The Bear Story

The conservation officers keep telling Wildwood residents that the reason we have a bear problem is because no one picks the fruit from the trees. So our friend Danny Behan picked his plums a little early this year and put them in his kitchen. He went into his bedroom and as he came out he heard a noise in his living room. A large bear had walked through his door and was heading for the kitchen and the plums. He said he didn't know what to do so he just yelled at the bear. The bear looked at him, turned around and walked back out the door. :)

As it is Emily is not allowed in the yard at 9:30, 3:30 or 5:30. Those are popular times for the bear to visit my parents backyard. Emily still thinks they are dogs!

Baby #2

I finally remembered to bring the picture and scan it in at work. I hope that you can see the baby! Enjoy! Emily likes to take the picture and say, "Baby." :)
Here is Emily's ultrasound picture when she was one week younger than her sibling. You can compare. I think we are having another girl ....... What do you think?

Our Life

Things are starting to settle down into a routine again. Work is keeping me very busy but I love it! I miss Emily but I love coming home to her running and yelling, "Mommy!" The best sound in the world. She then gives me a big hug and chatters on about her day. I can't belive how quickly they grow up. Its fun to be able to have a "conversation." We are still at my parents house but I discovered a great little place today at just the right price so hopefully that will change soon. Keep your fingers crossed for us! The pregnancy is going fantastic. I am sure its a girl because its the same pregnancy I had with Emily. The Lord definately blesses me. I am very tired by the end of the school day. But seeing Emily usually re-energizes me.

Emily has entered the "No" phase. 90% of the time its a polite no and smile. She thinks its funny. But the other 10% is not so much fun. She enjoys walking up to me, trying to take something from my hand and telling me no when I won't let her. The temper tantrums are more colourful everyday. When they happen in the middle of the store, I have actually learned to just smile and wait for it to end. Most people look understandingly at me. Since winter is on its way, my sister's cat Bertuzzi has started appearing nightly for food and shelter. His appearance always lets us know when cooler weather is on its way. Emily is in love with him. She goes out daily, picks up his food dish, shakes it, and calls "Kitty, kitty." Sad part is that the cat is rather scared of her. And he should be. When he tries to eat, she pets him and then moves his food dish, and then pets him again. Her new trick for the last week has been to chase him around the house saying, "Out, kitty, out." She does this until he disappers somewhere she can't crawl or he escapes outside. Nothing deters her from this new game. Poor Bertuzzi. The fickle love of a 19 month old. :) She learns a new word everyday. We love her dearly!

Landon is doing well. He turns 30 this week and is having mixed feelings. His misses his family dreadfully. Today he told me he doesn't want holiday scents in the house because it makes him trunky. He is enjoying work and stills enjoys his alone time. Kids are still flocking to him and Emily thinks he is funniest person alive. He is such a great dad. I love watching him with Emily and the other kids. He definately has more patience for them than for me. :) He has a loving heart, though he tries to hide it. His church calling is keeping him very busy, but he enjoys it.

Emily is now up so I am off outside with her. We are helping my parents pick apples tonight. The estimated 15 to 22 bears in Wildwood are making short work of the apples. We hope to pick them all tonight. Maybe next time I will post the story of the bear our friend Danny Behan found in his living room last week (an adult bear) .............

This is a fun video I took of Emily dancing before we left for the Philippines. It is guarenteed to make your day!

Pictures from the Philippines

Here are the links for the two photo albums I made on facebook for our trip:
Philippines 2008 - Bacolod
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68922&l=fecd2&id=546590128

Philippines 2008 - Boracay
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68936&l=de166&id=546590128

Our Big News!

Emily is going to be a big sister! I had an ultrasound today which confirmed the great news. I am 12 weeks and 5 days. The baby is healthy and is approximately 6.34 cm in length. Gotta love technology. My due date is March 8th, 2009. We just wanted to share our good news with all of you. I hope to have the ultrasound picture scanned in and posted in the next few days.

The three lessons I learned in the Philippines

Landon asked me to give a talk on Saturday morning and this is the talk that I wrote and gave in 24 hours. :) I thought that you might enjoy it.

Lesson 1: Happiness

“Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness. Our happiness is the design of all the blessings He gives us—gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity. His plan for our salvation is often called "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8). He sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy in the eternities.

