My Birthday

"Abundantly blessed," that's what I am. After worrying about Kai being gone for a month, worrying about his tests, worrying about Nicholas starting Kindergarton, and wondering what will be happening to our future over the next few months, at times I have felt very alone. However, after the past 4 days I realize that I am actually on the minds of many and am not alone at all.

It all began on Friday when I went to a Amanda's house for what was supposed to be a swimming playdate. I walked into the back door of her house after being half an hour late and found a group of sisters from our ward gathered together for a lunch and cupcakes. Yes, a surprise birthday party. I don't think I have ever had one of those. That is just the stuff dreams are made of.

My husband who was supposed to be gone for the entire month of August appeared Friday night and spent all of Saturday with his family. Who ever heard of a medical student gunning for an Orthopedic residency position spending an entire day with his family.

Saturday night I found myself sitting in a movie theatre with my husband's arm around me and a sweet kiss on the head every now and then. Summer and Brent had taken Nicholas and Sam while Kai and I went on a date. I don't think I've been in a movie theatre since "Cars" came to the big screen.

Sunday was filled with more sisters from the ward expressing their apologies for not making it to my surprise party. How many people did Summer invite?!

Monday Kimberly and Jay stole Nicholas, for what seemed like forever, so he could buy his Mom a gift. Something he'd been worried about doing since Friday when there was a party. "I thought Mom's birthday wasn't until Tuesday!" Not only did he come home with a wrapped present but also a card with a stick-figure family on the front, a stick-figure mom on the back and a child written note "Happy Birthday Mom." Kimberly helped him draw the heart. And a gift of flowers from Kimberly and Jay filled an empty vase with happiness.

Today Kai made sure he was the first to wish me a Happy Birthday at 4:20 AM, and then the usual but very cherished birthday phonecalls from my mother and sisters followed throughout the day. I went shopping with my 2 boys, who were really well behaved. Then Summer took me to lunch at Panera, "Yummm," and Karen met us there as well. When I got home I had a few Happy Birthday wishes on Facebook from thoughtful friends. Then went to Carmen's house for a delicious dinner followed by cake, ice cream, and a movie.

As I arrived home this evening I found a small gift on the front porch, but what was within was by no means small. A gift certificate to Subway and a church CD from another sister in our ward with a note that definitely brought tears.

I am definitely not alone. I have the best family and friends in the world. Words cannot express my gratitude to my friends and family for such a special birthday. I am abundantly blessed.

Oh, Nicholas bought me a cute red shirt. Now what 5 year old picks out a shirt for his mother's birthday? Only the sweetest most thoughtful 5 year old in the world. The one who makes sure his mother has a good night kiss, even when Daddy is away.

Mackinac Island (Pronounced Mackinaw)...

This last 4th of July weekend we took a road trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Michigan truly is a beautiful state once you get away from the city. We took the 4 hour drive North and crossed the Mackinac Bridge to the UP. We camped in a campground along Lake Huron, which aside from the missing waves looks more like an ocean. The mosquitoes were huge and didn't sleep during the day, but the food as always was excellant. I love camping food. We rode a ferry over to Mackinac Island and spent the day on our bikes. Mackinac Island is unique in that there is no way to drive to the island and I think that cars are not even allowed on the island. It is a very historic island with a Fort and some very old Hotels, but a very large tourist trap today. There are carriage rides and horses (street sweepers as well) or you can ride your bike. Most choose to bike it and the trails around the island are georgeous. Nicholas rode over 6 miles and was a real trooper. It was amazing to me to stand along the main street with all the tourist shops and see only bicycles. We had a great time and feel that although we are so far away from what we consider home we have been very blessed to have experiences such as these while we're on this grand adventure.

Father's Day

Father's Day approached after a very long week of being a single-car family because of some unfortunate events and a long night of Sam not feeling well. Kai had to report to the hospital at 5 AM that morning and I decided that there was no way the kids and I were going to make it to church, so I went back to sleep. However, when the kids climbed in bed with me at 8 AM the first, and only thing, on Nicholas's mind was the song he was singing his Dad for Father's Day at church (not even the Wii could distract him). So I drug myself out of bed, Nicholas got himself completely ready for church (something I have never seen before), and Majeskes picked us up for church at 8:45 with their Flip video recorder in tow just in case Dad didn't make it for this much anticipated event. Kai did make it, but since we had the camcorder I thought "Why not?" I have anticipated a bulletin announcment about not using camcorders in church but luckily there has been no such occurence. I'm pretty sure I was breaking the rules, but I thought the Grandpas would enjoy this too!

