12 June 2016 - Birthdays and Harvests

   Another week has flown by. It is truly amazing at how fast time has marched to a double time beat. If it doesn't slow down the end will be much sooner than expected (to many relieved hearts).
Last Sunday night, Cory, Jarom, Josiah, Kimball and two dogs (Ellie & Cinder) showed up for a vacation/work week. Susan was working 5 twelve hour days and Cory had to finish up his school assignments online and with the kids out of school they needed some activities to help give Cory some quiet time. Stephen was thrilled to oblige. (This "retirement" thing is such a blessing). They came just as we were headed to Seminary graduation so by the time we got back home, both Kimball and Josiah were in bed. Rebekah was here to help out as hostess in our absence.
   Monday morning I had a 5:30 AM Seminary meeting. They are starting a new emphasis on Doctrinal Mastery rather than on Scripture Mastery. I'm not sure how it changes things but we did receive 11 new lessons along with the New Testament manuel for next year. I know that this will be a great change for the youth because the "world" is pushing farther and farther away from truth.
   Stephen took Samuel to school before I got home. He then went to the temple to do volunteer work so I fixed a birthday breakfast for Jarom (he turned 13 on the 6th of June - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!)  and the rest of the family without him there. I had scheduled my Visiting Teaching prior to hearing of the kids arrival so I left before Stephen got home. It seemed as though we were just "passing ships in the night". While I was gone, Stephen and Cory took the kids to Enchanted Village for Jarom's birthday. They got home after Samuel arrived home from school and we had a birthday dinner of pepperoni pizza (for them) with asparagus (for me) and cake and ice cream. The younger two went to bed while we played games with Jarom and Cory. Rebekah won at Qwerkle but it was close.

Riding together on the roller coaster.

Kimball didn't want to use her hands on the "Frog".

Waiting in line to go on the upside down ride.

Josiah went several times by  himself before Stephen attempted to ride.
Stephen got sick during the upside-down motion.

   Tuesday Stephen took the kids to the ferry. They made a stop at the Narrows Bridge to walk across it which made the trip longer...good thinking. They saw a submarine and went to a museum. They had lots to talk about when they got back. I had promised them to go to the dollar theater but by the time they got home we decided to have a movie night here with a new movie and popcorn. They had already seen Zootopia but we hadn't and Cory said that it was fine to see again so I popped up some fresh popcorn and we had a Movie Night. Not bad for a cartoon movie....

The walk is about a mile long one way....

Crossing the Narrows bridge.

Checking out the Naval shipyard.

Submarine docked for repair work.

Lots to see in Bremerton.

   Wednesday we picked strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kale and collard greens along with some herbs, peppermint, thyme, sage and rosemary to send with Cory for Susan. The strawberries and starting to come on pretty well. And we canned 2 batches of strawberry syrup (should have been jam but I put too much fruit in the recipe). They left right after an early lunch and Stephen and I started to finish up dejunking the upper rooms. I filled 5 large black plastic bags for DI and there is till more to do. It's a nice feeling to get things organized and cleaned out. That night Samuel had Young Men and they went to Meridian Elementary to play "capture the flag" which Samuel really enjoyed. His leaders brought him home so I didn't have to stop working on the clean up.
   Thursday I had to work at the hospital. They have made it so I have to pick up shifts to keep my job. I look at it as part of my Social Security since I don't have any retirement. The shift was alright with 3 moms and 3 babies. Mostly just running here and there. I did get to give them all the babies baths since that hadn't been done yet. That's one of my favorite things to do...lol. Stephen stayed home and worked on a project that he has going. A new chicken coop. We purchased 4 chicks that were all suppose to be hens. Well one of them is a rooster. He is starting to try and crow and it is rather funny. It's more like a croak. Between watering the dry plants and working on the coop, Stephen stayed busy.

Note the chicken with the bright waddle...that's the rooster.

A new coop with removable trays for easy cleaning.

   Friday I fertilized many of the plants out in front. I watered them and weeded lots. It seems to take more effort just weeding than anything. Thankfully the green garden waste recycling went out on Thursday so we have more room in the container to put more weeds. That afternoon we left to pick up Kappy Baranet (the new member) and her father to go to Mormon Night and the Mariner's Baseball game. They had free T-shirts and fireworks that night. It was fun. The Mariner's played the Texas Rangers, who are currently in first place, and they actually won. It wasn't too boring like some games can be. Of course the fireworks were the best part but they were after the game which ended after 10;00 and we didn't get home until after midnight so it was harder getting up for work on Saturday morning.

BFFs at the Mariner's Mormon Night

Beka, Samuel and Mom at the MMN.

Kappy and her dad went with us.

We were early.

Selfies are not easy to take.

Had some stake young adults take an upshot...

Another shot with the field at Safeco Field.

Fireworks set to music with a words on the board

   Saturday, I went to work with everyone else in bed. At least it was very light outside as the sun comes up very early now. Work was too bad. I had a patient that delivered early and I did the recovery and postpartum care for her. It was her 2nd baby but she had lots of questions since her son was 4 years old. Meanwhile Stephen stayed home to work on the chicken coop but instead he was called to help out Dale Smith (the bishop after his release) to put up trusses for a brother in our ward (Gary Balls) who had broken his arm and couldn't do the work himself. Stephen had been Br. Balls home teacher for awhile so he was glad to help out.
   By the time I got home, it was time to call Jenna for her birthday (the 11th of June) and have a wonderful conversation with an awesome daughter-in-law. They don't get any better than Jenna. Stephen was able to stop what he was doing and join in the conversation. We are so very blessed to have such a wonderful girl choose to join this crazy family!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
   Stephen was just starting to work on the chicken coop and I wanted to pick strawberries that were ready that evening. I tried to get Samuel to help but that was almost more work than just doing it myself. He did get some in his container. Then Vinay came to "help" but he ate more than he put in the container... Good thing there were lots to pick. When were were done picking I told Stephen that we were having a movie night with Vinay. He wanted to watch the new Star Wars Movie and that was his desire. We hadn't bought it yet but Stephen was OK with me going to get it so I dashed to WalMarts and then stopped at Wendy's for their deal of 4 for $4. Samuel had a dance at the Auburn Stake Center and he loves to go to those. Before he left, we had dinner and after Stephen took him, Vinay and I worked on the strawberries. We started the movie around 10:00 after we washed and packed all the berries for the freezer. It was a very late night again!

Some of the finished product.  Strawberry Jam that didn't set
makes great syrup for pancakes and waffles.

   Today was a wonderful Sabbath day but I must admit it was hard to stay awake, especially in RS. In the evening we went to a baptism in the Renton Spanish Branch. We saw Yesenia and her kids. She quit her job because they were taking advantage of her and wanting her to work more for less. With 5 kids to care for she'll need to find another job but she is grateful for the relief of not working right now.
   We are grateful for all the blessings that we enjoy. That's what happens when you pack each day with wonderful things. I hope everyone else is having some great times.