Donut Falls

Back in May, Jonathan and I hiked up to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I like going up there because my great-great grandpa McMillan would hike up that canyon to cut down wood for his family. 

After we reached the falls, I went exploring on the rocks and logs. Jonathan didn't feel like joining me instead he took pictures of me climbing around.

Even with all the warm weather, there was a lot of snow and even more mud on the trail!

Naturally, we had donuts to celebrate our hike!

Spiritual Enlightenment: For the Beauty of the Earth

May Happenings

May went by in a blur, mostly because we were still recovering from Jonathan's graduation festivities.

Amy R. sent my birthday present with tons of confetti in the box.

Yes there is still confetti in our apartment to mix with the confetti I made for Jonathan's graduation party.

My dad accidentally left his Book of Mormon in the car he rented during his trip. This is the one he used on his mission and is overflowing with insight and notes. Thankfully, the car rental place had his precious book and we were able to pick it up for him. Jonathan took pictures of it, so I can fill my own Book of Mormon with his notes.

Those are not rain drops on my windshield. 

It snowed.

In the middle of May.

I still am not okay with that.

Some local graffiti in our apartment complex. In Utah, we sensor our language and use chalk so it can easily be washed away. (Even though it is still there.)

The peonies were blooming and gorgeous! I took this picture on my mom's birthday and never sent it to her. She loves peonies, but can't grow them in hot California. So, here's you're really late birthday flower Mom!

Spiritual Enlightenment: The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness

School's Out Forever (or at least for now)

After taking a nice long break, I've decided it's time to get back into blogging!

I went to see Jonathan present his Senior project. His professors and classmates all loved his version on the Weasley's clock from Harry Potter. When he finished his presentation and opened it up for questions, one of the first ones was when can they buy it.

I was sneaky and took a few pictures of him.

Two short weeks later, Jonathan officially graduated!

On Saturday, we had a party with lots of family.

After all of the festivities, Jonathan decided that for his first week of no homework to have a Harry Potter marathon. Each night when I got home from work, we watched a Harry Potter movie. It was fun, but also nerve-wracking because we were both convinced he should be doing homework instead of hanging out with me. Now that it's been almost two months, we are loving our evenings together!



Spiritual Enlightenment: To the Boys and to the Men - Jonathan remembers this talk when he was a boy. I am grateful that he listened and followed through with the counsel given. I have no doubt that he was able to finish school and get to where he is today because of his obedience. Together, we are now following the counsel given to the men. I know we will be equally blessed for following that counsel.

It's Really Happening

Later today, Jonathan is presenting his Senior Capstone project. It's hard to believe that in two short weeks he's going to be done with school.

Jonathan has worked incredibly hard and his persistence is about to pay off. I feel so blessed to have him at my side. He truly is the best of the best.

Shower of Heavenly Blessings

Here's the link to the rest of the talk.

Back to Idaho

During our last trip to Idaho, I realized a few things. First, I don't take many pictures because I am enjoying my time with the kids. Second, the kids enjoy having separate conversations all at the same time with people. (Though sometimes Ruby was just repeating whatever Clara said.) Finally, our trips to Idaho are never long enough!

Since it was spring break for Jonathan, we headed up on Thursday morning. The big kids were at their aunt and uncle's house when we pulled in. Ruby slowly warmed up to us as usual. She showed us how she jumps off of the trampoline. It's alarming to see because she is so little, but she (usually) sticks the landing.

Later that night, we used the fire pit to roast marshmallows. We ate way too many! Chris was shocked to find out we still haven't seen any of the Hobbit movies, so naturally we watched one each night we were there.

Ruby stole my spot next to Jonathan after we roasted marshmallows on the new fire pit.

The next day we did a lot of drawing and Clara and I did a sewing project.

Clara taught me how to sew an envelope with a button.

That night, the kids spent the night at Annie's parent's and we played Risk with Wes and Brittany.

On Saturday, we went swimming at Green Canyon Hot Springs for Chris's birthday with all of Annie's family. The water was amazing! The main pool was right around 98 degrees and the smaller hot pool was about 107 degrees.

We had to take off early Sunday morning to get back in time for nursery, but it was a fantastic trip.

Wrong Roads

Last time my family was all together, my dad shared this video with us.

