When Opportunity Knocks...

Yesterday they boys and I were running errands in Modesto (to the Fabric store and Trader Joes) when we stopped on the off ramp and there was a homless man on the side of the road holding a sign that read "Homless..Hungry...please help..WWJD." Zachary saw the man and started to ask some questions:

Zach: Mom what's the man doing?
Me: Well, he's homeless and is asking people for food because he is hungry.

I explained that the man did not have a home or a job and had to sleep outside.

Zach: Is he lost Mom?
Me: I guess you could call it lost, he doesn't have anywhere to go.
Zach: I got'n idea! The man can yell Help! Help! and could come home with me, Zachary.
Me: Well, he can't come home with us, but how about we get the man some food? Would that be nice?
Zach: Yeah Mom!

Now I must mention that the whole time Zach and I were having this conversation, I was feeling the very strong prompting from the Spirit that I needed to get the man some food, hence the comment to Zach about getting the man food. I felt it all the way to the fabric store...I kept having the thought go through my mind about the scripture in Matthew (25:35..I had to look it up...alas I am not a scripture master any longer) "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink..."over and over. So we finished with the fabric store and made the loop back to a McDonalds, passing the mall and all the mega traffic there, and then went back on the freeway to take the off ramp where the man was standing. So we were waiting at the light and I was a couple cars back, I waved the man down and he came over. I purchased a Big Mac, Fries and large coffee.

Man: Oh! is that coffee?! Oh thank you God Bless!
Me: Here you go...keep warm
Man: I saw you at the light the first time..thank you

I felt at that moment when he said that to me that Heavenly Father was very much aware of me and was pleased with me listening to the prompting of the Spirit...the extreme "burning of my bosom" confirmed this for me.

Zach: the man is Happy!
Me: yes he is happy...now he can have a good dinner. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are happy that we helped the man.
Zach: yeah....helped the man....

So we proceeded to Trader Joes and I felt great inside. Are you ever so excited when you have successfully recognized the prompting of the spirit? It makes me feel like my spiritual antena is a little closer to being in tune...

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to give service to someone and be an example to my son....

I can't wait for the new year. Why you ask? Well, we will switch to th 9-12 slot for church. I am very excited as this will help me get there since I work every other Saturday night/Sunday Morning at get home at 7:20 a.m. And since it is at 9 and I am awake, I can get everyone ready to go. Right now we have the 11:30 to 2:30 slot for church and it is difficult to get there as by 11:30 a.m., I am usually asleep. I take a nap everyday between 12 noon and 3pm, so it has been VERY hard for me to get to church this year. It made me feel good when I saw my bishop one Sunday and he said they're glad to have me as much as I can come. I still feel bad when I don't go. My heart is there and my love of the Gospel and Savior have not faltered, but I miss going. It's hard when spouse has a difficult time going as well, not that he doesn't believe (he has such a great testimony) he's told our previous bishop "I'm just lazy" at least he's honest with himself and the Lord in that perspective. I miss Relief Society and the other sisters. Sometimes I just feel out of place. It saddens me when I find a sister to whom I can connect and then sadly, she and her family move away.

Sam and I were talking at dinner about our Ward and remember when it was the small close knit ward prior to the Stake boundary makeover in 2002. After they changed it from 6 wards to 4 wards, Ripon ward became HUGE (it was combined with part of Manteca), and we felt lost in the shuffle. It was then that my attendance (as well as my husband's) started to dwindle. I know that it doesn't justify me having difficulty going. Manteca has really grown in 5 years so we are hoping that maybe they will redo the wards again...I hope that Ripon gets to be by itself again as Ripon is growing as well.

So my goal in 2008 is to go to church every week....

If I could invent something....

