beach!

We went to the beach Saturday.  It has been too long since we all went.  I've often seen people taking pictures in this spot around sunset.  I'm so glad we got this picture!  Now we have to get the one of all of us jumping on the beach.   : )

Going to the temple

 It had been a while since I went to the temple.  At a stake leadership training someone said you've got to put it on the calendar.  I've heard that before but this time I did it.  I put 2 Saturdays on the calendar.  The first one August 26 inspired me to take a covid test since I didn't want to risk that.  I had covid so that appointment did not happen.

This month my appointment was for September 24.  This past week has been hectic with B, M and me all needing Dr. appointments.  Then last night P's car broke down.  It was touch and go about if this would be the straw, or this be the last straw.

I went and it was great. 

Boundaries of Anxiety

I'm learning that good parents do not burden their children with their fears and anxieties.  This is kind of new for me, though I've read stories where the parents didn't tell their kids things, knowing it would only make them upset.

 One of my formative stories was that I, as a 4 year old, got child protective services called on our family.  My mother would retell this story with no regard for how I would perceive my responsibility.   Our neighbor B, K and many others were amazing.  When we moved away for 1 year I had no concept of neighbors you can't trust.  When someone got hurt I went to our new neighbor M who called the police rather than help.

For years I had anxiety that the police would show up and take my children.  I didn't understand until recently that this originated with that childhood trauma.  I wish my mom had told the story differently, or not at all. 

I tell the children my fears too often and I want to stop that.  I have anxiety that if I don't tell them all the dangers they will fall prey to something horrible.  But then they are afraid.  No good.

Stake Conference

 

Podcasts

 I love to listen to podcasts when I'm walking.  Moth, This American Life, and Ted Talks Daily are my regular choices.  Lately I've been listening to Conversations with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife.  She has so many great things to say and is so pleasant to listen to.

Happiness is found in living a good life, not having "the good life."

Salvation isn't for after we die.  It's here and now. 

Visiting Grandma

 

We drove out and brought lunch to Grandma.  lP showed grandma all the fun things she has been doing in procreate on the ipad.  I showed grandma our pictures from California.  We played 2 rounds of solitaire.  Grandma won the first round and Phillip the second.

We celebrated 40 to 1 day.

M, G and I went to the homecoming game and wore red even though it was hot!

Covid strikes

 Friday night I felt achy.  I planned to go to the temple on Saturday so I took a covid test and it was positive.  I immediately put on a mask and proceeded to isolate.

Sunday we all tested.  Penny and Levi joined me in quarantine.

Wendesday Geoff joined the quarantine.

Thursday P bought us a nice canopy so we could enjoy the outside space even more.  The beach umbrella we were using to give us shade did not keep water off the table.  We were making do but P thought we could do better.  It was so nice to have a huge shady place outside that stayed dry!

On Sunday we made G join us for family quarantine time.  G and lP sat and read a book on his laptop.

We also played settlers for the first time after years of playing the Jr. version.