Book Review(s)

I discovered Orson Scott Card recently. I listen to Ender's Game on cd and really liked it. I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series. I also read his book Enchantment which is the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Lots of twists & magical elements. I have never read Sci Fi or Fantasy before so this was a branch out. I actually really liked them. Definitely not the genre for everyone, but he is a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more. He has a women of the old testament series that sounds good too....

Currently, Ry & I are listening to the Spiderwick Chronicles (he has read 2 or 3 of the books). I am reading "12 Again" which is really good so far, "The Single Life" by Kristin Oaks, and I am starting "Alas Babylon" soon. I have to be careful though. If the book is too good, life stops while I read. I don't clean, eat, sleep, return calls or run errands when I find a great book. I can't afford to be fired....

Ryan's Priesthood Ordination

On Sunday, Oct. 18, Ryan was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a big day that he had been looking forward to for some time. My dad flew out from Seattle to be a part of the day. Here my two favorite men in the world are getting ready for church discussing the sports cars picture above Ryan's bed.

The man of the hour in his new suit & missionary haircut.

He wanted his picture taken in front of our picture of Lehi's Dream.

This is my personal favorite picture. Grandpa & Grandson looking at each other in front of the Oklahoma City Temple.

It was a really good day. Ryan's dad, Tim and his wife Nancy came. Ryan was so intent on watching the deacons pass the sacrament and asked if we could sit on the second row. That is one of his new duties and he wanted to watch closely so that he would get it right the next week when it was his turn. I spoke with the sister missionaries and & Jane Caldwell on missionary work. Ryan decided that he wanted to be in the last primary program so my dad got to see part of the program in the practice they had during the Sunday School hour.

It was touching to me to see how many men Ryan had asked to be a part of his ordination. I am so grateful to these men who have circled around my son, loved him, accepted him, been an example to him, mentored him. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who blesses us abundantly, especially in times of need. The ordination was simple, powerful, full of counsel and promise. Afterward, my dad gave Ryan a chart that shows the priesthood being handed down from Jesus Christ to Ryan Mills.

He also gave him a Book of Mormon that he had purchased and read cover to cover, marking scriptures with Ryan in mind. He is doing that for each grandchild when they turn 12. What a treasure.

One of my favorite memories of the day was just as we were leaving for church. Normally, Ryan takes some paper and pencils to draw with during the meeting. I asked him if he had his stuff and he said, "Nay, I think I am too grown up for that."

Where has the time gone?

Ryan's 12 Birthday

Ryan turned 12 on Oct. 17!!!! Where has the time gone? To celebrate, he invited friends to play sports at The Cube. They played football for the longest time and some basketball. I think everyone had a good time.

Quiet...

I am so tired, but I don't want to go to bed because then it will be tomorrow and I have to go to work...

I am Alive....

Just busy. Fall break is this weekend so I hope to catch up here a bit. Have a wonderful, beautiful, watch-the-fall-colors-change, peaceful kind of a day!

The Lawn Fairy & the Soon to be Dead Cricket (hopefully)

I think that you could wring out Oklahoma right now. It has rained for days. And my lawn is looooovvvinnngggg it. It is lush and green and grows about 6 inches a day. Tonight it rained more. So much that the streets were flooding a bit. We had scouts so it was after dark when we got home. As I was walking to the house, I said to Ryan, "Did someone mow or did the grass just get beaten down from the rain?" At first we couldn't tell in the dark. After we got all the lights turned on, we realized that the Lawn Fairy visited our house tonight! Both the front jungle and the back Amazon have been tamed and look wonderful with their new do's. Thank you so much Lawn Fairy! You are amazing - especially since I suspect that you were soaked by the time you finished. Thank you!!!!!

I have discovered a few species of insects would rather call my dry living room home than the deluge of the outdoors. I am currently listening to the very noisy, obnoxious, annoying cricket in my living room. As soon as he has the guts to show his face, he is going to be cricketing in heaven.

Thanks Everyone

I seriously didn't mean to sound depressed in my post yesterday. I really appreciate all the comments, emails, phone calls and the sweet package I got today. Thank you all.  I really am doing well & I am not going anywhere right now. I have many moments where I enjoy the peace and quiet of my life. I have just always been a big picture kind of girl and I don't know what my big picture is anymore. I do love Meg's comment that paddling in circles is much better than bailing out my sinking canoe. BTDT. I spent some time and money last month decorating my house. It feels much more me & I love that. I believe that I will find time for my front flower/herb beds. I LOVE playing around in the flower beds and nurturing something beautiful & I am so excited to get my hands dirty. My bank account is in the black with more in savings than I have had in years (not much but it is something). My wardrobe & jewelry stock have both grown this year and my scale said I lost 6 lbs. overnight! Yeah, I know - something is wrong with my scale. :) Anyway, my point is life is good. I am good. I just needed to give voice to the conversation in my heart & record the journey. Love you all~ J