One Hour

So...I have been MIA lately. Life has been busier than it has ever been. I know it will only get busier as the kids get older, but for now, it has been difficult to handle the multiple activities.

But tonight I just had to post that I am walking out the door...headed to pick up CK from the airport. :) Only one hour. I am so excited. I am so grateful to have such an amazing man love me, want me, and take care of me. I am lucky indeed.

Oh and it is XDH's birthday today: Happy Birthday! Hope you love your presents! :)

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Yesterday, we went to the Pumpkin Patch with some dear friends. The first time I went was in 2002. It has become such a tradition. C was only one and K only three. Oh, how they have grown! And, so has this local pumpkin patch. It was almost too crowded and too over-the-top for me. This year was great, but I don't know if I will return. It was actually perfect weather. A little warm, but I have been many times where it is swelteringly hot and a few where we were absolutely freezing. The sunburn I got this time is nothing. We went with many dear friends and had a wonderful time.

Here is J with C and A:
J with C again...they are such great friends! -

J was having fun bouncing in a bounce house...when I pointed out the CAT machines building a road right by the pumpkin patch. He was in heaven. His smile was huge and watching them work on the road right in front of his eyes was a dream come true for this little guy. I had to hurry to get a picture with the CAT machine AND J's face. J did not want to take his eyes off of them.

J got to feed a horse. He couldn't hold his hand quite right and the horse bit him a little. It didn't even leave a mark on his skin, but he did have me feed the horse the apple after that!

A couple other random pictures thrown in....I got to go the temple last night. Loved it! I have missed it. And, I saw two dear friends there. What a blessing to be there together as sisters!

And, this week has been a struggle. The older two kids were hurt somewhat by XDH. In an effort to help K, he took her on a daddy-daughter date tonight. It was awesome. He took her to a salon just for girls where they did her hair, nails, and toenails. She looks beautiful and she had a great time. Good choice, XDH!

Infinite Hope in Jesus Christ (and it is 10-10-10!)

First, before I begin....it is 10.10.10!!!! ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!!

Now, this weekend I had the amazing experience of attending Time Out for Women. This is my 4th or 5th time and, as always, it was incredible.

I came away with a greater appreciation for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is everything. He is the true source of Hope. I know He lives.
How lucky am I??

Here are a few pictures from Time Out with the people that I love so dearly. I forgot my camera was still on no-flash from K's choir concert...so this isn't the best, but it is with amazing women that I love: Me, Sis. W., A, and A.

More special women: A, me, and M.
My good friend, J, with me:

As I sat there and listened to the presenters and reflecting back on the last 2 1/2 years of trial in my life, there were three women, I call them "My Angels" that have been with me from Day 1. I wept as I noticed that I was surrounded by them Friday night. All three were with me at the last Time Out, which was exactly a month before everything began with XDH. I think Heavenly Father knew that we would need to strengthen our bonds then in preparation for what was coming. I had to take a picture of me with my angels, J, A, me, and S:

Some of the presenters from Saturday. I wish I'd taken more of these pictures. A was good at it...but I forgot mostly. Here they are. They were each amazing in their own ways:

Many, many of my dear friends and sisters came from our ward (or were from what used to be our ward before it split). Here are just a few that we could gather. I love them ALL!

My sister brought her friend, W. She is amazing. I am so glad I got to know her. I am so glad we came together. We had a great time. Here are S and W.

Me with my Sister. We are so lucky to live close. She is absolutely wonderful. :)

A and I. We have been best friends now for years. Last Christmas, we got each other the exact same picture frame (completely unplanned) and we needed a picture of the two of us to go in it. We found it! First take, too. Isn't she gorgeous???

I loved Time Out. Loved it. I don't think I have stopped glowing yet. The Spirit was strong. The company incredible. The desire to be better tangible. The only thing that would've made it better is coming home to CK. One day.

