Summer, summer you're beautiful...

One of the things that I love about Bella's school is the schedule! Not too much, not too little. Her last day of school was last Thursday....BRING ON SUMMER! I am so dang excited. On the docket I have beach trips planned, a summer camp Bella begged for, a trip to Bend, camping maybe a trip to Utah-r, a whole lot of my favorite berry picking and farmers markets just to name a few things. But mostly if they do nothing but this....

hanging with the friends and playing then the summer will be a complete success in my eyes. I love having the kids around and their friends. I LOVE SUMMER!

Now if I can just pluck up a little more energy for the events. Yes, y'all...that's right we are expecting our third. And those of you out there that have the signed documents that I swore not to have anymore, please burn said document. We are so dang excited. We are due end of Sept. first of October-ish. We don't know what it is and are not going to find out. Energy has been low this time around but not too bad. I cannot wait to have this little one in my arms, my arms are just aching to hold baby!

I will post some pictures of Bella's last day of school when I get a new connecting cord to the computer. Harry put one end of ours in the electrical outlet, melting the things. Good news is the Harry is alive, bad news is that the cord is dead. Boys, seriously, BOYS!

The World's Best Visiting Teacher.....

"The thing about ministering angels is that you are not the only one. If one is needed, one will be sent."

-My mom

Like most parts of my testimony, my testimony of Visiting Teaching began around the age thirteen. My dad had died 2 months before, and my mom was working as a nurse one day a week at the hospital. She would usually work Sunday nights and then sleep while we were at school the next day. So on Monday when we came home and she was still asleep, we figured "eh tough night" and went about the evening and went to bed. She didn't get up to see us off the next day, which was unusual but again, we figured "She's tired and it's all catching up with her" and went to school. It was Tuesday afternoon when we realized something is wrong. My mom is a fighter, it isn't in her nature to just sleep it off. Andrea took care of the boys after school stuff and I went in my room.

It was the first of many, many times that I would go to my knees for an answer because I didn't know what else to do. I felt alone and frightened. The Lord has never let me down and during this particular time in my life, He was always a breath away. So I uttered what I'm sure was a clumsy and ridiculous prayer, probably bookended with "By-the-way, I am a little perturbed that my mom even has to be in the situation." When I ended the prayer though, the distinct impression came "Call Robyn." Robyn was my mom's long-time friend and visiting teacher. I got off my knees and obeyed.

Only now can I appreciate what it took a busy mom of 4 to leave a house around 4 o'clock. But that's exactly what she did. I called and explained what was happening. Her reply was simply "I'll be right there."

And come she did. She went right to my mom's room, and knelt by her bed. I sat out in the hall with the door slightly ajar watching, listening, praying....learning.

Robyn: "Jill, you have to get up."

Jill: "It hurts. I found these airline tickets Greg had ordered to surprise me on my birthday with a trip to the Caribbean in the mail yesterday. I want him back."

Robyn held her hand, cried with her and the end result was that my mom got out of bed. I watched the whole thing through a crack.

I have a theory of why I grew up around such incredible people with incredible testimonies. Emerson once said "A man is born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears fruit." I think that might be true for everyone but me. I was born doubting everyone and everything. I remember watching General Conference and thinking "Ya right, they say that but they don't mean it." That is some pretty serious skepticism for a 10 year old. But for the Lord's own good purposes, which reasons I do not yet know I needed to be around the strength of the church and watch them live their testimonies. There are people that wear the gospel and there are people who are the gospel.

President and Sister Beck visiting Portland.

Sister Busche taught me Sunday school in her quiet humble way and it stuck. Sister Belnap and Sister Rigby loved me in YW when I didn't love myself. Sister Oborn taught me Sunday School and showed me that the Lord is the source of all light, love and talents bestowed (This was even when I was trying to ditch her classes). Elder Busche walked home in funny hats and after a year or so a walking right behind him, would talk to me about the gospel (READ HIS BOOK IF YOU HAVEN'T). He always begins his testimony with "Brothers and Sisters I rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Brother Belnap, the world's greatest Home Teacher. Brother Milt, the quietest, most content man ever, gave endless service. The list is endless: Bishop Beck, bringing peace everywhere he stood; Bishop Merrill; Elder and Sister Tingey. And there was Sister Beck, I can honestly say that I have never heard her say anything mean about anyone. I can honestly say that she is full of light.

