News from the CaLEEfornians

Things have been busy 'round here. About a month ago we enjoyed a great Stake Conference. The broadcast on Sunday was specifically for members of the LDS Church here in Northern California. I love this type of conference from the General Leaders of our church where they speak to us on a personal level for our area. We heard first from Elder Lance B. Wickman, a native Californian. He spoke much of the history and past challenges of California as well as many of the present challenges, especially those dealing with Proposition 8, the failing California state budget, and the economic downturn in general (California homeowners have been hit hard by the housing crisis, job loss, etc.)

He praised the Saints of California for their strength, hard work and sacrifice in protecting traditional marriage in our state. That battle was won, but the war is still raging. Elder Wickman also encouraged Saints to stay in California. He warned us not to go chasing "Zion" or to think the grass will be greener in places like Utah or Idaho. He taught that there are difficulties everywhere and that Zion is found in any stake, we should not flee California in hopes that the grass will be greener and things will be easier somewhere else. He taught that California needs us and that we should concentrate on building the kingdom here. I told Joseph he should have given this talk a few years ago. One of the former Relief Society President's in our stake said that when the housing market boomed here a few years ago, they had 40 active families in their ward move to Utah, Idaho or Washington within a 5 month period. It left such a hole that they had to reorganize the wards within the stake.

Joseph interprets his words about staying in California to be more directed to Saints who are native Californians, and doesn't think they apply to us CaLEEfornian transplants. :) I'm not quite sure how to interpret it.

After the conference was over we had a few people say, "Sure hope you weren't planning on moving to Utah or Idaho anytime soon!" Elder Wickman's words really made us think, but we're still not 100% sure we are ready to make the commitment of buying a home and sinking our roots deeper for several different reasons. Sometime maybe I'll expand on some of them.

We've had several people in our stake drop off home flyers to us in efforts to persuade us to look seriously at buying a home, but we just haven't felt peace about committing ourselves to this area long enough to make a home purchase worth it. We revisit the idea often, and our thoughts and feelings go back and forth.

After considering all of Elder Wickman's words we asked the question. "Isn't living by family important too?" When we go to Utah to visit family, we all wish we lived closer, but then we're always excited and love coming home to California too! When I think about deciding to settle down here I get a little melancholy, but then when I think about moving, I get a little melancholy too. Back and forth, back and forth.... But, in the meantime, we are counting our blessings, and feeling good that we are able to take care of our family and enjoy life.

A couple of other speakers at the broadcast were President Uchtdorf, who said, "Tough times never last, but tough people do!" and Elder A. Roger Merrill spoke at the about teaching. We saw him recently because he spoke at the graveside service for Joe's dad.

In other news.....the arguments were heard a few days ago in the California State Supreme Court in support of and opposition for the California amendment to protect traditional marriage. The judges have 90 days to make a decision, but it sounds like they are leaning toward favoring the will of the majority of the people (which I believe they should!) in support or Proposition 8. I am sure it will not be laid to rest even when the decision is made. It is such a devisive decision and there are very hostile feelings about the LDS church and other Christian Groups who support this amendment. It's hard to see such discord.

My big news of the month is that a few weeks ago I was released from, what I consider to be, the best calling in the church....Nursery Leader. I had been at it for about a year now and I loved it! It's like being a primary president of your own little mini-primary. There are many great perks in my book...the age group is lots of fun...you get to sing and dance....go on walks...blow bubbles.....play with toys....do puzzles....color....and best of all, have lessons based on simple, yet profound gospel principles. I was called to be the Education Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency for our ward. I am excited to get to know the sisters in our ward better, and I guess this is a perfect opportunity for me to actually fulfill the goal I set for myself EVERY YEAR to read all of the Relief Society lessons before the Sunday they are taught. (I haven't fulfilled this goal yet). I filled in today for the Joseph Smith lesson. It was a good experience for me to teach. The sisters all participated well and shared some nice comments. I enjoyed preparing it, and learned alot. I learn more about the Gospel when I prepare lessons ot talks than I do in any other way. Blogging has taken a back seat, along with many other activities that I usually enjoy. Though I do hope to add them back in when life settles down a little bit more....will it ever? :)

Bits of news from the kids... Brynn started piano last month. After searching for the right fit for a teacher we really feel happy about the woman we found. One of the preschool Mom's has a Ph.D. in Piano Pedagogy and she gave us the name of a couple of well respected teachers. We interviewed Brynn's current teacher and it felt like a great fit. She has a degree in Piano Pedagogy as well (but not a Ph.D.), and told me that she takes an occasional lesson from Jana (my preschool-mom friend).

