The Least of These.......

Today I had the opportunity to help my mother-in-law bathe, get dressed, get a breathing treatment etc...I'm grateful for the chance to serve her and help out Deann and Cara who have taken this on themselves....bless them! I'm so grateful for their sacrifice to give of their time and talents. I have felt bad that I haven't stepped up better to ease their load, I am choosing now to do so. We can always make time for others if we choose to. We make time for other things that aren't as important as our parents or children.
I use to take care of my friend's mom when she would come and live up here for the summer. What a joy that was and a bit different than what I need to do with Thad's mother. I was already 'broken' in so not too uncomfortable this time.
I'm so grateful for Tev for taking care of her granny (my mom) when she got out of the hospital and needed to be showered etc... It's a humbling experience to care for those who once cared for you. The circle of life. I'm glad to have such an awesome daughter well two actually but Tev is so awesome for taking on so many things to help and serve others. I'm pretty sure the Lord will always bless her for each effort she makes to step up and do the right thing.
I hope and pray that I can always step up and do the right thing so when I'm weighed and measured I will not be found 'wanting'.
My belief is this..... if I am always aware of other people's needs and try to care for them and not worry about what I'm not getting or getting I will be farther along my eternal road to salvation and maybe it won't take me as long or be as hard in the hereafter. It's taken me many, many years to finally let go of my proud little self and not let everything be about 'me' and now I don't care as much about myself as I use to. Very liberating to not have or put any expectations on anyone. Easier said than done and I do have my 'me moments' and failings but they are fewer.
When one stops focusing on themselves and quit worrying about how they're not being served or pointing fingers at others for not acting like they think they should then one finds real joy in living their life.
Just my little soap box for the day. I think having to teach the Relief Society lesson on Sunday made me really re-evaluate myself about how charitable "AM I?" Did I just open a door for scrutiny? Oh well..... I'm a big girl, most of the time. I just remind myself to.....like/love myself first (like Christ loves me) and then I have the ability to love and care about others more fully and not feel like I have to be reciprocated. Pretty big talk huh?

Spring Break

Well this last week was spring break for Tev and her kids. We kicked around different things on what to do, where to go etc..... The final decision was for them to come up and just chill...(literally and figuratively), we really didn't do much but just eat and relax, oh wait a minute I did make bread and can some pinto beans.
The boys were totally satisfied with watching unlimited cartoons and playing their DS's and also working with their grandpa on Malik's pinewood derby car. Jarek made a panzer/tank thingy. It was pretty cute. Enok played in the 'fort/treehouse" and just kept us laughing.
We also did out traditional eating at La Casita and ran into a very good friend that we hadn't seen in a long time. That made my day. Oh the great memories of Steve and Marla Jones. She said next time we go down we need to call and visit cuz Steve made an out door oven to cook pizza in. They crack me up! I love it!
We traveled down on Friday stopped and visited my mom and helped her with some yard work and household chores and then on down to Phoenix so we could go to the air show at Luke Air Force base. That was awesome by the way. Then Thad and I left after that and came home.
I always enjoy the time spent with my kids and grandkids and look forward to the next great adventure with them!

Check one more thing off my "Bucket List"

Picket Post

Yesterday was a red letter day for me. I hiked/climbed/scrambled up Picket Post Mountain with my two girls and two of their friends. I've always wanted to hike that mountain so when I drive by it I can say "I've climbed to the top and left my name in the mail box"

WOW! what a crazy thing to do. We went up the side that was the hardest.....of course, Tevia pretty much chose the way. I'm glad her and Anna went faster cuz Risa and I went up a less difficult route but still pretty intense. Going up wasn't nearly as hard or scary as going down....yikes! I'm so glad the seat of my jeans didn't get worn out too bad. I scooted on my backside several times. I told Risa I'm not proud to scoot if I feel safer doing that. Risa assured me that she didn't think any less of me for doing that. hehe
My body is now feeling the after shocks of it but it's one of those I feel alive soreness. Getting a head ache was worse so I've been taking something for that so I can revel in my sore muscles and not be annoyed by my head hurting.
When I called Thad after we got down he said "WOW you're already done?! I'm so proud of you" cuz he's climbed that mountain several times so he knows what I went through. Thanks for being proud and happy for me Thad, you're such a good support.
Risa was so good and encouraging for me the whole way. She's a great comfort and hiking companion. Don't feel bad Tev I know I slow you down but if Risa wasn't there I know you would have stayed by me. I'm just glad you had Anna as your hiking partner.
Thanks to my girls for including me and always wanting me around to participate in their many adventures. I love you two soooooo very much and I thank the Lord all the time for blessing my life with two great daughters. Don't even want to think how hard life would have been if it wasn't for you girls.
I'm really looking forward to "Arches", Risa told me I will totally enjoy that place cuz after picket post hiking around Arches will by like a walk in the park. Yaaaaay!