Year 8

I'm such a horrible blogger LOL...it's taken me 8 months to write another blog. Ugh! Hope I get better at this because I'm definitely not great at journaling either. Guess these are going back on my New Year's resolution list!

I had to write something somewhere, though, or else I will burst! It's year 8. 8th year that Tom was called home to rest. 8th year that we miss him and tears flow. However, this year was different. Malachi and I both woke up feeling peaceful and with charity in our hearts versus that sad, dreaded feeling about this day (ok, he said he woke up groggy first, and then felt at peace). Why the sudden change? I pondered about that all day, and I've come to realized that our hearts have turned. As Elder Bowen said in his October 2012 talk "Because I live, Ye Shall Live Also", the Lord has given us new hearts.

Today, we went to I Fly in Union City, CA for Celebrating Daddy Day. It's where you can try sky diving without actually flying out of a plane. Every year, we find something to do together to celebrate and honor Tom's life versus just being sad. We look for new experiences or just spending time together. Kai was a little nervous, but excited about it. He had a wonderful experience overall, and said he wants to try skydiving out of a plane now--YIKES! But hey! It opened up his mind to other things. Tom always loved technology--any technology, so we thought this was a neat way to honor him.

Kai and I then went to eat lunch, and then we stopped by a card store where he traded some of his magic cards. It was a wonderful day. Throughout the day, we teared up....I cried, but I felt that comfort all day. I had to leave for a meeting this evening, and when I was in the car by myself, heading to the meeting, while listening to church music, I felt this overwhelming sense of comfort and love and felt that peaceful voice "I'm here, Merle. All is well." I almost had to pull over because of how strong it felt; instead, I just cried but it wasn't sad tears. It was the joy of the reminder again that my Savior is with me, comforting and loving me. He lives and I'm eternally grateful for Him.

Though Tom is dearly missed everyday, my Father in Heaven did not forsake me. Kai and I have a wonderful family and are blessed with another father/husband who loves us unconditionally.

I'm reminded by the last part of Elder Bowen of the Seventy's talk:

"Remember as you attended the funeral of your loved one the feelings in your heart as you drove away from the cemetery and looked back to see that solitary casket—wondering if your heart would break.

I testify that because of Him, even our Savior, Jesus Christ, those feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and despair will one day be swallowed up in a fulness of joy. I testify that we can depend on Him and when He said:

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”⁵

I testify that, as stated in Preach My Gospel, “as we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”⁶

I testify that on that bright, glorious morning of the First Resurrection, your loved ones and mine will come forth from the grave as promised by the Lord Himself and we will have a fulness of joy. Because He lives, they and we shall live also. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

 

What a wonderful promise and testament.

A new year filled with hope and love

 

 

2012 was such a busy year for us. As the first week of 2013 comes to an end, I'm filled with an enormous feeling of hope and determination to follow my Savior's example. I've been feeling pretty panicked lately, given the news that my overtime hours will be cut and our insurance will increase a lot and we're now feeling the effects from my commute both financially and emotionally. Still, last year, I kept wishing I didn't have to stay so late at work and was upset because I would come home during the week and all the kids would be in bed; the thought of not seeing them in the morning either because I had to leave for work before they got up, left me feeling in despair. But now, I see that it's a blessing for me. My husband and my children need me here. Every night, I come home feeling unbelievably tired and just feeling like I can't do it all. Now that I will be home every night, we can have family prayers and family scriptures. The Lord has spoken to my heart that it will be fine as long as I'm obedient to His commandments, and I'm hanging onto that confirmation.

 

I got the chance to go to the temple yesterday, and am thankful for the peace and comfort just pulling up to the parking stall in the temple. I was able to submit my grandparents' names for the very first time, and left feeling more eager to continue the genealogy work for my ancestors. There were many challenges along the way, but the Lord has answered my prayers, testifying to me that I must trust in Him as this is His work.

 

Today in all 3 meetings at church, the messages were clear: My Savior paid the price of my sins for me. He knows me, He loves me, and to never give up even when I feel I cannot go on. With that knowledge, I'm filled with hope and love and will strive to stay on the straight and narrow and to help my children to know and love Him.

 

Happy New Year!

Rowan's First Birthday Carnival style

 

Our Rowan turned 1 on September 12, 2012, and we celebrated Mickey Mouse Carnival style. There were about 60 people, including kids, and we had homemade carnival games and prizes, carnival foods and desserts, a homemade photobooth and the best of all.....a Mouse girl who did a magic show, face painting and balloon twisting. We were exhausted by the end of the day but had a lot of fun.

At 1, Rowan chatters a lot in his own language, enjoys throwing things, taking things out and putting them back in, being chased as well as chasing others and feeding himself. He crawls super fast and can be at one end of the house to the next in lighting speed! He isn't walking on his own yet--he hasn't trusted himself to let go yet, but he sure walks quickly when holding onto something. He loves to play with our shoes!

He also LOVES to sing when Kai plays the piano. Here's an example:

All of his older siblings enjoy playing with him and we are grateful he is part of this family for eternity. Here are some pictures taken by from photographer friend, Lola, who owns Lola's Light Box Photography.

 We set up part of the backyard with the homemade carnival games and placed prizes next to them.

 I used polka dots with red and black and white to coordinate with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse colors. Rowan's name was decorated in Mickey Mouse characters, and I placed a picture of him in a Mickey Mouse costume as part of the decor.

 My sister-in-law, Angelica, made these delicious Mickey Mouse Cupcakes

and we bagged cotton candy.

 The 4-tier cake was comprised of Mickey, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy's hat at the top, courtesy of Kristie's Cake Creations.