If I could invent something, it would be to put a paint that sprays out if someone where to steal your stereo out of your car...you know like the paint the banks put in some of the money bundles so the crook gets sprayed blue or orange. Yeah...blue or orange...or bright yellow! Why this invention? Well...Yesterday afternoon between the hour of 12:15 pm and 12:50 pm...I had my stereo stolen out of my car! I was only in Target with the boys for 30 minutes! The middle of the freakin afternoon and someone steals my stereo! What I think happened is when Zachary got out of the car and locked the door, he didn't push down all the way or forgot all together, and I forgot to check as I normally do. But on the positive side, I am glad a window wasn't broken (there is a little damage to the dash {broken plastic piece} but once the hoodlum realized that the stereo could easily be taken with out pulling the dash all apart, he took it with out damaging the dash further). I am glad that my car was not stolen. I am glad that neither I or my boys came upon the thief while in the process of stealing the stereo and be put in a potentially dangerous situation. So now I have a silent 15 minute commute to and from work for awhile until we can save up for a new stereo. At least it gives me some quiet time to ponder and pray...I needed to get new speakers anyway...so why not a stereo too!

So back to my invention...It would be hilarious to see some hoodlum walking around yellow for a month. Maybe that would teach them a lesson. I guarantee the police would be able to know exactly why he was yellow or orange and arrest them....okay maybe not...but it still would be funny to see...

I think my son has grown 2 other Kidneys...

I think my son has grown 2 Kidneys for how can I explain
the 3rd morning to coming home and finding he is soaked again

"I pee peed the bed Mom"his sweet little voice cries
"it was an accident, it's okay!" he states and I let out a sigh...

To the bathroom we go for a bath and a scrub
But not before he takes a HUGE pee before jumping in the tub.

I questioned his father, "Did he go pee before he went to bed?"
His father says "He took a Huge pee." as he nods his head

"Where is he storing it all?" I ponder as I load his blankets, sheets and clothes
into the washing maching..once again...they go

So I beg, plead to my sweet son "Please oh please....get up out of bed if you feel the need"
"Okay Mom" he states to me...
Unlock the door and walk in the house after a night of work "Hi Mom!" he greets me at the door "guess what mom..no pee the bed...I pee peed on the floor!"

sigh....

Disneyland October 2007

Well we had a blast at Disneyland. I did see some of the hills on fire by Magic Mountain on our way down to Anaheim. The air quality was horrible, but we dealt with it (took a break during the day for a nap) and of course, it was hot. Our hotel was okay. We liked being across the street, but next time, I think we will stay at the Best Western next door to the Park Vue Inn. Sam laughed at the room we got because it was exactly like the one review he read on a bad room (sticky floor from gum, leaky A/C unit, and the fridge was missing a foot so it rocked.) Go figure...but the beds were really comfortable! Zachary had decided that Pirates is his favorite ride. He rode it 2 times and it would have been a third but the line was longer on Thursday afternoon and we were tired. Isaac endured us taking him on 3 rides total. He DOES NOT like Pirates..or the little catapilar ride at California adventure. He tried to cry on the Buzz lightyear astroblasters, but once he recognzed Buzz...he was better. He did like the train ride around the park though. All in all, it was a very successful trip and MUCH better that when we went in February...I will post some picutures soon...

Exercise from Zachary's perspective

I was working out on our bowflex and here is the conversation Zachary and I had:

"What ya doin' Mom?" Zachary asked.
"Working out." I replied
"Why Mom?" Zachary asked
"To be strong and get in shape." I replied
"In shape...like a triangle? was Zachary's response...

Gotta love my little personal trainer....

Sam and Katie

This is one of my favorite pictures of Sam and I. This was taken after we got engaged in May 1996. He's had a goatee since we got married. My hair has changed various lengths and shades of red over the years. Go figure that when I started dying my hair when I was 17 I would meet someone who LOVES redheads....

How quickly 11 years has flown by....it seems just like yesterday we were married...

Comment from Zachary when he saw this picture..."That's not Mom! Sometimes it's hard to believe that's me as well....