November Continued...and Thanksgiving 2020

Prior to Thanksgiving day- November 20th- Our prophet President Russell M. Nelsen offered a global prayer of gratitude and invited all to blast social media with gratitude for 7 days #GiveThanks - I am not a social media person, but I took the opportunity to spread my gratitude and ponder on those things that I am grateful for. It was a so refreshing and spiritual.  There really is a power of healing in gratitude.

"Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.  Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his 96 years of life, President Nelson has seen almost everything—a Great Depression, a world war, and a global pandemic, to name a few. In the video, he proposes one remedy that can help heal the spiritual and mental turmoil we’re all facing right now: gratitude.

"Practicing gratitude may not prevent us from experiencing sorrow, anger, or pain, but it can help us look forward with hope. We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world," said President Nelson.

He continued, "By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty, and tolerance.

Before offering a prayer of gratitude for the world, President Nelson invited everyone, everywhere, to do two important things to help heal our fractured relationships and communities: 

1. Turn social media into your own gratitude journal.

2. Say a prayer of gratitude.

Story behind President Nelsen's prayer of gratitude...

"Since beginning his ministry as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018, President Nelson said he has had “his share” of unexpected middle-of-the-night awakenings — many of which have proven to be “special and sacred moments from God.”

Over the last nearly three years, one of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon President Nelson’s mind is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. “The marvelous privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children — available to every one of us,” he wrote in the blog post.

President Nelson continued, “No matter who you are, you can pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in your life. If you learn to hear the Lord through His promptings, you may receive divine guidance in matters large and small.

“I am grateful for the awakenings I have received in my life that have helped me to know that the heavens really are open today. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of both heeding the will of His Father and giving thanks in all things.”

President Nelson continued, “No matter who you are, you can pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in your life. If you learn to hear the Lord through His promptings, you may receive divine guidance in matters large and small.

“I am grateful for the awakenings I have received in my life that have helped me to know that the heavens really are open today. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of both heeding the will of His Father and giving thanks in all things.”"

My gratitude journal posted via Instagram

Day 1-The time has come to Give Thanks! I love this family...I know God has placed each one of these beautiful beings/spirits in MY life. I am always amazed at how each one of them helps me along this journey called life. I love you!#raisinghelm#givethanks

Day 2- Today I am truly grateful for a HEALTHY BODY...and for caving into this little nuggets pleading to go on a run with me. Just when I "thought" a solo run was what I wanted, a run with this cutie will never be a regret. #sweetP#givethanks

Day 3- This MAN! Unconditional love is real people. He continues to love me through ALL my crazy. We laugh together, 'I' cry together, and oh how I feel blessed to have him by my side, hand in hand...until our palms get sweaty and then we take a breather. I LOVE HIM! #givethanks

Day 4- Now the adventure to the eye doctor with 5 kiddos may have prompted my gratitude for beautiful and healthy eyes, (which I am) but today has also filled my heart with gratitude for God's hand in my life. For the many small things I have SEEN TODAY. Friends who genuinely care and hold space for me, cute compliment and convo wih Devani on her first day at Wal-Mart, catching my hubby looking at me, sweet text froma neighbor, poinsettias, hubby making dinner (not uncommon but still grateful) seeing old Ruby dog enjoy her new bed, AND laughing with my kids! God's hand is in all the good and I am so grateful to reflect on the many things of today and look forward to tomorrow!#givethanks

Day 5- SISTERS! I am BEYOND GRATEFUL for all of these women. For what they EACH
bring to my life. I marvel at their creativity, talents, compassion, inteligence, strength, faith, devotion, and desires to be great! I love our tears, laughter, and crazy! I am blessed that each one has a place in my heart. They know my good, my bad, and my ugly and they love me still. I love and Thank you! Heather Larson, Brooke Wells, Kristin Derrick, Camille Brown, Amie Aldrich, Camille Moon, JoAnne Helm, Sheri Helm, April Cornelsen, Aimee Helm. #givethanks