Sam's Pictures

Today we went to Portrait Innovations for Samuel's 3 year old pictures. I just love this place. They take fabulous pictures and if you can control yourself and just pick 1 pose you can get a ton of pictures for only $10. I really had a hard time choosing this time, Samuel is just so darn cute and lovable. Don't worry I will be sending out actual pictures to family and friends, but in the mean time enjoy this digital image.



He had a ton of pics with his cheesy camera smile but when I saw this I knew this was the one. This is our Sam, our genuine, lovable, sweet, caring, mischevious Sam! We love him soooo much!

Time Out For Women/Sisters...

I had the fabulous opportunity of attending Time Out For Women in Toronto, Canada and the many things I felt and heard have filled my soul to the point of bursting. I loved getting to know the sisters in my ward better and the love I now feel for them is truly the love of a sister. We giggled, we talked, and we cried. My darling husband kept the boys overnight and I am so appreciative to him for allowing me the opportunity to experience something as great as this. I want to share it all with you but that would take at least a day and a half.



So here's something that I am going to focus on for the week.

In Indonesia, Juru Selamat means Christ or in literal translation it means Expert Of Peace. That is what we are all striving to be "Experts of Peace." We must be peacemakers. For example you're running into Wal-Mart to pick up just a few things and run to the 10 items or less lane to find a lady checking out with 30 items, a large stack of unsorted coupons, and a check book. You just want to walk up shred her coupons and eat them (yes, eat them) while yelling "Can't you read the 10 items or less sign!" But no instead you stand patiently behind her envisioning how coupons would taste and then calmly compliment her on the amount of money she is saving (not to mention the time she is saving by going through the QUICK checkout). Because you are a peacemaker. It's true life can really make it difficult to be a peacemaker but I know that if we can spread peace instead of frustration or contention we can be a little more like Christ.

Georgeous Video...

I saw this video linked to Carmen's website. I typically don't pass things along but you just have to see this.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Sam Says The Darndest Things...

I just have to say that Sam is truly a "kick in the pants," you're never sure what will pop out of his mouth and when. Here's a couple of examples...

1. Last Sunday we were walking into church and behind us came a nicely dressed man. I had never seen him before but that's not saying much as we've been in Primary for the past year. Sam had been dauttling a little ways behind and found himself closer to this Brother than us. As he's running toward us he points his little finger back at the man and starts yelling "HE'S NOT A FRIEND, NOT A FRIEND!" Of course Kai and I were thoroughly embarassed but as Nicholas is starting Kindergarton where he will have to wait for a ride we had been discussing "Stranger Danger" quite thoroughly. I quickly grabbed the man's hand and explained to him what had been the topic of discussion in our house that week and welcomed him to church. I knelt down next to Sam and eventually got both of the boys to shake his hand and introduce themselves.

As we sat down in Sacrament Meeting I noticed the Brother sitting on the stand and quickly scanned the ward bulletin to find him a member of the High Council and speaking that morning. As the meeting started I could see him and the Bishop exchanging words and I felt as if they were staring at us, but we were in one of the first occupied benches and I must have been imagining things, right? Well Brother High Councilman stood for his talk and his attention grabber went something like this, "Today as I entered your building I greeted by Brother Elliott pointing up to me and yelling 'He's not a friend!'... I have to say I've never received a welcome quite like that before." I felt my face turn three shades of red as the entire ward was chuckling and I was sure that behind us everyone was staring at us as I struggled with the little guy who was trying to climb under the benches.

2. I'm sure you've all heard the Primary B-Day song. After Sam's party we were on our way home and I proceeded to sing this... "Happy, happy birthday Samuel dear. Happy days will come to you all year..." Sam starts crying in the back and protesting that he is not a Samuel dear "But you are my Samuel dear because you are sweet and loving." Sobbing Sam replies "I am not a deer I don't have horns!"

This little guy never ceases to amaze me and others with his quick thinking, witty personality, and heart-melting smile.