As we were watching it, I leaned over to Jonathan and told him that is exactly what we have been experiencing throughout our marriage. We have started down many different paths and each one felt right, but most of them reached a dead end. I am grateful to know that we are currently on the right path. As we start figuring out where to go next, I know God will guide us even if there are a few more dead ends for us to go down. I know we will get to where we need to be.

Also, this weekend will be the General sessions of General Conference. (I feel like I am saying general a lot...) Anyway, join us by clicking here!

My Stash

I have my own little stash of candy at my desk.

The bag started out with Christmas candy from FedEx Office. I have since supplemented it with some of the candy they have around the office.

Spiritual Enlightenment: Be Ambitious For Christ

General Conference

Tomorrow night is the General Women's Session of General Conference!

This was how far I was at the beginning of the month.

After General Conference is over every 6 months, I make a list of all the talks that were given and (try to) study each of them. I just barely did it this time. (I'm still working on April 2016...)

Click here to find out how you can watch it!

We typically watch it through the Mormon Channel on Youtube.

Amy's Diary

No, I am not about to share what Amy wrote in her diary when we were growing up. I'm going to share what I wrote in her diary. 😊

During our last trip in California, Amy gave me her old diary. I don't remember if she gave it to me or if I took it, but that doesn't matter anymore.

It is really funny. I wrote in it 5 times and mostly about how much I miss Andy because he's on his mission. I'm glad that I wrote these little things down, even when it was complaining that my mom got a nutcracker for Amy and not for me. I also like that I was bragging about my "inproved writeing". Don't worry 9 year-old BJ, spellcheck is an integrated part of life in the 21st century.

Sister Esplin

During my shift at the temple, I buy lunch in the cafeteria. A couple of weeks ago, there were massive cinnamon rolls just begging me to buy one for my dessert.

I sat down at a table near some of the temple presidency, President and Sister Esplin and President and Sister Pinager. As I started eating the cinnamon roll, I noticed that some of them were looking my way. (I thought it was because I was struggling with cutting it.) As I got up, Sister Esplin told me that my cinnamon roll looked so delicious that she wanted to ask me for a bite of it. I did offer her what was left, but she declined. President Pinager was surprised I didn't finish it. I told him that if I did, I would need to take a nap. That wasn't going to work.

Sister Esplin

I will forever remember that one time when Sister Esplin wanted a bite of my cinnamon roll!

Dried Out

The weather has been going back and forth between spring and winter. The crazy weather has been drying out the back of my hands. It doesn't help that I drink a ton of water and work and so I go to the bathroom a lot. All that hand washing and cold air is drying out my hands.

A few months ago, my Visiting Teachers gave me some wonderful smelling hand lotion. I keep on my desk at work. It would probably work better if I didn't wash my hands right after putting it on.

Grief

This time of the year is hard for me. It shouldn't be. I love spring and being able to enjoy more time outside after being cooped up for winter.

These flowers didn't even last through February.

It also reminds me of J and E. Their birthdays (really it's their due dates) are coming up. J is 4 and E is 3 this year. Last year was the first time we celebrated their birthdays. It was much better than previous years, but I still want to be selfish and have them here with us. I still think about them every single day.

I came across this scripture in the temple. It has helped
bring peace to my aching heart.

Grief is weird. I don't know if it has changed or if it's just me that's changed, but something definitely changed. I went from every day being a hard day to slowly having a few good ones sprinkled here and there. Now I have certain times of the year that are hard and just random things make me miss them.
(Of course when someone says something condescending about children to us makes for a hard day.)
I started following Emily Meyers ( also known as the Freckled Fox) a few years ago. Her husband died last year and I love what she says about grief.

"First of all, there is no 'other side' of grief. It's never going to pass. You don't ever 'move on' from it. You just learn to live with it. You absorb it. It becomes part of you. You simply adjust and change. You slowly but surely find how to navigate through your new normal with it. It doesn't get easier, you just get stronger. I'll say that again: It does not get easier, you just get stronger.

You stop waiting for the storm to pass, and instead, learn to dance in the rain."

It's hard trying to enjoy life without our trailblazer J and our thoughtful E because I know if they had stayed they would make life so much more rich. I just have to keep reminding myself that they are part of our eternal family.

That is why Jonathan and I were married in the temple. We wanted nothing, including death, to separate us as a family.

Spiritual Enlightenment: Mountains To Climb