Last soccer game...

We have really enjoyed watching Cash play soccer this Spring.  As parents and grandparents we want our children and grandchildren to have experiences that will encourage them to give their best effort. We want them to to learn how to get along with others and to be team players.  

Cash is always the happiest boy on the team, but for this last game he seemed a little off. He didn't score a goal and began to cry. Of course we all wanted to comfort him. We all had our way of trying to make him feel better. We told him it was not a big deal and that the most important thing was to cheer on his team and to always try to do your best. I thought for a moment, Cash is only 4 and he's still has much to learn about life. This is all just good practice!

I think as grandparents we want may go overboard with the praise. I have watched Mark and Tiff and they acknowledge the effort rather than the outcome. All the while making sure Cash feels loved and cared for. Oh they are much better parents than I was!

Learning how to praise appropriately and what to praise is no doubt an important part of developing confidence. I think praising the effort and the process is key. It keeps us from always being focused on the so-called prize. I will try not to over-praise or share my opinions. What do I know, I'm just the grandma with a grandma's heart!

I know Cash, Colby and Grey will do great things. Cash often prays, "Help us to do great things." They will find things they are good at and enjoying doing. They will learn, because they have devoted, wise parents that they have to work hard for the best things in life!

Cash's soccer team... Adam was a great coach, he wanted them to have fun. His coaching style was appropriate for their age. As you can see, Cash was smiling by the end of the game!

After the game Cash and I had lunch together. We went to Chick-fil-a and then he wanted to play at the big toy. We talked and laughed and enjoyed the warm Spring day!

I love you Cash!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Cashee baby!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Guitar Man!

(Photo credits to Uncle Chris)

Squish Squash

I read that June 29 is International Mud Day but Cash and Colby had their own Mud Day yesterday. What is it about playing in the mud?! I played in the pond near our home with my brothers. I remember the mud squishing between my toes. It's a fun, tactile, and sensory experience. And you can see from these pictures, it's good for the heart. And, well maybe just a little cold! Thanks for sharing the photos Mark! 

Little boys don't really need any prodding to go outside and get muddy!

Words to live by ~ Assurance...

Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee, 

Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.

 ~ (Be Thou Humble, Hymn #130, Grietje Terburg Rowley)

Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

 ~ Doctrine and Covenants 112:10

Class of 2015!

I was lucky enough to get off work to go to Cash's preschool graduation. It was a sweet moment to walk into the room and see the chairs all lined up for the little grads.

 Grey was probably wondering what the fuss was all about! He is such a good baby.

Cash and Tyler giving the welcome!

Mrs Eggli is sweet and she loves her job and the kids. One by one she shared something she likes about them. She said Cash is the class thesaurus. When they were reading a book and someone didn't know the meaning of a word, Cash would tell them. She said it's so cute!

The expressions on Cash's face while Mrs. Eggli was talking about him were priceless. I'm not sure he liked all the attention!

I'm so proud of Cash. He has learned a lot during the last year. He's a smart boy. He's learning that you have to work hard. He's learning to get along with others. One day he told me someone was being unkind to him and another boy. He said that he just ignored him and went on with what they were doing. 

I think preschool graduation acknowledges that the effort they have put into being able to work and play with others, and to read and write, is something to celebrate. 

We love you so much Cashee boy!

We went in Cash's classroom after the graduation and Colby sat down at one of the tables. He is so ready to go to school!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Blessing gown I crocheted...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Waffle love at school...

Gus Gus is sitting up...

Grey also says Mama and Dada. He is getting so big. He's a happy, sweet boy!

(Photo credits to Mommy)

Words to live by ~ Kindness...

"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." ~ Isaiah 54:10 (3 Nephi 22:10)

Tim and I went to see Lee conduct the choir in his ward yesterday. They sang a song inspired by this verse. It was really beautiful. Lee puts his heart and soul into choosing music and practicing with the choir.

This was Lee conducting a few months ago at Tim's farewell. He is so expressive when he leads the music. It's a joy to watch him.

Payson Temple Open House...

A few years ago Tim and I took a drive and saw the Payson Temple under construction.

All finished...

At least 400,00 people are expected to visit the Payson Temple during the open house. I was thankful our family could be among those to tour the temple before it is dedicated. It was a wonderful opportunity to be with Mark and his family and talk with Cash and Colby about the temple. Cash told me he liked the baptistery and the oxen the best. Grey looked up at the spectacular chandeliers and Colby said he liked the sparkly lights. It's a stunning temple. I loved all the beautiful windows.

President Monson is expected to dedicate the temple on June 7. It will be 146th operating temple of the Church.

"I don’t know how to speak about heaven in the traditional, lovely, paradisiacal beauty that we speak of heaven–I wouldn’t know how to speak of heaven without my wife and my children. It would not be heaven for me. Now, you can say that’s wishful thinking; or you can say that’s just because you love each other and you’ve gotten cozy here on earth and you like each other’s company. It’s a lot more than that. There is something eternal in the statement that ‘Neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man, in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 11:11). That is not just good sociology–that is theology. It is eternal."
(Between Heaven and Earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, DVD.)
- Jeffrey R. Holland

We watched a short video before we went inside the temple. I have seen it before, but each time I here Elder Holland share this message, it brings tears to my eyes. Elder Holland puts it in such a perfect way! I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful that we have a living prophet to guide us through these rough times on this earth. And I am grateful for the knowledge I have about the Savior, and for His Atonement that allows me to live with my family for forever. Like Elder Holland said, it just wouldn't be heaven without my family. I'm grateful for the blessings we receive by going to the temple. Cash saw that I had tears and he looked at me and said, "Sometimes my eyes water too." 

 

 We missed you Christopher!

Slide...

Sometimes two is better than one!

 Who is that big boy!?!

Old Testament...

I don’t read the Old Testament often. I have studied it in Gospel Doctrine and when I attended institute class where Michael Wilcox taught from some of the chapters. Even when I was a member of the Nazarene church, I never read the Old Testament from cover to cover, and if I tried, I would hit a wall around Exodus 25 – after the Ten Commandments and when it becomes about building things, “burnt offerings” and “aromas pleasing to the Lord.” It feels repetitive and, frankly a bit boring. I do however enjoy reading from Psalms and a few of the shorter prophetic books. I am not sure why I decided to read the Old Testament cover to cover, but about a year and a half ago I felt prompted to do so. I finished a few days ago. I felt some accomplishment and discovered some hidden gems. 

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of men." Ecclesiastes 12:13

The End