The thing I love about kindergarten is that their baseline is joy. You can't underestimate when your little and come from a loving home, sure they'll have ups and downs but they'll recover quickly. And easily get excited about simple things like spirit week. I dress up like Cinderella at least once a year because it always lands well. The ninja turtle was a hit too. Another year of kindergarten in the books. 4th down, probably at least 4 more to go.
I've been thinking a lot about this... A Chinese story begins as a man’s son finds a beautiful horse. “How fortunate,” the neighbors say. “We’ll see,” says the man. Then the son falls off the horse and is permanently injured. “How unfortunate,” the neighbors say. “We’ll see,” says the man. A conscripting army comes but doesn’t take the injured son. “How fortunate,” the neighbors say. “We’ll see,” says the man." .....
Life has so many ups and downs. Holman bought his "perfect dog mix" about three years ago for $20. He's a Husky/ Great White Pyrenees mix, named Appa. Since he was a a little pup he's always been rather ornery. He's moody and growls but never snaps or bites. Back in December we woke one Sunday morning to take the dogs on a walk. My daughter noticed right away Appa kept bumping into things. It was as if he was blind. The next day we took him to the vet and then to specialists. This began months worth of eye treatments. At its worst we were giving this ornery dog 16 eye drops a day along with a slew of medications. In the beginning each successful eye drop took about ten attempts. It was exhausting. He became a legend at the vet office. They made sure to have extra staff on hand when he had an appointment. We finally trained him with a muzzle and it was a complete game changer. Holman is in Thailand. He is serving a mission for our church, his wish "please don't let my dog die." We kept praying for some positive change that Appa would be able to see. Benjamin and I had basically become vets through this process 😅 April came with no positive change in fact his eyes had gotten worse. It was recommended that we have his eyes removed. With our sons request ringing in our ears we went ahead with the surgery. The result? We have a happy dog! He wags his tail way more now then he ever did before. When we walk the creek and he is off leash he actually comes when he is called. He doesn't growl. He runs happily without being able to see the step in front of him. Imagine the courage to run and not see. I don't know what the "we'll see" of this story will be. Will the disease that took his eyes take his life? Or did the surgery stop it from spreading. This is not our first blind dog. We know this obstacle well. Our other dog knows exactly what to do because his old buddy, Luke also had courage to run the creek during the "we'll see." So much of life is "we'll see". Time and attitude determines so much.
The wedding was successful! Barbara had made hundreds of cupcakes but hired the same caterers we used for Bella and Sam's wedding. They are Nathan Claridge's sisters. Sarah Potter, Lily Clark, Bella and Sam Pershing flew in for the event and Aaron Howe drove down and officiated. He did a great job. Bekah's bridesmaids all flew in for it too.
Mercy, how did this sweet little boy turn teenager then on to an almost grown adult! Benjamin and I woke up early to heart attack his door with loving messages. After school we went out to dinner with Adrian and Olivia to Parkin's dinner of choice The Olive Garden. Then we went to a movie, Fall Guy. We came back home and had an ice cream cake. It was a perfect day honoring one of our favorites!!
Parkin is one of the coolest people. He is kind, smart and oh so very helpful. He loves to learn, swim and take care of plants. He loves all things nature and we love all things Parkin! We got him an Apple watch and a couple of new plant babies. He's got one more year of high school and we can't wait to see what's in store for him. He is strong, very capable and can accomplish anything he sets his mind to!
When I joined the Howe family over 25 years ago one thing I quickly learned was that these people know how to make desserts! Nearly each time we get together as an extended family we have a dessert buffet. We have new creations and have many repeat family favorites. Oh the joy! It's fun how traditions evolve. Another Howe tradition that I love is General Conference weekend DQ blizzards! In our faith we have a weekend long conference twice a year where we hear messages from our church leaders. Twice a year my awesome inlaws give each family DQ gift cards so that we can enjoy a sweet treat in our smaller families (this weekend on the app was buy one get one free, are you kidding me?!) I love a brownie blizzard and I absolutely love the diversity in our family. There are many varied interests, personalities, talents and faith. The General Conference blizzard started years ago. Gift cards are extended no matter the attendance of this conference because the biggest tradition of this family is a phrase that used to hang in their dining room wall, "Make room for everyone." Everyone. You don't even have to love sugar to have a seat at their table. But if you do, you've come to the right place!