Camille Brown, Brooke Wells, Kristin Derrick, Heather Larson

 Me and (Shauna "Sunny")

Me, Kristin, Brooke, Camille, Heather

Me, Kristin - Geoff and April Cornelsen

Camille Moon, Amie Aldrich, Pamela "Grandma Tootsie"

JoAnne Helm, Aimee Helm, Sheri Helm

Sunny, Brooke, Kristin, (niece Marlen) Me, Camille

Day 6- THE WISE! Becoming a parent has truly deepened my love and appreciation for these people. Who knew "parenting" would be so intense, so hard, so stretching, so marvelous, so fulfilling and so indescribably beautiful??? These wise souls continue to do their best to raise their children on this earth and from heaven. Papa and Sunny, Grandma Tootsie and angel Grandpa 'B'- You are the most loving, accepting, forgiving, faithful, courageous, brilliant, creative, hilarious, understanding, hopeful, diligent, supportive, and charitable people. I am so very grateful for each one of you. For what you've taught me and continue to teach our little family. #givethanks

Day 7- Thanksgiving! Let's just say a snowy bike ride up the canyon with the sis was a FANTASTIC way to start off the festive day! Despite covid- the turkey still had to be eaten (along with the dozen pies) the "Fun Aunt" literally stuffed sugar down the kids throats, laughter filled my home, the wish bone was broken, and the FOOD COMA set in like clock work. I LOVE this family...missed soo many but grateful to have them!

Kristin and I- Provo Canyon trail

The Thanksgiving crew 2020

(L-R) Reed, Cam, Jamison, Paige, Van, Brighton, Ava

Noah, Me, Camille, Aspen, Sunny, Papa, Kristin

Steve, Briant

Papa, Camille, Kristin, Me, Sunny

Me with my dad and mom-whom I love so much!

The dual of the wish bone...dun dun dun

Noah got the slightly bigger side, but well done boys

sorry Paige, you can have it next year.

Aunt Kristin couldn't get enough of the whip topping

neither could Van-hahaha

My honey buns, who "loves" a good selfie

insert sarcasm 

Thursday November 26th- Turkey bowl and Macey's parade weren't on our agenda for the day. Instead, Steve and Noah were up bright and early getting their mountain biking fix. Riding in the dark and frigid temperatures to conquer the mountains sure shows their love and deep devotion to mountain biking. I on the other hand, took my time waking up to the world, worked out, and then my sis Kristin called asking "how adventurous" I was feeling? That took us to Provo canyon for our own little bike ride on the snow skiffed  trails. It was quiet, beautiful and the perfect way to start a day of gratitude! Kristin and I always enjoy the ride, the laughter, but I truly love the connection of conversation. 

It is the BEST! After  our chilly rides, we headed home to prepare for the feast of the day. Steve smoked his first turkey, made yummy potatoes, ham, rolls and we thoroughly enjoyed the tasty contributions that came our way when the family arrived. Since Covid is STILL lurking, sadly not everyone was in our home for Thanksgiving but definitely in our thoughts. We stuffed our bellies and ate many many pieces of pie. (many of which Steve's sister Camille Moon provided with love as she stopped in and made a few nights before). Kristin filled the kids with sugar and the food coma settled right in. 

CLEARLY my gratitude continues to bloom and grow daily...I have a greater appreciation for VARIETY.  So thankful that God gave us a variety of people, personalities and beautiful seasons. I have thought a lot about all of my siblings and in-laws and the relationships we have. For nieces and nephews. For new additions to the family. For great neighbors, friends old and new. Parents, great leaders, our prophet and apostles. The givers in this world. For temples and how I look forward to passing through those doors again. For ancestors and the ability to learn about them and know that there are loved ones on the other side needing us as much as we need them. I am grateful for music, for inspired podcasts, books and convenient technology. I have learned that God truly speaks to me through the good works of others and their talents. I love connection and learning more about myself because of  I hope and pray that I can see the small and simple things with a grateful heart. 

