Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. I've been doing so much, and trying to make sure I get everything done. When you have an illness that hinders a lot of what you do because you are in constant pain and are exhausted no matter how much sleep you get, it takes you longer than normal to get things done. However I'm trying, and that's all I can do. The kids have finally come home and its been wonderful. I love having our kids back home where they belong, and they love being home as well. We have done so much swimming in our pool and getting everything ready for school to begin. Getting school supplies, school clothes and school shoes. One of the activities we had done together to get ready for school was to get all the kids eyebrows waxed. They saved their money up, and wanted to do this themselves. So, each one of them paid the lady to inflict pain on them for 8$ a pop. It was hilarious to see the faces they made.
Right before the kids came home, Vic and I decided to take a trip to the beach ourselves. It had been a couple of years since we had done this, so we went ahead and went. It was so much fun. The sand and sun was amazing and the company was even better. I loved seeing the smile on my husbands face all day. It was a great day for both of us to just relax and not worry about things to come.
While the kids have been home now, we have implemented a new exercise routine and a better way of eating. I chose to try and make use of more vegetables by making cauliflower "fried rice". I must admit it turned out really well. It was a huge success. The kids even asked for seconds. I was pretty excited about that one.
I've also taken the kids to see a couple of movies in-between trying to find the perfect outfits for school, and the coolest school supplies so they can all be "cool" this year. We have truly had a lot of fun since they have come home. Also this year Vanessa is taking Guitar again for the third year in a row. However unlike Middle School, in High School she has to have her own instrument. We knew this, and so we had been saving and saving to be able to get her the guitar that she needed. Lucky for her we went in and the guitar we ended up getting her was on sale, and then we got a military discount on top of that. So we were able to get her the guitar she wanted that normally would have been way out of our price range. It truly was a blessing. She is soooo happy with it as well. So in turn that makes her Dad and I very happy. I cant wait to be able to have her bring it to Lake Powell with us over the years and have our family be able to sing with her playing.
I've also been setting up a home office in anticipation of a new job that I will be training on soon. Hopefully this will allow me to work and be home with my family all at the same time. Ill post more about that as it unfolds in the future.
Then Isaac has taken a special interest in cooking this summer. So he has been helping me cook all the time. ITs been great and I have truly enjoyed the tie together with him. Here he made his own concoction and interpretation of Chicken cordon bleu casserole. I must admit it turned out really good. I'm super proud of him.
Then it has been so stinking hot here (120+) that the kids asked me to do a little experiment. SO I did. I put raw cookie dough in the van during church. At the end of church we has Minivan Cookies. It was a fun experiment that has a sweet reward at the end of it. But it was a great reminder not to leave anything or anyone in a hot vehicle.
On another happy note for me, I have been working quite hard over the last couple of years on my repentance process. I took my time, and I learned all I could. I chose to do this all for me this time. Not for anyone else. Not for my parents or my grandparents or anyone but myself. It has taken me a lot longer that just the one year that they tell you after one is excommunicated. However I'm truly humbled this time, and have now gained my very own testimony of the gospel and the importance in my life. Yes, there are things I wish I could change, and there are things I wish were different, but I'm truly happy where I am at, and I'm well on my way to receiving my temple ordinances back once again. For now, I'm just super excited to be able to be re baptized and be able to be even more active in my ward, and in my opportunities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I would have told the Bishop I wanted to be baptized that next evening I was so excited to get started again on my next leg of this repentance journey, however the Lord is once again trying to teach me patience and endurance as I have to wait until after my court date once again with my ex husband. Its just more custody battles, but I wanted to make sure I pick a date where the kids are with me, and where my parents can hopefully attend, and I can once again have my father baptize me. All I want is for my parents and my family to be there to witness this great occasion. One in which there has been many many nights of crying and heartache. Many trials that I have endured and am still enduring. However with a Loving Father in Heaven, a wonderfully understanding husband and beautiful children I am able to cope and endure the trials and make it through to another day. My only wish is that my Grandmother was here to see this. For me to be able to call her again on my usual Sunday call and read more scriptures with her, and then tell her the wonderful news that I have made the sacrifices and changes necessary to be able to fully repent and be re-baptized. All I can say is that I know she will be there in spirit and will be smiling her big smile and giving me her everlasting squeezable hugs that only Grandma Larsen could give.