Random thoughts on a Wednesday Morning

I have a few random thoughts running through my brain and itching to get out:

1. I love CK. I am having a difficult time being patient. The fear of the future is diminished greatly with the love we are developing daily. I have 16, 37, and 49 days until I see him.
2. I am canceling my Dish today. I love my DVR, but the reality is that we just don't use it. After Conference, too, I realize that we are leaving the door open for filth we don't want in our home. Right now, the door is always closed, but it is available to open. Also, financially it makes sense...C is starting to eat like crazy and I have a few other places I'd like to use the money. I will miss it, but not too much.
3. Time Out for Women is in TWO days! I am soooooooooooo excited. I love the women I am going with. I love the Spirit that is always present there. I am very glad I get to go. The last time I went was 2 1/2 years ago. As I look back, life was so different then. That was before anything happened with XDH at all. Life was busy and blissful. I had a toddler, a new calling, and a growing business, but I was happy. Now, I am happy again, but the road took a twist that was unexpected and painful.
4. If I had a million dollars, I would spend it at Home Depot/Lowe's. J and I walked around Home Depot for a couple of hours while I got new brakes on the van. -sigh- I drooled down every aisle. I want a to install a screen door, buy a few saws, build a shed, install a radiant barrier in the attic, put shelves in the closets, remodel the counter tops in my kitchen. Oh, I really do need more time and money for all these dreams.
5. I get to go to lunch with dear, dear friend, J. She is not a huge fan of Texas....she misses her family, friends, and old job so much, but she is an angel to me and I am so glad she moved here. Selfish, I know.
6. I have been listening to Conference talks instead of music over the last couple of days. I love it. The Spirit that prevails in my life is so much better. I am happier, more at peace, and better able to understand what I need to improve. What a blessing to have technology!

Conference Weekend

(see below for pictures of the weekend with CK and A....I am starting with Conference notes)

General Conference: My favorite two times of the year! I so look forward to it every October and April. This last weekend was General Conference. Oh, how I love it! To get to sit at the feet of prophets and feel the love of the Lord and His counsel and direction. What a blessing!

A few (a very few...I have pages of notes) things that struck me this weekend:

• Brother McConkie: When we ask the Lord a question in prayer, we can hear "That's a good question. What does it say in the scriptures?"
• Elder Christofferson: Life offers you two precious gifts: time and agency to do with what you want of that time. Life is a stewardship of time and choices. 5 elements to a consecrated life: purity, work, respect for one's physical body, service, and integrity.
• President Uchtdorf: Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. We have reason to rejoice, not rush!
• Elder Cook: Black out from our homes that which destroys light and hope.
• Elder Gong: Savior takes care of it all. World looks to self-help books, but we cannot save ourselves.
• Elder Scott: Consistent righteous life produces inner power and strength. Empowering principles of faith: trust in God, obedience to commandments, sensitivity to promptings of the Spirit, and patience.
• President Eyring: We show trust in God when we listen with intent to learn and then go and do.
• Sister Cook: Be an example of the believers. Never permit ourselves to do anything we would not want our children to do.
• President Monson: Giving thanks opens the doors of heaven and we see God's love. To live with gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven.
• Elder Bednar: Do we get distracted by the routine of living and forget the gift of the Holy Ghost? Everything the gospel teaches us to do and become is to allow us the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Okay...there was so much more. Just looking in my journal to see what notes I wanted to share brought back the amazing spirit of the conference and helps me see where I can improve my life and where I just need to keep doing what I am doing. Again, what an amazing blessing General Conference is!

Now...for the weekend. It wasn't just conference that was amazing. The kids and I left Friday after school (which happened to be a half day...so we left at 1:00) to go to Oklahoma to meet CK and his daughter, A. Oklahoma is about half way for us...so we met there. We had so much fun. We played and laughed and, of course, watched/listened to conference. The kids loved each other and enjoyed (for the most part) their time together. A couple of times they even fought like siblings.

Here they are playing ping pong in the game room down the hall. They loved to pile up their pillows and blankets and jump in to them. Breakfast (C is not really grumpy...he just was making a face for the camera): Swimming. The water was warm, even though the air outside was cool. They must heat it. It was fun. The three bigger kids swam and played together the whole time. J liked the hot tub best. Good thing it wasn't super hot. We took a short hike down to the lake before the Priesthood session. It was fun. The kids loved it. I didn't even have my make up on, so I am not looking my best, but this is one of the few pictures of me with CK. And, I do love my eyes.....they look almost fake the water makes them so blue.