This is home. This is where my testimony began. This is who I am. This is what I belive. I know that faith is a power. I know that that faith must be centered in Christ to have any effect. I know God hears prayers. I know the Holy Ghost, serving in his many capacities, is real. I know that all truth is centered in Christ. I know that I will never fathom his bottomless love and forgiveness, but I need it daily and desperately. I know that angels exist and we can call on them when in need. I know when I need to speak with Heavenly Father to pray; I know that when I need him to speak to me, I read the scriptures. I know the scriptures are true. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ radiates hope, life and love. I know that "charity never faileth." I know these things because I have studied them, I have prayed and I have watched these truths fulfilled in the lives around me, starting in my home ward when I was very young. I began weak, I now breathe strongly. It all started by watching people who are the gospel.

President and Sister Beck were in town this weekend to do some training and I got to spend the day with Robyn on Saturday. Here are some pictures of the greatest girl's day I have ever had. It was a wonderful day full of laughter and light and sweetness. I also got to hear their testimonies in Sacrament Meeting the next day. I am so grateful to have such wonderful people woven into my story.

And the day would not have happened without this sweet lady. Sister Brinkerhoff was our Portland expert, chauffeur and sweetheart extraordinaire. It was such a pleasure to meet her and get to know her a little better. Oh and when food is a spiritual experience, truly can there be a better day? She took up to McCormick and Schmick's and Papa Hyden's for dessert. If I die soon, can I be buried somewhere close to Papa Hyden's? That place was just ummm...there are no words.

Me trying on hats at the Portland Market, while we all begin to understand the "Keep Portland Weird" bumper sticker. We also introduced Robyn to Powell's, the greatest book store.

Taking a sip from one of the Benson Fountains. The cute girl on the left is Lisa, one of Robyn's young women from our home ward. She is also in my Stake. How small is the world in the gospel?

What?! You haven't met the spoon man? Well here he is. Some of his stuff was about as funky and genius as it comes. So much fun.

I was such a wonderful day that will stay in my heart forever.

Flowers for mom...

I sent the kids outside so that I could attempt to make my house look like it wasn't a second set for Sum of all Fears.

They enjoyed a charming lunch al la Fresco and then surprised my frantic cleaning efforts with a small bouquet of these..... Followed by a request for pink string and then another bouquet of these.

Which in turn needed to be added to by a bigger bouquet of these.....



And for good measure when I opened the front door I found these in my path....

Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. They smell, well, perfect to me. But they are only there for 2-3 weeks a year. I almost asked my sweet babies to stop robbing the trees. But while the flowers on the tree won't stay, these sweet memories of my children showering me with flowers over and over and over again will last forever.

Isaiah 40:6 "All Flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field."

and

Matthew 6:28 "Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow...."

Easter Egg Hunt...

Welcome to the Gardner's First annual (and probably never to be held again, unless we still live here) Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza! The kids had so much fun hiding the 400 eggs that they just wanted to help the other kids get them and watch the others excitement....how much more Eastery can you get. Kids foregoing candy to see smiles. Here are some pictures of the event...

I'm a bright girl, with a touch of reform and a dash of Zippety-pow! (Seriously look at that 'tude.)

This one was my favorite. She would sidle up and make best friends with whichever grown up would open more candy for her. I love her!

My Boys!

And seriously his sweet eyes are just that amazing in person too!

Catching snakes after.

Just before mama laid down for a rest after. The weather was perfect, the friends were so much fun. It was just wonderful! I love Easter! Thanks for coming dear people!

An OUT OF THIS WORLD party...

I may as well own up to the fact that I don't do Birthday Parties. Bella has had one in her life and this year Harry had his first. I just really felt like he needed a celebration of him as a person, someone entirely unto himself not just his sisters shadow. I may be overthinking this. What is it about motherhood that makes us analyze and scrutinize and re-analyze and re-scrutinize our every thought and move? He wanted to go to Out of this World Pizza, a fun little spot. We took a few of his friends and he had the time of his life! It was so much fun!

Thank you I-Shuan for remembering a camera because Harry's dunce of a mother completely forgot.

First of all, how is my man four? Four I ask you? Time is such an interesting thing:the thing everyone thinks they own some of but in reality we have none. Any time given is a gift from Heavenly Father. I don't understand it at all, how the years have sped by, but alas they have and here I sit and marvel at this amazing little man of ours. Oh how I adore you my love! He is a man of many talents that we have loved to watch emerge one by blessed one.

It was such a great day! Thanks to all for making it so wonderful!