Spiritually Renewed

I wasn't going to go.
The ladies I visit teach and had invited couldn't come.
A month ago, I had already told my neighbors that I would attend their housewarming party held at the same day and time. I wanted to be a good neighbor and support them.
Plus I dislike LARGE crowds. I feel unsure of myself and tend to go inside my shell.
I was not going to go.

An hour before the dinner/broadcast was to begin, David convinced me that I needed to go. I changed into a dress, grabbed the "Reese's Peanut Butter Cake" I had made and another that a friend had asked me to bring to be used as centerpieces (and dessert), and drove to our stake center.

I entered the gym juggling the two cakes feeling a bit lost.  Then a familiar voice offered to help me with the desserts. Then she asked me to sit with her. That was all I needed to feel at ease. Round tables circled about with chairs filled the space to its maximum capacity. Women from all walks of life filled every one of those chairs. Thirty or so men dressed alike in black pants, white shirts, and black bow ties, tirelessly served us dinner and waited on us. Six more men labored in the kitchen for who knows how many hours cooking and preparing the wonderful meal. It was a beautiful sight. Being able to visit with the nine other women at my table was just what I needed. I was where I needed to be.

At 7pm we gathered in the chapel to listen to our new General Relief Society presidency and President Henry B. Eyring.

Here are a few of my notes that especially touched me:

Linda Burton:

• All that is unfair about life can be made right by our Savior's atonement.
• The enemy (Satan) knows when to attack us, but the Savior knows when to save.
• The Savior's atonement is the greatest evidence of the Father's love for His children. It should send each of us to our knees in humility.

Carole Stephens

• It is our responsibility to be wide awake in our duties.
• When we make and keep covenants, we are coming out of the world and into the Kingdom of God.
• We should never let our sisters down spiritually.
• Awake to who we are.

Linda S. Reeves

• Story of Lazarus shows Christ's compassion, empathy, and love for us all. When Mary wept, Jesus wept.
• Linda told a touching story involving her husband who had a rare disease. She was convinced that he was going to die. While preparing for his death, she turned away from the Lord for a few days; didn't pray. After realizing she couldn't do it alone, she cast her burden to the Lord. Linda's husband lived. Later, she found herself at her 17 year old daughter's hospital bed praying, but this time the answer was no. On both occasions, she felt an overwelming blanket of love wrapped around her.
• Cast your burdens upon Him. He knows how to succor you.

President Eyring

• Cherish, watch over, comfort, and gain instruction that we may sit down in Heaven together.
• Turn FAITH into ACTION
• Care for those around us takes a team.
• Invite the Savior into our circle.
• Invite our sisters into our circle.
• The Spirit will comfort you when you wonder "Have I done enough?"

One of my favorite moments of this evening was the phone call I had with my sister, Deborah, following Women's Conference. Sharing our thoughts and impressions with each other about the broadcast was a special moment. Thank you, David, for talking me into going. I feel blessed and spiritually renewed.

Seasonal Foods

This is the time of year when lots of unnecessary food ends up in my shopping bag. For example, candy corn. Now, I know that stores sell it all year round, but in  my opinion it only tastes good during the fall. And I only buy the Brachs brand.

 

I eat my candy corn beginning with the white tip, saving the yellow for last.

How do you eat yours?

Ahh! Sweet goodness!

My Afternoon

(A picture taken of Dave-o wearing Steven's duck-tape top hat back in June)

 

The kids (Steven in particular) started our school day trying to convince me to take them on a field trip. As tempting as the idea sounded to go on an adventure, I told them no. Dave-o had been acting super cranky (which isn't like him). He had been up late last night playing with three little boys who I watch every Wednesday so their mom can go to YWs. My instincts were spot on. Right now, Dave-o is sleeping in his bed; and this is coming from a three year old who rarely takes naps these days.

Kirsten did a fun science experiment involving a soda can imploding. She emptied a "no-calorie root beer" soda (that none of us will drink because it is nasty) and poured 2 cm of water into it. Then she put it onto a hot burner on our stove. While it was heating up, Kirsten poured cold water and lots of ice into a roasting pan. After seeing steam come out of the opening of the can for one minute, Kirsten grabbed hold of it using tongs, and inverted it into the cold water. Boom! The can immediately crushed. This was a fun and powerful lesson demonstrating just how strong air pressure is (14.7 lbs psi). Kirsten learned that the steam replaces the air inside the can. Once it is put into the cold water, the steam turns into a couple of drops of water making a vacuum effect. With the opening of the can in the water, air can't go inside. The outside air pressure causes the soda can to implode.

James spent much of his school time writing an essay about his latest Father-Son campout adventure. He wrote in great detail of his traumatic experience involving a tick that had burrowed into his shoulder blade. (I was tramautized more than James by the experience.)