The following examples are things I have seen the youth of our congregation do as they strive to follow our Savior. To the youth, if you think I am talking about you, that the example I have given is something you did... Well you are right. It was you!
A disciple of Jesus Christ…Invites all youth over to their house to play night games. 2 Nephi 26:33 He ainviteth them ball to ccome unto him and partake of his goodness; and he ddenieth none that come unto him, black and white, ebond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the fheathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
A disciple of Jesus Christ…
Is helpful to a former friend even though that kindness is not extended to them.
DC 64:10 I, the Lord, will aforgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to bforgive all men.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Talks with a teacher to change an assignment that has inappropriate innuendo.
Doctrine and Covenants 15, 18 Wherefore, alift up your hearts and brejoice, and cgird up your loins, and take upon you my whole darmor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to estand… be faithful until I come, and ye shall be bcaught up, that where I am ye shall be calso.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Shares their talents even when they are afraid or nervous.
Doctrine and Covenants 82:18-19 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may aimprove upon his btalent, that every man may cgain other dtalents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s estorehouse, to become the common fproperty of the whole church—19 aEvery man seeking the interest of his bneighbor, and doing all things with an ceye single to the glory of God.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Bares their testimony.
Doctrine and Covenants 62:3 Nevertheless, ye are ablessed, for the btestimony which ye have borne is crecorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your dsins are forgiven you.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Makes it a point to smile at school and to reach out to others whether close friends or strangers.
Doctrine and Covenants 9: spiritually-minded is life eternal.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Understands that others look at them and look up to themand walks away when they know something is inappropriate.
Mosiah 18:9… stand as cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Is cheerfully helpful at home.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he apurposeth in his heart, so let him give; not bgrudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a ccheerful dgiver.
A disciple of Jesus Crhist….
Follows the Spirit when they feel inspired to change their driving route
Doctrine and Covenants 45:57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you,
they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Comes to church/seminary/mutual activities even when it is hard.
Of all possible choices, the one that matters most is the choice to follow Jesus Christ. He is the strength of youth. His gospel is the joyful way back to your Heavenly Father.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, … that your joy might be full.
A disciple of Jesus Christ….
Says prayers of gratitude.
Alma 34:38 that ye live in dthanksgiving daily, for the many emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.
I have a testimony of this Gospel. That when we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ and yoke ourselves to Him we can accomplish great things.
I have great confidence in the youth of the church, specifically those who are in our ward. I see their goodness, influence and integrity. Heavenly
Father is mindful of each one of us and when we call on Him for strength and guidance he will provide it. We are here on earth to spread this good news
and when we choose to be a disciple of Jesus Christ we will have many great blessings and experiences. Amen.
Guys, 46 is proving to be quite the rollercoaster!! Went to bed to a very dirty kitchen 😞, woke up to a squeaky clean kitchen compliments of Parkin 💗 Arrive at school to find the inside of my classroom decked out in birthday pizzazz 🥳 School starts and in walks the head dog to do an impromptu classroom observation...the Monday after spring break 😠Good thing I'm awesome and crush the lesson 💪 Forgot the healthy lunch I packed the night before 🥴 Instead I ate the donut holes and vinigerchips that I got as gifts. Bummer that the flying party favors that I bought kept breaking (mostly due to user error) 🤦♀️ Luckily the pack of 50 I bought had plenty of replacement parts 🎉 Up down up down....what a morning?! (I hope these emojis made it easier for you to read 😜)
Now to the good part. Happy birthday to my amazing twin Lindsey Lou!! This is a throw back picture that she recently showed me. I think we are making a cake for each other. I got the egg and she's got the milk. We've always made a perfect team 💕
