Now is the time!

"Cherish is the word we use to describe"--GRANDCHILDREN! 

"Take the key, and lock her up!"
Here are some keys:

This week we wonder about

 "not shrinking" 

in drying blankets 

or wilting in California sunshine;

however, we appreciate "preparations" for children of children! 

(Grandpa likes water and sun...but chooses a protected pattern)

From the whisperings of "It's TIME!" until arriving in Patterson 16 months ago we work to improve our TIME.  

We learn each day to respond a little better to "NOW."  Kristen explains, children are good at living in the NOW.  We hear that the kingdom of heaven is likened to little children.  Perhaps that is why heaven is here, when walking with and beholding little ones! 

 Missionaries of old learned to

 "leave thy house and home, except when thou shalt desire to see thy family ..."

We ever long to see our family.  

Exploratory outings to discover enchanting places included a trial run in March with a daughter on track to begin her first "real job." 

 

Grateful for daughters, work, and visits.  And creations worthy of the lengthy jaunt.  

 Grateful for a house  to share

For work to prepare and obtain

 needful things.  

From Grandpa:

"Wow!   Kristen, Zach, and their FOUR...

What a special time!"

With Kristen, Zach, and each of their children we learn about taking STEPS, 

Some steps are taken with brooms!  Some on firefighting missions--for the brave of heart.  Some steps are simply appreciating loved ones, here and afar!

Testing out the quote from a living prophet:  "Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon,¹⁴ and regular time committed to temple and family history work," we enjoyed acting out stories, indexing, and learning about pioneer ancestors.

We peeked back into time

with old-time bowling,

 picnicking, climbing. 

Patterson offers parks-a-plenty, swings, bars, fields to run, kick the ball, and play 

with new friends, Isabel, Juan Carlos, Stephanie, Jesus, and Lupita,  Lissandro, Odalys, Camila newly arrived from Central America.

From Grandma: Seven months ago, we got to hear about our first grandchild baptized miles away.

 In person, we were blessed to celebrate a  friend Grandpa and Grandma helped to teach here!

(No matter, while we practiced organ afterward, our large watermelon dish got

stashed in a cupboard to be discovered two weeks later!)

  An eight year old pianist discovered fancy footwork at the organ and courageously shared a newly learned hymn  from the REAL (as opposed to EASY) green book with Grandma and later alone during postlude.  

"I find it easier to play the right notes when I hear people singing," he coached Sister Martinez, Sunday.  

This week, we played together a favorite hymn, remembering where we came from, which I carefully listened to in a Honduras tiled chapel a few years ago.  

"How great the wisdom and the love that filled the courts on high..." a hushed whisper, 

" I was there!  And so were you! "

Speaking of "courts," during sabbath screen time, an eight-year-old followed pedigree branches on familysearch.org 113 generations back to find Adam and Eve 

(yes! we are related) 

also encountering Julius Caesar on the way. 

This grandson son announced "I'm mostly related to kings and dukes!"  

Now we know why we are bossy.  

His two younger sisters and brother reply in song,"I am a Child of God." 

Easy hymns are helpful.  The official green hymnal takes a little work, stretching of dedos (fingers) and mente (mind.) 

Here is to stretching together!  

"Grandma, can I be your weights?"  

A tradition--with a seven year old's 

favorite song

--vigilant for an energetic 5 year old waiting to tackle--

(ask our friend Reyna about broken ribs

--mine may be only bruised) 

however, the superwoman stretch 

is hard to match!  

Lots of time playing games--Sushi GO! Golf cards, "Set," "Connect Four" (nicely put-connecting four!)  


The word "bored" disappeared after a trip to Patterson Library 

             to check out first 19, 

        then 16 more books.  

A first visit was dedicated to Grammy and Grandpa Gee's mission "Down Under" as we serendipitously encountered a 
Didgeridoo concert 

 to learn about indigenous friends 
finding ants that empty tree trunks--
with music in the making!

Between talking and walking, 

Grandpa innovated "Invention Notebooks"  with a reward for inventions with 
4 "likes" = 50 cents

 An enterprising boy is rich--

fifty cents scored Monday! 

(Grandma's invention to follow)

Cook offs, 

cleaning with a big list, everyone helping...

Zach located a nearby flight which afforded a real beach experience for the kids along with boat-making and outside/inside water play

  

Book of Mormon Reading at Breakfast

Grandma's and smaller hands fashioned duck tape scripture pencil holders--

and a race began!  

Have you looked to find God in the scriptures

or in your day?  

Try it--the count is on! 

Thumbs up to 

Surprise

 wonder, gratitude

glee

and "firsts" with friends 

  worth writing about...

Mixed up with a few 

flea bites

(...bites bites ....

...vacuuming, more vacuuming....

From where?

 The great debate. 

Yes/No. 

Fleas? Bed bugs?  

"No see ums" Sand flies? 

Magnifying glass...better...

Finally a pest man--"Yes, fleas.")

But the varmints appeared. 

 And disappeared.  

Along with banana-fed, 

yard-loving grandchildren.

Traps empty, 

corners and comforters 

laundered,

washed,

dried,

 hearts disappointed 

in a missed connection 

with auntie and twin cousins. 

Daily

we work 

 to accept 

and face 

"opposition in all things" 

with determination 

and a smile  

as we learn that the time to love is NOW.