of hard for Gaupo.

There are probably more, but those were some of the big ones besides the fact I got TWO extra days of time at home.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

General Conference and Happy Birthday Kitt!

What a great weekend! Seriously it was so good. It was packed with family, fun, spiritual upliftment, good naps for the kids, and good times by all. We started out the weekend right with blueberry waffles for breakfast. I never make blueberry waffles because it it so hard to clean the griddle after, but Gaupo didn't want plain-ole and the girls didn't want cinnamon, so Gaupo said he would clean the waffle iron if we could have blueberry. Who am I to refuse when I have an offer like that. They really were very delicious. After breakfast we split-up to conquer so errands before conference. I hit the bank and two grocery stores while Gaupo and the girls went to Wal-Mart. It was a record, because we both got what we needed to done and were home in time for conference. Conference was really good and when the session ended we had lunch while watching the world report. I really enjoy watching that because it is very fun to see what the church is doing around the world.

After lunch, we decided we need some outside time. Plus, it is a super great place to wait for our Aunt Kitt to come. The girls rode bikes, we played bat (baseball), played rollie-pollie, and just enjoyed being outside. It was soooo nice. Aunt Kitt got here and we let her open her present from the girls--a new water bottle. Its a little small but hopefully she will enjoy it and it doesn't leak. Then we tucked the girls in for naps and watched the afternoon session of conference. I felt kind of bad that I purposely put my kids to bed so I could watch the majority of the session in peace, but it really was so nice to be able to concentrate and just hear what the speakers had to say. I don't necessarily remember what was said, but I love the way conference brings the spirit into my home and heart. After enjoying conference, we got our party on. We started off by coloring Easter Eggs. That was a little crazy with two little kids, but they had fun and were content to pretty much dump the egg in one color. It was pretty fun to watch them and to do something together.
The family all together.
Me and Gaupo. Aren't we so cute?
All the eggs before we ate them all up!
Once the eggs were colored, Guapo started a fire and we had a hotdog roast. Oh man, fire-roasted hotdogs are the best. Plus, I got some good buns on sale, so they were like SUPER good.
The fire.
Kylee enjoying her chips.
We also had chips which is a real treat. Then we quickly came inside and had birthday cake. We made our crockpot cake, but substituted gluten-free flour and it turned out super good.
Lighting her birthday matches. 
Blowing the out.
Us sillies around the wonderful cake.
Once we were stuffed to capacity, Gaupo rushed off to priesthood session. Poor guy, he didn't have time to shower, but he threw on his Sunday clothes and went anyway. While Gaupo was away we went to the park and play and played and played.
The girls rode their bikes to the park. Here I am helping Tia.
Aunt Kitt and Kylee swinging spider style.
Finally, we had to come home and take baths. Those kids of mine were dirty. However, we got them clean and sent them to bed. Then it was project time. I have been working on General Conference dresses, but I needed Kitt here to help me with mine and hers. So, we worked on that for like 3 hours. She is such a trooper, but she did get a cute dress out of it so she can't complain too much. She could complain a little because she helped A LOT and only got one dress. After it was all done, we visited until none of us could stay awake and went to bed.

Sunday dawn early, but I was really excited for the girls to finally have their dresses, so it was just fine. So, I got up with them and helped them get all dressed and ready. Then we read books, had milk, and chilled until the tired people got up. Gaupo made breakfast casserole and smoothies for everyone. It was so good. Then I went and got ready and then it was time for Conference. This session was pretty hard because Tia was every where, and every time I would try to entertain her with something new and quiet Kylee would want to. That wouldn't be a problem if Kylee didn't just take over and start telling Tia how to play with the toy she just got. Oh it was frustrating. However, we made it, and then went outside for a nice LONG walk.
Before the walk we went out and took pictures of us being all matchy-matchy.
It is pretty fun to walk up and around the school. We like to walk on the curbs, jump off the squares, and play at the picnic tables. When we came home we had lunch and then sent the kids to bed. They took really good naps and I was able to enjoy all of conference (thanks to Kitt who took care of lunch while I tried my hand at a glutten-free pie shell.) They even slept a little past that so I took a rest on Gaupo until they started descending the stairs. When they woke -up, they facetimed Oma for a bit and then I think they went out back and played while I made 7-Layer Pie and Pico.
Tia licking the beaters.
The finished pie.
Then I went out for a bit while Gaupo browned meat. Then I came back in to help with Greasy taco's. Oh man that birthday dinner was GOOD! We were so full after dinner and pie, but it was so good.
Kitt cutting the pie.
Then we cleaned up dinner and then it was time to put the girls to bed. Then Kitt and I visited for a bit and then I had to send her off. Sometimes I really wish she didn't work so she could stay and play more, but I know if she wasn't working staying and playing more wouldn't be an option either, so I will take her when I can get her. Shortly after she left I started working on some R.S. stuff and then Gaupo came home and I was still doing some R.S. things. I know we didn't play a game, but I am not sure what we did, but I do think we went to bed kind of early. Either way that was the end of the great weekend.

I really did enjoy General Conference. I loved the reminders of service and to serve where we are. I loved the simple word of the prophet: Temples and make good choices. I love the powerful testimonies, the great stories, and the way I really felt like I wasn't alone in the challenges that I face. I mean people aren't experiencing the EXACT same thing as me, but they are experiencing similar things and are coming off conquer. That gives me much hope. I am so grateful for the love and peace that conference bring and the hope and guidance it gives for the coming days.

I am so grateful for Kitt. I love chatting with her. I have really enjoyed working on the dress project with her. Kitt is so full of power and awesomeness. I am continually amazed at how she manages everything that life has thrown at her. I know that it hasn't gone according to her plan, but she keeps trusting in the Lord and looking for the best and doing her best. Man Kitt is awesome, I seriously don't know why someone has taken her away from me yet, but I guess maybe because I am not ready to be nice to whoever does that (just kidding). But seriously I am so grateful for the opportunity we get to have her close by, and the opportunity we have to hear and see her be successful.