Tree Frogs And Orange Groves

Last Saturday night, Mike and I got the kids all in their jammies, made them all popcorn and put on some movies, and we headed out the door to the temple. We're so lucky to live close because we left at 7:10 for the 7:30 session, and we were there and dressed by 7:20! Seriously, how blessed are we to be so close? Anyway, after the session was over, we headed outside to an empty parking lot. As we were leaving, all of the workers were leaving too, and we saw some friends of ours who work there. They mentioned for us to take a whiff.



Now if you've never been to the Redlands Temple, it is kind of tucked up on the side of a mountain, completely surrounded on all sides but one with orange groves. Huge expansive orange groves. I inhaled the most incredible smell of citrus! It was like I was on Soarin' it was so strong! I walked down to our car, the stars sparkling above us and just was so thankful that I have the priviledge to live so close to a temple. The night was so clear and the tree frogs were chirping, I could hardly stand it. I just felt the most amazing peace, comfort and gratitude for my life as it is.

We went to church the next day and really had a spectacular day until later in the evening when the kids had to make some phone calls. We try to get prepared for those moments with the kids as they have a tendency to get off the phone and be in a horrible mood. Mike talked to them for a while after the calls, and we asked the boys and Tiffany why they didn't want to talk, and they just shrugged.

It's getting harder and harder to make these kids have contact with certain people. I think it's important that they do, it's important that they keep a close relationship with their other family members, but how the heck do I force them? Mackenzie talks reluctantly because she feels obligated, but after 10 minutes of the other people crying about how horrible life is because of their mom (me), Mackenzie is even forced to get off the phone. Last night, she kept coming into the room where I was and mouthing the words "Help me". It's not because they're bad kids, but because every phone call is some news about how these kids should feel like crap because they somehow are the reason that some people won't come and visit. Believe me, I try to play it down, saying things like "oh they're busy" or "oh, work probably prevents the visits" but they are big old kids now and they know exactly what's going on. They keep track of how long it's been, and it's become a game now. If I didn't know better, I'd say they were making wagers on how many months it will be in between visits. At this point in time, it's been 7 months...and counting. Jonah and Casey laugh and can tell you how many days (203) since they've seen their other family. Actually, that's just one person. Anyway, they can tell you more, but I'm trying to stay out of this.

Don't get me wrong, they're not trying to whine about it, they're not obsessed with it, but every few weeks or so at dinner or whatever, one of them will say "203" or whaetver the number is, and they'll giggle and say "nice..." or something like that. Thankfully I have resilient kids. They're fiery, their righteous, they're loving and they're being blessed right now. Our house is happy, our family is so close, the 7 of us, it seems sometimes, our circle can't be broken down. We're certainly not being blessed monitarily, but as far as family wealth goes, I'm the Bill Gates of Yucaipa!

Moral of the story:

The greatest investment you can ever make is into the relationship you have with your children.

As time goes on, what will I value? What will these sacrifices Mike and I make do for our future? Will we be lonely old grandparents who cry because our kids never come visit? Will we be sitting in church one Primary Program Sunday watching our grandkids sing and give their talks? See, when you really sit down and tally up the pros and cons to the sacrifice it takes to be a "PARENT"... there really is no choice...is there...