January Week 3

Sunday, January 14th

Now, as you can see….this picture is not current. In fact it is almost 8 years old! It is however, a wonderful picture to share that goes with what I am going to write about.

 

 

 

Family picture with Elder LaPorte and Elder Hansen April 2010 / One of Carlitos’ senior pictures Jul 2017.

 

 

 

Carlitos had been asked to share his testimony during sacrament meeting on the 14th. He knew that the theme of the meeting was missionary work, so he decided to stick to that and bare his testimony about missionary work. When he first started out, he was nervous. He introduced himself and talked about how missionary work is cool, since it helps others come unto christ. He talked about how he believes every missionary has a certain person or people out there that are meant to hear or are waiting to hear the gospel from them. Then Carlitos became quiet. While trying to hold back tears, he told our family’s missionary story. He went on to talk how he struggles with reading and about how he has been thinking of serving a mission. Next he shared a scripture from the Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27. Carlitos talked about how anyone who is struggling with something can use this scripture and prayer to help them. He ended by thanking “our missionaries” and all other missionaries who have served and those who will serve.

It is amazing to see how grateful Carlitos was for our family’s missionary experience and how heartfelt his testimony was. As you can imagine….I was in tears! I wasn’t crying, but I couldn’t seem to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.I could see our good family friend Cindy, who was sitting on the stand was in tears too. Two missionaries who are serving in our ward spoke after Carlitos. One of them, Elder Angell said he has trouble with speech and it was that same scripture that helped him decide to serve a mission. Carlitos was still teary throughout the rest of the meeting, and even as we left the chapel to head to Sunday school. I think it was the spirit testifying to him that he should serve a mission. Many people came up to him afterwards with kind words and encouragement. Glen Wheeler, told Carlitos that serving a mission could be one of the best decisions he will ever make. Another man, Jacob Fuerst came up to Carlitos, playfully punched him in the arm and asked, “Are you ready to get beat up?” Carlitos shyly smiled back and asked, “Why?” Brother Fuerst jokingly replied, “Because anyone who brings tears to my eyes during Sacrament meeting is going to get beat up!” Carlitos did extremely well, even though I don’t think he felt that way at first. I am very proud of him. I am so glad that I was able to witness the grateful testimony of 17-year-old boy!

Monday, January 15th ~ Carlos’ birthday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrated by going to dinner at one of my husband’s favorite restaurants! Luckily enough, my husband’s Tia (Aunt) works there, so I did not even need to let our waiter know that it was my husband’s birthday. Our Tia was sure to let the staff know….she read my mind! It was a delicious dinner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at home, Carlos opened his presents. I love how the younger kids gather up around him and are excited to watch him open his presents. I have always tried to help my kids learn that giving gifts to others can make them feel special too, just like how they feel special when someone gives them a gift.

 

 

 

 

 

Next it was cake time. David looks just about as excited as Carlos! Ashley was trying to help her daddy take the first bite of cake by playfully pushing his face into the corner of the cake. She was not able to succeed though! I hope Carlos had a nice birthday. He is one special guy and we love him!

Tuesday, January 16th

 I took some pictures of this plant today, because I am pleased with the way it growing and blooming! Here is the history of this plant: (correct me if I’m wrong, Grandma!) In May of 2014 while I was pregnant with David, Carlos & I, our 4 kids and my Grandma Sandy took an out-of-state trip to visit my dad and my brother Ian. After our trip, while dropping off my grandma at her house, she gave me this plant. At the time it was in a smaller planter box and only had two little stems with two cactus looking leaves on each. I think my grandma said the original plant had been at her mom’s house (my great grandma), and she had taken a portion of the plant and planted it at her house. This was my little portion. Over the almost 4 years that I have had this plant, mine and my family’s lives have changed here and there. At the time, I was pregnant, had 4 kids and was working, I went to being a stay at home mom with 5 kids and the oldest entering high school, and now I have 2 high schoolers, 2 kids in elementary school, a 3-year-old, and I care for my 22-year-old autistic brother and I’m still a SAHM. I guess I feel like this plant has been on this journey with me, since a few months before David was born. Last year, it gave 2 flowers. This year, it has 5 flowers, with many more buds that are ready to bloom. My plant is doing well and so is this SAHM!

Apparently, after taking the picture of my plant….I must have left the phone out in plain sight. When I was looking through the pictures today, I found this and about 33 other selfies that David or Emily took of themselves. I deleted them all, but saved this one. I love my mischievous little kids!

Friday, January 19th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had this fun snack set up for the kids to make together after school. It is basically just a marshmallow snowman that the kids can assemble for their hot chocolate. They were excited to come in after school and see it waiting for them. Ashley’s snowman looks like it is relaxing in a hot tube of hot chocolate. Fun times!

Sunday, January 21st

I was just playing around with the kids and the camera today after church. I joke around with them sometimes and call them my twins. They are 16 days short of being 3 years apart, so clearly they are not twins. However, sometimes they look much more alike than the other kids do. I think it shows in this picture. I love all my beautiful children. 🙂