Brynn is catching on very well. She loves it! She practices on her own without being asked and has a natural rhythm and ear for it. Last week her teacher said she is doing very well and that she was her star student for the week. It's been fun and I hope her eagerness doesn't wear off anytime soon ...or ever! I've already called my mom in apology for all those days (year after year) that I complained about practicing. I am grateful for what I can do, and I am determined to become better, but I hope my children take it more seriously than I did. I would love to help prepare them to serve well in the church. That's all I want. They don't need to be concert pianists, just comfortable serving in music callings at church. I don't feel confident enough to do it unless the ward has literally no one who plays. I really admire my sister Emily for being that nerdy ward organist and being able to serve at a moments notice. ;) (Just making sure you're reading this Em!)

Brynn moved up to the next level in ballet and is doing awesome. She is going for 1 hour twice a week now and really gets quite the workout. Last week the other dancers voted that she had the best piqué in the class. She's doing great and is excited to be part of the studio's production of the Sleeping Beauty ballet this summer.

Abby continues to keep us on our toes and she is still on her's most of the time. She is excited for kindergarten next year, she craves the social interaction she gets with all of her little preschool friends and has a hard time on the days when she doesn't get to see them. Her mind thinks of so many things that I think that it might overflow. She is jabbering until her eyes shut at night and when she wakes up in the morning she is full of cheerful conversation. Last night she hopped out of bed and came running into the family room and then said to Joseph, "Dad, could you please remind me that I only want to eat one unhealthy thing per day? Because today I had more than one unhealthy thing, and my stomach started to feel a little bit sick, and I really don't want to throw up....and Dad, I put two extra pair of pajamas in my bed, so if I wake up cold, I can put them on." She's a busy little bee! This morning while we were all getting ready for church, she changed her outfit 3 different times complete with different "crowns" all before 8:30 a.m.

Aaron's finally starting to make a little more progress in speaking. The other day he spoke his first completely audible (audible to me) full sentence that actually made sense. I was holding Isaac over my shoulder and he spit up down my arm. Aaron looked at me with furrowed brows and with much concern said, "Oh No Mom, Igit's Sit." (translation "Oh No Mom, Isaac's sick!) I was so proud of him that I didn't care about the spit up all over me! Now if I could just get him to stop throwing fits long enough to actually talk to me, I might think he'll be ready to turn 3 in a few months. :)

Isaac contiues to be the happiest little baby ever.....as long as he is being held and/or talked to. Which we do most of the time, so everything works out. I love the way he smiles with his entire body. He's a cutie! I am glad to report that he is sleeping in his crib for his daily naps (when he's not in the car) and for the first few hours at night (until he wakes up to eat), and then sometimes I manage to get him back in again in the wee wee hours of the early morning.

Joseph is busy as ever with work and just found out that his building passed State Survey and did better than last year! He's constantly on the lookout for new patients. It's funny to hear the kids pray for "new admissions for daddy's work." In a sense it feels as though we are praying for people to get sick, need surgery and physical rehabilitation, all so that his facility can help them get better and go home. Odd isn't it? From time to time he has "legal" type work or hearings that he is part of which take him into the legal world...the thought of someday doing that type of work crosses his mind occasionally, but there are many things he really enjoys about the work he now does, and being in the healthcare field. I enjoy that he doesn't have billable hours to meet, but is still able to provide well. We'll see what happens in time. Even if he never does "practice" law, he continues to be grateful for his law degree and the experiences we had.

He is persistent in his efforts to stay fit as well. He wakes up early-early to get some exercise in, or goes late-late at night, but is really good at always making it back in time to help with family, work, and church responsibilities. He's always tinkering away on his bike. He sold his Cervelo Solist bike and bought a different sized Cervelo, and now has decided that he wants to go back to the Cervelo Soloist. I try to keep up with all of the jargon, but sometimes I just nod my head like I know exactly what he is talking about. We have lots of pictures from the recent Tour of California to download. and write about. We had a great time when Brent and Lindy came to visit for the Tour.

Since the Tour of California, Aaron has become fascinated with the sport of cycling. When he and Joseph get a moment alone he says to Joe, "Dad, watch bike races!" Joseph has lots DVR-ed and on DVD that the boys sit down and watch together. It's cute that Aaron has recognized this as a means of some male bonding with his dad. He knows how to get a few more minutes before bedtime....and Joseph can't resist, how could anyone? Aaron races around on his bike, turning sharp corners and whizzing past all of us. I think he has some serious technique for a 2 year old.

Our world started to bloom here a couple months ago here, and it's fun to think of "Popcorn Popping" as we drive through the streets. The green-ness that surrounds Northern California is refreshing, I love it! It's a great place to be this time of year.