Testifying of God's "eternal purposes," the prophet Lehi taught, "Men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:15, 25). Many people try to find happiness and fulfillment in activities that are contrary to the Lord's commandments. Ignoring God's plan for them, they reject the only source of real happiness. They give in to the devil, who "seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). Eventually they learn the truth of Alma's warning to his son Corianton: "Wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10).

Others seek only to have fun in life. With this as their main goal, they allow temporary pleasure to distract them from lasting happiness. They rob themselves of the enduring joys of spiritual growth, service, and hard work.” – Gospel Topics, www.lds.org

Before I left for the Philippines, I thought that I was mostly happy. I knew I was blessed with a wonderful family and that the Lord looked out for me. But I spent a large part of everyday worried about money, what I didn’t have, etc. Then I stepped off the plane into a world I had never seen before, a world where according to North America’s standard of living, happiness could not exist. My first impression, through my very tired eyes, was WOW! The rules of the road I was used to were gone. I noticed squatter’s homes. I had seen them in Landon’s pictures but this was different. Shops on the sides of the roads that looked like nothing I had ever seen. But it was here amongst, what North America would call, impoverished people that I learned a valuable lesson about happiness. If I was to name the first trait I noticed about Filipinos was happiness. They were always smiling and calling out to us. The look of joy on their faces as Landon conversed with them in their native tongue always brought tears to my eyes. As I met our friends in Sumag the first time I couldn’t believe how happy they were. It was contagious. As we went out the next afternoon to have lunch in their homes was when I became truly humbled. As Rova tracked us down and brought us to her home, I started to realize all that I had. Rova, her three children, her sister, sister’s daughter, and two parents live in a bamboo hut on stilts. They run a small chungee and welcome all into their home. As her father, who is inactive, sat and read the Liahona and her mother busied herself in finding food for us, I was overcome by the spirit. They offered us all they had. I stopped noticing my surroundings. Or at least what I would have considered the lack of possessions. No running water, no indoor plumbing, chickens, turkeys, pigs running at our feet. All I could feel was love and happiness. They were happy with their lives. As we travelled to our friends Winy and Cyril’s home I was overcome by what I was surrounded with. Winy and Cyril are better off monetarily but they still live in a 3 room concrete home. They have running water, electricity, TV and a surround sound. No indoor plumbing. But the gospel radiates from them. The way they raise their children, how they close their “restaurant” on Saturday’s and Sundays, so they can have one family day and observe the Sabbath. And their love for each other. I could go on and on about how I found true happiness amongst these wonderful friends.

“As we seek to be happy, we should remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. We will find peaceful, eternal happiness as we strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of our sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.” Gospel Topics – www.lds.org

Lesson 2: Marriage

“When a man and woman are married in the temple, their family can be together forever. This is a common goal of Latter-day Saints.

In our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, a man and a woman can be sealed to one another for time and all eternity. Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if they are true to their covenants. They know that nothing, not even death, can permanently separate them.

Those who are married should consider their union as their most cherished earthly relationship. A spouse is the only person other than the Lord whom we have been commanded to love with all our heart (see D&C 42:22).

Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither person exercising dominion over the other, but with each encouraging, comforting, and helping the other.

Because marriage is such an important relationship in life, it needs and deserves time over less-important commitments. Couples can strengthen their marriage as they take time to talk together and to listen to one another, to be thoughtful and respectful, and to express tender feelings and affection often.

Couples must centre their lives in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As couples help one another keep the covenants they have made, attend church and the temple together, study the scriptures together, and kneel together in prayer, God will guide them. Their companionship will sweeten through the years; their love will strengthen. Their appreciation for one another will grow.”

I have already spoken of Winy and Cyril. They were a wonderful example to me. They arise at 4:30 pm everyday and work side by side in their restaurant until 6:30 or 7:30 pm to provide for their family. They have not been married in the temple, yet, because the cost to go to Manila is so great. But I know without a doubt that next year when the temple is built on Cebu they will be there with their children.

The second individual I would like to mention is Orlando aka Magic. Orlando was one of Landon’s first friends in the Philippines. He had not see him in over 10 years. It did not cross his mind that we would see him while we were there. The last Landon had heard was that he had moved to Bacolod and was not active in the church. As we stood in the park in Valliodolid, Landon saw someone approach him. And then he heard, “Palmer?” There stood Magic, and he is at least a head taller than most Filipinos. He became our guide throughout the day. Taking us to Nanai Edvincula’s home and spending the day with us. The most joyous news we heard that day was that not only was he active in the church but this October, when he fiancé comes back from working in Montreal, he will be getting married to her in the Manila temple. The look of peace that Magic had on his face and the love he had for my husband brought tears to my eyes. When I think of the temple marriage I will always remember the sacrifices my dear friends are willing to make for such a great gift.