The cake was chocolate mouse with white cake for 2 of the tiers,

and the other two had raspberry mousse

and chocolate cake--SOOOOO YUM-O!

 We also had fortune cookies as part of the dessert table.

 Rowan had his own smash cake.

 We took out our Mickey Mouse jumper, which was a huge hit with the kids.

 One of the games was the balloon wall

where the kids threw darts at the balloons, and got a prize.

 

 The birthday boy and his dad.

 The kids also played joust.

 Rowan and I mingled with the guests.

 The Mouse girl entertainer was wonderful with the kids!

She captivated the young audience!

 

 Rory is excited to get her face painted.

 Yasmine decided to use the joust area as a jumpy as well-it worked!

Some of the prizes.

The photobooth was definitely a huge success!!! Here's Kai and I.

 

 I had found old accessories and other stuff to use as photobooth props.

Signs etc were made as well.

 Our family always takes a funny face picture after the traditional one.

 

 Funny-face photo take 2.

My sister-in-law, Angelica and her sister, Stephanie were

such big helps with the party!

Year 7

It is year 7 but it feels like yesterday. It was a simple Daddy day today in which the family ended up sitting around the patio in our backyard as a family. It is hard to put into words the feelings I felt today, but I'm grateful for God's plan and that a merciful Father has not forgotten us. Tomorrow's a new day......

Preparing the new home....

We're moving in a few weeks to our new home, and are feeling excited and nervous. It was very exciting to choose all the options when we went into contract. We did not realize the lot size was that big until they put the fence up. As we toured the home on our walkthrough, we stared at our big backyard, wondering what on earth we will do with this space. I turned to Rob, and saw his wheels turning at the thought of a vegetable garden, fruit trees, a basketball court, playground for the kids, and an area where we can sit and relax. I'm tired just thinking about it!

So, this is what it looked out when they were framing the home. The home took 2 months to complete. Hard to believe there was just dirt in December! The construction manager said that because of very little rain, they were able to speed up the process. How lucky we are!

I think one of my favorite places will be the kitchen area with the

big island and spacious counters.

 I'm also excited that our kids can eat at the island and

not have to move in order for us to get to the fridge!

 And now for the backyard....

 So I'm taking the picture above from the patio door.

Yasy's running in the background

 I'm standing at the very back of the yard, taking the picture.

This is the right side of the yard.

 This is the left side of the yard.

 This is the center of the yard. Kai and his cousin, Adrian

were playing tag.

 I'm on the second floor, taking a picture of the entry hallway. The tile did not come out the

way I had hoped, but it still looks good.

Looking down from the top of the stairs. Kai and I are already planning FHE night to be sledding down these stairs with sleeping bags or mattresses. Of course, there will be tons of padding at the bottom of the stairs! I know...the crazy things we think of!

Feeling renewed with purpose.....

Malachi, Rowan, and I got to spend a few days in Utah with family and attend Ben & Claire's wedding. It was a wonderful couple of days as we spent time with the Steele family. I also enjoyed just spending time with Kai and Rowan. There's something about Utah that makes me feel that I am home the minute the wheels of the plane touches the ground onto Salt Lake International Airport.

Being at the Salt Lake Temple and then on temple ground was such a wonderful experience. I feel renewed with purpose of why I'm here on earth.....of why I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, why I'm a wife and a mother. I was reminded that I can live in this world but I don't have to be caught up of the worldly things. I see the big picture and will not worry about petty things or what is beyond my control. I'm grateful for my blessings.

It was also great to see Malachi enjoy his time with cousins. I know he's excited to return to spend more time with them all.

 Some other memorable pictures of the trip....

 Kai in front of the Salt Lake Temple

 I had wanted to get the whole temple in the picture so Rowan

 and I were a little far away.

 The beautiful bride and groom!

 Kai and Rowan in a great mood! Kai was so helpful with Rowan

while we were there. I'm so grateful for him.

 Rowan and his cousin, Annie. Annie was so cute with him--she always came up to him

 to talk to him even when she was just passing by.

 Kai and Rowan were playing peek-a-boo with me to pass time

while waiting for pictures.

 "You're funny, Kai!" said Rowan.

 Rowan with his Aunt Jen

 After family picture-taking with the bride and groom, the rest of us went to Crown Burger to grab a late lunch before heading home and then to the reception. Malachi was in burger heaven, eating his Pastrami Burger and Fries with Fry Sauce--only in Utah ;)

And my mookamookas got to eat his first cracker with

ranch dressing at Crown Burger

A day at the Oakland Temple

So, it was Stake Conference on 11/13/11, but I overslept! Anyway, I rounded the kids up and we went to the Oakland temple to take pictures on the temple grounds; the kids, with the exception of Malachi, have never been to the temple, so I wanted to take them there. We piled into the van, and took my sister-in-law, Theresa and her daughter, Hannah, with us.

The temple grounds already have their Christmas decorations up. I'm going to have to bring the kids back to see it--perhaps it will be an FHE night. Being there always give me that peaceful feeling-though I was a little frazzled with 3 energetic ones, a baby, and a teenager. I love the temple, and I'm grateful we have one so close. Yasy asked when she would be able to go inside the temple, and she smiled when I told her.

 My 5 children and me, sitting at the top of the temple, looking at the scenery.

 Us walking together, holding hands.

 My children and I glancing up. I was reading the caption to them.

 Being there with my children was wonderful.

 Rowan slept through it all

 My two youngest children with me.

 We stopped to take a picture on the way down.

 I decided to tell the children a knock knock joke.

 Us at the steps of the temple

 Our eternal family....I am grateful for these blessings.