Looking Up

Things are looking up. With school starting, Fall coming, and moments of peace and quiet... life is good! I am so ready for routine, and having a little more order in our home. Everyone was getting a little stir crazy by the end of summer, and ready to get back to school. There was a moment during the first day of school when it was so quiet, I wanted to scream for joy!

Speaking of looking up, we spent some time looking to the skies this Monday, along with the rest of those in the Eclipse zone. Idaho had clear skies and absolutely perfect conditions for the big event. It was pretty amazing... phenomenal really.

We stayed in town for the Eclipse. We originally went to the church parking lot, we hung out there and played for awhile, and then about 20 minutes before the totality moment, a lawn crew pulled up, and so we decided to leave. We made a quick location change and headed for the hills, and I am so glad we did!

It is funny how life works sometimes; sometimes things that seem like a bummer are really a blessing. We watched the Eclipse from the foothills and the view was the best! We could see the whole city, and when it went dark all the lights came on, and the cross on the hill lit up, and we were surrounded by others who were freaking out with amazement, and that added to the fun. It got dark enough to see a star, and for it to feel like nighttime. It was really creepy as it started getting dark and I could hear others in the distance saying, "It just feels so weird!" And it really did, like I almost felt sick or something as it changed from day to night. I love these kind of amazing moments when the Earth denotes that there is a God, and He is the Master Creator.

Alma 30:44 in The Book of Mormon states: The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

I know that there is a Supreme Creator, our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful to know it. Oh, I love Him so much!

It was such a beautiful moment to share with my family.

I wish the totality would have lasted a little longer because it was so amazing!

The hue of the sky as it fell dark was so weird, it was not like nighttime, it was different. The temperature change was also such a weird feeling. It was hot then cool in a matter of moments. SO incredible.

Another incredible moment I had was to be able to go to a missionary homecoming. A friend of our family came home from his mission, and I was asked to take some pictures of the moment. Corbin was one of Charles' young men when he served as the Young Men's President. I spoke at his farewell 2 years ago as a stand in for Charles. It was such a fun thing to watch the excitement of the family greeting their missionary! 2 years is a long time away from home! What an amazing commitment to go out and serve the Lord in such a way. 

His shirt was well used. (I just love those smiles, you can tell how he is adored.) 

And check out his shoes from pounding the pavement... awesome!

He was hungry and ready to go home.

This last week was full of appointments and last minute shopping and activities to get ready for school. I took Daniel for a new pair of glasses. Did I mention I am so glad he is home? It feels like our family is complete... as complete as it can feel, that is, with Charles missing. But it is our complete family for now, and so, anyway, I am glad he is home!!

He had to have his eyes dilated, he said that was "fun."

I had to get a picture with my pumpkin in front of the store. A lady walked by and said, "Oh, what a cute picture." I thought she might say, "Oh, what a weird lady."

I belong to an LDS Widow and Widowers site on Facebook. I don't use it very much, but I try to add some positive thoughts every now and then. I wish everyone could take a peek into the closed group and see the struggles that the widowed go through and endure. It is hard for even me to read sometimes! But the faith of the widowed is also phenomenal to see. If you know any widows/ers, do try to reach out with love and compassion... they surely need it, even if they seem strong and stable, they always need love from others so they do not feel isolated and alone; that is one of the greatest trends I see is that feeling of being isolated and different, along with utter loneliness. For me, I have found service (in many different forms) to be the answer to help heal my broken heart. I am not saying I am healed, but service is the soothing ointment for my pain. 

Here we are at the church waiting for the Eclipse, before heading for the hills.

It was fun to just go and throw the ball and relax as a family. I got a new chuck-it for Zoie and we used it for a throwing game for us, before it was to become a slobber ball catcher when we used it with Zoie. I think it would be way fun to get one, keep it clean, and use it for a group of kids or something for a game of 500. That thing throws a ball FAR!

We ate oatmeal pies in honor of the Eclipse. Then the kids told me I should have gotten moon pies... what was I thinking? I totally should have, moon pies are awesome, and would have been the right thing for the occasion. Maybe next time.

Cheese!

It is better to look up. Except don't stare at the sun or you will go blind. :)

We got our Eclipse glasses from the eye doctor, so hopefully they were legit... or maybe they weren't, maybe the eye doctor wants us to bring him more business.

First day of school! Sammi is a junior! Eek! How? I just can't... !!!

This is what William thought about school pictures.

I ran into a little trouble today while pushing the stroller. Yes, my tire went flat. Bummer. Maybe somehow this bummer will turn into a blessing. Not sure how, I am still working on it.

Acorns! I love acorns! I love to gather them. We picked some up on the way to school today. 

There have been some really beautiful flowers out there, that I have never seen before. Perhaps it was all the flooding? This whole area was covered in river not too long ago. Yet another bummer turning into a blessing.

I love water on webs. Especially when the sun hits the water and makes little rainbows. It is magical.

Henry had his first day of kindergarten. He seemed to love it. He did great.

He was happy to go, and had no trouble with me leaving.

It should be a fun year!

He is my last child, and so all of this feels like the first time again. I want to soak in every minute of it!

This dude also had a great first day. He is on the Student Council this year and he gets to do fun things like the morning announcements. They gave him the title of "Music Enthusiast." His job is to do all the announcements that have to do with music.

They are both technically in high school, but 9th grade is part of middle school here. (Dan's a 9th grader.) Next year they will be in the same school. They are such good buddies. Sammi was super excited to be back at school and especially choir! She LOVES choir. This year she is in the audition choir, and so her life will be filled with concerts -- she can't wait! (A reminder that I had to drag her to the choir room in junior and convince her she would love it. Sometimes I am right.) Daniel is in Concert and Jazz band, and the audition choir in junior high. This year will be music galore!

Cheeseheads.

Henry after school.

Sammi sat and told me all about it.

And Daniel too, he said he is learning how to count.

May this year be a glorious one.