Lesson 3: Service

“During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

The Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).

Opportunities for service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and gladden hearts. Sharing the gospel is a great service with eternal consequences. One true key to happiness is to labour for the happiness of others.” - Gospel Topics, www.lds.org

Every Filipino I met were willing to serve. Some for “tips” but with our friends it was just pure service. They made sacrifices to take us for dinner, and not allow us to pay, and then to make us dinner. Nanai Edvencula was so excited to see us that she did all in her power to make us comfortable and to get dinner for us. She sent Magic out to make us a wonderful type of pork egg roll. (He was a great cook.) And she sent her husband to the next town over to buy chicken for us to eat for dinner. I had to be careful when I was around our friends with what I said because they were more than willing to move heaven and earth to make it possible. Including taking jeepnee rides into Bacolod to spend a couple of hours with us. I was also blown away by the service I received from airline stewardesses, resort staff (namely Sunny), and anyone we met. It was a stark difference to the service that was offered by the same type of people once I landed back in North America.

I will be eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for the opportunity he gave me to go to the Philippines and learn these lessons. It has been a difficult task remembering these lessons now that I am back home and reality has hit me full force. But I endeavour to change my life to live the gospel more fully, love more fully, and serve with all my heart.

We're Home!

We made it back, safe and sound. Only a few close calls. :) We were so excited to see and Emily. And fortunately the feeling was mutual. She doesn't particularly like me to be out of eye sight though. I can't blame her though. She was absolutely wonderful for my parents and only asked about us once maybe twice a day. I don't know if she grew up while we were gone or that it just took being away 13 days to see how grownup she has gotten. She has lost the last of the baby look in her face. Her vocabulary has become quite clear. Two words sentences are now the norm and she puts nonsense words together in sentences. She is quite funny and always putting smiles on her face. I will be sad to go back to work and not see her during the day as much. She is definitely a joy in our lives. As soon as I download the photos from our trip I will post a few. We had a great time and the pictures don't do justice to the beauty that we saw.

Philippines here we come!

In four hours Landon and I leave for the Philippines. Well at least the first leg of our trip, getting to Seattle. :) We are extremely excited to go except we are both feeling anxiety about leaving Emily. She probably won't even notice that we are gone. Because I haven't added anything lately I will leave a quick update.

First, Landon. Well he is doing grand. Work is going well and he loves that I'm home more. What can I say, he loves me! (And the freedom that comes with having two adults home with Emily!)

Second, Me. I am very excited to have work done and spending more one on one with Emily. I have loved that last 4 days where it has been primarily just the two of us. I have a fantastically cute and smart daughter who surprises me more each day. Life doesn't get much better.

Thirdly and most importantly, Emily. Its been an eventful few weeks. She was able to go on the amusement park rides at SeaFair for the first time this year. She went on a train, an infatable Cars Slide and a flying ride. She loved them, though the flying one got a little scary after about four times around. I climbed onto the train with her so that she could go. The things that you do for your child. :) She went to the fireworks at SeaFair and has developed a new passion. She kept pointing to the sky saying "Wow!" or pointing to the ocean and saying "boom!" (Some of the fireworks explode off of the water. They are awesome but very loud. Her vocabulary grows each day. Just the other day I asked if she was taking her purse to the beach with her. Now she goes looking for her purse to take to people and say "puwse." She has also learned how to turn on the guilt. My dad lets her ride on the lawn tractor with him as he mows the lawn or pulls a trailor around with stuff on it. Well he had to back the tractor and trailor to the back of the property. To do that he put her down on the lawn and told her that she could get back on in a minute. Her response was to hold her hands to together, hang her head and stand there looking dejected until my dad picked her up. It was hilarious! She tried it later on her dad and I which just ended up with her dad tickling her till she was laughing. She keeps us on our toes.

Speaking of Emily I want to go spend some more time with her before I leave so I must sign off. Below I have included the link to the summer photo album I have made on Facebook. You can see it by clicking on the link. You don't have to have a facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58431&l=6080a&id=546590128

Picture Link

If the link won't go through when you click on it than just copy and paste it into the browser. :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58431&l=6080a&id=546590128