I had brought some blocks for J to use during conference. He didn't. But, C did. This is the conference center. If you know what it looks like, he did a really great job at capturing it, fountains and all. While CK was at the priesthood session, the girls put on a fashion show. A was great at being the director. On Sunday, we had to check out before any session of conference. We went and watched it at the local branch building. We then found a park to eat at between sessions. I had made soup on Friday before we left and warmed it up Sunday morning. We had fun eating at the park, even though the wind was blowing and it was a chilly fall day.

We had a great time. We enjoyed each other's company and the company of the prophets. I expected a great weekend and it was even better than I had dreamed. For those of you that know me and worry.....CK and I had different bedrooms. No worries. :) There is a very real possibility that someday we will be married...then is when we will share a room. ;) Not before.

Happy Birthday, J!!!

My little J is FOUR!!! It is difficult to believe that he is already that old. Besides being my very favorite number, four is my favorite age, too. I am so excited for the growth we will do together in this next year.

I know I have described his birth story before, at least briefly. A couple things I will always remember, though..... 1) He had the compassion to let me go to the BYU game the night before he was born. I really wanted to go and I am sure he waited for that to happen so I could. 2) I had no medication with him. 3) I was in the middle of the actual delivery and I started to freak out about K and C being picked up from school and not having me there. Silly moment to become so stressed about it, but I sure was!

Here he is right before we shocked him in to being awake by screaming "Happy Birthday" to him. Not my idea. :)

J loves, loves, loves to vacuum (Just like his mama!). He really wanted to this morning. You would have thought that I had just presented him with a million dollars when I let him!

J absolutely loves storytime at the library. Back in March or April, he discovered that his birthday would fall on a Wednesday and he has been excited about it ever since. Finally, the day came. He still does love storytime, but it has become so big....I don't think he likes it as much as he used to. Still...here he is, right up front with his good friend, C.

Here are J and C working on the "craft."

J is obsessed with CAT machines. It started with a book/DVD from the library. Now he is absolutely obsessed. He loves them. Here is his cake in progress...I didn't want his name on this blog, so I had to take some early pictures...and I forgot part of the machine so the final product actually looks better, but I was still pleased. :)

J wanted to go to the museum for his birthday. I thought he would want to go to the train, but he was sure he wanted the museum. We were lucky enough to have C with us all day. The two of them had a blast together at the museum.

Both of them loved shopping the most. Their future wives will be so happy. :) They both have huge imaginations and even shopping became a big adventure. And, I think I will always go in the afternoon. The museum was empty. Of course, it is not field trip time yet either, but it was soooooooooo nice.

They loved this dinosaur puzzle....it was the last thing we did before leaving and we could have stayed all day.

He loves this armor. :)

My sister, S, and her kids surprised him by coming down with songs and gifts. They had so much fun together and the presents they gave him are PERFECT!

He got a total of 11 CAT machines for his birthday so far, and I think that XDH might have more for him. This set happened to come from Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks for the package!

After the cake (above)...I just had to take a picture of the birthday boy's messy face.

Finally, J wanted to have the entire family go out to dinner, me, XDH, and the kids. XDH and I agreed. Awkward. But okay. Here is XDH feeding J some ice cream that they brought him at IHOP. They came and sang to him. He was simultaneously so embarrassed and so happy when they came out. He just didn't quite know what to think.

What a great way to end a great birthday. Happy Birthday, J! We love you!