Otherwise our family is doing very well and is having a wonderful time being together again, and making so many memories. I cant wait to see what this next week has to offer for us all. Till then please enjoy the photos, and I hope that all of you are doing well and are safe.
Right before the kids came home, Vic and I decided to take a trip to the beach ourselves. It had been a couple of years since we had done this, so we went ahead and went. It was so much fun. The sand and sun was amazing and the company was even better. I loved seeing the smile on my husbands face all day. It was a great day for both of us to just relax and not worry about things to come.
While the kids have been home now, we have implemented a new exercise routine and a better way of eating. I chose to try and make use of more vegetables by making cauliflower "fried rice". I must admit it turned out really well. It was a huge success. The kids even asked for seconds. I was pretty excited about that one.
I've also taken the kids to see a couple of movies in-between trying to find the perfect outfits for school, and the coolest school supplies so they can all be "cool" this year. We have truly had a lot of fun since they have come home. Also this year Vanessa is taking Guitar again for the third year in a row. However unlike Middle School, in High School she has to have her own instrument. We knew this, and so we had been saving and saving to be able to get her the guitar that she needed. Lucky for her we went in and the guitar we ended up getting her was on sale, and then we got a military discount on top of that. So we were able to get her the guitar she wanted that normally would have been way out of our price range. It truly was a blessing. She is soooo happy with it as well. So in turn that makes her Dad and I very happy. I cant wait to be able to have her bring it to Lake Powell with us over the years and have our family be able to sing with her playing.
I've also been setting up a home office in anticipation of a new job that I will be training on soon. Hopefully this will allow me to work and be home with my family all at the same time. Ill post more about that as it unfolds in the future.
Then Isaac has taken a special interest in cooking this summer. So he has been helping me cook all the time. ITs been great and I have truly enjoyed the tie together with him. Here he made his own concoction and interpretation of Chicken cordon bleu casserole. I must admit it turned out really good. I'm super proud of him.
Then it has been so stinking hot here (120+) that the kids asked me to do a little experiment. SO I did. I put raw cookie dough in the van during church. At the end of church we has Minivan Cookies. It was a fun experiment that has a sweet reward at the end of it. But it was a great reminder not to leave anything or anyone in a hot vehicle.
On another happy note for me, I have been working quite hard over the last couple of years on my repentance process. I took my time, and I learned all I could. I chose to do this all for me this time. Not for anyone else. Not for my parents or my grandparents or anyone but myself. It has taken me a lot longer that just the one year that they tell you after one is excommunicated. However I'm truly humbled this time, and have now gained my very own testimony of the gospel and the importance in my life. Yes, there are things I wish I could change, and there are things I wish were different, but I'm truly happy where I am at, and I'm well on my way to receiving my temple ordinances back once again. For now, I'm just super excited to be able to be re baptized and be able to be even more active in my ward, and in my opportunities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I would have told the Bishop I wanted to be baptized that next evening I was so excited to get started again on my next leg of this repentance journey, however the Lord is once again trying to teach me patience and endurance as I have to wait until after my court date once again with my ex husband. Its just more custody battles, but I wanted to make sure I pick a date where the kids are with me, and where my parents can hopefully attend, and I can once again have my father baptize me. All I want is for my parents and my family to be there to witness this great occasion. One in which there has been many many nights of crying and heartache. Many trials that I have endured and am still enduring. However with a Loving Father in Heaven, a wonderfully understanding husband and beautiful children I am able to cope and endure the trials and make it through to another day. My only wish is that my Grandmother was here to see this. For me to be able to call her again on my usual Sunday call and read more scriptures with her, and then tell her the wonderful news that I have made the sacrifices and changes necessary to be able to fully repent and be re-baptized. All I can say is that I know she will be there in spirit and will be smiling her big smile and giving me her everlasting squeezable hugs that only Grandma Larsen could give.
Otherwise our family is doing very well and is having a wonderful time being together again, and making so many memories. I cant wait to see what this next week has to offer for us all. Till then please enjoy the photos, and I hope that all of you are doing well and are safe.