After having lunch with Merek at Five Guys Burger and Frys, Justin came home with the notion that I would let him skip out on school tomorrow just because it was a short day. Attending fifteen minute classes until 10:30 does seem like a waste of time, but I can't in good conscience say yes. He was disappointed, but not surprised.

Steven, Kirsten, and I went on a short hike to gather samples of plants that are native to California. Then Steven typed up a description of the specimens for a scout requirement. This proved to be a great English lesson for him as it involved lots of discriptive words.

Maybe we'll go on a field trip tomorrow...

Library Activities

I recently learned from my friend, Wendy, that the Los Gatos library offers a weekly knitting class for children. Kirsten and I decided to check it out this afternoon. The class, consisting of one grandma figure (the teacher) and 12 excited little girls, was situated in a large nook underneath floor to ceiling windows with a huge cushioned window seat. In the beginning, I sat down beside Kirsten (intending to knit with her). After a few minutes, I mentally slapped myself for being such a "hovering mom". I told Kirsten that I would look around for some books. When I looked over my shoulder at her, she was already in deep conversation with three nearby girls. Kirsten's such a social butterfly. I spent the hour sitting in a comfy chair reading a bit of Jane Austin. Kirsten enjoyed the talking and I savored the quiet moment.

The Receiving End of Service

Meet my 80+ year old friend, June. A year of being her visiting teacher has turned into a special relationship. During the summer, June would invite my younger kids over to her house for art projects. With the start of school, she has continued her invitations. Last month Steven, Kirsten, and Dave-o painted rocks. More recently, June had little bird houses for them to paint and embellish. I am grateful for June's willingness to share her talents with our family.

Another September Birthday

After church, our family joined Mike and Stacy and their family in Atherton to celebrate Dad Zinn's birthday. Justin couldn't come due to a speaking assignment for Stake Standard's Night.

Emily and Stacy...James

James, Steven, Grandpa Zinn, and Kirsten

Kirsten and Emily...Steven being goofy (like usual)

Father and sons

Presents and cake time 

Grandpa and his Grandchildren

Happy birthday to a wonderful father and grandfather.

Celebrating with the A's

David celebrated his birthday warching the A's battle it out with the Orioles. Josh babysat Dave-o while the rest of us routed for Oakland (eventhough most of us are Giants fans). We even wore green and gold. Yes, I was a traitor to my team, but only for the one night.

Kirsten only likes the A's because their mascot is an elephant.

It was a sold out game.

A few minutes into the game we realized that Uncle Robert, Buddy (David's cousin) and his boys were sitting behind us. What a small world!

There were lots of exciting moments and nail bitter moments.

We had great seats for only $13 thanks to BYU Alumni.

The game ended in a win for the home team, 3-2. A "Star Wars" themed firework show followed the game. I thought it was really cool that the franchise allowed the fans to watch from the field.

 Happy Birthday David!

**********

 Today, Michael and Owen came by to join is in some cake and ice-cream.

Here's to another year.

David is...

David is creative, inventor, brother, smart, quick-witted, husband, easily stressed, canker sores, athlete, strong, father, friend, tenacious, knowledge, engineer, routine, handsome, ice-cream, laughter, leader, uncle, rock n' roll, football, BYU, music, son, technology, story teller, debater, religious, competitive, A's baseball, compassion, teacher, playmate, hero, and forty-one years old.

 

Happy Birthday David! We love you!

 

 

"The Foot Book", Dave-o style

Sadly, it seems that Dave-o is outgrowing his naps. However, I still lay him down for a couple of hours of quiet time.

Here is a video that Steven took back in June of Dave-o reading the Foot Book with his own enterpretations.

"Kirsten" Earring

Remember how I wrote about using thinner yarn and a smaller hook for my next earring project? Well, I'm done! It's so vintage looking. I'm thinking of dipping it in liquid starch to help the lace hold its shape better.

I'm naming this earring "Kirsten".

I used a white 100% cotton bedspread thread and a size D hook.
Crochet enough single crochets around the hoop to cover the metal.
The rest of the pattern is as follows:

*2 sc, work a "picot" (ch 3 then make a slip stitch in the first chain made), skip stitch, sc in next stitch* Repeat until you reach the end.

An Afternoon at the Park

While Steven was at Robotics class and James home sick (with the same crud we've all unfortunately have had), I took Kirsten and Dave-o to the park.

On our way back to the car, Kirsten wanted to climb this really tall boulder that sits in the entrance to the park. After climbing back down, we spotted a lizard and tried hard to catch.

I turned my head for a quick sweeping glance to locate Dave-o, and to my shock he was climbing up the boulder making it all the way to the top. Way to go little man!

Denied Thrice

Very dangerous! Jonah said "No" to God and we all know what happened to him.

 

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!

Our family stayed home for the entire day.