Things I love

1. My Savior, Jesus Christ. I have been studying the Atonement. I have a lot more to learn, but my love for Him has grown....and I already loved Him a lot. :)
2. CK. I love him. I love the way we connect on every level possible. I love that he understands me and is willing to be patient with my faults and my insecurities. Being with him makes me a better woman.
3. The connection K and I share. Even though we have growing pains as she hits middle school, we can talk, laugh, and cry together. Our bond is very strong.
4. The way C smiles when he is trying really hard to be mad at me and yet I get through to him anyway.
5. How J lights up when he sees a "CAT" truck.
6. Fall rain.
7. The fact that there are only 6 days until I get to see CK and A.
8. Finishing the Primary Program.
9. Attending the temple.
10. Heading to the Relief Society Broadcast with dear friends.
11. Substituting (okay....Yesterday was rough. Maybe I have a love-hate relationship with this).
12. Fall smells...I have spiced cider scented oil burning right now. -sigh- It smells great.
13. Staying within my budget for the month...even when each month seems to get tighter and tighter!
14. J's excitement at going to preschool for the first time.
15. The joy C has when he gets to play chess.
16. How K loves things so passionately. She loves peace signs, the gospel, silly bands, her hymn book, and the piano. When she loves something, she truly gives her all.
17. Okay...I have a busy day ahead and I could go on and on and on. It is good for me to take a minute to reflect at all that I love and how blessed I am. I am thankful to be busy, loved, and happy. I love it!

6 years!

My niece is 6 years old today! :) We love her. We are so grateful that they moved here 2 1/2 years ago. We love her smile. We love her hair. We love her talented drawings. We love the ways she loves all of us unconditionally.

Ironically, six years ago today, I was waiting for news that she was born while I was eating Kindergarten lunch with K. Today, her family went to eat Kindergarten lunch with her! :)

We love you, E!!!!!

Reality Check

I just picked up my phone to call my Grandma, thinking, "I haven't talked to Grandma in a while." Duh! She passed away over two months ago. I miss her.

In other news, kudos to XDH, who volunteered to mow my lawn and followed through on that offer yesterday.

In other, other news, I am so lucky to have a ward the feels exactly like family. My dear friend received her endowment today. What a great feeling of love and excitement. So many came to support her. We are blessed beyond measure. I think I had a little taste today of what heaven will be like as we see with joy those that we love so much.

Finally, I am so blessed to have a loving Father in Heaven that guides my steps line upon line and sheds light on the path my life needs to take. He even gave me "homework" today in the temple. Time to go study and learn.

Letter to Myself Dated March 1, 1998

This past week, I spent some time working on cleaning the garage. In the process, I found a letter that I wrote to myself at 21 to be opened at 25. I am so glad I kept it. What a treasure to me. There are parts that brought laughter, parts that brought tears, parts that amazed me at how much I truly am the same person, parts that showed how much I have grown. I am going to transcribe it here so I have it in my blog-books. All names have been changed to initials. XDH, for the purpose of this letter, will be JC. It is long, and probably only worth anything to me. Thanks for the indulgence.

March 1, 1998

Dear Ruth,

Happy Birthday! I am writing this letter to you by request from the letter given to me on my 21st birthday, just a few days ago. I hope that all is well in your life! I know that sometimes life is hard. I probably will have many more difficult experiences between now and then, but I realize that all these things will give me experience and shall be for my good if I only have faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.

To begin, I will tell you a little of what my life is like right now so that you can think back and remember this time. In May of last year, I married JC. We have now been married 9 months. I really love him. It is a blessing to me to have married such a wonderful man. He is incredible, with so many amazing talents. I look up to him so much. This past year, I have been teaching at OJH. I love it!!! Teaching, while difficult, is so rewarding. I think that it is in my blood, since it really does come naturally to me. I have 6 classes: 4 Pre-Algebra, 1 Algebra, and 1 General Math. I love my students, every one of them so much, but a few that you might easily remember are JW, DS, SJ, LL, RJ, RF, TM, SD, TS, RB, CC, MB, NG, MF, SO, DH, and many more. I could go through and name every child in those classes, but I thought it might be too much at this time.

Right now, JC and I are trying to decide where to go to Chiropractor school. We have narrowed it down to either Portland or Dallas. We really need to decide this month. We are finding it really difficult as we have not seen Dallas to know if we feel comfortable with the environment and the school. We did go visit Portland in December with D and C.

We spend most Sundays in Salt Lake with JC's family, which, at this time, consists of O and R, D and C and A (age 5); C and L and K (age 6, Kindergarten), C (age 3), and S (age 1); JC and I, and Z with her financee J. In my family, J is here at BYU for his Freshman year. He is almost 19 and is in the process of preparing for a mission. S is in 10th grade (15), S is in 6th (11), and A is in 3rd (8).