November 27th 2020

Festival of the Seas

Loveland Living Aquarium

Ava, Paige, Brighton

Girls Night Out! 

Kate, Heather and Jon Larson

took these little ladies to the Festival of the Seas.

Kate works at the Aquarium and wanted to treat these girls to

a fun night seeing the lights and creatures of the sea.

They sure adore their cousin Kate

November 28th 2020

Jamison's Soapbox car is coming along nicely!

These two are quite the team.

Tis the Season to be GRATEFUL as well as Charitable

I know we should be practicing this regularly, but we forget.

Shall I mention...

When Steve comes up with a plan...He nails it!

Service project # ONE

Make Dolls of Hope- We made one...well Steve did. hahaha

We all had great intentions, but no endurance.

November 2020

"QUARANTINE"...

a word wildly used and added to this years vernacular.

Jamison wears "school -at-home" nicely.

The week of October 6th was quite a dooozy! All three of my boys were doing "school-at home" Noah was "exposed"- Reed wasn't feeling great but didn't have covid, and then Jamison was also "exposed" by a fellow classmate. By the powers of contact tracing they ask all students who may have been in close proximity to a covid-positive person to stay home for 2 weeks. If they get tested after 7 days and the results are negative, they can head back to school early. Well between being quarantined, fall break, and then a new school schedule, (School Monday, Tuesday, home on Wednesdays, School Thursday, Friday) Jamison didn't make it back to school until October 26th. THEN I got a call the late afternoon of October 29th saying he was "exposed" again and would need to do stay home. Welcome November.

HOLY GUACAMOLE! this was not good for this child. But this is life and he is doing his best. I'm trying to Keep Calm and breath...with a mask on" (eye roll)

Speaking of breathing with a mask on...funny/sad story courtesy of Jamison.

Within the first month of mask -wearing/covid-cautious school.(Sept 2020)

 Jamison came home one day and casually informed me of the following.

Jamison- "Oh yea, I forgot to tell you, I threw up at school today!" 

Me- "Wait, What?!? Are you okay? What happened? Why didn't you call me?"

Jamison- " Well I was sitting in my science class, and we were just watching a movie. My head was really hurting and I was getting so hot with my mask on and I was having a hard time breathing. So I asked my teacher if I could take my mask off. He said " No, we are supposed to keep them on." So then I asked him if I could go to the bathroom. He said I could, but before I could get out the door, I totally threw up in my mask and all over my face! But don't worry, (reassuringly) I had another mask, and a jacket in my backpack, so I just went to the bathroom washed off my face, cleaned up, threw the mask away, of course! then went back to class. (triumphantly) No one saw what had happened because they were all watching the movie. Well except Ava (friend) she saw it, but it's our little secret. hahaha But then I had to stop my teacher from walking out the door, I said "Wait!" He looked down and said, "Is that throw up." -But he said he felt so much better. (these poor kids)

Another one bites the dust...Just when Jamison got to go back to school, Noah was sent home. The timing people, timing! Grrrr

Noah was "exposed" again and spent 2 weeks (Nov. 9-20) quarantined home with his favorite people-wink wink....but I sense he was a bit eager to get back to school.

The month of GIVING...our neighbors cleaned out their gardens and these goats were sitting fat and happy!

When Noah hangs out with the lady friends (Madie Bramble and Kaylee)

He somehow becomes the recipient of the makeup drawer. 

Our First taste of winter...

Another PROJECT? WHY NOT!

The city of Vineyard has proposed to host a soapbox car race to break in the new long coming route of transportation and convenience....the Center Street overpass! Can you hear the crowd cheering!?!? 

Sounds just like something Steve would be interested in...he informed Jamison, and that kid has been ALL OVER IT! He has been doing all the welding with Steve's supervision and honestly can't get enough. They are loving this project. I love that Steve finds ways to connect and bond with his kids. 

His welds are looking pretty darn good!