We live in a duplex on 9th East in Provo. It is nice. We really enjoy it here. JC is finishing his last semester at BYU. In April, we will both graduate. It seems like such a short time ago that I began college. It is hard to believe that I am all done.

I am learning Spanish right now. I am starting to understand most everything that I hear, and I can say quite a few things on my own. Hopefully, by the time you get this letter, you will be fluent. We go to a Spanish ward here in Provo. We are in the guaderia con los ninos.

Well, now that I have caught you up a little in what is going on now in my life, I will let you know a little about what is going on in the world. President Hinckley is President of the Church. He just returned from a trup to Africa. The winter Olympics just concluded in Nagano, Japan. The next winter Olympics will be here in Salt Lake City in 2002. We are all preparing for it now, it will be a big event! The President of the United States is Bill Clinton. Right now, the world is watching to see if we end up in war with Iraq and their leader Suddom Hesein. They might be producing chemical weapons, and so the United States is prepared to use force to stop it if necessary. In the world of the media, Titanic has made it big. It is a GREAT movie!

Now, I will look ahead to what I hope will happen between now adn the time that you get this letter. I hope most of all that you are still a STRONG member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which I know is true. I know that I can do better. I hope to continually improve myself until I am the best person that I can be. I also hope that you and JC have an even stronger marriage than we do now. I hope that there have been no unfortunate occurances such as divorce or death. Remember how much you love him!!!!!! Remember to serve him with all of your heart. He is amazing.

Looking ahead, I also look forward to starting a family. I hope that by now you have at least one child, and perhaps two. Remember how important family life is, and that that is our primary purpose in this life. Always treat your family with the utmost respect.

I hope that if you are required to work, that you do the best you can. I hope that you can teach with full purpose of heart and love the children. Know that you have great capabilities as a teacher.

I know that in four years (when you read this) that JC will be close to graduating from Chiropractor school. How exciting! I look forward to that day with envy. Right now it seems so far away. Support JC in his school and job decisions. He needs you to be his best friend and companion.

Continue to attend the temple frequently. At this time, you go at least once a week, and sometimes more. It is such a blessing to be close to a temple. Continue to read your scriptures faithfully. They contain the way to eternal life. Pray with sincerity every morning and night. Check in with your loving Father in Heaven. He loves you and will do all that He can to help you.

Well, I hope that life is good for you right now. Smile through everything.

A few things more from my life right now. A is still my best friend. It is really hard for me to not see her. I hope that we are always best friends. She is the GREATEST! Of your roommates, B married L, J is going to Africa to teach English, V is on a mission in Lithuania, J is married, J married K, and D married C. Wow. Remember how special all of these people are to you. Write them letters or emails and never forget them. Remember your friends from B, Colorado also. They all used to be so important to you, keep in touch!!!!!!!!!

I am 5'2" tall with Blonde hair that I have recently cut.

Will you please write yourself a letter for when you turn 30. KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!! (By the way seeing 30 on the paper just weirded me out. Me? 30 never) Good Luck!!!!!

Love Always, R.

P.S. JC dice "Popis, Nalgas, Bish, y Vomito." By the way, JC has a major farting problems that he wishes for us to remember when we open this letter. (Silly Boy)

Sept. 16th, 2010

Today is the only September 16, 2010 that I will ever have. Just like every day, I am really trying to live it well: making memories, serving others, loving my rapidly growing-up children, and being the best me that I can.

J and I have had a very busy couple of days. We haven't been home much at all. It has all been good, though. Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to work on a house with my good friend, D. I love building and creating. One of my dreams is to build my own house. D and her family are building their own house. I love, love, love, love helping them. I had so much fun working there yesterday!
J had so much fun driving the "tractor." D said that he drove it very well! He is still three, but he is all boy. Anything transportation is GREAT! He was sweaty, but had a giant smile on his face when he finished! :)

Then, for the surprise of the day....we came home from piano lessons and these were on my front porch:
CK is amazing to me. How blessed I am! Can you see how he takes care of me?? :)